Ballet cast gives tea for audiences

Children and adults will have the opportunity to meet and greet characters from the IU Ballet Theatre's performance of "The Nutcracker" from 12:45 to 2 p.m. Saturday in the lobby of the Musical Arts Center.\nThe Nutcracker Holiday Tea has run for six or seven years.\n"The tea is a very nice way to start off the holiday season," Molly Diemer said. "The dancers are decked out, the MAC is decked out and people are able to meet the characters of 'The Nutcracker' and get photos and autographs."\nTea, lemonade and cookies are served, and many of the ballet dancers from the show are on hand to meet with participants. Most years eight to 10 performers participate.\nJunior ballet major Christine Baker participated in the tea last year.\n"I was the doll in last year's performance," she said. "(At the tea) the children and parents were introduced to all the characters."\nBaker also teaches many of the pre-college ballet classes at IU, so many of her students recognized her. She believes it's a very good program for children before they see the ballet. \n"It gets them excited to go see 'The Nutcracker,'" she said. "It also gives them a better understanding of the storyline … we tell them (the story) ahead of time."\nParticipating in the tea is also a good experience for the dancers, Baker said.\n"I definitely love seeing all the kids," she said. "It gives us all more inspiration to dance."\nAlso featured concurrently with the tea is the Nutcracker Boutique, a shop set up in the lobby along with the tea by the ballet department and Elegant Options, an antique gallery at 403 N. Walnut St. \nThe Nutcracker Boutique sells Christmas ornaments, holiday decorations and "Nutcracker" memorabilia, including signed pointe shoes, posters and nutcrackers. Generally about 150 to 160 people come to the tea.\nThe Nutcracker Holiday Tea costs $7 per person. More information can be obtained by calling the ballet department at 855-6787 or visit the music school Web site at www.music.indiana.edu. \n-- Contact staff writer Jenny Kobiela at jkobiela@indiana.edu.