My newest book:
Bringing little girls (and little boys) to the Ballet
Recently, several friends have asked me for recommendations for bringing their children to the ballet. I brought my daughter to the ballet when she was very little and she loved it. I thought I would pass along some of my ideas!
I get all excited about this because I think it is great to bring children to performances from an early age. My mother brought my sister and me to The New York City Ballet when we were young. I brought my daughter to the ballet when she was little. She was watching ballet videos on the TV at home and was mesmerized by them, but the first time I brought her to the State Theater to see the NYCB I was nervous and was ready to make a quick exit with her if necessary. But it was such a big success that we have been going together ever since! Now she is 18, and a dancer herself! Those pointe shoes in the photo are hers - actually a pair that she wore while performing with NYCB in Double Feature.
I think it is really important to prepare children for going to the theater: anticipation and excitement are great - after all, a live performance is a very special event! However it is definitely NOT like watching TV in their living room, where they can run around and make all the noise they want! So here are a few pointers: Explain the situation in advance. Kids need to know there are expectations. I had a strict rule: No Talking!! I always brought a lollipop, unwrapped and ready, if my daughter needed a little treat to encourage her. In the intermission I let her pick out a pair of pointe shoes at the gift shop (they sell used pointe shoes of company corps members for $5). We often got tickets for seats in the fifth ring on the side, where the seats are singles, one in front of the other - this gives a little leeway with wiggling because I'm really conscientious about not bothering other people. Sitting close up is fun, however we usually got much cheaper tickets up high - there are advantages to both but my daughter was intrigued with watching all the formations and patterns, best seen from above. And I tried really hard to pick good programs - and always a matinee.
So here are two suggestions (both weekend matinees) for the upcoming New York City Ballet season. (And NYCB requires that children be at least five years old)
- The All-Balanchine program on Saturday May 3: Symphony in C, Symphony in 3 Movements, and Western Symphony - lots of variety, lots of tutus, great numbers of dancers on stage with a lot of activity and energy, this program is EXCELLENT for everyone!
- The All-Robbins program on Sunday June 15: Circus Polka (a quick ballet with lots of little girls from the School of American Ballet and lots of fun), Moves (no music - when my daughter first saw this she sat transfixed on the edge of her seat), The Cage (this piece is so strange that it grabs everyone's attention), Four Bagatelles (I don't know this one but I would take my chances!) and Fanfare (a fun and lighthearted introduction to all the instruments of the orchestra). This program does not have as much tutu and "princess" qualities as the Balanchine program, but I think it has lots of child appeal.
I think exposing young children to ballet and other cultural events is a
great idea if... And it's a big if, the child is able to sit quietly. I
work with young children and I know that while some of them could manage
this, most can't. It's just not in the nature of a 4-year-old to be quiet.
And I really hate it when I get stuck sitting next to one at a ballet I've
paid for and expect to enjoy. I also can't stand parents who whisper
throughout the ballet about what's happening. I think a better idea is a
trip to a young people's orchestra event, an outdoor music and dance
performance, or some other performance specifically put on for children.
And perhaps ballet should remain a video thing. Can you tell I've had to
put up with noisy kids and parents at the ballet???
I totally agree with you that parents also need to NOT talk during a
performance! And I do think it really depends on the child when they are
ready to go to the theater, but there is nothing like live performances.
Clapping is really fun! My daughter loved to clap along with everyone else.
Performances where there are good opportunities for clapping are a great
way to work off the wiggles and enthusiasm!
Thank you so much for the recomendations! I have a 6 year old boy, and he
isn't interested in the 'tutu thing', so the Robbins program sounds
wonderful.
I'll bet your son will especially enjoy Fanfare - and there are some really
funny bits danced by the boys. Stay in touch, closer to the time I might be
able to tell you about casting, and if my daughter will be dancing!