Cuteness Overload: Chatham Preschoolers Perform 'The Nutcracker'

CHATHAM, NJ - More than 40 children ranging in ages from three to six crowded into the Corpus Christi gymnasium t the Gingham Giraffe Preschool on Southern Boulevard debuted their own version of “The Nutcracker” Monday.

The gymnasium was filled with parents, grandparents, and friends of family as the nervous youngsters huddled backstage, organizers said. The students had been practicing their lines, songs, stage directions, and dances for weeks as part of Gingham’s new “Preschool Players” program. In the nine week program leading up to the performance, children were taught lessons in physical storytelling, using dance and song, simple theater games to learn about sound, voice range, and how the body moves for performance.

Gingham Director Gail Smith kicked off the action with a short speech to the capacity crowd.

“Little ones love to pretend and theater is an ideal outlet for them” she said. “While I can’t guarantee that this rendition will be perfect, I can guarantee that it will be entertaining."

Although Preschool Players is a fairly new program, The Players’ leader, Jenny Carbone, is not new to the stage. She has worked for The Papermill Playhouse for over a decade and as a veteran teacher at The Gingham Giraffe, said she recognizes the importance of drama in the classroom.

“There is nothing like children working together as an ensemble to achieve a goal and to cooperate with their peers to bring a performance to life," she said. "Confidence and positive self-image increase as they see and learn what the magic of theater is all about.”

According to the school, the play went off smoothly with only a few small hitches. Live piano accompanied dance, song, and costumes as Tchaikovsky's unmistakable music echoed through the hall.

At the end, the little ones blushed to a standing ovation. Joining the audience was a group from Chatham’s assisted living facility Juniper Village.

“They’re right down the road, and seniors get such a kick out of young children, I knew they’d think it was a hoot,” Smith said of her choice to invite the seniors. “We hope they come back for future performances.”

Preschool Players is currently open to all local children age three through six regardless of their enrollment at The Gingham Giraffe Preschool. Classes run Mondays and Tuesdays 12:30 p.m. through 2:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Alison at alison@ginghamgiraffe.com or visit www.ginghamgiraffe.com.

(Photo courtesy of Gingham Giraffe Preschool)

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