CLARA’S DREAM 2026
Your Clara’s Dream info hub.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Clara’s Dream Performance Info Week • September 21–26
Join us for the last 10 minutes of class to learn about your dancer’s invitation to participate in Clara’s Dream, including their role, cast assignment, important dates, and what to expect from this year’s production as part of Winter Fantasy.
Clara’s Dream
Impact Dance Center’s Nutcracker
Saturday, December 19, 2026
11 AM (Cast A) • 1 PM (Cast B) • 3PM (Cast C)
Kennedy High School Performing Arts Center
8331 Walker St, La Palma, CA 90623
Presented as part of Winter Fantasy 2026
Clara’s Dream is Impact Dance Center’s invitational production of The Nutcracker, a special opportunity for dancers to strengthen their ballet training, develop their artistry, and experience the magic of bringing a full production to the stage.
We’re excited to continue this Impact tradition and create another season of memories with our dancers and families.
Featured roles are selected through auditions and rehearse outside of regularly scheduled classes. Students enrolled in participating youth ballet classes are invited to perform ensemble roles, with choreography incorporated into their weekly class curriculum.
All participating dancers also come together for designated production rehearsals and performance preparation leading up to show day.
THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE, DANCERS WILL:
Strengthen performance skills, independence, and confidence
Learn and refine classical ballet repertory
Practice rehearsal, backstage, and theater etiquette
Experience how choreography, costumes, staging, and production come together
Build connections with dancers across ages and levels
Create lasting memories with their dance community
By participating in clara’s dream, you agree that all performers will be dismissed at the conclusion of their assigned performance block or invitational production. For safety and to ensure a smooth dismissal process, we cannot accommodate early pick-ups or exceptions.
Thank you for adhering to this policy and helping us keep all children safe.
Cast Lists & Schedules
Featured Leads
Clara’s Dream 2026 is underway! Featured Leads have completed their Choreography Workshop and first repertory rehearsal as we begin bringing this year’s production to life.
Featured Lead families can reference the rehearsal schedule below for upcoming rehearsals, important dates, and call times.
weekly group classes
Weekly group class role assignments and schedules are available! Click below to review your dancer’s class assignment. Confirm participation in this invitational production by Thursday, October 1st.
*Choreography will be taught during regular weekly classes. Please refer to the linked document for the dates and times of the mandatory photo day, studio rehearsal, and theater dress rehearsal.
Important Dates
In addition to the mandatory photo day, studio rehearsal, and theater dress rehearsal, regular attendance in weekly classes is crucial. Inconsistent attendance can impact your dancer's performance quality and eligibility for this invitational production.
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Confirm your dancer’s participation and submit the production fee before the deadline.
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Location: Impact Los Alamitos
Schedule:
View Group Class Schedule → - Coming Soon!
View Featured Lead Schedule* → - Coming Soon!
*Featured Leads: You may have more than one call time (photo and rehearsal). Please review the schedule carefully for all arrival and dismissal details.
Dancers should arrive wearing under their coverups:
Pink ballet shoes
Pink tights:
Levels 1A & Higher: Capezio 9/9C in Classical Pink
Academy & Essentials : Capezio Ultra-soft Tights in Ballet Pink
Skin-tone leotard to wear under costumes. Sheep may wear a black camisole leotard of choice
Note: Please do not wear underwear under tights.
Need help finding what you need? We’ve gathered our favorite tights, leotards, skirts, and more on our Impact Amazon Storefront.Everything approved for class and performance days.
Hair, Makeup & Nails:
High, flat bun with a hair net. Simple makeup for young dancers: plum blush, mascara, brown eyeshadow, and red lipstick. Regular stage makeup for older ones including false eyelashes. No jewelry or nail polish.Thank you for your commitment and dedication!
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Cast A: 2:00-3:20PM
Cast B: 3:30-4:50PM
Cast C: 5:00-6:20PMThis mandatory all-cast studio rehearsal will take place at Impact Los Al. It’s a closed rehearsal, so students should be dropped off and picked up at the lobby doors. Absences are not permitted, and refunds will not be issued for conflicts.
Dancers should come in their regular dance attire: black leotard and tights with hair up for girls, and tee shirt and dance pants for boys. Photo or stage makeup is not required, but hair should be styled as usual.
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Cast A: 4:00 - 5:00 PM
Cast B: 5:00 - 6:00 PM
Cast C: 6:00 - 7:00 PMThis mandatory all-cast theater rehearsal will be held at Kennedy Performing Arts Center. It’s an open rehearsal, so parents should stay on or near campus. Absences are not allowed, and no refunds will be provided for conflicts.
Stage makeup is not required for this rehearsal.
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Saturday, December 19, 2025
Check-in starts 45 minutes before show time.11 AM: Cast A
1 PM: Cast B
3 PM: Cast C
Location: Kennedy Performing Arts Center
Please note, Clara’s Dream admission wristbands will be the same as those for the studio's Winter Fantasy performances.
Production Fees
The production fee for this invitational production covers the costs of rehearsals, costume rental, various production expenses such as lighting, props, and theater usage, media day sitting fee (photo packages are charged separately through the photographer), digital performance video download, and cast t-shirt. Dancers cast in multiple roles will be charged only once, at the higher applicable tier.
DUE UPON ACCEPTANCE
Featured Principal & Performer Fees
DUE UPON PARTICIPATION CONFIRMATION (BEFORE OCTOBER 1ST)
Ensemble Production Fees (Youth weekly group classes)
Featured Leads : $232.00
Roles: Clara, Sugarplum Fairy, Dew Drop Fairy, Peacock, Doll, Waltz of the Flowers, Mirlitons, Hot Chocolate Lead & Demi-Soloists, Candy Canes, Birds, Gnomes, Bakers, Toy Soldiers
Ensemble Production Fee: $117.00
Roles: All youth weekly group classes. View class assignments here →
Can’t Join Clara’s Dream This Year?
We hope your dancer can join us for this special Impact tradition, but we understand that holiday schedules can be full.
To participate: Complete your dancer’s Clara’s Dream production enrollment through your studio account by the participation deadline. This confirms their spot and submits the applicable production fee.
To decline: Please email office@impactdancecenter.com by the participation deadline so our team can finalize casting, costumes, and production logistics.
Dancers who do not participate will still learn and rehearse Nutcracker repertory as part of their regular class curriculum.
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Revisiting roles in a repertory piece like Clara’s Dream is an integral part of ballet training and is a tradition in ballet schools worldwide. Each time a dancer performs the same role, it offers them the chance to deepen their understanding of the choreography, enhance character development, and approach the role with greater skill, maturity, and confidence.
Repeating a role allows dancers to refine their technique, take more artistic risks, and discover new nuances in their performance. This opportunity to build on their past experience helps them recognize and celebrate their growth over time. Even when performing the same role, it becomes a new experience, providing them with the opportunity to push their abilities further and connect more deeply with the choreography and the art of performance.
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If your dancer is enrolled in more than one ‘Nutcracker’ class, they are encouraged to perform both roles as long as they are cast in different performances, with no extra charge. If your dancer can only participate in one role, the assignment will be made at the teacher’s discretion to ensure balanced casts.
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Even if your dancer chooses not to participate in the performance, they will still learn Nutcracker repertory and rehearse choreography as part of their class curriculum. This training is integral to their development. Please notify us via email at office@impactdancecenter.com by October 1 at 11:59 PM if your dancer will not be participating in the performance.
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No, costumes are rented to Nutcracker participants, and the rental fee is included in the Production Fee. This system helps reduce costs for our dancers and their families by maintaining an inventory of costumes.
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Yes, dancers need to provide their own tights, shoes, and undergarments.
Required items include:Pink ballet shoes
Pink tights:
Ballet 1A & Higher: Capezio 9/9C in Classical Pink
Academy & Essentials: Capezio Ultra-soft Tights in Ballet Pink
Skin-tone leotard to wear under costumes
Sheep and dolls may wear a black camisole leotard of choice
Note: Please do not wear underwear under tights.
Need help finding what you need? We’ve gathered our favorite tights, leotards, skirts, and more on our Impact Amazon Storefront. Everything approved for class and performance days.
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Hair: Should be in a high, flat bun secured with a hair-colored hair net. Avoid using hair pieces, mesh donuts, or anything that adds bulk to the bun. Here’s a tutorial on creating a basic ballet bun for stage.
Makeup (Watch Tutorial):
Younger dancers: Simple makeup including plum blush, mascara, brown eyeshadow, and red lipstick (preferably: Mac Ruby Woo).
Older dancers: Regular stage makeup with false eyelashes.
Jewelry & Nail Polish: No jewelry or nail polish is allowed.
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Our volunteer staff plays a crucial role in managing costumes, props, programs, and more. We always welcome new volunteers. A signup link will be sent via email once participation is finalized.
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The $117 Production Fee supports your dancer’s complete production experience, including additional rehearsals, costume rental, production expenses, digital show video, photo shoot fee, and production shirt.
Production fees are separate from the Red Shirt Performance Package.
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es. Clara’s Dream and Club Sweets are full productions and include rehearsals outside of your dancer’s regularly scheduled class.
Families should refer to their production-specific information for required rehearsal dates, times, Media Day, theater rehearsals, and other production commitments.
Because these productions involve staging, choreography, costumes, and multiple dancers working together, attendance at required production rehearsals is important.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
COMMUNICATION LOG
September 16, 2026 - Save the Date for Clara's Dream 2026 • Join Us Next Week to Learn More!
September 21, 2026 - Performance Info Week Starts Today! Join Us for the Last 10 Minutes of Class
September 28, 2026 - Winter Fantasy, Clara's Dream & Club Sweets • Your Links + October 1 Deadlines
October 1, 2026 - Tonight - Clara's Dream Enrollment Deadline