With over 35 performances during the holiday season, The Nutcracker brings thousands of patrons joy every year -- but the costumes take a lot of wear-and-tear. It is crucial that wardrobe for a production of this scale be continually restored and rebuilt.
By underwriting or sponsoring a child's costume, you allow the next generation of performers to experience the joy of performing onstage and help preserve Houston's most beloved holiday tradition. And when you donate $1,000 or more, you'll receive exclusive holiday perks to commemorate the experience and the membership benefits of a gift at that level:
- Reception and Building Tour (including the costume shop)
- 11x14” Costume sketch of your choice
- Encore level donor benefits for a full year!
For additional costumes or to learn more about costume underwriting, please contact Claire Coker at ccoker@houstonballet.org. To explore membership levels and benefits, click here!
Costume Underwriting Opportunities
Angels | $1,000
Angels in white greet Clara, Drosselmeyer, and the Nutcracker Prince at the gate of the Kingdom of Sweets. Magnificent wings sprout from their backs and small bouquets of flowers dot their curly blonde locks.
Underwrite
Cooks | $1,000
Getting their orders from the chefs, the cooks – in red hair and white aprons – frantically take on the arduous task of making the perfect meal for their high profile guest.
Underwrite
Party Children | $1,000
Providing merriment (and mischief), the party children dress to the nines in their finest dresses and suits to attend the Stahlbaums' annual holiday soiree.
Underwrite
Bumblebees | $1,500
Clara is whisked away to waltz with the flowers by three tiny but mighty bumblebees. Each bee boasts steampunk goggles and bicep tatts ranging from skulls and sharks to hearts and roses.
Underwrite
Chefs | $1,500
Commanding the kitchen are the chefs, sporting their chef jackets and curly black hair with mustaches to match. The brilliant minds gather inspiration from their trusty recipe book to create the French Man's decadent – albeit small – meal.
Mice Medics | $1,500
The mice medics – noted by their bright red cross uniforms and matching knapsacks filled with very important mice medicines – spring into action at a moment's notice to help rodents injured during the Rat King and Nutcracker's showdown.
Underwrite
Lambs | $2,000
Wearing fluffy white bolero jackets with equally cute tutus, these sleepy little lambs flock together under the guidance of the Danish Woman to sneak past two pesky foxes.
Snow Maids & Ladies in Waiting | $2,000
Members of the Snow Queen's court and emulating her wintry wardrobe, the Snow Maids & Ladies in Waiting are arrayed in layers of white encrusted with sparkling jewels as fine as fresh snow with a dazzling icicle-like crown.
Underwrite
Sugar Plum Fairy Attendants | $2,000
Flanking the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Kingdom of Sweets are her attendants, decked in the same sparkling jewels and decadent hues of pink from top to bottom.
Toy Soldier Specialists | $2,000
The Toy Soldier Specialists are the morale-boosting flag carriers of the Nutcracker's army. In the platoon's signature blue, these toy soldiers raise the colors of the battalion high and proud.
Underwrite
Waiters | $2,000
During the divertissements in the second act, the waiters present the French Man with his exquisite meal while wearing only the finest tuxedos appropriate for French fine dining, complete with a bow tie, gilded green vest, and mustache groomed to perfection.
Small Samurai Rats | $2,500
The first to enter the mansion, the three small samurai are mischievous mice who enjoy leaving a trail of pint-size mayhem behind them all the while sporting the finest fighting gear and bearing their pointy, vicious teeth.
Toy Soldier Cavalry | $3,000
The cavalry are brave mini soldiers who rush into battle on painted ponies, blowing their battle horns to gather the Nutcracker's troops and rally them for battle.
Other Support Opportunities
You can also support Houston Ballet's The Nutcracker by making a donation today. Your contribution, no matter the size, helps ensure Houston Ballet remains a beacon for arts' excellence.
Kingdom of Sweets Sponsor | $500
With a donation of $500, you'll receive a 11x14” Nutcracker costume sketch and Contributor level donor benefits for a full year which includes:
- Invitation to one (1) total dress rehearsal with private reception
- Invitation to one (1) total reception before a selected Dance Talks
- Invitation to the Annual Meeting of the Members of Houston Ballet Foundation
- Listing in Houston Ballet’s Annual Report
Donate
Stahlbaum Christmas Party Sponsor | $250
With a donation of $250, you'll receive a 5x7” Nutcracker costume sketch and Associate level donor benefits for a full year which includes:
- Invitation to an Inside/Out event at the Margaret Alkek Williams Center for Dance
- Annual subscription to Houston Ballet News, our bi-annual magazine