New To The Ballet? Western Ballet appreciates the opportunity to make your first ballet performance a wonderful experience that becomes an ongoing adventure! Dance and opera have been intimately connected since Peri and Monteverdi invented opera around 1600. Dance was later added to opera and eventually full-length ballets were created to tell the stories of operas and plays. Full-length ballets are stories that unfold over 1-3 acts over the course of one evening. Classic ballets, such as Coppelia, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty are full-length ballets. In contrast to the classical full-length ballet, a dance concert, or "mixed repertory" program presents a variety of works in one evening. Often a selection of three to six unrelated works. A concert may be presented with a theme, such as a collection of works from one choreographer, or composer, etc. Some mixed repertory works may still have more than one section, but will fill only part of a two-hour performance time slot. Concerts that feature mixed repertory introduce a wider selection of artistry to the audience and often stretch the capabilities of the performers. Theater Etiquette Late Arrivals: Latecomers are seated at the discretion of the ushers. We recommend that patrons arrive at the theater a minimum of 20 minutes prior to curtain time. If you are purchasing or picking up tickets, please allow additional time. Generally, ticket offices close one half hour after curtain time. In Consideration of the Performers: It is dangerous and distracting for performers as well as other audience members for cameras and recording devices to be used during a performance. These devices are prohibited in the theater during performances unless authorized by the Artistic Director. To avoid disruption of the performance, please set pagers to vibrate and disengage alarmed watches and cellular phones before entering the theater. Children in the theater: No food, drink, chewing gum, pagers, electronic games or equipment or skateboards allowed inside the theater. Please visit the restrooms before the performance begins and at intermission. Children must be accompanied to the restrooms by an adult. In the event that you must leave your seat during a performance, you will not be allowed to be re-seated until an appropriate break in the performance. Please let children know what behavior is expected of them. This is a live performance. In consideration of the performers, as well as other audience members, please let children know that they will be required to sit quietly in their seats for an extended period of time. In Consideration of the Theater: Everyone must have a ticket, regardless of age. Please do not bring food or drink into the theater, unless it is specifically posted that it is allowed. Due to contract restrictions and the dangers posed to performers, cameras and recording devices are prohibited in the theater during most events. Unauthorized cameras and recording devices will be removed and held by the theater until the close of the performance. Still have questions? Give us a call at (650) 968-4455, or email us at: info@westernballet.org