Dancin J's Studio

Use a ZipLoc bag to hold any accessories (hairpiece, gloves, etc.) for each dance.  If you have four dances, use four different bags.  Use a Sharpie to write the name of the dance on the bag, plus a list of each accessory item.  The list serves as a checklist before you leave home for the recital, when getting dressed, and when repacking items after each dance is complete.

Reasonably durable clothing racks with wheels can be purchased at stores such as Walmart or Target.  If your child is in several dances and/or plans to dance again next year, it's a smart investment that keeps you organized, prevents wrinkles, and provides a little dressing privacy.  Hang costumes on the rack in the order they will be needed in the show.

Put all costumes and their accessories into garment bags -- one costume per bag.  This keeps the  costume clean and everything organized together.  Put your accessory bag inside the garment bag.

Please respect others' space and property in the dressing rooms, and coach your children to do likewise.  More time will be spent in the dressing rooms than on stage or in the auditorium, so let's all do our best to make it a pleasant place.

Try to stick with bottled water or juice in a box (no glass).  Colored fruit juices and dance costumes DO NOT go together!  Also, the less the sugar, the more attentive the children may be.

Now is not the time to get a run in your tights without a backup.  Have at least one extra pair on hand of each color that you need.  Also bring extra hair gel, hair nets, bobby pins and hair spray with you.  A few less obvious things that have come in handy for others include:

• • Baby wipes/Shout wipes (to fix makeup mistakes or dirty hands)
• • Baby powder (for itchy costumes)
• • Safety pins (for emergency costume repairs)
• • Clear nail Polish (to repair minor holes/runs in tights when there isn't time to change them)
• • Tylenol, Advil, Motrin or your pain reliever of choice
• • Extra contact lenses (because the show can't be stopped to search the stage for one)
• • Band-Aids (the "invisible" kind -- stage is not the place for Sponge Bob Band-Aids)

Due to the hot weather, some prefer to wait until they get to the dressing room to apply the makeup.  You can save time by doing the hair at home, but you may wish to leave the makeup until you arrive. Get the right makeup that you are directed to get.  Makeup is as important to the look as the costume.  You wouldn't send your child onto the stage wearing a different costume than everyone else just because you think a certain color looks better than the chosen costume.  Why do it with makeup?  Everyone should strive to look as identical as possible -- costume, makeup and hair.

Parents tell us that once they get over the initial uncertainty, they actually love the dress rehearsals -- the fun, the excitement, and the talent.  You are welcome to take all the pictures you'd like and to capture the rehearsals on video tape.  (If you get some good photos, please share them with us!)

Put your child's name on everything.  These are busy days and it is easy to  lose a piece to a costume, shoes, accessories, etc.

Nail polish is NOT permitted at recital.  You may think those bright red nails look great, but we don't want the audience noticing one dancer's finger nails.  To the greatest extent possible, everyone should look alike, so please, no nail polish.

Recital isn't an "on that day" activity.  Pull together all of your costumes, accessories, shoes and makeup several days in advance to give you a little cushion in case something isn't exactly right.  Make a check list of your child's routines, listing their costume, color tights, shoes, and any accessories.  Make sure you have all your supplies before arrival.  The checklist helps when leaving to ensure that you have everything.

Give dance shoes a little extra attention before the recital to make sure they look nice, but check with the studio for guidance before using ANY polishes or cleaners on them.

Stay in your seat and be considerate of those around you during a performance.  That's really an insult to the children who are performing. Please wait until the number is over, and then go help your child get ready for their next number.