Many children take dance classes throughout the year in preparation for a big event: the recital. However, dancers can’t do it all by themselves, and parental involvement can be the difference between a successful recital and one filled with chaos. If you’re volunteering to help ensure the recital is a success, here are some things the people who teach dance lessons want you to know.
Coordinate Wardrobe, Hairstyle And Makeup For Students In Dance Classes
It is important that all children match for the recital. For many girls taking dance classes, this means wearing the same costume, hairstyle, and even makeup. While some parents may balk at the idea of their very young daughters wearing makeup, it’s actually important when they’re on stage and under bright lights. Makeup helps bring out the eyes and facial expressions as children perform on stage, and these facial expressions can be an essential part of the dance. Also, if the teachers have requested a certain hairstyle, bow, or other headdress, take the time to make sure each dancer has their hair styled correctly. Some parents get together and add a person in charge of hair and makeup to make sure all the kids are coordinated.
Bring extra socks, just in case
Tights are some of the most fragile dancewear that students need. They can easily rip, run, or tear, and it’s not uncommon for dancers to wear more than one pair of tights during a dress rehearsal and recital. If you can, consider packing an extra two or three pairs in your costume bag just in case. Ask the instructors if they prefer matte or shiny stockings and make sure you buy the right ones. Different materials can look drastically different under bright stage lights and this can be very distracting to people in the audience.
Ask if photography is allowed
Many recitals, whether for a ballet class or other types of dance lessons, do not allow parents to take photos during the recital. If your child’s instructor has asked you not to take photos, there’s a good reason. The flash can be distracting to students while they are dancing and can be distracting to other parents trying to observe their own children.
As a compromise, many studios hire a professional videographer to make a DVD of the performance so that parents have the option of purchasing a professional recording of the performance. Others will allow parents to take photos or videos during the dress rehearsal or even during one of the regular dance lessons.
Whether your child has been taking dance classes for years or is in her first ballet class, the recital is a celebration of a year of hard work. To help make the event successful, ask the instructor what you can do to help. If you can, use these tips. You may be surprised at how appreciative your child’s teacher will be.