Recital Handbook
Philosophy, Policies, and Procedures
Dear Parents and Students,
For more than twenty-five years, CenterStage has provided students with an exciting performance experience through its June recital. The recital offers our students a professionally directed performance that allows them to present to their families and friends the results of a year’s hard work, dedication, and progress.
A big part of the dance training process includes learning through performance. The experience helps build self-esteem, self-assurance, and contributes to a sense of confidence. Although performance opportunities can help prepare some students for a possible career in dance, they also contribute to children’s success in non-dance activities. That onstage experience can result in better in-school presentations, improved social skills, and strong interview skills for future college or job opportunities. The rehearsal process is a tremendous learning experience as well. It helps the children develop retention skills, and by working with their classmates on a group performance, they learn the positive aspects of working as a team to create the best end result.
Dedication to recital commitments is the responsibility of both students and their parents. We’ve created this handbook in an effort to clarify what we expect from you in terms of commitments and responsibility to the annual recital, the school, and other students and parents.
PART I: The Commitment
Recital
This year, the
CenterStage recital is scheduled for:
Sunday, May 21st
at Lipinsky Auditorium, on the UNC-A campus.
We have two
shows:
2:00 show:
this show features our younger dancers:
Pre-Ballet, Intro Classes, Level 1 Classes, Level 2 Classes and all
tumbling.
On Call for
dancers is 1:30. Dancers should be
dressed and ready – this means hair, make-up, accessories, etc. for their first
number.
6:00 show:
this show features dancers in Level 3 and up.
On call for
dancers is 5:15. Dancers should be
dressed and ready – this means hair, make-up, accessories, etc. for their first
number.
Dress Rehearsal - Saturday, May 20
2:00 show: Dress rehearsal is from 10:00am until noon.
6:00 show: Dress rehearsal is from 1:00pm until 4:00pm.
Attendance at dress rehearsal is mandatory. Dancers have been practicing in the studio, but this is the only time they get to practice on stage. Dress rehearsal allows us to work out any issues or confusion as dancers adjust to a larger stage with wings and lets the recital assistants learn how dancers enter and exit the stage so we can avoid problems at the recital. Dress rehearsals also give everyone the opportunity to clarify costume issues and resolve questions about headpieces, hair, etc.
Ø
Questions?
Ask them today. We want the
recital to go smoothly for all our dancers and their families.
PART 2: Costumes
We spend many
hours determining the correct costumes for each class. They are always
age-appropriate and we try to find costumes they will enjoy wearing. If there are any problems with a costume,
please let us know ASAP.
PLEASE mark all costumes and accessories with
your child’s name – at least first name and last initial. We also recommend that all tights and shoes
be marked with your child’s name.
We realize
costumes are very exciting for our young dancers and it is very tempting to
wear them before the recital. Please
encourage your dancers to leave the costumes in the closet until after
recital. It is very difficult to get
ketchup or chocolate ice cream out of a costume and we cannot replace costumes
or accessories this late in the year.
As soon as the recital is over, we are happy to see your child in
costume anywhere and everywhere.
Ø
Have we mentioned that we recommend that each
student’s name be placed in his or her costumes, shoes, accessories, and
tights??
TIPS: Costume
Common Sense
ü
Hang
costumes on a hanger tagged with child’s name.
ü
Hats
should be placed in a clear bag to hang with the costume. Include bobby pins if needed to attach.
ü
Put
accessories for each dance in a clear bag and hang with the costume.
ü
Place
your name in all costumes and shoes and tights and accessories. Please.
PART 3: Tights, Hair, and Makeup
Tights & Shoes
To ensure that
there are no discrepancies in color and style, students are required to have
the following tights for their classes. Tights are available at the studio or
from Just for Kicks. Be sure to purchase the correct style. Please purchase new
tights for the recital, and do not wear or wash them before the dress rehearsal
or performance. (Note: Having a second pair of tights on hand offers students
and parents a great sense of security.)
Please make
sure shoes are (relatively) clean.
There are shoes in the loaner bins at the studio, so please feel free to
check if your child has had an unexpected growth. Don’t forget to check the lost & found if your child has
misplaced a shoe.
Ø
A chart is posted in the studio showing
required tights and shoes for each dance.
PLEASE check this well before recital.
Hair & Make-up
2:00 show.
These little girls are absolutely beautiful. A little blush and very light lipstick or gloss is all they need.
For the boys, a little blush works well.
6:00 show. These girls are beautiful as well, but we do
ask that they use blush, lipstick, light eye-makeup if desired, and
mascara.
Uniform
hairstyles are required. Teachers will set hairstyle for each dance.
Buns are
required for all ballet classes. If you
need help, Company girls will be available to help with buns. Bun kits may be purchased from Just for
Kicks and will include hair elastic, bobby pins and a hair net. Gel or hairspray should be used to keep
wisps down.
Please check
with your teacher to find out hairstyle for tap, jazz, hip-hop etc.
Ø
Check and re-check to be sure you have what you
need.
PART 4: Be Prepared
Pre-Planning
The recital isn’t
a one-day activity. Gather all costumes, accessories, shoes, and makeup several
days in advance so you’ll know if something is missing or isn’t right. Make a
checklist of your child’s routines, listing their costume, tights, shoes, and
any accessories, and refer to it to make sure you have all your supplies before
going to the theater.
We recommend
that you hang each costume with corresponding accessories, tights, etc. Use clear plastic bags marked with your
child’s name. Label all belongings.
Before you come
to dress rehearsal, please find out the name of your child’s DANCE(S). The rehearsal assistants know the dances by
name, not by date and time of your child’s class.
Tips: Other Handy Extras
ü We have TV and coloring supplies. PLEASE – no electronics.
ü Bring extra hair supplies: nets, bobby
pins and hairspray.
ü Safety pins (for emergency costume
repairs)
ü Water, white grape juice or apple juice in
plastic bottles or juice boxes.
ü Pretzels, goldfish, apple slices, grapes
are good backstage snacks.
ü NO candy, sodas, or snacks that stain.
PART 5: Dress Rehearsal
Participation
in the dress rehearsal is mandatory.
The dress rehearsal allows the students to become familiar with the auditorium surroundings
and feel comfortable with their performance, costume(s), and being onstage.
Lighting, music cues, set changes, and all other logistics for an organized and
professional performance are rehearsed so that the students make the best
impression possible.
Students are
allowed to watch other dancers during Dress Rehearsal ONLY. During the recital, we cannot have dancers
running out in front or into the wings to watch their friends.
2:00 show. Dancers will be seated in the audience by
dance and assigned to a Company girl recital assistant. The assistant is responsible for knowing
details of entrances and exits to help dancers get to their proper places.
Dress Recital Etiquette
Dancers need to
be quiet and respectful during the dress rehearsal so other dancers can
concentrate on their entrances and exits and everyone can hear directions.
Be a good
audience. Remember that this is the
only chance you will have to see the recital pieces. Everyone has worked very hard.
Don’t forget to clap for the other dancers.
Use good
manners backstage. Do not push and play
around in the wings or on the stairs.
Be very quiet – sound carries and makes it difficult for dancers onstage
to hear their music and is distracting for the audience.
Finale
All students
may participate in the finale and we encourage all of our dancers to do so. A
run-through of the finale will take place after the first act. Students should wear their recital t-shirts
for the finale.
Dressing-Room Etiquette
Students must
respect other students’ space and property in the dressing rooms. The students
will spend more time in the dressing rooms than onstage or in the auditorium,
so please do your best to keep them organized and clean.
Ø
Patience is a virtue. You will need it.
PART 6: Student Drop-Off and Pickup
Dress Rehearsal Drop-Off and
Pickup
Parents are
welcome to stay for the dress rehearsal.
At the 2:00 dress rehearsal, dancers must be checked in to the recital
assistants. When dancers have completed
their last dance, they may be checked out from the assistant.
Recital Performance Arrival and
Dismissal
Parents or
guardians should bring the students in Act 1 to the side door for check-in.
2:00 show: Dancers who are only in Act 1 will be
brought to the stage at intermission. Parents must come to the stage to collect their child. During intermission, children who are only
in Act 2 should be checked in at the side door. After the finale, all children will be brought to the stage for
pick-up. Parents are not allowed in the dressing rooms after the children have
been checked in for the recital.
We will not let
your child cry downstairs. If a child
becomes upset and needs a parent, one of the backstage moms will bring your
child to the auditorium. If you are
concerned, please check the side door area between numbers as that is where we
will be standing.
If you see a
backstage mom or recital assistant holding your child on stage during
the number and your child is not upset, you do not need to come get
him/her. Some children just need a
little more security before they feel like dancing and standing on the stage
with someone may be all they want to do this year. If your child needs you, we will stand at the side door.
If you
absolutely must come get your child because of family schedule, please tell the
recital assistant at the dress rehearsal.
Parents will be given directions to the back entrance.
Ø Parents are not allowed in the dressing rooms after the children have been checked in at the theater.
PART 7: Videos
The recital
will be professionally videotaped. No personal video cameras are allowed in the
auditorium during recital.
The cost of a
DVD is $35. Pre-order forms are
available in the office. Forms will
also be available at the dress rehearsal and the recital for those who would
like to purchase one.
When these
arrive at CenterStage during the summer, we will post the arrival and office
hours on our web-site www.centerstage1.com.
PART 8: Recital Tickets
CenterStage
does not charge for recitals.
There is no
reserved seating. Doors will be opened
thirty minutes prior to performance.
Ø Be considerate. Do not save blocks of seats.
PART 9: Recital Policies
Video and Photography
Parents or
guardians may videotape or shoot photographs of their children at the dress
rehearsal. Due to the large number of cameras, no electrical outlets will be
available, so be sure your batteries are fully charged. Please note: No video or photography will be allowed at the recital. Security
guards will ask you to bring any cameras back to your car.
Backstage
Family members
and friends don’t belong backstage or in the dressing rooms during rehearsals
or the recital. The same applies during intermission and after the show. There
is a lot of backstage activity in a limited space, and dressing rooms are a
private area. Please remind your family and guests to be respectful of these
areas. Those who wish to greet a performer after the show or present flowers
should do so in the lobby areas.
Ø No video or photography
will be allowed at the recital.
PART 10: Volunteer Information
Recital Volunteer
Information
Anyone
interested in volunteering to help backstage is welcome. The recital weekend is
a hectic experience; all volunteers must work in a cooperative manner at all
times. Our backstage managers work very hard to put an efficient system in
place, and we ask that all volunteers rely on their experience and follow their
instructions.
If you are
interested, please leave your name, number and email address at the studio and
let us know which recital/performance you are interested in helping with.
ALL Company
Girls are required to assist at dress rehearsal and recitals.
Backstage Moms
Backstage
mothers are needed to help with hair, costume changes, etc., to supervise
dancers in the dressing rooms, and help recital assistants line dancers up and
keep the backstage area quiet. If you
are interested in helping us backstage, please leave your name, phone number
and email for Tonya Roberts.
Backstage dads
– we do not wish to discriminate, but have VERY limited dressing room space and
don’t want to make any of our dancers uncomfortable. We would love to have you help elsewhere, so let us know!
PART 11: Recital Program
CenterStage publishes a program for the recital.
“Well-wisher” and commercial ads are available. All students have the
opportunity to purchase and sell ads, but participation is not required. For more information, please contact the office
at 654-7010.
PART 12: Last Minute Problems
Despite everyone’s best efforts, things will not go as
planned. Improvisation is a wonderful
tool.
1.
Lost shoes. Let
us know as soon as you arrive and give us your child’s shoe size. We will do our best to find a child with
shoes that can be borrowed for that number.
If your child will not be upset, we will let your child dance in other
shoes if there is no alternative, but will leave that decision to you.
2. No tights. Just for Kicks brings extra pairs of tights, so can sell you a new pair if needed.
3. No costume. This one is a little difficult. We do not have extra costumes for the dances. 2:00 show: dancer may go on with finale outfit. 6:00 show: dancer may go on at discretion of teacher (more likely for Level 3, almost impossible for Level 6).
4. No accessories (hat, gloves, etc.). 2:00 show: Dancer without accessory will go on without accessory. 6:00 show: If one dancer does not have accessory, no dancers will wear accessory.
5. Parent emergency during recital. If something happens unexpectedly and you need to leave, please come to the side door and notify the assistant. We will direct you to the back entrance and you can pick up your child.
6. My child does not want to go on stage. It can be a very scary thing to get up on stage in front of hundreds of people. This is supposed to be a positive experience. 2:00 show: Would your child like to just stand in the wings with the recital assistant? She can stay in the wings, join the group mid-dance, or run out to bow.
Wondering why your child
should participate in the recital?
Dance is a performance art. Dance is a series of relationships: with the music, with the choreography, with your fellow dancers and with your audience. It is fun to work on technique in the studio, but you learn to perform on stage.
Whatever our children choose to do with their lives, they will find themselves having to get up before a group - to make a presentation, ask a question at a forum, receive an award, lead a prayer, or sit on a panel. The recital audience is the most supportive, loving group you will find to practice this skill.
Dance is a group activity and the dancers depend on each other. It is important to the other dancers that your child be there. Every member of the group is important.
Please remind your child that nobody expects perfection. Dancing in front of an audience is not easy and we are proud of each and every child who gets up on stage and does his or her best.
We want the recital to be a great experience for your child. Everybody makes mistakes. The older girls at CenterStage have forgotten choreography, fallen, kicked off shoes, dropped hats and run into each other on stage. It happens, but the show goes on and at the end the dancers bow together and the audience applauds. The most important thing to remember: Have Fun!!
CenterStage
PS To all our dancers - just remember to smile at all the people in the audience who absolutely LOVE to watch you dance. We are SO proud of you.
Break a leg.
