June 2010
Our recitals are an exciting event featuring the students in a professional atmosphere. This performance opportunity is an important part of the training process as students experience the theater through rehearsals and performances. Although the recitals are not mandatory, they are a wonderful way for students to showcase the results of their hard work and for family and friends to join in their pride of achievement.
The recitals for our 33rd season will be held in June 2010 at the Lakeview Middle School Auditorium. Due to our enrollment size, we plan four shows with a fourth of the students performing in each. We plan for the recitals well in advance by ordering costumes, planning choreography, and producing a program as early as October. However, students will not begin learning their recital routines until January. We spend as much time as possible teaching dance technique and devote only the time needed to learn the recital piece.
COSTUMES
Costumes are a very important aspect to a performance. They help create the magical atmosphere for the performers, define the character for the audience, and still need to be affordable for the parents. Our staff strives to choose quality costumes at a reasonable cost. The process begins in November when all students are measured and continues through May when the costumes are distributed. In addition to the time it takes for the companies to make and ship the costumes, we also use this time to tailor the costumes for each student. It is very important to us that you receive a costume ready for the stage and not spend time at your sewing machine. We hire an outside seamstress to take care of any necessary alterations so your child can perform in comfort and confidence.
DRESS REHEARSALS
Dress rehearsals serve many purposes but all center around one goal – for your child to feel confident on stage. The dress rehearsals are planned for the week preceding the recitals. Important staging and lighting decisions are made at rehearsal, therefore, they are mandatory. If a student is absent, it is very difficult for them to know where to stand or move during the performance. To expedite rehearsals and for the safety of the students, only dancers and parent volunteers are permitted in the auditorium. We have found this creates a more relaxed environment for the students, as well as a more professional experience.
Each year select classes are required to participate in multiple recitals. This is necessary to accommodate all families and siblings. When this occurs, students must attend all applicable dress rehearsals to participate in any of the recitals.
TICKETS
Everyone attending the recitals will be required to purchase an admission ticket. This does not include students participating, ushers or backstage volunteers. Order forms will be sent home in April and all tickets are reserved seating. Ticket sales are required to pay for the auditorium and room rental, staff, lighting personnel, custodians, sets, programs and the many other required recital needs. Payments received for lessons are for the studio overhead. Please understand the recitals are a separate entity.
BEHIND THE SCENES
We go to great lengths to assure the backstage procedure is as organized as what you see on stage. Each youth class has at least one parent volunteer assigned as their private chaperone. We also have a dressing room monitor who "floats" from room to room. We provide coloring books, games and DVDs to make the time pass quickly. The safety and comfort of your child is the utmost priority.
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