Awesome Audience Etiquette

With the date fast approaching for recital, we thought this would be the perfect time to share with you our tips for awesome audience etiquette!  Following these tips will help us ensure an enjoyable recital experience for everyone involved.

Tip #1: When entering the theater take a quick note of where the exits are, just in case of an emergency.

Tip #2: Plan to turn off or silence all of your devices prior to the start of the show.  The sounds and screens are very disruptive.  There is no need to use your phone during the performance, because we have a professional photographer and videographer attending the show! Sit back and relax while you enjoy watching your child perform live instead of through your phone screen!

 Tip #3: It is courteous to applaud after each routine in the recital, but please avoid shouting or screaming as it can be distracting to both the dancers on stage and to other audience members.

Tip #4: There may be some high-energy routines where you are encouraged to clap along in time to the music; we invite you to do so.  (Just remember: no hollering!)

 Tip #5: Avoid entering or exiting the theater while there are dancers performing onstage.  A good rule of thumb is to only move from your seat in between routines, if necessary.

 Tip #6: Following Tip #5, if you have a baby or young child who is sitting with you and they become disruptive, please exit with them quickly and quietly between routines.

 Tip #7: Refrain from talking or whispering with other audience members while the dancers are performing.  Quick comments in between routines are OK!

 Tip #8: Don’t litter.  Please take care not to leave any belongings or trash behind so we do not incur an unexpected cleaning fee.

Expressions Dance has an excellent reputation for being well-organized, gracious, and respectful of our venue so we will be welcome back!  As members of our recital audience, your cooperation is much appreciated in helping us maintain this good standing!  If you will be inviting other family members and friends to the show, please share these tips with them too.

As you enjoy the show, don’t forget that our students are dancing their hearts out for you, the audience!  Show them your appreciation by following these tips and recognizing their hard work. 

Please let us know if you have ANY questions before the big day!

Planning, Preparing, & Packing for the Big Day

We are just a few short weeks away from the recital, can you believe it!?

With that in mind, we’ve created this checklist to make sure you’ve planned, prepared, and packed!  And of course, we are just a phone call or email away if you have any questions.

•  First things first: find a few quiet minutes to review your recital information.  This is absolutely our #1 request because you will not only feel informed, you’ll have peace of mind!  Our team spends hours making sure we’re organized behind the scenes, and we want you to be caught up on all of the pertinent details, especially arrival/dismissal times and security precautions.

•  If you have guests outside of your immediate family who are attending the show, make sure you have shared with them the need-to-know info, particularly about tickets, parking, and audience etiquette.

•  In the days leading up to the show, encourage your dancer to keep a balanced schedule: help them get lots of rest, healthy snacks, plenty of water, and make sure they aren't putting too much stress on themselves for dance.  Even young dancers can internalize outside pressures, and we want to keep recital preparations feeling fun and exciting for them.

•  Label everything!  Add your child's name or initials to the tags inside their costume, tights, shoes, and any other important items in their dance bag or garment bag.  An easy way to do this?  Write on a small piece of masking tape or painter’s tape and stick it inside the item.

• Remove your child’s nail polish prior to the big day (it can be distracting from the stage) and have a practice session with their hair and make-up.  Not only is this fun, it will ease any nerves you have about making sure they are confident and ready-to-go!

• Before leaving the house for the recital, make sure your dancer’s costume, tights, shoes, and accessories are packed!  This seems obvious of course, but in the busyness of the day, it helps to double and triple-check before heading out the door.  Remember to leave valuables at home so they will not be left unattended in the dressing room.

And hey, don't forget to give yourself a pat on the back for being an awesome parent!  We truly have some of the most attentive, involved, and supportive parents (and grandparents) here at Expressions Dance, and we're happy you're one of them.  We appreciate your dedication to your dancer at this extra-special time of year!

Performing to Show Progress, Not Perfection

“Practice makes perfect.”

 Chances are you’ve heard this saying many, many times in your life.  (We sure have!)  It’s one of the most well-known proverbs, with roots that go all the way back to the 16th century.  And while we appreciate its intention, here at Expressions Dance, we much prefer to say “practice makes progress.” 

Why?  Because we don’t teach perfection as a goal.  Especially when it comes to the recital, we strive for every dancer to showcase their knowledge and skills, and to express their joy.  We want the performance to be their opportunity to celebrate achievements big and small, public and personal.  And a focus on perfection detracts from all of those things. 

We do need to be clear that although we don’t teach perfection as a goal, we do teach excellence.  Excellence, to us, is different than perfection.  Excellence means we are holding our students to a high standard yet still giving them room to grow, to be themselves, and to develop at their own pace.  Excellence is realistic; perfection is unachievable.

We know all too well from personal experience that perfectionism can be a difficult mindset, one that takes years to overcome.  For dancers, perfectionism can result in frustrations and tears because they do not see any other path forward.  We’re working to change that mentality!  Part of our mission is to uphold an environment where every mistake is actually a learning experience, and every disappointment leads to a stronger work ethic.

Live performances, too, always have some measure of unpredictability.  Sure, we plan and rehearse (and plan and rehearse!), but we do so with the understanding that the recital is still a live event, which means there may be moments where a dancer forgets a step, stumbles, or freezes.  And the power of that moment is in their ability to keep going and finish strong, not in the anguish of missing the target of perfection.  They can only find that power if we instill it in them.

There is beauty in the real-ness of the recital, the true reality of it.  In no other way can you see—up close—the courage, vulnerability, strength, and pure emotion that dance brings to your child.  It will take your breath away to see all of this onstage!

So when you watch your child onstage at the recital, we want you to rejoice in their growth.  Witness their joy.  Tell them how proud you are of their effort and confidence onstage.  Show them you see them.  And celebrate their path to progress!

Taking Care of Costumes - Dos & Don’ts

There’s nothing else quite like a dance costume—it carries the excitement of the performance yet to come, and of course, there are all those sparkles!  For many children, wearing a costume brings out the confidence and poise they’ve been working so hard on in class, and it is one of their most favorite parts about dancing on stage. 

Because dance costumes are made from specialty fabrics, they can’t be treated like regular clothes.  From stretchy lycra-blended leotards to the embellishments of sequins and beading, costumes are made from finicky materials.  For this reason, we do not recommend washing them, but a little extra TLC can go a long way! 

Taking care of your child’s costume can be simple if you keep these Dos and Don'ts in mind:

• Do encourage your dancer to find a safe place at home to keep their costume.  Help them understand that this will keep it in tip-top shape for photos and performance time.

• Don't allow playtime in the costume.  If something spills on it or it rips, it is too late to purchase a new one!  Save the dress-up time for after the recital.

• Don’t allow your child to eat messy foods or drink anything but water when wearing the costume for photos or the performance.  This helps prevent irreversible damage that can be caused by the dyes and enzymes in food and drink.

• Do keep tutus upside down on the hanger, unless otherwise specified by your child's teacher.  This helps keep the tutu fluffy!

• Do purchase a nude leotard undergarment for your child if they complain that the costume is itchy.  These undergarments can be worn at all times for comfort and modesty; ask us for recommendations.

• If the costume is wrinkled, Do allow it to "rest" outside of the garment bag.  Using a steamer is OK too if you are experienced with one.

• Don't forget that costumes are made-to-order but not custom-made, so small alterations (such as tacking straps or hemming pants) may be needed to ensure the fit is just right.

• Do make sure the costume is ready to go when needed!  Make sure it is not crumpled or missing anything, and bring it with you in its garment bag.

If you ever have a question about the best way to store or care for a specific dance costume, please ask!  We understand that costume care can feel like completely new territory, so we're happy to help anytime.