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Dear Parents and Students,
For fifteen years IDC
has provided students with an exciting performance experience through
its June recital. The annual staple of the dance school, the
recital, conjures images of childhood and Americana for many. It’s
a rite of passage for hundreds of youngsters, a chance to shine in front
of family and friends that they anticipate with nervous excitement.
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 hand book to 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.
Recital Updates:
As the
season progresses, additional recital
information or updates will be posted in IDC’s monthly newsletters, and
school bulletin board. Make it your responsibility to keep abreast
of this important information. It is our goal to make the recital
experience organized and exciting for all involved. It’s a team
effort; students, their parents, the teachers, and the director are key
players in the success of the show.
Home Study:
To ensure that the students feel confident about their performance, we
ask parents and guardians to encourage them to rehearse their recital
choreography on a regular basis. A copy of your child’s dance
music will be available at a charge of $2.00 per CD is required
to cover expenses.
Costumes:
We spend many hours determining the correct costumes for each class.
They are always age-appropriate and of the highest quality possible.
Preschool students will need one costume; all other students will need
one costume for each subject they train in.
*
Deposits – In an effort to ensure
that costumes are delivered in time for school photographs
and organized distribution to our students, costume orders are placed
during the December holiday break. Costume manufacturers do not
accept cancellations or offer refunds; therefore the school does not
refund costume deposits.
*
Deposit schedule – Costume payments
are as follows (each costume):
SIZE
DATES 10/1
12/15
Child
$25.00
Balance due
Adult
$35.00 Balance
due
Costumes will not be ordered until they are
paid for in full. Parents or guardians accept full
responsibility for all expenses, including sur-charges and postage for
costumes that are ordered late. IDC is not responsible if
costumes are not received in time for the recital due to late
payments.
*
Sizing – Costume measuring begins
during the last week in November, during scheduled class time.
Each child will be measured in order to determine his or her proper
costume size(s). During the first week in December you will be
required to sign a confirmation form stating that you agree with the
size(s) to be ordered for your child. You can make adjustments
on the form; however, your signature indicates that you take full
responsibility for any costume alterations.
*Alterations – Although rare, if
alterations are needed after the costumes have been distributed, they
will be the sole responsibility of the student’s parent or guardian.
Please contact the IDC office for recommended dressmakers.
*Distribution – Costumes will be
distributed when all outstanding balances for the season (including
tuition) are paid in full. Deadline for all balances due is
April 1st.
Class photos will be announced at a later date. To ensure that
there are no costume problems, students should not wear their
costumes, accessories, or tights prior to the photo session, dress
rehearsal, or performance.
*Withdrawal – No refunds will be
made if a parent or guardian withdraws a child from the school after
costumes have been ordered and prior to the recital. Parent or
guardians may pick up purchased costumes at the school at the time of
general costume distribution and up to 15 days after the performance.
Costumes not picked up after 15 days will be donated to charity or
resold.
*Costume
expense – The estimated cost of
costumes is $55.00 for child and $75.00 for adult sizes. Any
special orders, including extra-large sizes, may require an additional
charge (determined by the costume company). Additional charges
are the sole responsibility of the parent or guardian.
Accessories, such as headpieces or gloves may sometimes be included in
the cost of the costume. Tights and shoes are not included.
*Costume
care – We recommend that your
child’s name be placed in all costumes, shoes, accessories, and
tights. Place costumes in a garment bag with your child’s name
on the outside. Pack accessories in a clear plastic bag with
your child’s name on the bag and on each item. Hats should be
stored in a hatbox or similar container to prevent damage. Press
all costumes prior to the dress rehearsal and the performance.
Please do not wash costumes in your washing machine; dry clean them only (after the recital).
*Costume racks – Clothing racks with
wheels can be purchased; if your child has several costumes, a rack is
a smart investment. It keeps the costumes organized, prevents
wrinkles, and provides some privacy during costume changes. Hang
costumes on the rack in the order they will be needed in the show.
*Tights – 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 dancewear stores. Be sure to purchase the correct
style and color. 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 offers students and
parents a great sense of security.)
Pre-Ballet/Tiny
Tap: Dancing Fair – White/Pink/Tan
- #800
Danskin – Lt. Suntan Shimmery - #331
Ballet:
Dancing Fair – White/Pink/Tan - #810
Capezio – Transition/White/Pink/Tan - #1618
Tap
and Jazz: Danskin – Lt. Suntan Shimmery - $1331
*Shoes – The following shoes are
required for all students.
Girls:
Pink ballet shoes, black tap shoes, black jazz shoes, tan jazz shoes and black funk
shoes
Boys:
Black ballet shoes, black tap shoes, black jazz shoes and black funk
shoes
Hair and Makeup:
All female students are required to wear makeup for the recital: red
lipstick, blush, eye shadow, and mascara. For the boys, a little
blush works well.
Uniform hairstyles are required. All
female students must wear their hair in a bun or French braid unless
instructor advises differently. No long bangs or beads are
allowed. Dancers with short hair must pull their hair away form
the face and slick it down.
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 id
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 theatre.
Bring at least one extra pair of tights of
each color. Also bring extra hair gel, hair nets, bobby pins, and
hairspray. Other handy extras include:
*Baby
wipes/Shout wipes (to fix makeup
mistakes or wash hands)
*Baby powder
(for itchy costumes)
*Safety pins
(for emergency costume repairs)
*Clear nail
polish (to repair minor holes or
runs in tights when there isn’t time to change them)
*Your pain
reliever of choice
*Band-Aids
(the “invisible” kind)
Tech Rehearsal:
The tech rehearsal is necessary so the performer can get a feel of the
stage and stage surroundings. To practice their dance routines on
stage and learn where their entrances and exits will be.
Dress Rehearsal:
The dress rehearsal allows the students to become familiar with the
auditorium surroundings and feel comfortable with their performance,
costumes, 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.
Participation in the dress rehearsal is mandatory.
We run an organized and timely
dress rehearsal; your help with the process will guarantee a
professional production. Please arrive at least 45 minutes prior
to curtain. Students may arrive in their first performance costume
or may change in the dressing room.
*Finale -
All students are required to participate in the finale, which will
be rehearsed during the last month of classes. A run-through of
the finale will take place at the dress rehearsal. All students
will remain in their last performance costume for the finale.
*Dressing-room etiquette - Students
must respect other students’ space and property in the dressing room.
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. No food or drink is allowed in the dressing rooms.
*Dress-rehearsal guests - One parent
or guardian may accompany each student to the dress rehearsal.
Please, no siblings who do not dance! Additional attendees at
the dress rehearsal will be subject to the full cost of a recital
ticket.
*Dress-rehearsal drop off and pickup -
Parents or guardians should bring
the students to their assigned dressing rooms, where they will be
checked in and placed under the supervision of their class moms.
Parents or guardians must remain in the auditorium until their
children have been dismissed. When a class has completed its
last performance, the class mom will bring the group to the auditorium
to be picked up. Parents are not allowed in the dressing rooms
after the children have been checked in for the rehearsal.
*Dress-rehearsal dismissal -
Students will be dismissed from rehearsal once they have completed all
of their routines, including the finale. The little ones (3-5
year olds) do not need to stay for the finale unless they want to.
*Video and photography: We do not
allow video or flash photography in the auditorium at the dress
rehearsals and recitals. Our professional camera crew and
photographer will capture it all. You may take photos of your
child on stage
ONLY AFTER
the performance.
Auditorium Rules:
No eating, drinking, or smoking is allowed in the auditorium or dressing
rooms. Dancers will remain in the dressing rooms with their class
moms during dress rehearsal and the recital when they are not on stage.
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 the 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 so or present flowers
should do so in the lobby areas.
Recital Volunteer
Information: Anyone interested
in volunteering to help backstage, in the dressing rooms or out front in
the lobby is welcome. A volunteer form is required and is included
in this handbook (See sidebar). There will be an orientation for
all volunteers, and all must abide by the policies set forth be IDC.
The recital weekend is a hectic experience; all volunteers must work in
a cooperative manner at all times. Our backstage manager works
very hard to put a system in place that works; we ask that all
volunteers rely on their experience and follow their instructions.
All volunteers will receive an identification
badge at the dress rehearsal, which must be worn in the theatre at all
times. Please do not bring guests, including children, with you
while you are volunteering.
*Class
moms – Class moms are needed for
each class to supervise the dancers. They do not need a recital
ticket and will be able to watch their children perform from the
audience. Class moms must assure that each child in her care is
safe and accounted for. They are responsible for making sure
that each child is in the proper costume, has the proper accessories
and shoes, and is backstage at the appropriate time. They are
also responsible for seeing that all children return to their
appointed dressing room after their performance. The number of
volunteers needed for each class will be determined by the number of
students per class. If there are too many volunteers for one class,
some may be asked to work with children from another class.
During their class’ performances, room mothers leave the students at
the stage door with their teacher and watch the dance from the back of
the auditorium. Volunteers are not allowed to enter the stage area.
There will be live microphones backstage; only dance teachers and
assistants will be allowed in the wings.
Recital Photos:
Class photos on will be taken at the dance studio. Dates and times
will be announced at a later time. Please confirm your child’s
time in the April Monthly Newsletter. All students are required to
be present for their class picture. There are no exceptions.
After the group photo shoot, students may choose to have solo portraits
taken in their costumes. There is no obligation to purchase group
photos. Please arrive at least half an hour before your child’s
scheduled time, since photo shoots tend to run ahead of schedule.
Recital Ticket Policy: All tickets are
reserved seating. Tickets go on sale May 1st
and the cost is adults (16 and Up) $10.00, students (15 and under) $6.00.
Props:
All props are the property of IDC and are to be returned to the
backstage prop master after the performance. Props include such
items as canes, parasols, beach balls, etc. |
