Prepare for Your Ballet Recital

Recital time is fun time and work time. It takes lots of preparation and pays off in the end when you are dancing on stage and your family and friends watch you proudly. This is the chance you have for all of your hard work to be paid off, but it's also very stressful... that is why you need to prepare correctly!

Steps

  1. Ask your teacher in advance anything you may not remember or know about actual recital day, such as the setup of the theater, dress rehearsals, make up guidelines, or other things you'll need to clarify. She or he will be way too busy on the day of the show. A good instructor will have outlined all of this clearly for you in advance, and have let you ask any questions before or after class.
  2. Make sure that you have all of your dance costumes. Have them prepared well in advance if you are responsible for making them yourself - if they need adjustments or special materials, this can take time. On the day, be careful to take every single costume and accessory with you. If you forget a costume, it would be a heartbreak. If you have a lot of costumes, make a checklist and check them off as you go. Have family members help gather them together and bring them. Also sharpie your name on to the tags if many other students have the same costume. Try using a laundry basket to keep accessories, makeup, and costumes that don't hang up. Hang hanging costume up above the basket. (start this when you get your first costume.)
  3. Make sure your dance clothing is clean. Make sure your tights are washed and not ripped. Buy new ones, don't wear practice ones and make sure to have one or two extra pairs in case they rip at the show. Also, some studios require you to have pink for ballet, ask your teacher ahead of time. Wash your ballet shoes, or at least wipe them down with a moist cloth (a lot of dancing makes them dirty).
  4. Pack your makeup. You may want to do it at the show backstage because the sweat might make it run. If you are at the beginning of the show get to the theater a little early. Also, make sure your make up is appropriate/acceptable for your routine(s)/dance(s).
  5. Make sure you don't forget anything, like dance shoes, extra hair nets, bobby pins, a brush, hairspray, gel, or the correct undergarments. And do not forget to bring a sewing kit, safety pins, and some clear nail polish to put on teeny holes in your tights, so they don't stretch any further. If need be, make a list of everything you need and run through it a few times before you leave.
  6. Get to the theater an hour and a half or so before the show to assure yourself a spot by the mirror (or otherwise instructed by your teacher). When you get backstage listen like your life depended on it! You don't want to miss your turn!
  7. Bring an iPod, some healthy food, a drink, and anything else to entertain yourself with because you will be there for a long time. Just remember do not bring anything that will stain your teeth or clothes. If you are going to be eating, don't bring messy food, and bring a shirt, street clothes, or jacket to put over your costumes. And make sure that you Remember, when you're backstage, do not talk, the audience can hear you. Also, remember that if you can see the audience, they can see you!
  8. Have fun! You worked all year for recital day. Enjoy it and if you mess up, roll with it. Don't stop in the middle of the stage (no one other than the ballerinas will notice it).
  9. Dance like nobody's watching! Being nervous is normal. Drink some water. Take your mind off of things, and even chat with the people around you to calm your nerves.



Tips

  • Drink only water or very light colored drinks in dressing rooms. You don't want it to spill on your costume!
  • Practice ahead of time... at home, in the dressing rooms, in your head, at recess or break, in the bathroom! Anywhere! Know your dance inside and out! (I've messed up with that before!)
  • When backstage try not to get nervous and freak out. Relax and maybe run through the dance in your head. Take deep breaths.
  • Only eat until about two hours before your stage call. A full stomach will not do well with pirouettes.
  • Remember to smile! Smiling is a huge part of performing. If you cannot physically smile to the audience, smile with your eyes.
  • A few weeks before the recital, check with your dance studio for ticket advice. Buy them in advance or else your friends and family will get stuck all the way in the back or off to the side. If you haven't finalized a list of who is coming, or tickets are quite cheap, consider buying some spares.
  • If you have to wear something under your costume, don't choose a garment with clear plastic straps! It will reflect the light on stage and look very shiny and obvious. Choose one with straps that match your skin tone, and from far away it will be invisible.
  • If you have a short time to get changed for the next performance, see if there are places where you can hang your costume up.
  • Show up at classes and rehearsals, take an extra class above you.
  • Take a shower before you leave to relax yourself.
  • If you take a shower, do not wash your hair: it makes it harder to put it up.
  • Don't wait to do your hair and makeup backstage. It is risky to wait until then. Make sure you have hair and makeup done before you leave your house. Bring your makeup to touch up if you need to or have time.
  • Relax yourself! Everything will be alright! Talk to you friends before you go onstage. Cheer each other up! Most importantly, have fun!
  • Facial expressions will make you stand out (in a good way). Try looking at videos of Maddie Ziegler for inspiration because you never know who might be out there.
  • If possible, go to the spa for a pedicure a few days before the show.
  • If you are bringing a shirt to put on over your costume, bring a button-down. You don't want to mess up your hair and make-up.

Warnings

  • On stage, don't look directly into the spotlights. This may damage your eyes and distract you from your dancing.
  • Careful with those treats! You don't want to go on stage with a stain on your outfit or spinach on your teeth, do you?
  • Don't drink any fizzy drinks or liquor before the show.
  • Don't eat garlic before the show, because your breath will smell terrible for two hours!

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