Second Street Dance Company Dance Recital/ Showcase Handbook 2023 Information
Dear Parents and Dancers,
Each year, SSDC has provided students with an exciting performance experience through its May recital. 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! We are so very excited --every season!
The recital/ showcase 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!
Recital/ showcase Updates and or changes: Additional recital/ showcase information or updates will be emailed and when possible, posted at the school. Make it your responsibility to keep abreast of this important information. It is our goal to make the recital/showcase experience organized and exciting for all involved. It’s a team effort; dancers, their parents, the instructors, and the directors are key players in the success of the show. Should you ever need help or clarification, do not hesitate to ask. That is what we are here for!
——Home Study: To ensure that the dancers feel confident about their performance, we ask parents and guardians to encourage them to rehearse their recital/ showcase choreography on a regular basis at home as well this last month.Thanks so much! It helps them tremendously.
--------Costumes:
*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.
*Distribution – Costumes will be distributed when all costume fee’s are paid for. All tuition for May must be paid in full before child performs.
*Class photos will be May 5th beginning at 10am. Please check your schedule to see when your child will get pictures. To ensure that there are no costume problems, students should wear their costumes, accessories, and tights if need be just as they would perform with hair and make up done.
*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/ showcase
*Costume Accessories – Please check yours- Accessories, such as headpieces or gloves may sometimes be misplaced. Please make sure your child’s name is on all items.
*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. That usual works best! 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/showcase).
*Tights – If possible, having a second pair of tights on hand is most helpful. Girls: Pink ballet tights if warranted. Saundra’s Friday Tap will have light sand tights.
Boys: Black ballet tights
*Shoes – There will be no extra shoes. Please make sure your child has all that is needed. If you do not know, please ask instructor of your child’s class.
Boys: Black ballet shoes
Specialty Shoes: Character and Pointe shoes as per instructor and course requirements .
Hair and Makeup: Female students will be required to wear makeup for the recital/ showcase please watch for email and speak to the instructor of your child class for hair and make-up information.
-TIPS – Organizational Suggestions-
Pre-Planning: 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 theatre.
Bring at least one extra pair of tights. 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)
Clear nail polish (to repair minor holes or runs in tights when there isn’t time to change them) Band-Aids (the “invisible” kind)
DRESS REHEARSAL BRIEF
Tech Rehearsal/ dress at 9:00am sharp. ALL dancers should be ready to go by 8:45am. Arriving early will make the experience go smoother. Doors will open at 8:30am. The tech rehearsal is necessary so the performer can get a feel of the stage and stage
surroundings. It's mandatory for ALL dancers in the show to attend. To practice their dance routines on stage and learn where their entrances and exits will be is vital!
Dress Rehearsal: The dress rehearsal allows the students to become familiar with 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 for dancer to be in show. As soon as they are done rehearsing they are welcome to leave.
Please arrive at call time posted. Dancers should arrive in costume with make up and hair done (except littles ones) they should just have hair done and costume- as if they are performing for the real thing!
*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, 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.
*Dress-rehearsal drop off and pick up - Parents or guardians should bring the students to the theater stage door, where they will be checked in and placed under the supervision of a chaperone/volunteer. Parents are not allowed in the dressing rooms after the children have been checked in for the rehearsal – unless you are a parent volunteer.
*Dress-rehearsal dismissal - Students will be dismissed from rehearsal upon completion.
*Video and photography: We do not allow video or flash photography in the auditorium at the dress rehearsals and recital/showcase. You may take photos of your child ONLY AFTER of BEFORE the performance. A video of the performance will be available for purchase.
Auditorium/ Art Center Rules: No eating, drinking, or smoking is allowed in the auditorium or dressing rooms. Dancers will remain in the dressing rooms with their chaperone volunteer during dress rehearsal and the recital when they are not on stage. Uless parent comes to check their dancer out to be seated with them for the remainder of the show. During dress rehearsal, children may take ipads and something to keep them occupied while waiting to perform. Dancers will be sitting in a group lines up in the order to perform backstage. No dancers will be allowed to roam and will all be required to follow direction of volunteer and or staff member.
Backstage: Family members and friends don’t belong backstage or in the dressing rooms during rehearsals or the recital/ showcase. 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 show 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. Please see Erin or Amanda. A volunteer sign up is required and will be email to all parents. There will be an orientation for all volunteers, and all must abide by the policies set forth by SSDC. The recital/ showcase 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. We may do a Black shirt to identify you for your position. Please do not bring guests, including children, with you while you are volunteering.
*Room Chaperones – Room chaperones are needed to supervise the young dancers. Chaperones must assure that each child in her care is safe and accounted. 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. 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: Photo’s will be taken at the dance studio. beginning at 10am. See schedule for your child’s class time. We will provide opportunity for group photo shoot and parents/students may choose to have solo portraits taken in costumes. There is no obligation to purchase. Please arrive at the scheduled time since photo shoots tend to run long.
Recital Ticket Policy: All tickets are reserved seating. Tickets are limited- and over half sold out-the cost is $16.00 per seat and tickets are almost sold out. We have aprox. 100 left. This will sell out so assure your friends and family they need to purchase asap or they may not get to attend the show. The link has been sent to you last week, as it will be re-sent as well.
Props: All props are the property of SSDC and are to be returned to the backstage prop master after the performance. Props include such item Hay bales; signs etc. all props used this season.
A completed schedule outline for the show will be sent to you separately via email. Please watch for it. Should you have any questions, see our staff.
DRESS REHEARSAL IS May 25th at 9:00AM- ALL DANCERS MUST BE CHECKED IN AT 8:30am NO LATER. Show begins at 7:00pm.
We look forward to an amazing show! We want you to know it’s been a pleasure serving and training your children this season! We hope you join us for summer session beginning June 1st! Classes in Tumbling, Hip Hop, Contemporary and Jazz will be offered as well as Ballet intensives for all ages and levels.