Annual Performing Arts Showcases
Our students are invited to perform “On Stage” at the end of the season. This provides the opportunity to experience performance level productions. Costumes are ordered for dance and drama students purchase. Music students will be given instructions from faculty as to attire.
Music and Drama Departments
Rehearsal and Performances
April 29-30, 2011
Dance Department
Rehearsal and Performances
May 1–7, 2011
Before Dress Rehearsal
1) CHECK THE SHOWCASE BOOK at the front desk for the following things:
A) Look at your dancer’s day and time of his/her class. It will list in red what day your dancer performs.
B) Go to the front of the book to find the order of performance.
C) Don’t forget to check the spelling of your dancer’s name!
2) ATTEND VISITOR’S WEEK (THE WEEK OF APRIL 12TH)!! During this week, you will receive the following information from your dancer’s instructor:
A) Any needed sewing or altering of costumes
B) Any special make-up instructions
C) Color of tights to be worn with costume
D) How hair is supposed to be done for that number
**Some general suggestions are listed below for hair, make-up, tights, shoes, etc., but you should check with the teacher for specific instructions.
3) DO ANY NEEDED SEWING or alterations to the costume as specified by the teacher. (If you are unable to sew or alter your child’s costume, Coleen is available to perform this service for a small fee. Please contact her at 873-0717.) Please allow at least 2 weeks for the alterations to be done, otherwise there will be a $10 rush charge incurred.
4) PURCHASE TICKETS and pick up your dancer’s complimentary ticket at the front desk.
A) Each dancer receives one complimentary ticket to watch the performance of their choice. If they choose to watch additional shows, you must purchase a ticket for that show. Comp tickets are forfeited unless picked up by April 22.
B) Tickets are non-refundable, non-exchangeable. We are unable to hold tickets.
C) Tickets are $8.00 General Admission. Everyone needs a ticket to enter the theatre including the performers.
D) We frequently sell out, so get your tickets early!
E) Children under 2 years of age may better enjoy themselves if left at home with a babysitter. If they do attend, they can sit on parent’s lap, but if they occupy a seat they must have a ticket.
F) Hands are stamped upon entering the theatre, and will be checked upon re-entry – a hand stamp is the only way you will be allowed into the theatre after the show has begun.
5) VOLUNTEER! No successful production is ever accomplished without help in the auditorium and backstage; please sign up at the front desk.
6) MARK ALL ITEMS with dancer’s name, including all costumes, shoes, tights, headpieces, dance bags, etc.
At Dress Rehearsal
1) DRESS REHEARSALS ARE CLOSED – please, no visitors! One parent is allowed per performer.
2) PLEASE ARRIVE AT THE
A) Dancer should be dressed for their first number with hair and stage make-up as teacher specified
B) A parent and performer should be seated in the auditorium by
C) Training Level & Company should arrive by 11:30 AM for the Sunday, May 2 dress rehearsal.
3) LISTEN TO NOTES – these notes will probably answer a lot of frequently asked questions
4) PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES, as follows:
A) No child is to be left unattended
B) You are responsible for dancer’s costume and any costume or hair changes needed
C) Dancer’s hair (as specified by teacher)
D) Dancer’s make-up (see notes below)
E) Getting dancer to assigned dressing room ready to perform at least 5 numbers before his/her performance (Absolutely NO MALES are allowed in the dressing rooms at ANY TIME).
F) Please stay in the auditorium immediately following performer’s rehearsal for corrections on make-up, hair, etc. If that is their final time on stage, you are free to leave
G) ABSOLUTELY NO food, drinks, candy, or gum is allowed in the auditorium or backstage, or in any of the dressing rooms (this includes in dance bags)
H) Professional photography is available in the Lobby (see the ‘Capturing Memories’ section
Every effort will be made to move quickly, however please plan on it being a long evening.
It is nearly impossible to estimate how long the rehearsals will run.
General Suggestions
1) TIGHTS AND SHOES – as follows:
A) Ballet – Ballet pink tights and pink ballet shoes (drawstrings tied and tucked in)
B) Tap – as per teacher specification, usually black or suntan tights, black tap shoes (with tap ribbons given with costume or black if none were given)
C) Jazz – as per teacher specification, usually black or suntan tights, black jazz shoes (Dance Company required to have tan and black)
Nylons are NOT acceptable to wear in place of suntan tights.
Hairspray all shoe ribbons to help them stay tied.
We request that all shoes and tights be in good repair or purchased at the front desk for uniform color on stage.
2) MAKE-UP – Professional stage make-up is available at the front desk.
Apply as follows:
A) Blush – applied HEAVY to the cheek bone
B) Lips – RED lipstick (no exceptions)
C) Eyebrows – should be penciled in if they are light
D) Eyes – mascara (or false eyelashes available at front desk), neutral brown or gray eyeshadow (no blue or green)
E) Eyeliner – top and bottom, spreading apart into “wings”
F) Powder – recommended to set make-up and reduce shine
ALL Make-up must be heavier than street make-up to be seen under the theatre lights.
3) HAIR – will be specified by teacher during visitor’s week. Below are some tips:
A) Use bobby pins the same color as hair; no barrettes please
B) NO BANGS ARE ALLOWED
C) Use extra-strength gel on slightly damp hair to put dancer’s hair up and prevent
fly-aways or wispies
D) Hair nets (twisted around bun numerous times to cover the whole bun) should be used to keep hair in a bun
E) Short Hair – ANY length of hair can look like it is up or in a bun – the key is a lot of gel and a ton of bobby pins
F) Long Hair – If hair is thick and difficult to stay in a bun, separate into two sections, wrapping opposite ways to form the bun. “Industrial strength” bobby pins work extremely well and are available for purchase at the front desk.
4) COSTUMES – details will be specified by teachers during visitor’s week. Some general suggestions are listed below:
A) Check to be sure you have all the parts of the costume, and mark each with dancer’s name
B) Costumes should be hung up to remove any wrinkles – tutus should be hung UPSIDE DOWN by the crotch – this will keep the tutu from drooping
C) Fringe on your costume may have white threads holding the fringe together; these should be carefully removed before dress rehearsal
D) When sewing costumes, please match color of thread to costume
E) NO SAFETY PINS ARE TO BE USED – these can be harmful to the dancer
F) Ballet tutus are sewn at the hip, not at the waist. It should be tacked (stitched to the leotard with a small loop, much like sewing on a button) in four places at the hip; front, sides, and back.
G) Allow for stretch in the costume when sewing
H) Please remember these costumes are meant to fit at this moment, they are not meant to be grown into
I) NO JEWELRY, NAIL POLISH, OR UNDERPANTS UNDER TIGHTS
J) Undertards are available for purchase at the front desk for extra support and modesty under costumes.
You may contact Coleen at 873-0717 if you choose not to do the sewing yourself. For a small fee, she will make any needed alterations or adjustments.
Attending the Performance
1) PERFORMERS SHOULD BE AT THE THEATRE 30 minutes prior to curtain. Dance Company & Training Level Students must be onstage one hour prior to all rehearsals and one and a half hour prior to performances for warm-up.
2) YOUR DANCER MUST WEAR a cover-up over his/her costume every time they leave the backstage area and are in the lobby or auditorium. This cover-up MUST conceal the entire costume!
3) TRADITIONAL THEATRE ETTIQUETTE – please follow these policies when attending the performance:
A) NO smoking on school property
B) NO ONE is allowed to watch from backstage
C) Caution children about running and noise
D) Aisles are to be kept clear at all times
E) Lobby doors will open 45 minutes prior to curtain, theatre doors will open 30 minutes prior to curtain – NO EARLY ENTRY INTO THE AUDITORIUM WILL BE ALLOWED.
F) You may exit and enter the theatre during applause only – the flood of lights from the lobby and hallways ruins the lighting and videotaping if doors are opened during a performance. Your child may not be onstage but the person behind you may have someone performing – please be courteous to others. We will assist at the doors to ensure no one enters or exits during numbers.
G) Please be prepared to show your hand stamp upon entry.
4) REFER TO PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES under “At Dress Rehearsal”, #4
5) REMEMBER: Everyone sitting in the auditorium needs a ticket, including parents and performers.
6) ENJOY THE SHOW!
Capturing the Memories
1) YOU HAVE PURCHASED your costumes – they are yours to keep!
2) PHOTOGRAPHY – Policies are as follows:
A) ABSOLUTELY NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY IS ALLOWED AT ANY TIME. Flash photos are extremely dangerous for your dancer and can be disruptive for those around you enjoying the performance
B) Non-flash photos may be taken during Dress Rehearsals and Performances
3) VIDEOGRAPHY – Policies are as follows:
A) Videotaping by family is allowed at the Dress Rehearsals ONLY
B) NO VIDEOTAPING is allowed at ANY of the performances
C) ANYONE videotaping during a performance will have their camera taken and held at the box office
D) WSTO services will be videotaping the performances – an order form will be available at Dress Rehearsals.
5) PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY – Smith Photography will be set up in the Lobby area during Dress Rehearsals for a professional session in costume if you desire. Order forms will be available at that time.
6) PLEASE SUPPORT WSTO and Smith Photography as they are generous supporters of our scholarship fund.
A huge thank you to all performers and parents for another great year. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication to your education in the performing arts.
