Navigating Performance Week: Jr Ballet Academy and up

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A Guide for First-time Dance Parents & Refresher for the Experienced.

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Cornerstone Center for the. Arts, 520 E Main St, Muncie, IN 47305

Dress Rehearsal Thursday, Dec 11, 5:30-7 PM

School Matinee, Friday, Dec 12th, 9:30 AM – reserved for schools only

Friday, Dec 12th, 7 PM

Saturday, Dec 13th, 11 AM

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Tickets $10, General seating age 5 and up. Available at Berry Winkle Yogurt on Tillotson &

Rosebud Coffee House on Memorial. A limited number of tickets are available online at

MuncieBallet.org Online with a $1 surcharge per ticket.

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We are getting SO excited for our performance! Our students will be taking the stage at

Cornerstone Center for the Arts. Watching our students do what they love on stage is one of the BEST parts of what we do at Muncie Ballet. Putting on a full production is a lot of work!

 

We greatly appreciate everything our assistants, dancers, and dance families do in preparation for the big show week. The first dance performance can be full of nonstop surprises for the first-time dance parent

 

Dance has its own culture of expectations and traditions, and they all converge during

Performance Week. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, the following insider tips can help you

make the most of your first dance experience, whether your dancer is a toddler or a teen.

Read through our tips carefully, and if you need help or clarification, ask! We want ALL our

dance families to feel prepared and confident as they head into the performance.

 

Insider Tips:

What to expect for Dancers in Jr Ballet Academy and up :

Dancers are invited to perform in each of our community shows. The school matinee is an

especially important performance – giving your child the opportunity to share our story with school children from across central Indiana.

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For every show:

Your dancer will be signed in to go backstage, which is usually at the base of the balcony entrance in the lobby. Dancers should leave coats, street shoes, and bags with you. Dancers will be with a min. of two adults during the show. When not dancing on the stage, your dancer will be watching the show in the auditorium balcony. Bathroom breaks and water are available in the balcony. We do not allow general seating in the balcony. Only your dancer and authorized adults are in the balcony.

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Your dancer will be ready for pick up after the performance from the left side of the stage.

(Your left from the audience). Your dancer will be released directly from the steps of the stage, one parent will line up on the left side of the stage stairs, and your dancer will be handed off to you. Dancers will not be released from any other spot and will not be allowed to step off the edge of the front of the stage.

 

Arrive at the theatre with time to prepare before being signed in

• Your dancer can arrive in costume, or you may choose to bring the costume with you and use the large bathrooms in the building to change.

• Dancers should use the bathroom before being signed in.

• Hair and make-up complete – Please touch up your dancers' make-up and lips. Yes, light

• Make-up is recommended; stage lighting washes out little faces.

• Girls should wear their hair in a bun, headpieces should be on the right, or if a headband, it should be in front of the bun. Boys should wear hats, with hairpins to hold it in place if needed.

• A bun maker foam ring, or fake hair bun, can be used to make the bun. Hair nets ar required to make a smooth, mess-free bun. 
   

About the hair. Speaking of bobby pins, a little bun know-how can go a long way. Dance buns can seem daunting at first, but with a few practices and some insider knowledge, you’ll master them in no time. First, damp hair is much easier to work with than dry hair with all its flyaway action. Texturizing spray or a dry shampoo is also a great tool to tame and prepare your dancer’s hair. Brush her hair out and pull it into a tight ponytail.

At this point, if your dancer has shorter to medium-length hair, you can use a bun-maker—also known as those squishy nets shaped like doughnuts and invest in some high-quality hair pins to secure the bun. Or, using a fake hair bun on top of your dancer's little ponytail will help. A hairnet will help keep everything looking slick and smooth. Look for pins that are the same color as your dancer’s hair and tuck them in tight. Keep in mind that your dancer is going to be jumping and twirling, arms moving every which way. Building a hairpin and hairspray fortress will help to keep that bun in place through all the action.

Costume tips and tricks. When you pick up your child’s costumes, avoid the temptation to

allow your dancer to play dress up or wear it before dress rehearsal. Costumes can be hung and placed in a steamy room to get any wrinkles out. A hair dryer with a diffuser can also be used to remove wrinkles. Lightly mist the costume with water and blow away, be careful next to sequins or jewels. Costumes should look fresh for the performance. Costumes can be itchy, too.

Placing a Kleenex or tissue tucked into the costume top under the arms will keep any itchy

fabric away from the arms. Sequins and glitter come at the cost of comfort sometimes.

 

All of our hairpieces are worn on the dancer’s right side. It also helps to keep accessories for each costume in a zip-lock bag inside each costume bag. And whatever you do, don’t forget your dancer’s shoes!

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Come equipped. Be prepared for last-minute touch-ups before dropping off your dancer before the show. Planning and preparation are key. Bring tissues, make-up supplies, plenty of bobby pins, and hair elastics. A comb and hairspray are crucial additions to your show bag. 

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Don’t forget your tickets! All attendees are required to have a ticket for admittance,

except the dancer. Our seating is general admission. Doors to the auditorium open 30 minutes before the show. The school show is reserved for schools that have reserved seats.

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Plan for a gift. Recital gifts are a strong tradition in dance. A small bouquet is perfect for

dancers.

Save the memories.

Consider taking photos and video during the weeknight performance. The crowd is

less...crowded. And for those who are new to Muncie Ballet Studio, on Saturday after the show, we start clearing the stage within 30 minutes of closing the curtain. You may take photos on the stage by using the stage right steps to enter the stage. Please wait patiently for your chance to take a photo of your dancer on the set.

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Most of all, remember that our children are little emotional sponges. It’s normal for parents

sometimes to feel anxious or nervous about their children’s first events. But work to avoid

channeling your nerves to your child, who is just excited for a fun experience. Remind yourself of what’s most important (your child’s enjoyment of the show experience), take a deep breath, and encourage your dancer to be excited about the show. If you observe that your dancer is nervous, remind him or her that everyone is there to tell a story and share it with other children in the audience.

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It is going to be another GREAT performance!