Okay, it's time to start preparing for show day & packing ... there's that overwhelming feeling again.  Maybe you have it easy and only 1 routine to prepare and pack for. Or maybe you have several?

RULE #1  LABEL EVERYTHING

When I say everything, I sincerely mean it:  Every costume piece, every pair of tights, each shoe that's needed, each accessory, your garment bag -- if it belongs to your child it needs to have their name on it! Remember, your dancer is one of over 200 that will be using the backstage area. Add in quick changes and the fast pace of backstage life and it can quickly become a disaster with piles of belongings scattered around. Now, your child's dresser (backstage volunteer) will be helping to prevent as much chaos as possible but we make her job sooooooo much easier by having everything labeled and organized at the start!!!

RULE #2 MAKE A LIST & CHECK IT MORE THAN TWICE

"Not having a plan is planning to fail." You will not remember all the things that need to be packed the night before or the morning of.  We parents are pretty darn amazing, but we aren't perfect. So make a checklist now and plan to pack your show day bag a full week in advance. That way when you remember something at 2am the Friday night before the show, all you have to do is add it to your mostly prepared bag and head back to dreamland. 

Follow this guide when making your packing list (and trust me...you don't need anything extra):

Routine Name: 
Tights Required:
Shoes Required:
Accessories Required:
Everything Labeled? Y or N
In Garment Bag? Y or N

Repeat the list above for each routine that your dancer is in. And YES that's ALL they need backstage with them!! There's no food or drinks (not even water) permitted to be brought backstage. Studio staff will provide dancers with water should they be in need. Please remember we don't want food or drink (even water) spilled all over someone's outfit seconds before they are to hit the stage for their big moment. 

Please don't pack any toys or additional activities for your child either. We've also got that covered backstage!! We have non-marking colors & color activities, we sing songs, we play blocks, and we are also watching the show in real time as its happening!!! It's PLENTY of stimulation and the extras either end up getting lost, broken, or create unnecessary drama backstage. Our backstage volunteers and staff will remove any extras and toss out any food or drink sent backstage.

If your child has a specific medical requirement in regards to food, drink, medicine, or any other, you will be required to be a backstage volunteer to best assist their needs. Please reach out to our admin team immediately if you fall into this category. 

RULE #3 LAYER YOUR TIGHTS

This one is for our dancers in multiple dance routines. Layering tights is an old school trick to simplify and speed up the quick change process -- and your dancer will be grateful!!!

Let's say I'm in 3 different routines in the following order:

Routine A wears Pink Tights
Routine B wears Tan Tights
Routine C wears Pink Tights

When getting dressed on the day of show, I would put my tights on and layer them in the following order: pink for C, then tan for B, then another pair of pink for A.

Sure, it won't feel totally normal to be wearing 3 pair of tights at once BUT my range of movement isn't hindered, I don't have to try to put tights on quickly over sweaty skin in a panic, I'll never be fully nude backstage, and there's less for me to pack in my bag!

It's truly a win win win win win -- Layer the tights y'all! And if you need help figuring out what your specific order is, reach out to me or my admin team!!!

RULE #4 NO REGULAR UNDIES

I can bet there are some strange facial expressions when reading that one but trust me on this (or look at it for yourself) you do not want to put regular undies on under your costumes on show day. 

Regular undies are not cut the same way as dance costumes (or even dance leotards) are.  Those regular undies will hang out the sides of the costumes, and what's worse, they will glow under the stage lights! You'll get your pics and videos back and all you'll be able to focus on is the glowing undies hanging out. 

Great news is there's a couple of options to avoid this:
1. Get some dance undies - a quick Amazon search and you'll find some! 

2. Wear a nude leotard as your undies for the day! This option also means your dancer never needs to be fully nude for costume changes!! Just be sure to select one that works under all of your dancer's costumes. These can also be found on Amazon and other online retailers!

If you have a little one that is still potty training or you feel could possibly have an accident, please put them in an overnight pull-up and send an extra one in your dancer's garment bag!! Try to find a pull-up with as minimal colors and characters on it as possible so it's not super visible under your child's costume.  If you fall into this category it may also be best for you to be the backstage volunteer for your child's class. 

RULE #5 SET UP FOR A SUCCESSFUL DAY

Remember your dancer is an athlete and they need adequate food and rest to perform their best. I highly recommend an early bedtime the night before any performance.  Eating a solid breakfast is equally important!!

For our preschoolers, please plan to leave enough time ahead of your dancer's call time for a nice breakfast and potty break! We try to limit the amount of potty breaks that need to occur backstage and you can help us with this by making sure your little one has had a trip to the bathroom with you BEFORE coming backstage.