Recital is my favorite time of year at Dance Connection, but it is also usually the most hectic. With everything that I have to remember both for handling the front of the house and helping during dress rehearsal and also to make sure that my daughter and husband are prepped and ready for their performances it’s easy to forget about taking in the fun and excitement of the entire weekend. I have been able to figure out a few ways to help get as much enjoyment as I can out of this very busy weekend.

• Preparation is key – I’m a big fan of checklists, and recital is a time where they definitely come in handy. I have a checklist to help me remember all the things I need to do at least a few weeks out (buy and fill out stars, order a Recital Tee and flowers, paint shoes, steam costumes, etc.) and a packing list for each day of recital weekend that I break down by person to make sure we have everything we need before we leave the house each day. I also pack up the night before so we are more relaxed getting ready in the morning. Don’t forget your tickets!
• Now is not the time to try new things – Whether it’s a new way of doing your dancer’s hair, a new brand of make-up, or a new type of snack food, you’re better off going with what you know will already work. If you are doing recital make-up for the first time, it definitely helps to do a dry-run after watching the video for young dancers make-up here.
• Take advantage of Dress Rehearsal – This is the time to take pictures and video of your dancer and also to watch the fun of your dancer getting used to dancing on stage in front of an audience.
• Arrive a little early to help make parking a little easier, and take some pictures on the red carpet. Your dancer has been working all year for this moment, so enjoy it!
• Make sure you are familiar with the recital policies referring to taking your dancer out from the cafeteria to view the rest of the show. Do they need a ticket? Are they participating in the finale, and if they are what dance is 3 from the end so that you can make sure they are backstage on time?
• Finally, remember to relax and enjoy yourselves! Our students will be safe and happily enjoying the recital in the cafeteria so you can enjoy the show.

If you have any questions about recital, or need assistance with tickets, flower orders, stars, or any other aspect of recital prep please remember we are in the studio ready to help!