Recital Hints

Here are some hints from parents that have been through recital for many years. 
We hope you find them helpful!

 

Accessories Use a ziploc bag to hold any accessories (hairpiece, gloves, etc.) for each dance.  If you have four dances, use four different bags.  Use a Sharpie to write the name of the dance on the bag, plus a list of each accessory item.  The list serves as a checklist before you leave home for the recital, when getting dressed, and when repacking items after each dance is complete.
 
Broadway Blogs Tell your child Good Luck in our annual recital program.  They love seeing their name in the program.
 
Cover-up If your child wears their costume to dress rehearsal or recital, have them wear a cover-up.  You never know what could happen on the way.
 
Calm Calm begins with the parents.  Let's all try to be a model of calm and keep the volume and urgency levels set on low all weekend.  There is no challenge that can't be worked out.
 
Cameras Remember that the use of flash photography is distracting to the dancers on stage.  It is also distracting to your fellow audience members.
 
Class Volunteers You are a gift from heaven!  Explain to your children ahead of time how long the recital day could be and that they need to stay with their class mother and behave.  The recital runs so much smoother and faster when everyone stays together.
 
Clothing Rack Reasonable, durable clothing racks with wheels can be purchased  at stores such as Target.  If your child is in several dances and/or plans to dance again next year, it's a smart investment that keeps you organized, prevents wrinkles and provides a little dressing privacy.  You can also hang costumes on the rack in the order they will be needed in the show.
 
Costumes Put all costumes and their accessories into garment bags -- one costume per bag.  This keeps the costume clean and everything organized together.  Put your accessory back inside the garment bag.
 
Dad's We love that you come and support your daughter at her recital.  However, please do not come into the girls dressing room (Black Box Room).  
 
Dressing Room Please respect other' space and property in the dressing rooms and coach your children to do likewise.  More time will be spent in the dressing rooms than on stage or in the auditorium, so let's all do our best to make it a pleasant place.
 
Dress Rehearsal Parents tell us that once they get over the initial uncertainty, they actually love the dress rehearsal days.  You are welcome to take all the pictures you'd like and to capture the rehearsals on video tape.  (If you get some good photos, please e-mail them to us for our website)  You are welcome to stay as long as you want.  It often helps the younger ones to get used to the environment as well.
 
Drinks Try to stick with bottled water.  The less sugar the more attentive the children will be.  Plus it avoids any messy spills on costumes that are difficult to get out at the last minute.
 
Extras Now is not the time to get a run in your tights without a backup pair.  Have at least one extra pair on hand of each color that you need.  Also bring extra hair get, hair nets, bobby pins and hairspray with you.  A few less obvious that have come in handy for others include:
   
  Baby wipes/Shout wipes
  Safety pins
  Clear nail polish (to repair minor holes or runs)
  Tylenol/Advil/Motrin, etc
  Band-Aids (the invisible kind)
   
 
Fan Clubs Family members and friends don't belong backstage or in the dressing rooms during the recital.  The same applies after the show.  There is a lot of backstage activity in a limited space and dressing rooms are a private are.  Please remind your family and guest to be respectful of these areas.  If they wish to greet a performer before or after the show or present flowers, they should do so in the lobby area.
 
Flowers Broadway Bound pre-sells various flowers sets.  Click here for more information.  
 
Hair and Makeup Please see the Costume section for more details.
 
Keep Your Cool If you or your child in the verge of a meltdown (it can happen to 6 or 16 year olds), please find a quiet place to work it out.  Often times, letting another parent handle it works out better.  Remember, the day is only as stressful as you make it.
 
Label Everything Put your child's name on everything.  These are busy days and it is easy to lose a piece to a costume, shoes, accessories, etc.
 
No Nail Polish Nail polish is not permitted at recital.  You may think those bright red nails look great, but we don't want the audience noticing on dancer's finer nails.
 
Order Trophy Don't forget to order your child a participation trophy.  This is due by May 1st.
 
Passing The Time Recital day is very long.  Bring a deck of cards, a game, a book or activities that will keep the kids busy while they are waiting to perform.  BBDC provides TV's that are playing movies during the time also.  Board games that several people can play at one time are a good idea.  Avoid markers, glitter and glue, for they can ruin a costume.  For older kids, bring their I pod's or Nintendo's.
 
Patience Bring plenty of patience.  You will need every ounce of it.
 
Planning Recital isn't an "on that day" activity.  Pull together all of your costumes, accessories, shoes and makeup several days in advance to give you a little cushion in case something isn't exactly right..  Make a check list of your child's routines, listing their costume, color tights, shoes and any accessories.  Make sure you have all your supplies before arrival.  The checklist helps when leaving to ensure that you have everything.
 
Pre-Order Flowers Don't forget to pre-order flowers for pickup on recital day.  This saves you one more thing on your to do list for the day.
 
Questions If you are unsure about something, please feel free to approach your class volunteer or a studio staff member with your questions.  Please be mindful that when teachers are on stage during rehearsals, it is for purposes of running through routines, so try to catch them with your questions when they are not busy teaching.
 
Recital Theme T-shirt Don't forget to purchase your child a recital themed t-shirt.  Every child's name is on the back of them and they love wearing them to the show!
 
Respect Let's respect the teachers, the parents, the dancers, the audience and other's belongings.  If we all make a point to give a little respect, recital week will be a more pleasant experience for everyone.
 
Security We take security seriously at BBDC.  We ask that you not come in and remove your child from the dressing room without talking to the class volunteer or the BBDC Staff member in charge of the room.  We need to make sure that we have an accurate count of every class at all times.
 
Snacks The best snacks during recital are "neat" snacks.  Mom's that have been through this before recommend rollups, goldfish crackers, grapes and "Lunchables" as a few good examples.  Remember: Don't pack anything messy.
 
Tickets Be sure to get your recital tickets.  Recital only happens once a year, so make it a big event for your child by bringing your entire family and inviting friends to the show.  Grandparents love dance recitals.
 
Timing Arrive at the rehearsals and recital at the instructed time.  You will need this time to get ready and receive instruction from the director and teachers, and the show WILL start whether you are ready or not.  Dances will not be repeated during the show to accommodate late arriving dancers.
 
Watching the Show If you are the class mother, you can watch your child's dance in our specially marked area of the audience.  If you are not a staff member or dancer that is getting ready to perform, you shouldn't add to the congestion backstage.  Stay in your seat and be considerate of those around you.  Don't hop up and run out after your child performs.  BBDC recitals are only 1 hour and 15 minutes, so please be aware that leaving before all performers have had their turn is insulting.
 
ZZZZZZZ Please remember to have your child get a good nights sleep before the dress rehearsals and recital.  You will be thankful for it!