The car smells like a mix of industrial-strength hairspray and slightly damp ballet tights. Your living room looks like a sequin factory exploded. You’re double-checking the call times for the third time today, and you’re pretty sure you’ve forgotten something vital, like shoes, or maybe your own name.
Recital week at the Great Lakes Dance Academy is a beautiful, glittering whirlwind. It is also completely exhausting.
I remember one of my first recital seasons as the person running the whole show from the director’s seat. I thought I had planned for everything. I had the schedules, the backstage teams, and a full production timeline in my hands. Then a zipper broke three minutes before curtain, a pair of tap shoes disappeared into the backstage void, and three different people needed answers from me at the exact same moment. That is when I learned, very quickly, that "winging it" belongs in choreography, not in recital preparation. From where I stand now, the calmer and more prepared our families are, the smoother the experience becomes for every dancer on that stage.
We want this experience to be about the joy of dance, the pride of seeing your hard work pay off at The Imperial Theatre, and the memories that last a lifetime. Not the stress of a missing bobby pin.
So, here is your no-nonsense, tried-and-tested survival guide for the big week. Let’s get through this together.
The Dress Rehearsal: Your Dry Run for Greatness
Dress rehearsal is where the magic (and the chaos) gets organized. It’s not just for the dancers to find their spacing on the big stage; it’s for you to get your bearings, too.
Arrive early. No, really. Arrive earlier than you think you need to. Sarnia traffic might be predictable, but finding a parking spot near the theatre when a hundred other dance families are doing the same? That’s a sport in itself. Arriving early gives your dancer time to settle their nerves and lets you find your seat without that frantic "I’m late" power-walk.
Capture the moments. During the actual show, we want you to be fully present, cheering and soaking it all in. That’s why dress rehearsal is the perfect time to take all the photos and videos your phone storage can handle. We’ll also have our Photo Booth set up! It’s a tradition for a reason. Grab the props, grab your dance besties, and document how far they’ve come this year.
The "Future You" Favor. While you’re at the dress rehearsal, do yourself a massive favor: Sign up for next year. Our staff will be right there, ready to answer questions. Not sure if your child should move from Recreational Dance to our Intensive Study (IS) program? Ask us. Want to know more about the Dance Company? We’re here to help you pick the perfect classes for next season before the summer rush happens.
The Costume Chronicles: Label Everything
If there is one piece of advice I can give you that will save your sanity, it’s this: Label. Every. Single. Thing.
I’m talking about the tags in the costumes, the inside of every shoe, the hairpieces, and even the water bottles. When thirty kids are changing in one room, thirty identical pairs of pink ballet tights look… well, identical.
The Tights Trick. Speaking of tights, here is a pragmatic reality check: they will rip. A stray fingernail, a rough floor, or just "recital luck" will cause a run at the worst possible moment. Buy extra tights. In fact, you can buy them right at the dress rehearsal. Have an unopened pair tucked away in your bag. You’ll thank me when you’re not frantic-searching for a Sarnia drugstore at 6:00 PM on show night.
Packing Your "Survival Kit"
Your dance bag is your mobile command center. It needs to be stocked for any eventuality. Is it heavy? Yes. Is it necessary? Absolutely.
Here is your mandatory packing list:
- Water (and lots of it): No juice or colored drinks. We love them, but we don't love red fruit punch stains on a white tutu.
- Hair Supplies: Extra bobby pins (you will lose them), hair ties, a brush, and a bottle of hairspray that could withstand a hurricane.
- All the Shoes: Double-check. Ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary: whatever they need. Do not assume they are in the bag. Check them.
- Extra Tights: (See above. I’m serious about the tights.)
- A Sewing Kit: For those unexpected costume issues. And skip the safety pins. They are not a good idea for dance costumes, especially when dancers are moving quickly and changing fast.
Show Day Prep: Organization is Peace
When the big day finally arrives at The Imperial Theatre, the adrenaline will be high. The best way to keep that energy focused on the performance is to have a system.
Organize by Order. Use a garment bag and arrange the costumes in the exact order of the show. If your dancer has three numbers, Costume #1 should be at the front. Put the matching headpiece and accessories in a clear zip-top bag and hang it right on the hanger with the costume.
The Quick Change Reality. If your dancer has a fast change, they won't have time to dig through a bag. Having everything organized in show order means they can transition smoothly and stay calm.
Backstage Sanity: The Art of Waiting
There is a lot of "wait" in "theatre." Between the warm-ups, the spacing, and the actual performance, dancers spend a lot of time backstage.
Bring a quiet activity. Books, coloring books, or a deck of cards are lifesavers. We want to keep the energy focused but calm. Avoid anything messy (no glitter glue!) or anything too loud that might interfere with the stage cues.
Is it going to be a long day? Yes. Will there be moments where everyone feels a little frazzled? Probably. But when that curtain goes up and you see the lights hit the stage, all the hairspray-induced headaches evaporate.
Theatre Etiquette: How We Support Every Dancer
This part matters more than people think. A recital is exciting. Emotional. Loud in the best way. But it also works best when we all respect the performers and the people around us.
Do cheer and applaud loudly. Our dancers work so hard for this moment, and they feel that support from the audience. Clap big. Cheer proud. Let them know we see them.
Please do not take pictures or videos during the performance. I know. It’s tempting. You want to catch every second. But keeping phones down helps us protect the professional feel of the show and keeps distractions to a minimum for the dancers on stage.
Please don’t leave your seat in the middle of a performance. There is a scheduled intermission for bathroom breaks, stretching your legs, and all the little in-between things. Moving around during a number can be distracting for both the audience and the performers.
And one more sweet idea: surprise your dancer with flowers at the end of the show. It’s such a simple way to celebrate their hard work, and trust me, that little moment feels huge to them.
We Are in This Together
We’ve seen hundreds of dancers grow up on our stage. We’ve seen the tears of nerves turn into the smiles of triumph. We’ve seen the shyest toddlers become confident Company performers.
Recital isn’t just about the steps. It’s about the community. It’s about the "we" and "us" of GLDA. It’s about supporting each other when a step is missed and cheering the loudest when a turn is nailed.
So, take a deep breath. You’ve got the labels, you’ve got the extra tights, and you’ve got a studio family that is rooting for you.
We can’t wait to see you shine at The Imperial Theatre. It’s going to be incredible.
See you at the stage door!
With love and plenty of hairspray,
Tia