2011 Winter/Spring Dance News

It's hard to believe it is almost springtime! Competition & the recital are fast approaching! Costumes are beginning to arrive, & it's time to put our game faces on for showtime! There are a lot of preparations put into the recital each year. Most of it is “behind the scenes”, but it also requires hard work from our dancers. Not to mention some organization when gathering costumes, shoes, make up, etc. In the next few weeks, everyone will receive a packet of information which will help make your lives a little easier come recital time. Special thanks to Tammy Sullivan for creating this packet of information from a mom's point of view. This will hopefully help to keep veterans & newcomers alike to be more organized for a smooth running backstage experience at the recital.

Requirements for tights & shoes are posted on the costume pictures in the waiting area. Please make note of what your class(es) are to wear. Denise Ferek is taking orders which will be placed through Discount Dance, to get a group discount. Or, you can find what you need at Dancer's Closet. There is a location in downtown Greensburg on the corner of Pittsburgh St. & Urania Ave, as well as a location on Route 22 in Murrysville.

Hair requirements are in the works & will be posted at the studio as well as on the website. As for right now, all students in the Saturday classes, Tuesday Itsy Bitsies, & Tiny Tots Tumbling will have hair in a bun with a curly haired scrunchie around the bun. These can be found at Sally's. If your child's hair is too short for a bun, no need to worry. Make up requirements are currently in the works. The colors/brands we've used in the past seem to now be getting discontinued. We just use the basic stuff you can find in Target, Walmart, Rite Aid, etc. So, you won't be spending tons of money on special stage make up. All Elite dancers will need to get fake eyelashes.

Candace Lang Photography will be at the studio on Saturday, April 30 to take optional photos in costume. Costumes should all be in by mid-April. However, I got a call from one company that one particular size isn't going to be ready until late May. The only class affected by this is the Monday Mini class. Unfortunately, when I had first placed the order, they anticipated we'd receive all costumes by April 22. However, they just informed me as of Feb. 18, that the Medium Child sizes will not be ready until May. I am hoping they will get everything done earlier than that, so cross your fingers! Back to the photo shoot...Candace Lang Photography will be doing 15 min. photo sessions, if you'd like to take advantage of this opportunity, there will be a sign up sheet. You may choose ONE costume with THREE poses.

The recital line up has been posted. It can be viewed online, or on the bulletin board. We ask that everyone be punctual for the dress rehearsal and recital, as we have a lot of routines this year & want to continue to keep our shows at around 3 hrs or less. You may leave after your last number is performed at both rehearsal and recital. Being that the dress rehearsal doesn't begin until 6pm, it can end up being a late night. We must start promptly at 6pm since we will be running through the opening number 3 times. We then continue on with the show in its entirety the way we will run it on the actual day of the recital. Please note, this is our first year with a start time of 3pm for the recital. This is so that the little ones will not be out late two nights in a row, in addition to it not being a late night for all of the other dancers & their families.

As all Elite should know by now, the competition has been moved to April 17. It will take place at the Cranberry Woods Marriott, located just off the turnpike in Cranberry. The exact competition schedule will not be sent to us until about a week & a half prior to the date. Also, take note of the mandatory competition rehearsal dates. April 5 & 12 will be 6pm-9pm. All Junior Elite, will only have to attend until 8pm. April 6 & 13 will be 4:30-7pm. Acro students may still attend the acro class both days. Also, April 13 is Dress Rehearsal. Please have hair & make up done as you would for competition.

Recital program class photos will be taken as costumes arrive. Any student without a signed publicity release form on file will NOT be photographed until a form is signed. Each class will be notified when their photos will be taken. We like to get this done as soon as possible, as it is a lot of work to put the program together. Hair will need to be done accordingly, as well as make up. We will do our best to take the pictures during regular class times to avoid coming in any extra time, if possible. Elite classes will have their pictures taken during the competition dress rehearsal. If you wish to place an ad in the recital this year, please take a form from the studio & have your ad to us NO LATER THAN APRIL 2! If you need examples of patron ads used in the past, there are programs in the waiting area.

Costumes for the Opening Number in the Recital have now been determined. Teenie Weenies & Teenie Tinies will wear the leotards from the Christmas shows. White leotards will get red rhinestones glued on, red leotards will get the diamond white rhinestones. All students in Itsy Bitsies, Hip Hop Babies, & Tiny Tots Tumbling will also need to have one of these leotards. You can purchase them from the studio for $12 if you do not have one already. Minis & Juniors will wear the leotards from their ballet/tap/jazz routines. For the few Juniors who only take hip hop, you will need to purchase a red leotard from the studio. Teen & Senior Elite will wear the rhinestone costume which the Senior Elite is wearing for hip hop. The cost of these is $33. Teens/Seniors from Monday & Tuesday night will wear black jazz pants with a black, ribbed, tank top. A letter will be placed on each top, as we discussed in class. You will each also need a plain colored t-shirt. See Miss Jen for more details. All students will also need to purchase rhinestone show earrings. They can be purchased from Miss Jen for $2. Please note whether you need pierced or clip-on.

Thank you all again for another wonderful year of dancing! I am sure you will all have an enjoyable time at the recital. We strive to be better & better each year, & I am always impressed with the progress of my students. Never hesitate to call/email with any questions! I am happy to help in any way I can, & no question is ever a 'stupid' question. I'd rather you all get the proper information, than try to play guessing games. And, please remember to consult the website as well. We do our best to update it frequently.

-Miss Jen