Spring Showcase 2008

Spring Showcase Information
How Tumbling Students Participate in the Spring Showcase
Costume, Tights, Shoes, Make-Up and Hair Style
Group and Individual Photos
Dress Rehearsal Information
DVD’s
Program Advertising Information
Finalé Rehearsal Information

Spring Showcase Information

Basic Information

What are the Spring Showcases?
Just like most studios, we have a year-end revue (some call it a "recital"). However, we prefer to call it our Spring Showcases! Our event is way more than a "recital"; it's an entertaining production that the whole family will enjoy! We go out of our way to make sure the show is fun and unique!!

We constantly receive compliments about how wonderful our shows are. Yes, even the Dads enjoy themselves at one of our shows. We're so proud of our event, and we believe it’s the best year-end revue you'll ever see!

What is required for participation?

1. Your child will need a costume.
2. If your child is in a tumbling class, he/she will need to attend extra rehearsals to learn the Showcase routine(s).
3. Your child will need to attend the Dress Rehearsal.
4. You will need Tickets to the Showcases. Tuition must be paid in full for your child to participate in the Spring Showcase.
5. Your child will be assigned to one of three Spring Showcases. Read on for more information…

When are the Spring Showcases?
There are three different shows on Sunday, June 8, 2008: 12:30 pm, 3:00 pm and 5:30 pm.

Click here for the first draft of our show schedules:
Show #1 at 12:30 pm;
Show #2 at 3:00 pm;
Show #3 at 5:30 pm.
Performers should arrive 15-30 minutes early, already dressed, with hair and make-up.
Each show will start ON TIME.

Where are the Spring Showcases?
The Spring Showcases will be held at Mason Middle School, 6370 Mason-Montgomery Road. View map

Tickets

Tickets are $5.00 per person (if purchased on or before May 24 - after May 24, each ticket is $6.00), and will go on sale Monday, May 5. Kids sitting attending the performance must purchase a ticket if they are going to use a seat. Kids that sit on a parent's lap do not need a ticket. Tuition payments must be current in order to purchase tickets.

House Rules
Seating is general admission.
No Food or Drinks in Theatre!*
No Smoking on school grounds.
Stay in your seats throughout the show.
Turn off cell phones and pagers.
If you do need to leave the theatre, do so only in between dances.

*There will be food & drink for sale. However, it is not permitted in the theatre at any time. It is very difficult to find any theatre that will rent to dance studios. The reason is because the audience brings food and drink into the auditorium. In order to be allowed back, we must follow their rules.

Security

Directions

Volunteers

Checklists

Costume, Tights, Shoes, Make-Up and Hair Style

How much are costumes?
All costumes are $65.00, if paid for by December 1. After this date, there will be a late order fee of $10.00 to $20.00. Costumes cannot be ordered after February 1. So make sure you get your payment in as soon as possible!

How can I see which costume my child will be wearing?
Costume selections will be displayed in a costume binder which will be located at the front desk. In this costume binder, you will also find:

• The type of shoes, tights and/or socks needed for the costume.
• The hair style your class should wear.
• The list of students who have paid for costumes and are in the Showcase. Please check to make sure your child’s name is listed here and spelled correctly.
• The date and time your child should report to the Dress Rehearsal.
• The date and time your child should report to the Spring Showcase.

What size costume will you order for my child?
One of our staff members will be coming to each class to measure the students. We then compare each child’s measurements to a sizing chart supplied by the costume company. From that chart, we select a size. Costumes usually run in standard sizes (small, medium, large). We order the size that we feel will fit based on measurements. If we are uncertain, we usually size up. Costumes are NOT "made to fit your child." Therefore, some alterations may be necessary. Those are the parent’s responsibility.

When will the costumes come in?
Most costume companies take 10-12 weeks because they make all costumes "to order." You will receive your costume as soon as it is received, usually by the end of April. Costumes will be tried on during class time.

What if the costume doesn’t fit?
If necessary we will exchange it for a different size. However, the costume may still need some minor alterations, which are your responsibility. This includes hemming any pants that are too long.

Are tights included in the costume?
If tights are required for your costume, they will be included. Please open packages of tights carefully. If the tights are the wrong size, you may exchange them within a week as long as they are UNWORN and in original packaging.

No underwear should be worn under tights! Do not wear tights to class. Tights must look NEW for performances. If socks are required for your costume, you will be asked to provide them. Please see costume binder for more information.

Are shoes included in the costume?
Shoes are not included. You must provide your own. Please check the costume binder for the type of shoes you will need.

Why do performers need to wear make-up?
A little make-up is needed on all performers, even young children, because the stage lights are very bright. This can tend to “wash out” faces and make performers look pale. From a distance, the audience will not be able to see a performer’s lips; and the SMILE is what we want to see most!

Is make-up included in the costume?
Make-up is not included. You can provide your own, or for your convenience, you can purchase a ready-made make-up kit at the front desk. These kits cost $2.50 and contain enough samples for three uses: (1) your group pictures, (2) the dress rehearsal, and (3) spring showcases. The kits include:

• Pink blush
• White eye shadow over entire lid
• Brown eye shadow in the crease
• Dark brown eye liner (top eyelid only)
• Mascara
• Fuchsia (reddish-pink) lipstick

Why aren’t the make-up kits free? They look like "free samples" that you get from Mary Kay.
Did you know that Mary Kay representatives have to pay for their samples? Usually they can give out one or two for free, but because we need hundreds of these kits, we need to pay for them. We sell them to you at our cost. We hope that you will find this to be a convenient service that is also economical.

How will my child have to fix her hair?
Please check costume book to see how your class will be wearing their hair. If your class requires a bun, you may want to purchase a hair kit from the front desk. Each hair kit is less than a dollar and includes bobby pins, a hair net and a hair elastic tie. You will still need hair gel and hair spray.

All hairpieces and crowns must be securely fastened with bobby pins. For security, criss-cross the bobby pins over each other.

How do you make a bun?
Click this link for step-by-step instructions: How to Make a Bun

• Some costume assembly may be required, for example, shoulder straps may need to be safety pinned. Your instructor will give you special instructions during "All About Parents Week."
• If costume includes a hairpiece, it will be fastened to the costume. Do not separate until you are ready to use the hairpiece. These tend to get lost and many times they cannot be replaced.
• Students should not eat or drink while in costume.
• Please refrain from wearing costume except when needed.
• NO NAIL POLISH, watches, earrings, jewelry, etc.

Group and Individual Photos

When are photos going to be taken?
Oak Haven Photography will be coming to Dance Etc. the week of May 12-17, during class time, to take group as well as individual photos. Your child will simply need to wear his/her full costume (see below) to class that week. The whole class will get a group photo taken, plus you will also be given an opportunity to get individual photos taken. You are not obligated to purchase a group photo, but we would like everyone to be in the photo. (For courtesy reasons, parents will not be permitted to take their own group photos at this time.)

Do we wear full costume AND make-up on photo day?
Students should wear their entire costumes, including accessories, tights, hairstyle and make-up, so we can check for things that need to be fixed, pinned, etc. In previous years we have discovered that some people need help with fixing the hair. Please bring additional supplies (hair spray, bobby pins, lipstick, etc.) so we can help you.

Who is the photographer?
For many years, we have used Oak Haven Photography. They are simply the best, for quality, for service and for price. We wholeheartedly recommend them. We won’t use anyone else! Trust us, you’ll be happy. Check out their website here.

How much are photo packages?
Group photo is $10.00 for a 5x7, or $15.00 for an 8x10. Individual photo packages range from $20.00 to $70.00.

This year, the photographer is offering a wide variety of packages. The more you order, the more you save. Some packages include your child's photo in the Spring Showcase Program for a discount!

How can I put my child’s photo in the Showcase Program?
While you’re ordering your child’s photo package, don’t forget to put your child’s photo in our beautiful commemorative Showcase Program. It is a fun, inexpensive way to add remembrance to your special day. You can add words of encouragement or a short message.

Dress Rehearsal Information

What is the Dress Rehearsal?
The Dress Rehearsal is an opportunity for our performers to acquaint themselves with the stage surroundings. They will learn where to enter and exit, where their designated spots are on stage, which way to face and how to deal with stage lights. Many times performers (of all ages!) get disoriented the first time they are on stage.

Each class will run through their routine once, twice, or maybe even three times. With each run-through the kids usually remember their routine better, and can also practice smiling and looking out to the audience.

Parents also get a chance to verify how much time it takes for traveling to the venue. It’s always a good idea to make sure you know where you’re going the day ahead of time. (Occasionally, someone does go to the wrong school!)

This rehearsal also allows us the opportunity to test our music, sound system, and props. It’s a very important day for all of us!

Is participation mandatory?
Yes, however we understand that on occasion an important event such as a family member's wedding falls on Dress Rehearsal day; and not all conflicts can be avoided. While we will not remove a child from the performance for missing the Dress Rehearsal, we strongly discourage students from missing. The consequences of missing this important day could cause your child to be "lost" on stage. This can negatively affect the entire class as well. Your attendance at Dress Rehearsal is both important and appreciated!!

When is the Dress Rehearsal?
Our Dress Rehearsal is Saturday, June 7 (the day before the Spring Showcases). The time to report is located in the costume binder located at the front desk. Complete Dress Rehearsal Schedule

How long will it take?
Allow anywhere from one to two hours for rehearsing.

Where is the Dress Rehearsal?
At Mason Middle School (Click here for driving directions).

What should we wear to Dress Rehearsal?
Please have your child wear his/her entire costume (including hairpieces and tights) with appropriate hairstyle and make-up. There should be no jewelry, no nail polish, no underwear underneath tights, etc.

DVD’s

There are many benefits to hiring a professional videographer to record our Spring Showcase. First, they do a great job, providing a quality product. They have two cameras so they alternate between views of the full stage and close-ups of the children.

Another benefit is that you will have a video of the entire show. Kids love to watch the entire show over and over again, especially the exciting show opening and grand finalé! Special features on the DVD that are fun, including a slide show of still photos taken during the show. And finally, it allows parents to just sit back and relax, not having to worry about anything but enjoying their child’s big debut on stage.

Why can’t we videotape during the Spring Showcases?
In the past, we've had many complaints about people moving around, standing up, talking and making noise. One dad was disappointed to discover that he accidentally filmed the wrong child because the dancers were dressed the same and he was looking through the camera lens. It was not a pleasurable experience for most of our audience members.

How much are DVD’s?
Each DVD will be approximately $20.00-$25.00 and includes sales tax. If you like, we can ship the DVD to your home for an additional $3.50 charge.

When will the DVD’s be ready?
DVD’s will be ready by July 4th. We will e-mail you when they are ready, to remind you to stop by the studio and pick yours up. A notice will also be posted on the website’s main page when they are ready. If you do not hear from us by July 4, please call us at 576-1400.

When is the deadline for ordering?
We can take your order at any time.

Program Advertising Information

We welcome business ads to keep printing costs down! It is a great value for advertisers – programs are read by over 2,500 people while they are waiting for the shows to start. Programs are usually saved as a keepsake for years to come! And, prices start at just $10.00. Business ad information

Individuals may also put a “one-liner” message in the program for $3.00, which can include special messages and words of love and encouragement for your performer!
One Liner Ad Form

Finalé Rehearsal Information

What’s the Finalé?
The finale’ is actually two parts:

• An 8-minute choreographed routine featuring a mixture of music. Dances include lyrical, hip-hop, jazz, tumbling and more.
• A final bow for all performers.

The dress code is something new that we are trying this year, so we are offering the purchase of a Dance Etc. T-shirt at a discount.

The final bow requires no extra rehearsals. However, if your child is part of the choreographed routine, he/she must attend two rehearsals. (Yes, participation is mandatory.)

• Show #1—5:00 pm
• Show #2—6:00 pm
• Show #3—7:00 pm

On-Stage Rehearsal — Saturday, June 7, 2008 at Mason Middle School.

• Show #1—1:00 pm (please arrive by 12:45)
• Show #2—4:45 pm (please arrive by 4:30)
• Show #3—7:45 pm (please arrive by 7:30)

Downloadable Finale Information