Spring Showcase & Costume FAQs
Payments
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when do i have to pay for the costume? how much does it cost?
The cost for your child's costume is as follows: $80 + tax* if ordered by 11/2/2020 $90 + tax* if ordered between 11/3/20 - 12/2/2020 $10 late fee applies if ordered after 12/3/2020 *(additional $5-$10 per costume for two-in- one, plus size or adult size costumes) How do I order my costume?
In early November (or upon enrollment) you will receive written information on how to order your costume. Go to dance-etc.com and look under the Spring Showcases tab for your dancer's class information and links to order the costume. Measure your child as directed and then select appropriate size using the provided measurements and size chart. Generally, going up a size allows enough room for growth. Can I cancel my costume and get my money back?
No. Once a costume is ordered it is non-returnable/non-refundable. I use automatic payment for my tuition - Will you just bill me for my costume?
No. All costumes must be ordered online at dance-etc.com What does the costume cost include?
The cost includes the costume, tights (if applicable), hairpiece, and accessories as described on ordering site. It also includes shipping, handling, venue, and administrative fees. As noted in costume description, some items in the picture may not be included (for example: gloves, hats, jewelry). |
Sizing & Ordering
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When and how do you measure my child?
You will receive information about how to correctly measure your child. Generally, four measurements are needed....chest, waist, hip and girth. Girth is the length of the torso and is the most important measurement for determining the proper fit of a leotard- which is the basis of most costumes. My child was absent the day the class was measured. What do I do?
Please stop at the front desk and have your child measured by the staff. My child was making up a missed class and was measured in a class different from her normal class. Will he/she get the wrong costume or measurement?
No. The measurements work will with all the costumes. You will select the correct class for your child online. What if my child grows?
Assume he/she will! Use your child's measurement to pick the best size for your child and allow room for growth. If in doubt, always order up a size. All the costumes we choose are made specifically for dance recitals. They are made of fabric that stretches to allow for growth in height and weight. Most come with straps that can be adjusted to various lengths. Our goal is to have a costume that fits your child well on the day of the show. It is a bonus if they can wear it from months/years to come, but no one can guarantee that. Why do we have to order costumes so early when the show is not until June?
Generally, costumes take 12-16 weeks to arrive. This is because the costume companies service all the dance studios and most have recitals at similar times. Ordering early allows you to take advantage of discounts (which we pass on to the early birds) and also to allow time for exchanges of costume sizes if needed. Why is the size of my child's costume different than her normal clothing size?
Each costume company provides a very specific sizing chart that is used exclusively for their costumes. The do not necessarily coincide with store-bought clothing sizes. You will see the size chart online when you select your costume. When should I try on my child's costume? What do I do if it does not fit?
Try it on as soon as you get it! If you need to exchange it for another size, purchase a $19.99 exchange ticket which will cover the cost of restocking fees and shipping both to and from the costume company. Exchange ticket links are at the dance-etc.com website. Look under Spring Showcases and find your class page. Link button is at the bottom of your class page. Are these costumes custom-made? If my child was measured, why doesn't the costume automatically fit perfectly?
The costumes are made to order (they do not make them until they are ordered) but are not custom made for size. The measurements we take are used to determine the appropriate size (extra-small child through extra-large adult). I have problems buying regular clothes for my child because of her body shape, weight, height, etc. What can I do to ensure that the costume fits?
Please feel free to email any questions to [email protected] to discuss any sizing issues. Some costumes are available in extended sizes (extra fees may apply). Do you make alterations to the costumes?
No. It is the parent's responsibility to adjust the costume (i.e. attach straps or tack pieces with safety pins or needle/thread). If you have any questions or concerns about your costume, please see a staff member. Can I do alterations to the costumes?
Yes. Feel free to make any sizing adjustments to the costume. Please check the the teacher before attaching any accessories to the costume or headpieces to assure that all the class is doing the same thing. When will I get to take the costume home? I have seen other students get their costumes? Why haven't I received my costume yet?
Some families ordered in October and some waited until February (or later) to order. In addition, different costume companies ship at different times. Some orders are sent in partial shipments from multiple locations depending on availability of sizes, etc. Costumes are handed out as they arrive. Generally costumes start to arrive in January, but depending on when you ordered, they may not arrive until right before the show. My child is in a dance and tumbling combination class (ballet bears, KINDERballet, Flip Hoppers, hip hop tumble, etc). What do they do in the Showcase? Will I need multiple costumes?
No. They will do a single routine in the show that will represent the dance portion of their class. They will not tumble in the show. My child is in a class that teaches multiple dance elements (ballet, tap and jazz). How many dances will they do? Do I need multiple costumes? Will they be in multiple Showcases?
If you are in a class with multiple dance elements your child will perform two different dances in the same showcase. Your child's single costume will be used for both dances. At times, the costume may have different accessories (hat, skirt, etc.) that provide different looks. There is a $5 surcharge for combo class costumes. Your instructor will determine which types of dance that your student will perform. My child is taking more than one class. Is she/he in both dances?
That is up to you. You are welcome to have your child perform with as many classes as you choose. Be aware that a costume must be purchased for each routine and all rehearsals for each routine must be attended. In some circumstances, the routines may be in different Showcases. We will be glad to help you with the details to make your decision. What about shoes?
Dancers in ballet, tap, and jazz classes will wear their regular classroom shoes on stage with their costumes. However, since hip hop students are not required to wear special shoes to class, a coordinated shoe will be required for the Showcase. Generally this is a low cost sneaker that is available locally and can be worn after the show. |
Scheduling
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I have multiple children at Dance Etc and we enrolled before the show schedule was published. Will they be in the same Showcase?
We do our best to put family members together in the same Showcase when we make our schedule. However, no matter how hard we try, there will always be some families that are split up. In that case, we will contact you in and discuss options (discounted tickets, class time changes). I have multiple children at Dance Etc and we enrolled after the show schedule was published . Will they be in the same Showcase?
After the schedule is published, we are unable to make changes to it to accommodate individual families. Please see a staff member to assist you in selecting classes that are within the same showcase if that is important to you. What if I change my class?
The costume you order is specific to the class your child is in. Once you order the costume, it cannot be returned or cancelled. If you need to change a class, please see a staff member to see if there is a class that is using the same costume. What if I drop out of my dance class completely?
After you order a costume, they cannot be returned or refunded. We will contact you when the costume arrives so you can pick it up. I am joining a class after the December 2, 2019 deadline. Can my child still be in the Showcase? Will I have my child's costume in time for the Showcase? In time for picture day? What is the last day to order a costume?
As soon as you make a decision to do the Showcase, go online to dance-etc.com and order the costume. Once you pay, the costume company will be contacted to confirm that they can provide your costume to you in time for the show. However, it does not always arrive in time for Picture Day. If it will not arrive in time for the show, your costume order will not be placed and your money will be refunded. As a rule of thumb, order by 12/10 to assure that your costume will arrive in time for Picture Day and by 1/31 to assure that your costume will arrive by the show. |
Boys Costumes
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What about the costumes for boys in co-ed classes? when will the boys get their costumes?
The boys' costumes will be determined differently for each class. You will be notified of the costume and procedure by email in early Spring . If they are coordinating costume from the same company as the girls, the procedure will be the same as above. Most will be "store bought" pieces or printed shirts which will be determined after the girls' costumes arrive in early spring. What about costumes for boys in all-boys classes? How much do they cost?
Boys costumes are generally be less than (and never more than) the girls costume. In most cases, boys will wear their own pants/shorts etc. and will be provided a coordinating shirt and accessory. The total cost will be the cost of the costume plus the $20 administrative/participation fees. Why is there no "early bird" discount for the boys' costumes?
We do not order boys costumes from large costume companies or in bulk so we do not get any discounts that we an pass on to you. Generally, the boys' costumes are less expensive than the girls' costumes and we try to use pieces of your child's wardrobe to keep costs down, when possible. What are some example so what boys wear?
Boys in hip hop class often get matching t-shirts and accessories (hats, bandanas, props) and wear their own pants and shoes. Boys in dance (ballet, jazz, tap) classes generally wear black pants and a white or colored shirt with a coordinating tie/vest/suspenders etc. |
When to Wear Your Costume
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Does my child wear their costume for picture day?
Yes! Wear the costume, tights, and shoes. Apply makeup and fix hair as instructed during "All About Parents Week." Bring all costume accessories too! Does my child wear their costume to the dress rehearsal at THE THEATER?
Yes! Wear the costume, tights, accessories and shoes. Apply makeup and fix hair as instructed during "All About Parents Week." Can my child wear her costume before the Showcase?
No! Wear it only to Picture Day and the Dress Rehearsal. There are many cases of costumes being lost, soiled, ripped, donated, shrunk, destroyed by pets etc. before the show. My child does not have a costume to wear for picture day because he/she is not doing the show or it was ordered too late to arrive in time. What do I do?
We will want your dancer in the picture! We will have a variety of costumes available for kids to wear on Picture Day. Please see a staff member about coordinating an outfit. Can I wash my child's costume?
No! Do not wash the costume. Please do not allow your child to eat or drink in the costume. Even if your child is wearing a store bought costume (i.e. black jeans and a t-shirt) please do not wash them so that the colors will match on stage. |
General Questions
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I am not sure if we want to do the Showcase because my child is so young, shy, distracted, active, etc. What do we do?
Our dances are choreographed to promote success. They are fun and age/skill appropriate. We provide a mandatory dress rehearsal the day before the show so the kids will be oriented to the stage and backstage areas. For the younger dancers, there will always be an assistant doing the dance on the side of the stage to help remind dancers of the choreography. Generally, costumes can be ordered up until January 31st and will likely arrive in time for the show (but this is not guaranteed). Feel free to talk to your instructor if you have any specific questions. We do not want to/ are unable to do the Spring Showcase. What should we do?
Let us know as soon as you know. You can tell anyone at the front desk. As it gets closer to showtime, there will be more focus on the learning the specific routine, exiting and entering stage, etc. For some types of classes, we will offer and alternate class time for students who are not doing the show. For certain days (like "All About Parents Week") the focus will be entirely on the show, and you will want to come to a different class. Please see the front desk for assistance. |
