Spring ShowcaseS & Costume FAQ
Payments
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when do i have to pay for the costume? how much does it cost?
See your specific class page for exact pricing.
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 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). Additional shipping and handling fees may apply if costume is ordered late. |
Sizing & Ordering
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how do I measure my child?
Generally, four measurements are needed: bust, 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. If you need help measuring your child, please see a front desk staff member for assistance. Watch this video to see how to measure correctly. WHAT IF MY CHILD GROWS?
Assume they 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 generally 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 and also allows 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. They 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 I MEASURED MY CHILD, 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 November and some wait 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 may 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 2-in-1 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 Showcases. 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 Show 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?
Each dance class has its own specific costume. Once you order your child's costume, it cannot be returned or canceled. If you need to change classes, please speak to a staff member to see if there is another 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 20, 2023 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?
Order your dance costume online at dance-etc.com as soon as you decide to participate in the Showcase. Once you pay, we will contact the costume company to confirm that they can deliver your costume in time for the show. However, there is no guarantee that it will arrive in time for Photo Week. If it will not arrive in time for the show, we will refund your money. As a rule of thumb, order your costume by December 20, 2023 to ensure that it arrives in time for Photo Week, and by January 31, 2024 to ensure that it arrives in time for 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 vary depending on the class. You will receive an email in early spring with information about the costume and ordering process. If the boys' costumes are being coordinated from the same company as the girls' costumes, the ordering process will be the same. Otherwise, most boys' costumes 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 typically more affordable than girls' costumes. In most cases, boys will wear their own pants or shorts, and will receive a matching shirt and accessory. Boys will also be charged a $25 administrative/participation fee. Why is there no "early bird" discount for the boys' costumes?
We don't order boys' costumes from large costume companies or in bulk, so we can't pass on any discounts to you. Generally, boys' costumes are less expensive than girls' costumes, and we try to use pieces of your child's wardrobe to keep costs down, whenever 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 Photo Week?
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 Showcases?
No! Wear it only to Photo Week 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 Photo Week 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 during Photo Week. Please see a staff member prior to Photo Week 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. We do not want to/are unable to do the Spring Showcase. What should we do?
Please notify your teacher or any front desk staff know if you are NOT available or interested in the show. As the show gets closer, we will focus more on learning the specific routine, exiting and entering the stage, etc. For some classes, we will offer an alternate class time for students who are not doing the show. On certain days (like "All About Parents Week"), the focus will be entirely on the show, and you will need to come to a different class. Please see the front desk for more information. |
