HANDBOOK IN-STEP DANCE CENTER Philosophy, Policies, Procedures and Guidelines
Philosophy, Policies, Procedures and Guidelines Dear Parents and Students, For 25 years, In-Step Dance has provided students with an exciting performance experience through its recital. The annual staple of the dance school, the recital, conjures images of childhood for many. It’s a rite of passage for thousands of youngsters, a chance to shine in front of family and friends that they anticipate with nervous excitement. The recital offers our students a professionally directed performance that allows them to present to their families and friends the results of a year’s hard work, dedication, and progress. A big part of the dance training process includes learning through performance. The experience helps build self-esteem, selfassurance, and contributes to a sense of confidence. Although performance opportunities can help prepare some students for a possible career in dance, they also contribute to children’s success in non-dance activities. That onstage experience can result in better in-school presentations, improved social skills, and strong interview skills for future college or job opportunities. The rehearsal process is a tremendous learning experience as well. It helps the children develop retention skills, and by working with their classmates on a group performance, they learn the positive aspects of working as a team to create the best result. Dedication to recital commitments is the responsibility of both students and their parents. We’ve created this handbook to clarify what we expect from you in terms of commitments and responsibility to the annual recital, the school, and other students, and parents.
To ensure that the students feel confident about their performance, we ask parents and guardians to encourage them to rehearse their recital choreography on a regular basis. You can ask your instructor for a copy of their music for them to practice. UPDATES As the season progresses, additional recital information or updates will be posted on the In-Step Dance website, www.instepdancecenter.com , in monthly newsletters, and the Weekly Tuesday Tidbits Updates Eblast. Make it your responsibility to keep abreast of this important information. Our goal is to make the recital an organized, exciting experience for everyone involved. It’s a team effort; students, their parents, the teachers, and the director are key players in the show’s success. Make sure to join the private Family InStep Dance Facebook Page. PREPLANNING The recital isn’t a one-day activity. Gather all costumes, accessories, shoes, and makeup several days in advance so you’ll know if something is missing or isn’t right. Make a checklist of your child’s routines, listing their costume, tights, shoes, and any accessories, and refer to it to make sure you have all your supplies before going to the theater. Bring at least one extra pair of tights of each color. Also bring extra hair gel, hair nets, bobby pins, and hairspray. Dance Moms work hard helping you get prepared for the Big Day!
We spend many hours determining the correct costumes for each class. They are always age-appropriate and of the highest quality possible. Predance students will need one costume with attachments for their 2 dances; all other students will need one costume for each subject they train in. Some Classes come up with their own costumes, so make sure to talk to your instructor about what to wear. Shoes and tights are not included unless you are in a Ballet Class, then your tights will be included with your costume. If you need Tights, they should be ordered online at Www.shopnimbly.com/instep5678 ORDER YOUR TIGHTS HERE! To ensure that costumes are delivered in time for school photographs and an organized distribution to our students, costume orders are placed during the December holiday break. Costume manufacturers do not accept cancellations or offer refunds; therefore, the school does not refund costume deposits. Parents or guardians accept full responsibility for all expenses, including surcharges and postage for costumes that are ordered late. In-Step Dance is not responsible if costumes are not received in time for the recital due to late payments. SIZING Costume measuring begins during November, during scheduled class times. Each child will be measured to determine his or her proper costume size(s). Alterations Although rare, alterations are sometimes needed after the costumes have been distributed and are the sole responsibility of the student’s parent or guardian. Please contact In-Step Dance office for recommended seamstress.
Costumes will be distributed when all outstanding season (including tuition) are paid in full. The deadline for all costume balances and Catch up fees is May 1st. Class photos will be taken in May during Pic Week. To ensure that there are no costume problems, students should not wear their costumes, accessories, or tights prior to the photo session, dress rehearsal, or performance. There will be rooms available for changing into their costumes. Picture Week will take place at the Sawdust Location! COSTUME EXPENSES The cost of costumes is included in your all-inclusive tuition unless you are in multiple classes then fees would be $90 for all one hour classes. Any special orders, including extra-large sizes, may require an additional charge (determined by the costume company). Additional charges are the sole responsibility of the parent or guardian. Accessories, such as headpieces or gloves, are included in the cost of the costume. Tights and shoes are not included unless you are enrolled in a ballet class, then tights are included. COSTUME CARE We recommend that each student’s name be placed in his or her costumes, shoes, accessories, and tights. Your costume will be in a garment bag with your child’s name on the outside. Pack accessories in a clear plastic bag with your child’s name on the bag and on each item. Hats should be stored in a container to prevent damage. Press all costumes prior to the dress rehearsal and the performance. Please do not wash costumes in your washing machine; dry clean them only (after the recital).
Always have a second pair of tights available. We have Placed costumes in a plastic bag for easy travel. Carry hats in a container to prevent them from damage. Hang and press costumes before each performance. Place your name in all costumes and shoes. WITHDRAWAL No refunds will be made if a parent or guardian withdraws a child from the school after costumes have been ordered and prior to the recital. Parent or guardians may pick up purchased costumes at the school at the time of general costume distribution and up to 15 days after the performance or pay a $25 cancellation fee for each costume ordered. After the 15th day all costumes will and/or could be donated. SHOES Should be polished and cleaned up. Each Pre-Dance Class should have bows made for their dance. We need one volunteer from each class to paint their shoes before their picture day. Make sure that all shoes have their name in them. Teachers will Delegate one mom to make bows so all look alike. Let your teacher know if you are crafty!
All female students are required to wear makeup for the recital: lipstick, blush, eye shadow, and mascara. For the boys, a little blush works well so they are not washed out under the stage lights. Uniform hairstyles are required. All female ballet and predance students must wear their hair in a high bun. Bangs or beads are allowed unless instructed by teacher. HipHop and Jazz Dancers if NOT in Ballet must wear hair pulled away from Face. Dancers with short hair must pull their hair away from the face and slick it down. Helpful LINKS BELOW How to make a ballet bun tutorial How to make a Ballet Bun with a Donut! Dance Make-up for Littles Dance make-up for older Links to help with Recital Hair and Make-up REHEARSALS Participation in the dress rehearsal and Tech Rehearsal is mandatory. The dress rehearsal will take place before their class pictures during Picture Week at the Sawdust Location so they get a feel for a small audience. Tech Rehearsals the day of the show allows the students to become familiar with the auditorium surroundings and feel comfortable with their performance, being onstage. Lighting, music cues, set changes, and all other logistics for an organized and professional performance are rehearsed so that the students make the best impression possible. We run an organized and timely Tech rehearsal; your help with the process will guarantee a professional production. Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to curtain time. Students may arrive in their Recital Tshirt but dance shoes are mandatory to have.
Rehearsal Guests One parent or guardian may accompany each student to the rehearsal. Please, no siblings who do not dance! No Additional attendees during the rehearsal or performance or they will be asked to leave the building. This is for the safety of your child and all other children. TECH Rehearsal Drop-Off and Pickup DAY OF SHOW Parent or guardian should bring the students to their assigned seat in the auditorium, where they will be checked in and placed under the supervision of their backstage class mom(s). Parent or guardian must remain in the auditorium on the lower level until his or her child(ren) has been dismissed. When a class has completed their last performance, the class mom will bring the group to the auditorium to be picked up. Rehearsal Dismissal Students will be dismissed from rehearsal once they have completed all their routines. DRESSING ROOM ETIQUETTE Students must respect other students’ space and property in the dressing rooms. The students will spend more time in the dressing rooms than onstage or in the auditorium, so please do your best to keep them organized and clean. No food or drink is allowed in the dressing rooms.
DISMISSAL Parents or guardians should bring the students to their assigned dressing rooms, where they will be checked in and placed under the supervision of their class mom(s). Students will remain backstage for the entire performance. Except for Pre-Dance Classes ONLY. They will be allowed to sit with their parents. After the finale, Parents can pick their child up from the stage. Parents are not allowed in the dressing rooms after the children have been checked in for their dance. One Parent is allowed to change their child for their next dance. Absolutely NO BOYS OR MEN ALLOWED IN THE DRESSING AREA! Please do not attempt to pick up your child during the performance. All students will be under the supervision of responsible adults and will be safe for the length of the performance. The dressing rooms will be stocked with various activities as well as a video input of the performance. RECITAL CLASS PICTURES Class photos are schedule for the week prior to recital – you will receive your schedule in End of April. Attendance is required for pictures. There is no obligation to purchase photos though.
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