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Looking for rehearsal times and dates? Click the link below for the most up-to-date information!
JUNE PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Ballet 2, Ballet 3, Ballet 4, Ballet 5, Studio Prep, Studio Company, and Supernumeraries
Performance Dates:
6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 8th 2018 at Great Mills High School
6:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 9th 2018 at Great Mills High School
Attendance:
PLEASE make every effort to bring your child to every class. It is difficult to pick up combinations when the rest of
the class already knows the steps. Our production is a team effort and it is difficult to work on placement when team
members are missing. We are as understanding as possible throughout the year when it comes to missing classes due
to girl scouts, sports, music lessons etc. Now, we expect dancing to be top priority.
Rehearsals & Class Time:
Rehearsals preparing for our show are coming along beautifully and the dancers are so excited! Although most of the
performers are feeling confident and beautiful, there may be a few that are feeling anxious. Please reassure them, we
still have plenty of time to practice. The performance should be a rewarding experience for your dancer and being
confident in their dance will insure this. Reviewing the steps in their heads is very effective in remembering the
sequence. Please be prepared for extra rehearsals a few days before the show. Things will be hectic, tight, and require
maximum cooperation from everyone. With your help, the performance will prove to be one of the most fulfilling
days of your young dancer’s life.
class. Students are concentrating on remembering their placement as well as the dance steps, which is very hard work.
Please encourage your dancer to practice at home. We do our best to be prepared; however, every year there are a
few dancers that get a little “stage struck” or “stage happy.” They always end up stealing the show! Please do not be
surprised if your young dancer gets on the stage and does not perform. Being on the stage with lights and over 800
people in the audience can be very overwhelming. Our younger dancers are successful when they step on the stage!
Philosophy on Performing:
As most of you know, Mrs. Dunaway usually writes an original story ballet that showcases the students. The reason
for this is two-fold. First, assigning characters and roles helps the children feel a part of something bigger. This
creates a bonding that allows them to function as a team. Everyone’s role is vital to the success of the show. Thus, we
are learning life lessons as well as dancing lessons. Although it makes for countless more rehearsal hours and is a
much harder task for the students and teaching staff, the benefits are worth the extra effort. Secondly, a story ballet is
much more entertaining to the audience than watching class after class perform their routines. Our goal is for
audience members to enjoy the whole performance as much as they enjoy watching their own child.
Dance Placement:
Because every dancer is important, they will all take their turn in the “front row.” Generally, for ballet Mrs. Dunaway
places the taller dancers in the middle and works out to the shorter dancers on the end. When at all possible, siblings
are placed together. Placement is not based on dancing ability in all class dances.
Special Cast & Supernumerary Assignments:
Teachers choose dancers that are particularly accomplished, have excellent attendance, and exceptional attitudes for
placement in specials or extra parts in class dances. Sometimes, dancers are chosen based on a type of dancing style,
ability to perform certain difficult steps with flair, or because their physical stature fits a specific part necessary for
the story. Typically, these dancers have studied for several years. Specials are rewarded to students of the highest
performance quality. Rehearsals are numerous and mandatory.
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
Ballet - Ballet PINK tights, PINK ballet slippers with sewn on elastic, hair slicked back in a bun. Class costume related
specifics will be distributed by your class mom.
Girls' Jazz - Flesh tone tights (nude or suntan depending on your complexion), Girls-TAN jazz shoes,
Boys' Jazz – BLACK jazz shoes. Class related specifics will be distributed by class mom.
Mod/Cont - Flesh tone stirrup tights (nude or suntan depending on your complexion)
Ballet 2, Ballet 3, Ballet 4, Ballet 5, Studio Prep, Studio Company, and Supernumeraries
Performance Dates:
6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 8th 2018 at Great Mills High School
6:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 9th 2018 at Great Mills High School
Attendance:
PLEASE make every effort to bring your child to every class. It is difficult to pick up combinations when the rest of
the class already knows the steps. Our production is a team effort and it is difficult to work on placement when team
members are missing. We are as understanding as possible throughout the year when it comes to missing classes due
to girl scouts, sports, music lessons etc. Now, we expect dancing to be top priority.
Rehearsals & Class Time:
Rehearsals preparing for our show are coming along beautifully and the dancers are so excited! Although most of the
performers are feeling confident and beautiful, there may be a few that are feeling anxious. Please reassure them, we
still have plenty of time to practice. The performance should be a rewarding experience for your dancer and being
confident in their dance will insure this. Reviewing the steps in their heads is very effective in remembering the
sequence. Please be prepared for extra rehearsals a few days before the show. Things will be hectic, tight, and require
maximum cooperation from everyone. With your help, the performance will prove to be one of the most fulfilling
days of your young dancer’s life.
- Students must be on time for all classes and additional rehearsals.
- Requests for an excused absence must be submitted via email or in writing.
class. Students are concentrating on remembering their placement as well as the dance steps, which is very hard work.
Please encourage your dancer to practice at home. We do our best to be prepared; however, every year there are a
few dancers that get a little “stage struck” or “stage happy.” They always end up stealing the show! Please do not be
surprised if your young dancer gets on the stage and does not perform. Being on the stage with lights and over 800
people in the audience can be very overwhelming. Our younger dancers are successful when they step on the stage!
Philosophy on Performing:
As most of you know, Mrs. Dunaway usually writes an original story ballet that showcases the students. The reason
for this is two-fold. First, assigning characters and roles helps the children feel a part of something bigger. This
creates a bonding that allows them to function as a team. Everyone’s role is vital to the success of the show. Thus, we
are learning life lessons as well as dancing lessons. Although it makes for countless more rehearsal hours and is a
much harder task for the students and teaching staff, the benefits are worth the extra effort. Secondly, a story ballet is
much more entertaining to the audience than watching class after class perform their routines. Our goal is for
audience members to enjoy the whole performance as much as they enjoy watching their own child.
Dance Placement:
Because every dancer is important, they will all take their turn in the “front row.” Generally, for ballet Mrs. Dunaway
places the taller dancers in the middle and works out to the shorter dancers on the end. When at all possible, siblings
are placed together. Placement is not based on dancing ability in all class dances.
Special Cast & Supernumerary Assignments:
Teachers choose dancers that are particularly accomplished, have excellent attendance, and exceptional attitudes for
placement in specials or extra parts in class dances. Sometimes, dancers are chosen based on a type of dancing style,
ability to perform certain difficult steps with flair, or because their physical stature fits a specific part necessary for
the story. Typically, these dancers have studied for several years. Specials are rewarded to students of the highest
performance quality. Rehearsals are numerous and mandatory.
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
Ballet - Ballet PINK tights, PINK ballet slippers with sewn on elastic, hair slicked back in a bun. Class costume related
specifics will be distributed by your class mom.
Girls' Jazz - Flesh tone tights (nude or suntan depending on your complexion), Girls-TAN jazz shoes,
Boys' Jazz – BLACK jazz shoes. Class related specifics will be distributed by class mom.
Mod/Cont - Flesh tone stirrup tights (nude or suntan depending on your complexion)
- DO NOT wear underwear under tights. It can be seen and looks unsightly.
- Older dancers should wear a dance undergarment with clear or flesh colored straps. NO STICK ON STRAPLESS BRAS.
- Modest younger dancers may also choose to wear a dance undergarment with clear or flesh colored straps.
- Purchase new tights and shoes. You should have an extra pair of tights for the performance just in case your dancer gets a run the night of the show.
