Having your child participate in the DanceRoots Dreams in Progress performance requires commitments for you and your dancer.

Please note the following mandatory dates:

Friday, May 23rd - Technical and Spacing Rehearsal - 4:30PM -9:30PM *dancers will not all need to be at the rehearsal for this entire duration. Younger students will be scheduled at the beginning of the evening.

**This technical rehearsal does not apply to ALL Saturday Classes. They will be rehearsed the morning of the show.

Sunday, May 25th - Show 12:00 PM (ages 3-10** years) 3:30 PM (ages 11**+) *dancers will be expected to arrive an hour before the show

**There MAY be some crossover ages, so please wait until you are certain what show your child is in before you purchase your tickets. The DanceRoots Competitive Team will perform in BOTH shows.

Location - Algonquin Commons Theatre

*Arrival Times will be sent out in a separate email

A very large part of the success of any end-of-year performance is the assistance of volunteers. We have many classes with young dancers and they will require help from parent volunteers backstage.

We require 1-2 volunteers per class (9 years and under). Please note, when you volunteer there is work involved. You are responsible for the wellbeing of your group as well as their whereabouts. You will be provided with a class list and we may pair volunteers up for larger classes.

Duties start at an assigned time and end when the last dancer has been picked up from the change room/area.

We will create a Google Docs sign up sheet for volunteers, released early May).

As a thank you to each volunteer we will provide 1 free ticket to the show of your choosing.

Parent volunteers are (besides AWESOME):

• Responsible for keeping the class together and tend to any needs from the dancer during the time in change rooms/backstage

• Helping dancers to the washrooms and fixing their costumes if needed

• Communicating with coordinators/staff any concerns or questions that may arise during the performance

• Remain with children until they are picked up by their parent/guardian

• Escorting your class from holding area to backstage and back after performing

Costume Care

Once costumes are handed out, (Costumes will be handed out at least 2 weeks before recital) please remember that they are not a toy to be played with or used for dress-up. They need to be kept in perfect condition for the performance.

Costumes will need small alterations from time to time. Please have these completed in good time before show to avoid last minute stress!

We strongly recommend that each student labels their costumes, shoes, tights and accessories with their name.

Costumes should be placed in a garment bag with your child's name on the outside. Steam costumes prior to the performance. Hanging delicate material costumes and tutus in the bathroom during showers will help eliminate wrinkles.

Please do not wash your costumes in the washing machine; dry clean only.

TIPS for great costume care:

• Place costumes in garment bag for travel

• Hang & steam/press costumes on LOW HEAT before each performance

• Place your dancers name on all costumes, shoes and accessories.

Tights

• To ensure that there are no discrepancies in colour and style students are required to use the colours that DanceRoots requires for their dance class, unless otherwise decided by instructor.

• Please see www.danceroots.ca for our studio dresscode.

• Tights should be in new or like-new condition with no stains, fades or runs/tears.

• A tights and shoes list for all recital routines will be sent out closer to the performance date.

Shoes

• Students will wear the shoes required for their class, unless previously discussed with their instructor.

• Shoes must be presentable and in stage- ready condition.

• Please check with your child to make sure their shoes fit and are the appropriate style.

• DanceRoots has assigned classes specific shoes to purchase for classes, we kindly ask that all shoes are the same (refer to dress code charts at www.danceroots.ca).

• Hip Hop students should have converse or converse-type shoes in black with a non-marking outsole.

• A tights and shoes list for all recital routines will be sent out in the spring.

Hair & Make-up:

• Dancers need to be in stage make-up for our performance. This is important because stage lighting is very bright and will wash out your child’s facial features, preventing the audience from seeing facial expressions.

• Lips: *NOTE Lipstick should be applied after your dancer is dressed in costume only. Mandatory lipstick is required to ensure all dancers have matching lips. Lips: a true red.

• Eyes: Neutral colours are required for eyeshadow. Specifically neutral creams and browns. (No blues, greens, etc). Please use brown/black eyeliner and black mascara.

• Cheeks: Neutral colours are required for blush. Specifically an earth tone pink / peach.

• We recommend doing a trial run before our show to alleviate any anxiety you may have.

• Please refer to the this instructional video to help you through the application process.

Hair:

• Uniform hairstyles are required.

• Females in all classes except hiphop should wear their hair in a low bun (2” from nape of neck), with a centre part.

• All hair must be tightly secured. Make sure hair pins (not bobby pins) are used.

• No bangs! Dancers with short hair must pull hair away from the face and slick it down.

• No whisps!

• If you have any questions on how to make a bun or get your dancers hair off her face, please ask us and we will be happy to show you!

• Hip Hop dancers can have a low pony with centre part.

• Boys must have neat a tiny hair, out of the eyes. (Please use product to secure)

• Here is an instructional video on how to achieve the required hairstyle

• Here is a link for an EXCELLENT hair kit on Amazon
  *If this is sold out simply search hair kits for dancers :)

• You will need to purchase hair nets (even if you purchase the above hair kit), available at Shopper’s Drug Mart, Walmart, or Brio.

• TIDE stick

• Baby wipes/shout wipes (to fix make-up mistakes or wash hands)

• Baby powder (for itchy costumes)

• Safety pins (for emergency costume repairs)

• BandAids (the invisible kind)

• The recital is not a one-day activity. Gather all costumes, shoes, accessories and make-up several days in advance so you will 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 theatre.

• Also bring extra hair gel, hair nets, hair pins, bobby pins & hair spray.

• Algonquin policies do not allow dance shoes in public areas, so a pair of slippers, socks or slide ons to travel from the dressing room to the stage isa great idea!

• Activities for the change rooms are also a great idea! (Colouring books with crayons, no markers please! Books, etc)

*Participation in technical rehearsal is MANDATORY for all dancers.

• This rehearsal allows dancers to become familiar with the theatre surroundings, comfortable with their performance and being on stage. 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 do our very best to run an organized and timely rehearsal but sometimes we do experience hiccups; your help with the process will guarantee a professional production.

• Rehearsal arrival times will be sent out at the beginning of May.
  *Please note that ALL Saturday Classes will be rehearsed the morning of the show, May 25th.

• Students must be respectful of property belonging to others and sharing space in the dressing rooms.

• Students are to remain in the dressing room/ holding area to which they are assigned and not enter other designated areas.

• The students will spend more time in the dressing room than on stage, so please make an effort to keep them organized and clean.

• Mess- free (dry) snacks and activities are permitted in the dressing rooms but please remember to clean up after yourself.

• There should be absolutely no garbage left behind at the end of the evening.

Technical Rehearsal Day:

• Drop off and pick-up all dancers involved in our recital (With the exception of Saturday class dancers) will be rehearsing on Friday, May 23rd.

• This rehearsal will take place at Algonquin Commons Theatre (Building E).

• We will release a rehearsal schedule in early May including your dancer’s arrival and departure times.

• It is imperative that our dancers are prompt to ensure an efficient stage rehearsal.

• Dancers in both acts can expect to be at the theatre for the duration of the rehearsal.

Technical Rehearsal Day Dismissal:

• Students will be dismissed from rehearsal once they have completed all of their routines.

• If they wish to stay in the theatre to watch the show AFTER they have been dismissed, they may do so ONLY if they are under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian

Recital Day:

Performance Arrival and Dismissal:

DanceRoots will be planning drop-off and pick up times for both shows. These times are TBD.

Special Note: Please do not attempt to pick up your dancer during the performance. All students will be under the supervision of responsible volunteers and will be safe for the length of the performance. An exception will be made if you purchase a ticket for your child to watch the performance after they have performed.

A professional videographer will record the recital. All of our families will receive this video 3-4 weeks after the show.

• Tickets will be released for sale early May, 2025.

• We encourage you to purchase your tickets ahead of time to avoid disappointment in seat choice, etc.

• Seating is reserved and tickets do go quickly.

• Children under the age of 3 are permitted to sit on a parents lap and do not require a ticket.