In the first Behind the Scenes at Dance Recitals post, we took a look at the recital theme, music, costumes, logo, and ticketing process. In this post we continue with five more important considerations for a successful dance recital.
Keep Customers Informed About Recital Process
It is extremely critical to keep customers consistently aware of the recital process, especially families that have a dancer participating for the first time at your studio. You can NOT assume
families know or understand the studioʼs recital process.
There are many ways to keep parents in the loop. Some are:
- Refrigerator magnets with key dates throughout the season including recital information.
- Posting recital information on your website.
- A dedicated bulletin board inside studio with pertinent recital information throughout season.
- Providing customers with an electronic copy of a recital manual.
We also publish for parents a grid by dance class with information on song name, shoes required, hair style, color of tights, picture days, rehearsal days/times and which shows the classes perform in. You canʼt over communicate with the parents/families to keep your customers informed and up to date.
Other Recital items
There are several other things a studio owner should consider adding to the overall execution of the show:
- Special Recital T-Shirts with the logo on front and list of dancer names on back of shirt.
- Professional videographer recording all shows making videos available to parents purchase.
- Offering the option of pre-purchasing of recital flowers or other items like bears with show logo to make the event even more memorable for the children.
Recital Picture Days
Arrangements can be made with professional photography companies to come to your studio and take group and individual picture of the dancers for future purchase by the families. Make
sure you take the proper time to schedule these picture days and communicate to the families.
Recital Rehearsals
One of the final steps of preparing for recital is the rehearsals. Usually held the week prior to show weekend, rehearsals give the dancers a final chance to run through their dance and get
acclimated to dancing on the larger stage.
Recital Day
Recital day is all about putting on the show. Much work is required to make this day special for the kids. Some of the items that need to be planned for are:
- Having a system for checking in the dancers when they arrive.
- Setting up a concessions stand if you are selling food/beverages.
- Setting up the flower pick up area if you have a flowers/bear pre-purchase.
- Setting up a studio picture backdrop for picture opportunities after recital.
- Getting backstage set up for show, getting parent volunteer helpers in their assigned spots.
- Setting up activity area to keep the younger dancers occupied during show.
- Perform final lighting/sound check.
- Make sure videographer is set up to record the shows.
Recitals take a lot of planning and execution to make the show day(s) memorable for both the dancers and their families.
Besides what is listed above there are many, many more activities not listed that have to be completed to make the show(s) a success. The next time you sit in the audience for your childʼs performance, you will realize the amount of effort it takes to “put on the show.”
