What to Bring With You to a Dance Competition
Essential Items for Dancers, Backstage, Onstage and Beyond
May 21, 2009
Any dance competition is filled with hundreds of dancers who are nervous, excited and scared all at the same time. Make sure you are as prepared as possible.
Whether it is your first time competing, or if you just experience butterflies every time you perform, here is a list of necessary items to bring with you to competitions.
- A first aid kit, including Band-Aids, Ace bandages and ointment. You never know what will happen backstage or while performing, so all dancers must be prepared for emergencies.
- A water bottle and snacks. Be sure to drink water before and after dancing, to avoid dehydration. Eat something during the day, even if it is just a granola bar. Your body will need to refuel in between dances. Do not eat anything heavy just before a dance, like a burger and fries.
- Safety pins. If you accidentally rip your costume, a safety pin is an easy, temporary fix. It can also hold elastics and ribbons on shoes if they fall off before you compete.
- Your costumes. Make sure all loose threads are cut, the tags are tucked in or removed, and all seams are sewn together securely. Only bring those costumes that you need for the competition.
- Your accessories. Accessories can include shoes, headpieces, tights, gloves, studio-approved jewelry, and more. Make sure they are in the same bag as the costume they match. Put your name on all your belongings, including every bag, box, or hanger.
- Your makeup case. Look at your case the day before, to make sure all cosmetics and hair supplies are there. Bring foundation, concealer, eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara, blush, lipstick, glitter, false eyelashes, and eyelash glue. For your hair, make sure you have plenty of bobby pins, hairnets, elastic bands, gel, hairspray, and anything else you will need.
- "Just in case" extras. Bring an extra pair of tights, in every color you will wear during that competition. Bring extra shoes, if possible. Bring extra makeup in case something breaks or is lost in your bag. Bring extra bobby pins, especially if you will need more of them later in the competition for a hat, wig or headpiece.
- Discman, iPod, or other listening device. There will be some downtime between your competition routines, so make sure you have a way of listening to your music when you are able to practice. If you have ordered a CD of your routines from the studio, make sure you have a discman with headphones so that you do not disturb other dancers.
Remember to stay positive, keep breathing, and focus on your routines. Keep a friendly, positive attitude backstage, and applaud for the dances from other studios as well as your own. The competition experience can be very rewarding if you enjoy what you are doing and arrive well-prepared for the weekend ahead.
The copyright of the article What to Bring With You to a Dance Competition in Ballet/Jazz/Tap Dance is owned by Terry Finch. Permission to republish What to Bring With You to a Dance Competition in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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