A Dance Parent's Guide to Recital

Whether you’re a first-time dance parent or you’re a seasoned pro, it’s always necessary to review what it takes to pull off the BEST RECITAL EVER! Recitals are special events that celebrate the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, and families. We sincerely appreciate all the time and energy put in by our community to get your kiddos on stage. Recital is a monumental celebration of your dancer’s growth and achievements throughout the year and the perfect opportunity to share their love for dance with their loved ones!

To prepare for the BIG DAY, we’ve created a list of tips that can help make Recital Day a breeze! We want ALL our dance families to feel prepared and confident as they head into the performance.


6 Tips to make the day a success!

Ask Questions 
  • If it is your first time being a dance parent (or even if it is your fifteenth) it is ok and good to ask questions. You are getting a lot of information!. Just a note: make sure if you are going to ask your child's dance teacher a question, you do it at least two days before the show. The day of the show the dance teacher will have a lot to do to prepare a fantastic show for your dancer

Costumes
  • Lay out all of the different costumes, make sure you have all the pieces and accessories that go along with them and pack them in individual bags, and label them! This way your dancer will avoid frantically digging and scrambling inside of the dance bag while doing their costume changes. Don't forget to pack the dance shoes - You would be surprised to learn how many times dance shoes are left at home!

Pack Your Bag Two Days Before
  • Trust us, it will give you time to get any performance extras you may need before the big day. Besides your dancer’s costumes and shoes, it's never a bad idea to pack “just in case” items. For hygiene, pack things like, band-aids, deodorant, and hand sanitizer.
 
  • Recitals can seem long to young children, so prepare for your dancer to be happy when he or she is backstage. Send some things to entertain your child; card games, a sketch pad or stuffed animal can make the wait much shorter. Pack a water bottle for backstage.
 
  • Please label all your belongings so we can return them to the proper owner if anything is left behind. 

Practice Hair & Makeup Beforehand
  • While you are packing your bag, it is a good idea to practice hair and makeup before recital day. Wearing makeup might be brand new to a younger dancer, so this is why it is important to show up on In Class Dress Rehearsal Day with their hair and makeup done. A practice run will before the big day will put both you and your dancer at ease!

Encourage Your Dancer To Practice Performing At Home
  • When you watch your child perform in your living room, you show them that you are invested in their work. Cheering them on from the comfort of your own home reminds them that no matter what happens on stage, you will be there with the loudest applause. When students practice performing before hitting the stage, it’s likely to reduce their pre-show nerves.

Stay Calm
  • Most of all, remember that children are little emotional sponges. It’s normal for parents sometimes to feel anxious or nervous about their children’s first events. But work to avoid channeling your nerves to your child, who is just excited for a fun experience. Remind yourself of what’s most important (your child’s enjoyment of the show experience), take a deep breath and cheer for your dancer! If you observe that your dancer is nervous prior to the show, remind them that everyone is there simply to celebrate a great year of dancing and to enjoy the show! Our teachers and staff will be encouraging everyone backstage before their performance as well! 


At Coupé Dance & Co. we are extremely proud of the hard work and dedication our dancers put into learning their routines, we want them to shine bright on recital day. By helping your children prepare for their recital, you’re also supporting the success of the entire show. 

It is going to be a GREAT performance and we can't wait!

New to the theatre experience? Check out our theatre etiquette tips page