What is a dance competition really like? Emotional. Dance competitions are often held at high schools. Hotels, conference centers, or theaters are used too, typically for events such as Nationals or a convention.
The day starts by peeling my dancer out of bed at 4 a.m. to arrive at a venue when the doors open at 7 a.m. Upon arrival at the venue, we gather up the dance bag, coffee, blanket, garment rack, extra backpack, snacks, and water and head to what we hope is the correct door. Then it becomes a fun game of, Where is our dressing room? And when will my arms actually fall off from carrying this stuff?
The Dressing Room. The first order of business is to find the dressing room and set it up. Your studio will be together. There can be assigned spaces or designated rooms that are first come. When the event is in a high school, the dressing rooms are classrooms, gyms, locker rooms, cafeterias, and the band or choir room. The dressing rooms are meeting spaces and ballrooms when the event is in a conference center or hotel.
When the dressing rooms are pre-assigned, your studio name will be posted with other studio names. Yes, these are shared spaces. If there are chairs in the room, you can use them to create a defined area for your studio group. Dancers from your studio arrive at different times depending on when they are scheduled to dance.
There is a dressing room for boys that is generally a smaller space because there are fewer male dancers. Men and boys are not allowed in the girls' dressing room areas. Dance dads have a huge role, but not near the dressing rooms. There is very little privacy in a dressing room. Dancers change costumes, tights, bras, and leotards. Time is often ticking fast. Worrying about modesty is not on the dancer's radar. Some kids have pop-up tents or make-shift blankets on garment racks for added privacy. The doors will have something to cover the windows. Curtains are added in open areas to block off the space.
Dressing rooms can be congested or spacious. You will not know until you arrive. You can be in a terrible spot on the floor in the traffic flow of the door. You can have a table and chairs to spread out on. We have been stuck in a shower room and gifted the theatre green room with lighted mirrors. Being prepared for any setup is required. Sitting on the floor is to be expected.
If the dressing room is spacious, dancers will be running through routines and stretching. There is a flurry at times where it feels like a whirlwind of constant activity. Other times, the dressing room is quiet and empty. Be very thoughtful if you take pictures in the dressing room. Getting ready pictures capture the experience, but only take photos of your dancer in those empty times, as dressing rooms should be safe zones. Some competitions prohibit photographs in dressing rooms entirely.
Moms can go in the girls' dressing rooms. Dads can go in the boys' dressing rooms. However, setting up shop in the dressing room is not recommended. These spaces are for the dancers. You can help your dancer get ready, check in on them, lay out the next costume, or put away a worn costume. Once everything is in order, move it out of the dressing room. Dancers should be with their teammates and become mentally prepared to take the stage.
Tips:
- Map the route from the dressing room to backstage and show your dancers.
- Find the bathrooms near the dressing room and show your dancers, as you may not be around when they need it.
- Many costumes have zippers, snaps, and buttons on the back. It can be a team effort to get them out of the costume to use the bathroom. Double-check with them before you head out of the dressing room that bathroom needs are all set.
- Walk your route from the dressing room to the auditorium to see how long it takes you. You may need to run between dances to get your dancer into the next costume!
- Have a laundry basket or bin to throw all costume parts into during quick changes. This will keep everything together in messy dressing rooms. Once there is a break in action, the costume can be hung up or put in a bag. Double-check that all costume parts (jewelry, gloves, bandana, hair piece, tights, leotard, shorts, shoes) are accounted for and repacked. It can be challenging to replace things mid-season, especially for group dances when everyone must match.
- Keep your costumes and dance bag organized throughout the event. If you wait until the end of the day, things can get lost. Kids will scoop stuff up. If your dancers left jazz shoe is scooped up in someone else's arms, it may be long gone.
- Check the program. Write down the order of your dancer’s routines, including the assigned dance number. Make sure costumes are put on and laid out in the correct performance order.
- Don't leave valuables unattended in the dressing room.
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