Getting Ready

Hair may be styled to your liking as long as it is pulled back away from the face. 

ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE HAIR OFF THE FACE, regardless of the hairstyle. This is very important on stage and will require that you use the damp hair/ wet gel method described above for short or long hair to get the bangs back. Bobby pins may be necessary; however, if the hair is wet and gel applied, it will help to keep it sufficiently off the forehead. The balance of hair that is down does not need the same application and may hang loosely.

Hair Style Suggestions:

Hair in a Bun

On very damp hair thoroughly apply a thick gel to slick the hair and make it workable. After applying gel and with hair that is still damp, brush back and up and secure with hair elastic into a ponytail at the back crown of the head. Sometimes the instructor will ask for a low bun down and at the nape of the neck, however, commonly one wants to see the bun top when looking directly at the dancer. Then, depending on the length of the hair, twist in a circle around the elastic and secure all loose ends with bobby pins until there are no loose or unsecured areas of the bun. You may need more bobby pins for areas above the ears or at the nape of the neck. Apply the headpiece or hat as instructed by the teacher. There are some nets, or bags that help with very long hair, but for the most part, the manual method above is simple and reliable.

THE SECRET: Work on very damp hair that is wet with gel. Then, let the hair dry after it has been put into the bun. 

Hairspray may be necessary even if enough gel has been applied.

Hair ½ up ½ down

Use the same method as above for the forward part of the hair that will be pulled up into the ponytail ONLY. Most of the time, the hair is just pulled in a ponytail and hangs with a ribbon or headpiece secured as instructed. Let all loose hair hang without gel applied so it will look natural. You may use light hairspray if necessary.

Ponytail

On very damp hair thoroughly apply a thick gel to slick the hair and make it workable. After applying gel and with hair still damp, brush back and up and secure with a hair elastic into a ponytail at the back crown of the head. Sometimes the instructor will ask for a low ponytail down and at the nape of the neck. Side ponytails should be on the crown of the head on the specified side.

Braids

On very damp hair thoroughly apply a thick gel to slick the hair and make it workable. After applying gel and with hair still damp, brush back and up and into a braid. There may be a single braid, double braids, or French braids requested. Any questions regarding the method or style of hair required for your piece, please ask your instructor.

The main points to remember:

a) Hair off of face - a must
b) Work with damp hair, gel, hairspray
c) Have Fun!!!

Makeup may be applied at your discretion for children under age 12, however, under the bright lights, facial features wash out and makeup helps the audience to see the dancer's faces more clearly. Good stage makeup will look very exaggerated, dramatic and bold.

Makeup Suggestions:

1) BASE

Foundation is not necessary for most very young children, however, if you use it yourself and are comfortable applying a light cover, you may. Just be careful when putting a costume on, as it is easy to soil it with foundation, etc. Use foundation only if you are comfortable with it.

FOR ALL TEENS/ADULTS

Please apply a light-toned foundation as a base for your makeup. Use hypo-allergenic if necessary. Base is necessary for mature students to even out the skin tone on the face. Apply only on the full face down to but not including the neck area. Let dry thoroughly before proceeding:

2) EYE SHADOW

Use light-colored eye shadow only. Dark colors make the eyes disappear. Colors are not necessary, however, pale pastel colors in any shade will do: For example, nude to white, very light green/blue/lilac. Go easy with browns, however, for teens and adults if you know how to apply a brown accent line you may at the crease of eye, however be careful for dark shades on lids or up to area under brow are inappropriate. A light highlight shadow from eyelid to eyebrow is desirable.

3) EYELINER

Please use a dark brown/black pencil liner along lower lid of eye just below where the lashes grow on lower lid, just above lashes on upper lid. If the child is too young to handle this application, you may omit it. For all children age 6-older, please be certain to have eyes lined.

4) EYEBROW PENCIL

Please use a medium brown pencil for eyebrows only if the hair color is very light and looking directly at the face of the dancer the eyebrow is not clearly defined. If eyebrows are dark enough naturally, no pencil is necessary.

5) MASCARA

Please apply thick layer of heavy black mascara to upper and lower lids, however, this may not be tolerated by very young students and you may get by with just liner. TEEN/ADULT STUDENTS should apply false eyelashes for maximum effect on stage. Simply buy thick black lashes with adhesive, trim to fit and follow instructions. It is best to practice before the day of the show.

6) BLUSH

Apply rose or coral blush to hollow of check only - NOT over the cheekbone itself: Have dancer suck in cheeks and apply blush to area of the check that concaves. Enough blush should be applied to bring color to shadowed soft part of the cheek leaving the area over the cheekbone light and not colored at all.

7) LIPSTICK

Bright red lipstick is the only real color that is appropriate on stage. If the costume color is bright pink - a very deep hot pink lipstick would be a better choice. For all other costume colors, a bright red lipstick is best.