Some questions to ask in preparing your budget: 

• How much funding does your school provide? In your initial conversation with your supervisor/principal was a budget set aside? 

• Will your students be contributing to the cost? Is it feasible for them to pay the full amount or a partial amount? Could the costumes be hired to students for a reduced fee? 

• Can you run a whole school fundraiser for your costumes? Mufti day/school BBQ/bake sale?

• Is there parental assistance available to make the costumes? All or part?

Working within your theme and budget, look for costumes that will suit all students in your dance group as successful costumes flatter all body shapes. 

• consider how your choice of fabric will move on your dancers

• be careful not to overlook the male dancers in the group - they need equal thought 

• self-esteem can be an issue for some dancers, this can be heightened by costuming choices and can affect their performance quality 

Your budget will be a large deciding factor in building your costume. Consider the following: 

• quantity of materials and bulk ordering 

• unitards can be used as a base for a costume (an undergarment) which you can layer over the top

• assign students a simple colour scheme (i.e black and white) and have them bring in their own pieces 

• purchase a base costume for students and ask parents to assist with creating the accessories.

Students should always have rehearsal time in costumes before performing on stage, particularly if the costume may impede their movement.