Click below to open a pdf version of our Recital Packet.

We are so excited for this fun time of year where we get to do more of what we love: Dance! Rehearsal and recitals at Next Step Dance are filled with special moments and memories you and your dancer will have for a lifetime. Please remember to encourage your dancer as they show you the progress they have made, and so many things they have learned.

What is my child getting out of this performance experience?

As a parent, you may be thinking: I’m paying for a costume that may only get worn once, I’m buying tickets for my whole family to attend a 3-hour recital in which my child will only be dancing for 3 minutes, I’m doing special hair, make-up, and making sure we have the right color tights - all for what?

Excellent question!

We think the question deserves an answer J. Following is a short list of benefits to your child and the reason why participation in the recital is so valuable to their development.

1. Recitals provide achievable goals

Just as athletes have tournaments and games, performers have recitals! Dance is a performance-based art, and when a student knows they will be showing their moves off to family and friends, it gives them a bit of extra motivation to work a little bit harder. In the end, the recital is considered the highlight of the dancer’s experience. It is a celebration of their work over the past year of classes. The pride they feel in accomplishing this goal is a real confidence-booster!

2. Recitals promote social cooperation (teamwork)

The dances in the recital are performed as a class. Even though dance class encourages the development of the individual, the recital promotes working together toward a common goal. Camaraderie is a skill that will help the student in school, career, and family life. Students also learn patience, listening, and leadership skills as they help each other with learning and practicing the steps. (This is also why dance classes usually result in the making of friendships that last a lifetime!)

3. Recitals help overcome anxieties

Because the recital dances are performed in groups, students feel safer about going out in front of a crowd to perform. They get a sense of empowerment over the nervous feeling, and come out the other side realizing they overcame their fear! The gratifying sound of applause will encourage them to take action in spite of when they are fearful, and help them to be brave enough to overcome other obstacles they will face in life. Plus, if a child dances in our spring recital from age 3 to when they graduate high school, they will have performed in front of over 4,000 people! How’s that for confidence building, and looking great on their resume?!

4. Recitals build memorization skills

Learning how to memorize is a highly-recommended skill for future professional opportunities. If your child can have the ability to absorb and retain the steps of their dance, they are building skills towards a successful future without even realizing it. Actually, they are probably just having fun, which is the best way to learn!

5. Recitals build problem-solving skills

Things don’t always go easily, or as planned. This is true in life, and in dance! Learning how to overcome unexpected challenges is one of the many benefits of participating in the performing arts. Whether it be how to deal with a lost costume piece, or figuring out how to remember to go left instead of right, dealing with the unexpected and working through to viable solutions is very beneficial for students of all ages (and parents too!).

6. Recitals create moments of celebration and lifelong memories

For families, recital is an opportunity to celebrate their child’s achievements in dance. For dancers, the recital is a positive experience that instills a passion for the performing arts and, in turn, a passion for lifelong learning. The costumes and pictures then become valuable keepsakes of a special time for all involved.

Although the thought of the costume, practicing, commitment, dress rehearsal, and performing in front of a large audience may seem overwhelming at first, the benefits of participating in the year-end recital are incredible! Both dancers and parents alike often consider recital as the highlight of the dance year!

Recital Days

The show is on Friday May 8th and Saturday May 9^th. Our youngest students are only in 1 show as listed below

Cast A Friday May 8th:

Wednesday morning R&M Snowmen

TuesdayR&M 4:00 Jewels

SaturdayR&M 10:00 Children of Arrendelle

Intro to Ballet & Tap Monday Songbirds

Beginning Ballet 1 Thursday Woodland Sprites

Beginning Ballet 2 Friday Flowers

Cast A Saturday May 9th:

Intro to Ballet & Tap Saturday Snowmen

Saturday 9:00 R&M Jewels

Tuesday 5:00 R&M Children of Arendelle

Intro to Ballet & Tap Wednesday Songbirds

Beginning Ballet 1 Monday Woodland Sprites

Beginning Ballet 2 Tuesday Flowers

● The show starts at 6:00 PM on both nights - dancers must arrive no later than 5:00 PM in costume, hair and makeup. Dancers should be dropped off at the Green room and picked up at the stage after curtain call. If your child is in the first half of the show, they will still be needed for Curtain Call at the end of the show, so please do not attempt to pick up your dancer during the performance.

● Dancers will stay backstage the entirety of the performance. We will have activities for dancers 6 years old and younger. Please send books, coloring pages and snacks for your dancer. No messy foods like greasy or orange chips, chocolate, nut butters, sauces, etc… Send apples, carrots, muffins, crackers and things that won’t stain fingers and costumes!

● Put recital items (i.e. shoes, extra hair pins, hair piece, after show outfit) in a bag labeled with your dancers name. Please do not send valuables that you wouldn’t want/couldn’t replace if it went missing, and please Label Everything!

Two great resources we highly encourage you to attend are the

Hair and Makeup Demo with Q&A

Saturday April 42:00-3:00 in the Auditorium Green Room

Auditorium Orientation:

Friday April 3^rd 5:30-6:30pm at the Gerald C. Wilson Auditorium (enter the rehearsal doors). This will help you and your dancer know what to expect for rehearsals.

Tickets

● March 8 for backstage, Picture day, and performance week volunteers

● March 15to NSDK families at reduced rate using provided promo code

● April 10 on sale to public

● Tickets will be available online until Sunday, May 2^nd. After that date, they can be purchased at Next Step Dance Kodiak, or at the box office the day of performance

www.tututix.com/nextstepdancekodiak

Volunteers

● We need many volunteers to make this a magic experience for all our dancers at NSDK.

● Please contact the studio to help with projects before the show, like painting sets, altering costumes, and folding programs. We also need volunteers during picture day, and for activities during the show, like selling tickets, distributing programs, and being a “class parent.” We have a whole list! Email dance@nextstepdancekodiak.com or sign up here online:

Medication and First Aid

If your child MAY require any medication, you MUST provide it in a zip lock bag which is carefully and obviously named. This must be brought with you to rehearsal and kept in their dance bag.

Instructions on how to administer medicine must be included, as well as the best mobile contact number for use during performance. THIS PHONE MUST BE PUT ON SILENT AND ACCESSIBLE THROUGHOUT THE PERFORMANCE. First Aid will only be administered by qualified first aiders.

FOOD AND DRINK-

Each student should have a labeled (with name) bottle of WATER (no juice, milk etc as it stains costumes). It is also advised that students have snacks to help maintain their energy levels throughout rehearsal day and Performance day.

Suggested snacks are: Raisins, dried fruit, plain popcorn, pretzels, dry biscuits (such as savoury Ritz or a sweet yo-yo). Snacks not recommended: Potato chips, any drinks apart from water, nuts and nut products, chocolate, anything messy that will stain costumes.

Costumes

● Will be handed out in class the week of April 20^th, if all costume balances have been paid.

● Must be worn for rehearsals on April 25, May 2^nd-7^th and performances on May 8^th and 9^th.

● Some older dancers may be asked to wear jewelry like sparkly earrings, but unless it is part of your costume, please no bracelets, necklaces, or earrings. includes during dress rehearsals and performances and when class pictures are taken. Nude leotard or bodysuits under costumes are absolutely fine and encouraged, and required for dancers 10+.

TIPS:Costume Common Sense

✓ Always have a second pair of tights available.

✓ Place costumes in a garment bag for travel.

✓ Carry headpieces in a shoebox or container to prevent them from damage.

✓ Hang and press costumes before each performance.

✓ Place your name in all costumes and shoes.

Photo Day: Friday April 24^th&Saturday April 25th

This year, we’re going to try something new. In order to save you time, and only have kids get into costume and full makeup once, we will be doing picture day on April 25^th in the Auditorium Dance Studio.

● Performers will be photographed in full costume with hair and makeup done just as they would for the show, after they are done dancing on stage they will immediately go downstairs and take their photos. Even if you choose not to purchase individual photos, all dancers should be photographed with their class.

● Soloists and Featured parts and ensembles will have photos taken Friday April 24^th at the Auditorium Dance Studio

● More information and time slots will be provided soon.