IT'S SHOW WEEK! REMEMBER TO CHECK YOUR REHEARSAL DAY/TIMES!
How we behave backstage as dancers is important - it's about respecting chaperones, knowing what is happening around us while show is going on and most importantly, having a good time with our friends.
FOR DANCERS:
Remember to say 'please' and 'thank you' to any/all adults you see backstage - we want to show respect to ALL helpers who are volunteering their time to help at our dress rehearsal and shows.
No running around in the hallways
Please listen to all chaperones when given an instruction or request, answer in kindness.
Keep track of your dance shoes and all items you brought with you - keep things organized!
Be respectful of the dancers onstage - stay quiet while waiting backstage and in the hall. Yes, the audience CAN hear you. We ask that your try your best, we know it's really hard when you're so excited.
No food/drinks backstage - please keep it contained to your room where you're waiting with your class.
If you watch a class while waiting to go onstage, congratulate them as they exit. As a dance family, we support each other and cheer one another on.
Pick up after yourself in the room you're in - we always leave a space better than we found it during rehearsals and shows.
If you don't make it on stage for your dance, DO NOT GO ONSTAGE MID-DANCE.
Arrive on time, prepared for your show. If you need help, ask for it, we are happy to help.
Stay in your assigned room - if you're missing when class lines up then you don't go onstage. Don't miss your chance to dance.
Please don't leave the area you're in as a studio group, the doors lock behind you and you'll be stuck. Take a buddy to the bathroom if you're old enough to go alone OR ask a chaperone.
Remember to have fun, smile and dance like crazy!!
COMMON QUESTIONS FROM DANCERS AND PARENTS:
Where do I drop off and pick up my dancer?
**For Rehearsals: Bring your dancer to the Event Entrance at Wisconsin Dells HS - across from the football field. You may walk them up to the door, you may wait inside the cafeteria area, but rehearsals are closed to observers/parents. We will walk dancers back out to cafeteria and then the Event Entrance and wait for their ride to come to the door or at least wave from the parking lot if you're okay with them walking towards you in the courtyard area. (Only change is dress rehearsal on Saturday morning for Senior Show - a note will be sent home and you can find the information on the Rehearsal Week page about that.)
**For Shows: Dancers will be dropped off at the Event Entrance at Wisconsin Dells HS - across from the football field. They will be escorted into the band suite where they will remain the entirety of show, you may come to pick them up after finale and final bows.
Can I (dancer) go out and say hi to my friends and family during intermission(s) as a PHDS dancer?
No. We require all dancers to remain backstage during our shows. It's easy to get lost or not find your way back - you could miss your call to be on stage and miss a routine. Take the pictures when you get to the high school or after the show. Plus, it is for your own safety.
I have a friend/sibling in a different room, can I go hang out with them?
No. We request that classes stay together in their rooms. When our backstage staff comes back to grab a class, they are expecting that ALL DANCERS will be in their room and prepared to line up. If you miss going onstage because you are in a different room, then you miss a dance and there is no way to make it up.
Can I (parent/guardian/friend) go back and say hi during intermissions to dancers?
No. Our hallway doors remain locked throughout the duration of show, this is for your child's safety and because we are busy directing our shows.
As a parent, can I just grab my dancer when they're done dancing in show, even if it's not over?
Please DO NOT do this!! Dancers are not permitted to leave early when their dances are finished. All PHDS dancers will stay in their space with chaperones to take their final bows. We have set specific safety plans in place where we will require all dancers to stay the duration of our show and it also shows a respect for all dancers performing in this production. Thank you for understanding.
What's a "finale"?
Finale is the last chance to take a final bow in front of our audience and have a tiny dance party at the very end while curtains close to celebrate. We have a closing dance number and get lined up backstage so all classes are ready to go.
Can I bring my electronic device (tablets, phones, Nintendo Switch, etc.)?
Nope! Any and all electronics brought backstage will be confiscated and given back at the end of show. For our littles we have color books, games, snacks, etc. and all older dancers should be focused on their dances and helping out where they can. If your dancer does bring an electronic and we don't see it please know that if anything is lost, stolen or damaged we are not responsible.
Are there bathrooms backstage?
Yes. We have a set group of bathrooms next to where dancers enter to wait during show. Please remind them to stay in the backstage classroom areas so they are not locked out and miss dances.
How long is Grand Recital?
Our show + 2x intermissions is 3.5 long. Our show will begin at 1pm and will conclude by 4:15pm. We take quick ten-minute breaks and start that next act quickly, so don't dilly dally in the lobby area because we will begin at the ten-minute timer to stay on schedule.
*Our Senior Showcase is around two hours long with one intermission*
Is food or drink allowed in the waiting rooms with dancers?
PHDS provides food/snacks for our dancers. We do have children with severe food allergies and provide the food so that we know it hasn't been cross-contaminated AND it's part of a list of safe foods provided by their parents. We offer a snack every 30 minutes to our dancers when they are backstage. Any food sent with dancers will be confiscated out of safety. Water is the only beverage allowed backstage - no Stanley bottles, please - bottles should have a seal so they don't spill/leak anywhere. We will keep water bottles in the hallway so that kids are not drinking their entire bottle in the first 30 minutes of show and then making 5 different bathroom runs with their costumes on.
PLEASE NOTE: If your dancer is not in attendance during a rehearsal or dress rehearsal, they will be removed from a routine. Our productions are successes because of the teamwork and community we have built - yes, it's a commitment for the week, but this is our "playoffs" and there's a reason why our shows look and run the way they do after 15 years. These notices can be found throughout our recital portal, as well as on documents with rehearsal schedules that send out all spring.