COSTUME BASICS:

• All costumes will be sent home with a pair of tights - footed or stirrup based on age.
  **These are the tights your dancer needs for show, if they are wrecked you will need to purchase a replacement from PHDS ($10)

• Any/all hairpieces will be kept by PHDS until day of show to avoid any losses.

• Ages 6+ REQUIRE A NUDE LEOTARD under their costume for changing and privacy purposes if they are in multiple classes. Please ask if you have questions. (4 options below)

• Please hang up costumes on a hanger immediately when getting home so they are ready for picture day and recital week.  Fluff those TuTus!

• Wrinkly costume?  Hang it in the bathroom with a hot shower running for 15-20 minutes, no fan on.  Otherwise a steamer will work too, just be super cautious when steaming your dancer's costume so there isn't any damage with its design.

COSTUME FAQs:

WHY DOES MY DANCER NEED TO BRING CLOTHES FROM HOME WHEN THEY PAY FOR A COSTUME?
Sometimes we ask dancers to bring clothing from home to lend to routines other than the one fitting their main costume for recital. We never expect dancers to go shopping for something new because we feel it provides them a chance for creativity in their interpretation of what we'd like to see AND it teaches them to communicate with you on what they need.  You dancer will leave said outfit at the studio until show, so we try to encourage them not to choose their favorite clothing for stage.

WHAT IS A NUDE LEOTARD?  ...DOES MY DANCER NEED ONE?
AGES 6 AND OLDER ARE REQUIRED to have a nude leotard on under their costumes - with more costumes these days having cut-outs, weirdly length straps and two-piece options, we want your dancer to feel confident and comfortable while wearing their costume.  A nude leotard makes costume changes easier for all dancers and we have so many kids with multiple classes these days.  We say age 6 because many dancers are also in hip hop or company classes - they will be changing directly backstage before their next routine.   

• NUDE LEO OPTION 1 - Adult Sizing

• NUDE LEO OPTION 2 - Adult Sizing

• NUDE LEO OPTION 3 - Child/Girls sizing 

• NUDE LEO OPTION 4 - Child/Girls sizing

MY DANCER IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A HAIRPIECE, WHERE DID IT GO?
We've got them!  All hairpieces stay with us through pictures until the day of show, just to be sure nothing gets lost.

WHERE ARE THE HIP HOP SHOES MY DANCERS KEEPS TALKING ABOUT?
Hip Hop shoes stay in studio with Miss Ally until May, that way they can be broken in AND kept out of trouble. After they are sent home, they are your dancer's responsibility and if forgotten for a rehearsal or show they may be removed from a routine for cohesiveness.

WE'VE GOT A RIPPED TIGHTS EMERGENCY, WHAT DO WE DO?
Let us know ASAP, we always have extra tights on hand and they are $10 to replace. 
Our suggestion: only bust out the good tights at pictures and for recital, old tights are great for rehearsal week and we love seeing a good pair of holy tights no matter the age.

HAIR + MAKEUP FOR DANCERS

1. DANCE PICTURE DAY MAKEUP + HAIR is up to you for photos (as is hair), these are pictures you will be ordering for your homes, we do suggest hair down or half up for the purpose of not looking bald in pictures.  Lipstick is absolutely necessary - otherwise dancers look washed out with our lighting.  

2. RECITAL MAKEUP tends to be a bit heavier on lipstick, mascara, blush and eye shadow because we do not want our dancers to appear ‘washed out’ on stage with all of the lights shining down on them.   We are not one of those dance studios will a laundry list of to-do's for makeup, just don't go sending lipstick backstage with your dancer... we've seen how that turns out - trust us (hahaha)! 

3. RECITAL HAIR  
AGES 3-6 YEAR (COMBO CLASSES) Hair needs to be up and out of face.   Ponytail, ballet buns, curly-do... your call as long as it is 100% up and we're able to put a hairpiece in their hair.   This goes for Miss Ally's Hip Hop classes too, unless you're included in one of the special groups below .

AGES 7 - 10 (COMBO CLASSES) French braid ‘headband’ from right to left across their crown, put in bun or ponytail but it must be completely up and out of face.   
**Below is a picture and a Youtube Video for examples, and no, it doesn't have to be exact.  Just do your best and make sure it's tight and hairsprayed down.

ALL COMPANY DANCERS AND AGES 11+ Slick back low bun with middle part - USE THAT HAIRSPRAY AND GEL!!  There are headpieces and this is why the new standard for hair is listed.  Below are pictures of the slick-back low bun for you.

4.  NO DANGLY EARRINGS, NECKLACES, BRACELETS.  Post/stud earrings are okay for dancers.  Older dancers - watch your nail length too.