CGPAC Guide To A Successful Recital Week!

Everything is different than in previous years, so it is vital that you READ all of this WITH your student and ASK any questions not answered here!
In Studio Dress Rehearsals: Tu 6/1-Th 6/3
To review anything about dress rehearsals, here is a link to the in depth email from last week.

A few tips: Please arrive early so you are not rushed, but stay in your car or on the sidewalk and do not enter the building until 5 minutes before your rehearsal. Students are used to taking their shoes off in the lobby, you can have them take them off in the lobby and put them immediately into their costume basket! Do not leave in the lobby - take shoes with you!
Recital Weekend Guide for 6/4-6/6
NEW and IMPORTANT info, PLEASE READ and discuss with your dancer!

Before coming to the show:
*Double check all costumes, hair accessories, tights, shoes, and that all are LABELED with name!

Check-in Time/Pre-show Rehearsal on Stage Time: You will notice 2 new columns on the rehearsal schedule page. The first is "check-in time" this is when your dancer needs to be walking thru the dancer check-in gate (more below). Pre-show Rehearsal on Stage Time is the 5 minutes allocated to that dance to practice on stage. They only get 5 min max, so you must be on time!

Eat and Use the Bathroom at Home, Drink Water:
*It is going to be HOT at the recitals (high 80s all weekend), and we need to keep you and your dancer hydrated. If your dancer is in level 3 or higher and has 2 shows in a row, be sure they eat before, or send a small, non-messy, dry food snack for them to eat in between if needed (granola bar, cheese/crackers, goldfish, dry cereal) nothing with nuts please! If they have only 1 show, do not send any food please. You may send a labeled sealable water bottle. Use the bathroom before you come so they don't have to get out of costume once at the studio.
Younger Dancer Arrival/Drop Off at Recital/During Recital (Boogie Babies, Kiddydance, Ballet/Tap 1.5 and 2, Jazz 1.6 and 2, and Swing Choir 1):
  • Plan to arrive on Jandus Rd 15 minutes before your child's "check-in" time. This will give you 5 min to park, 5 min to walk from the car back to the dancer entrance gate, and 5 minutes to spare so you aren't late! If you are too early, stay in the car for a few extra minutes.
  • Turn sharp left into the Metra lot when turning onto Jandus to avoid driving directly in front of the studio.
  • Do NOT park in the first section of Metra, go PAST the crossing guard and park in the SECOND section.
  • ONE PARENT will bring the young dancer (wearing street shoes) to the dancer gate, and that one parent and dancer will proceed straight to the "shoe changing area" next to stage.
  • Change your dancer's shoes (and take their street shoes with you), make sure their costume/hair/makeup are all set, and check in with chaperone.
  • If you gave permission for mask removal you will hand their mask IN A LABELED ziploc bag (that you made at home) to their chaperone.
  • If your dancer is keeping their mask on, please leave their mask from home on, and we will replace with a clean new performance mask once inside.
  • You will then go sit in the audience while we practice.
  • Dancers will practice their entrance/dance/bow/exit and go into the studio (masked) with their chaperone until the show begins.
  • You will keep an open seat next to you for your dancer to sit in after they perform. (These complimentary seats have been counted in our capacity). We will have you bring their street shoes back to the shoe area, and take them (in street shoes) back to sit with you for the remaining 3-4 dances. ***Swing Choir 1 will not sit, they will go inside to prep for the group finale***
  • ***Swing Choir 1 will stay on stage after the finale and turn in their sequins, and parents will come meet them in the "shoe changing area" to put their street shoes back on. You will then take your performer home. They will not go back in the studio with the older classes.
Older Dancer Arrival/Drop Off at Recital (Ballet/Tap/Jazz 3 and higher, and all Hip Hop, Modern, and Swing Choir 2 and 3):
  • Pull down Jandus in front of the studio, just past Beau Nails you will see the "Dancer Drop Off Gate."
  • Pull over and have your dancer exit the right side of your car (like preschool!) with their bag or basket (basket if changing!).
  • They should be fully dressed in the first costume they wear for rehearsal.
  • If they have 2 dances in that show, they will rehearse their dances in reverse show order. This way they are dressed in their opening costume last so they are ready to start the actual show. Dancers should arrive with their hair done for their actual opening dance of that recital - we will not change hair for the pre-show rehearsal.

After dropping off your dancer, you will drive to the stop sign and turn left into the Metra lot and park in the second section of parking. Seating will not open until 20 minutes before each show, and there is nowhere for you to "line up" so you will be asked to stay in your cars until 20 minutes before each show. There will be crossing guards to assist you in safely crossing and entering the guest gate.

Older Dancer Instructions:
  • Go thru the gate (at time of check in!) and proceed directly to the stage to meet chaperone/teacher/assistant and place basket/bag behind the stage.
  • Get into correct dance shoes, class will be called to stage.
  • If given permission, hand mask IN A LABELED ziploc bag (that you made at home) to the chaperone who will return it when you go into the studio (those not removing masks will be given their new, clean performance mask once inside).
  • Practice entrance, spacing on stage, and have one run thru with music.
  • Then take basket or bag, walk with chaperone on the carpet runway to the studio without changing shoes and enter the studio with chaperone (with masks on).
  • Dancers with 2 dances in that recital will then change into their opening costume and go back to the stage with their chaperone when called (it will be within 5 minutes of changing, so remind them to stay on task!).
  • If changing, remember to leave everything you are taking off completely ready to put back on, since you will do so after you perform your first dance. So have shoes untied, tights right side out, hair stuff ready if needed.
  • AFTER SHOW: Please plan to have one person come meet your dancer outside the dancewear store after the show. For older dancers, they can leave without you. Please establish what you want to do so they know!
  • ***Swing Choir classes will turn in their sequins inside before leaving. Be sure to send other clothes to wear home!
  • There is only about a 20 minute gap after each show before the first rehearsal on stage for the following show starts, so we cannot have lingering. We will not be able to allow for gathering/pictures. Please plan to take pictures at home before coming!
Dancers with 2 shows back to back: You will NOT be able to leave in between. You will change into the costume you need first for the following recital's pre-show stage rehearsal after you finish your last dance in the first show! This will take some organization, please make a chart/list with your dancer if they are staying straight thru to perform in the next show. Parents will also not be allowed in the studio between shows, it is just too fast of a turn around, so plan ahead! If they need hair help, we will have plenty of help inside, they just need to ask!

ORGANIZATION TIP: All Dancers should make a personalized chart with all arrival times, costumes/hair changes, and dances for each separate recital. This will help the dancer keep track of what needs to happen when.

After all dances have checked in and rehearsed on stage, there will be about 10 minutes left before the actual performance will start.
Audience Information:
"Tickets": There are no actual tickets, all guests will check in giving the First and Last name of their dancer. If dancer and parent have different last names, we are using the DANCER'S last name. There will be 2 lines: A-K, L-Z. This is by dancer last name.

Buying more tickets: We have about 40-60 extra tickets available for each show! If you are interested in purchasing more seats for any show, please come to the studio during dress rehearsals on Tu/W/Th to reserve and pay. If you and/or your dancers want to buy tickets to watch other shows, you can add their/your name to the guest list for check in when a ticket is purchased for them.

Seating: Folding chairs will be set up in sets of 2 with space between. If you want to slide more toward each other in the same row, you may. Please keep chairs in their rows. All seating is general. If you need a space for a wheelchair, ask an usher to help you remove a folding chair and replace with the wheel chair. If you have someone transferring from a wheelchair to a folding chair, ask an usher where to park the wheelchair after transfer.

What to bring/not bring: Put on sunscreen, it is going to be high UV risk and near 90 real-feel temperature each day. You may bring an umbrella to use as a shade before the show begins, and it's a good idea for the hot afternoon shows, but it cannot be used during the show. Bring water if you want, we will have ice cold water bottles available for $1 if you need. No food please, we are not selling food either. Try to limit any extra belongings.

Masks: If you were fully vaccinated by May 21st, you are not required to wear a mask. If you are not yet fully vaccinated (including all children), you will be required to keep your mask on while in the seating area. Per the CDC, this is a "ticketed, seated outdoor event" and masks are recommended for the unvaccinated as being seated for 30 minutes within a crowd it is a moderate risk activity. Also, note that above the instructions were for every dancer removing their mask to have a labeled ziploc bag with them for their mask they wear from home.

Bathrooms: The shows are only 30-35 minutes long, please use the bathroom at home before coming. We are renting a few port-o-potties for audience use, but that is the only option. Dancers and workers will be able to use the facilities inside the studio, but audience members will have "emergency only" port-o-potties in the back of the seating area.
Pro-tip for dancers with several costumes:
Use gallon size ziploc bags and duct tape to create organizing "pockets" in your recital basket. Label each ziploc with what goes in it so you don't forget or lose anything! Thanks to Tierney for sending her pictures of her "recital ready" dancer basket!
**Check out her hair accessories "pocket"!
Make-up! We do need dancers to wear make-up for stage. Mascara and some eyeshadow are most important. For those dancing without masks, remember lipstick! But please make sure it is "smudgeproof" so it doesn't smear inside your mask before getting to stage. There are many "won't kiss off" types of lipstick. Bold lips on stage are important for facial expressions! And if you are taking off your mask, let's celebrate seeing that beautiful mouth!

Hair/Bun Making: If you are not a bunmaking pro, here is a great video to watch for help! If you need extra hair nets or bobby pins in different haircolors, the dancewear store has them! A hair net is necessary to make a good bun that will stay in place and not have little spiky parts sticking out from it! And we have long hair pins if you have thick/long hair!
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What if it rains?

We are keeping our fingers crossed, but if we have any pop up thunderstorms that cause us to postpone or cancel/reschedule any recital this weekend, we will send out an email thru this ConstantContact service, and will post the changes on Facebook and Instagram. Please follow those social media accounts if you don't already to keep informed!

Make-up times for Sunday will be between 1-9 pm if needed.
Summary: Read and re-read everything, write out your plan, talk through and practice costume changes at home, leave early to get here, double check everything, ask questions if needed!

Front desk phone: 847-639-3800
Studio email: cgpac1@gmail.com
*someone will be manning this phone and checking email through all recitals and rehearsals.

Miss Amy's cell to text in case of Emergency: 224-622-5949

Thank you for reading this very important email!