Fall means that Nutcracker performances are right around the corner! Whether you're a seasoned pro at performing, or just gathering your performance needs for the first time, we'll walk you through all of the basics on what to bring, what to look out for, and what to avoid at the theater.
Performance Preparation #1- Required Performance Gear Needs
Most roles in a ballet production will have requirements for specialized attire. Depending on the production, some studios will require you to have a very specific style of garments that can be purchased through them or online, while others will give a basic description of what they are looking for and ask you to find it. We highly recommend that all needed gear is purchased at least month in advance , and if possible, try to order two just in case. During this time of year, both online and brick and mortar stores struggle to fill orders because everyone is trying to purchase tights, shoes, and leotards all at once. Don't get caught unprepared when gear is unavailable or sold out!
Common requirements to check for include a specific style or color of tights, a specific style or color of ballet shoes, a specific style or color of leotard, extra adornments or accessories to complete a costumed look, earrings to match the group (or stick-on earrings too), and dyed pointe shoes. If you suspect that your studio may require a unique look, it's better to find out sooner rather than later.
Performance Preparation #2- The Right Makeup Needs
Stage makeup when applied correctly helps the audience see the performer's facial expressions and features more clearly, even from the back of the theater. Some parts may require a specific look that should be taught to you by your studio. Most students however will only need a basic stage makeup look to perform. I recommend gathering and storing performance makeup separately from regular makeup and keeping it in it's own case. Boys do also wear makeup, though their makeup is very light and not the same as the girls.
Basic makeup bag for girls should include:
Foundation, blush, brown and neutral eye-shadow colors, black or brown eyeliner, soft red or maroon lipstick, and mascara or false eyelashes (glue them on!).
Basic makeup bag for boys should include:
Foundation, brown eye-shadow (to fill in eyebrows and for mild eye contouring), and brown or black eyeliner.
Stay tuned for our full guide on makeup application!
Performance Preparation #3- Check the Status of Your Gear
You might already have purchased the needed gear for shows from past productions. But before you get too confident, make sure you give your performance gear a quick look over to ensure that everything is ready to go.
Check List for Basic Gear:
Check all tights to make sure you don't have any holes, runs, or discoloring. Tights should look as close to brand new as possible.
Check performance undergarments for signs of wear and tear. For young students who are growing, make sure that they still fit into their skin tone leotards and briefs about a month before the show.
Double check all stage makeup. Mascara can dry up, foundation can expire, and sponges can fall apart over time.
Check soft shoes for any tears in the canvas, loose elastic, or drawstrings that are too long. Trim any loose edges so that shoe lines look the best. Shoes that look too dirty or are tearing apart should be replaced. All drawstrings should be tucked in and not seen from the stage.
Check pointe shoes for any frayed satin, loose elastic and ribbons, frayed ribbon, and long drawstrings. Students performing on pointe should always have a backup pair of shoes just in case. Shoes should be slightly broken in and ready for the stage, not dead or on their last leg. Some schools/productions require students to pancake their shoes. This should be done ahead of time before you get to tech week.
Check hair supplies and make sure you have enough bobby pins, hair ties, hair spray or gel, hair nets, and anything that is needed to make a great ballet bun.
Performance Preparation #4- Master the Tech Week Schedule
Tech week stands for the week that the production moves into the theater and rehearses on the stage. Tech week schedules can be difficult and require a little bit of pre-planning to make it through them successfully. Once you've received the schedule for tech week, be sure to read through and highlight all the times you're required to be at the theater, and make the proper preparations.
First, know the lingo in the tech packet:
Tech or Tech Week= The week that the production moves into the theater. Set up for technical elements for the show occur during this week and the production rehearses on stage.
Call Time= The time that performers need to be at the theater. This is usually about 30-45 minutes before rehearsals or performances begin. The purpose of the call time is for staff to ensure that all performers have arrived at the theater and make any last minute changes if someone is sick or injured.
Dismissal= The time the production staff estimates the production/rehearsal will be done. Please be flexible with dismissal times and don't schedule anything that depends on the dismissal being exactly on time.
Fitting= A special rehearsal where dancers try on their costumes to ensure that they fit correctly. Dancers should show up in leotard and tights for this. Nude leotards are not necessary unless asked to wear from staff.
Chaperone= A volunteer who watches and supervises students in their dressing rooms. These volunteers should have a basic understanding of how a show flows backstage, how to help students with hair and makeup issues, and how to manage different personalities involved with the show. Some productions will call chaperones by different names, such as volunteer or child minder, but the concept is the same across productions.
Some tips to help you prepare for tech week:
Be sure to clear or plan to miss all other scheduled activities during tech week. The director of the production will not care about other activities such as piano lessons or soccer practice, and it is considered rude to ask them to rearrange the rehearsal schedule around outside activities and events.
Sometimes tech week rehearsals and costume fittings may be scheduled during school hours. Assuming it's not excessive, plan on pulling your dancer out of school to attend these rehearsals. Not excessive would be missing a day of school or being asked to miss the last hour or two of the school day. Excessive would be requiring performers to miss an entire week of school without any notice at the time of registration or audition.
Tech week hours can run late into the evening. Depending on the schedule, sometimes tech days would end around 9:00 or 10:00 pm for the cast. Sometimes rehearsals will run longer than expected, and sometimes rehearsals will end sooner. The important thing is to be flexible and understanding of the process. It takes a lot of work and coordination from the staff's side to pull a show together, and the more elaborate the show, the more elaborate the process needs to be.
Unless told otherwise, build time to properly prepare at home before arriving to the theater. This prep time should include time to do hair and makeup, again if asked to before hand. For a lot of performances, they don't have a lot of space backstage for everyone to prepare hair and makeup, especially if they need their parent's assistance. For some shows, we had over 100 students backstage, and having double that many parents with them trying to help students would have been chaos. Additionally, don't be that parent who takes up space next to the check-in desk while trying to do your child's hair and makeup. You won't be able to do a good job in that setting, and the staff will be annoyed at your presence (whether they say they are or not.)
Performance Preparation #5- Attend Backstage Tours if Possible
Some productions will offer backstage tours a week or two before tech week to help volunteers understand how to navigate the backstage hallways. I always highly recommend that everyone take advantage of learning about the backstage area, and even if you are familiar with the local theater, take this tour multiple times. Not only is it fun to be backstage learning about the theater, but you will learn new and different information each time you attend.
Performance Preparation #6- Practice the Required Hairstyle
Practice any unique hairstyles ahead of time, and try them out in rehearsals to test their strength. If you have never done a french twist before, look up a few guides on how to prepare them and practice, practice, practice! If they are falling out in rehearsals, they definitely won't be ready for the stage. Also be sure to check in with your choreographer/ director if you are unsure with what they want for the show.
Do you have any more tips or tricks that you use to prepare for productions? Let us know and we'll add it to the list!
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