Ballet Recital Fees Question

[design_mom]

This is my DD's first year in dance. We had "watch week" yesterday and the teacher (who is also the studio owner) talked about the recital fees, costume fees, etc.

We have a costume fee that covers the costume (which will be ours to keep). It's a $35/deposit per child per class. The teacher said for the little ones (my daughter is 6), they try to keep the costumes under $45. Balance is due when the costume arrives.

They charge a $50 per family "recital fee" which covers the venue, the staff to run it, the set decorations, etc. The fee is the same whether you have 1 child in one class, or a gaggle of kids in a lot of different classes.

They do not sell tickets. With your $50 you can bring whoever you want. (My sister is thrilled because my sister has two daughters who danced last year and they had to pay $20 per ticket and her girls were in different shows -- so it cost her and BIL $80 to see her own daughters dance.)

 

[Pigeon]

They charge a $50 per family "recital fee" which covers the venue, the staff to run it, the set decorations, etc. The fee is the same whether you have 1 child in one class, or a gaggle of kids in a lot of different classes.

That would seriously tick me off. If you have a slew of kids, you should be paying for them.

 

[mom2cinderella]

DD's only did dance a couple years but our costumes were around $60 and the recital fee was $30. That fee permitted you to bring as many people as you wanted to the recital (at a local high school). The girls were not in dance at the same time so I do not know if that was a family fee or per dancer.

 

[Charitycase20]

WOW! I must be blessed and didn't know it!!
Our studio doesn't have a "recital fee". We have one Showcase a year, in May...last year (DDs first year in dance) was an eyeopener for us!! Costume money is due the first week of December, last year it was $55, this year we are looking at $125 for 2 costumes. Tickets for the show are $10 a peice for adults, $5 for children under 12 (i think). Pictures ran us about $30 last year and the DVD of the show was $38. You have to have a ticket for each show, so if your multiple kids are dancing in separate show...guess what!! We skipped the program...I think is was about $40...but you can buy "ad" space.
However, I wouldn't trade it for the world, DD has so much fun and loves to dance. And our "Miss Shaun" is absolutely wonderful!!

 

[design_mom]

That would seriously tick me off. If you have a slew of kids, you should be paying for them.

I agree with you in principle. However, the $50 fee seems to be in line with what other studios in our area charge for one child (if you combine the recital fee with ticket prices. Our studio doesn't require tickets.) So I'm paying the same I would elsewhere, plus I can bring Grandma and Grandpa to the recital and they don't have to pay anything.

The people with multiple kids are lucking out, I guess. If I was paying more than the "going rate" while the multi-child families were paying a lot less, then I would be upset, too.

 

[momof1princess]

we pay $40-$50 recital fee, and that is the fee plus 4 tickets. however, our costume fees are separate, and those range $75-$100 per class...thankfully, DD13 only takes one class. then, there is $25 for a recital DVD (DD's teacher writes all her own productions and copyrights them, so no one but HER videographer can videotape it) and $50-$75 for recital pics.

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

For those of you with daughters in ballet, what does your recital fee cover? I'm curious because at my DD's school, she doesn't get a costume to keep (it's a used costume that belongs to the studio). So what does the recital fee cover then if not costumes? Thanks!

I pay $55 dollars for a few tickets (forget home many..I think it is 5). The costume is usually an addition $50 to $100 dollars more plus I have to pay for a video and photos if I want them.

 

[olwyngdh]

Mine does ballet/jazz at the Hampton studio.
She didn't want to do teh Christmas show this year. Last year she was a dancing doll and she was one of the oldest (she just turned 11 so she was 10 with a bunch of little girls) SO I think that turned her off from it becasue we have done it every other year of living here.

Mine is bummed at being a dancing doll again this year, but Miss Betty explained to her that she will get to do a lot more dancing as a doll than she would get to do as a reed pipe since that would leave her as one of the decorative dancers on the sides of the stage. That helped a lot I just hope the dress from last year fits so I don't have to buy a new one.

 

[xCourxCorex]

I work at a dance studio - our students pay a $60 recital fee, which covers their leotard (to keep) and rental of any costume pieces they use - skirts, pants, hats, and any other accessories/props needed, no matter how many routines they are in. (The exception to this is the competitive company, who purchased costumes for competitions additionally). It also includes a recital t-shirt with all the students' names listed on the back. So yes, if your child is only in one routine it seems like maybe a lot, but if they are in 5 or 6, it's a pretty good deal ($10/costume?! that's an absolute STEAL). The majority of that does not go towards space rental costs, but some does.

Our ballet students also do a seperate ballet show, and they pay $100 to participate in that - it includes their costume and all the extra rehearsals they need to attend.

Recital costs are OUTRAGEOUS! We rent out a high school that seats around 700, is air conditioned and very nice for 5 days (1 evening tech rehearsal/set up, 2 evenings dress rehearsal and 2 performance days) and it totals over $10,000. We also pay lighting, janitors, police duty, the background screen, videographer and a sound person (plus the dance staff who run everything else). Tickets are needed, and are $12 a piece.

There are some other studios in my area that charge $100 per costume, a recital fee, and a lighting fee (?), plus tickets on top of that (at $15 a piece) per child. It is crazy!!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Can I ask another question? How much volunteering is expected at your ballet studios? In particular, what are you asked to do.

We've been asked to do costume fittings,costume cleanings, alterations, ticket sales, dress rehearsal, dressing rooms, transport costumes, work beverage/t-shirt tables, bring in baked goods in baggies for sale during the show, usher, set-up and take down sets, as well as post flyers all around our neighborhoods. I know of several moms who refuse to go in to pick up their daughters after class because they're sick of being hounded. We actually had a lady with a clipboard standing outside the studio building and stopping each parent to ask them to sign up.

As I said before, I don't mind volunteering, I've already done 2 separate things for the show and I'm signed up for the dressing room. But they're still asking me to do more. Is it like this at other studios?

 

[mtemm]

the only thing we are asked to volunteer for is they need 2 or 3 moms per class to hang out/help out with the kids backstage during the recital.

 

[scrapquitler]

Can I ask another question? How much volunteering is expected at your ballet studios? In particular, what are you asked to do.

None. The studio owner asks her friends, family members and some of the college-age former students to help with what needs to be done. The only thing the ever ask for volunteers for is that they ask some of the DADS to work the door during the recital (guarding the door from the lobby to backstage makin sure that only MOm's with passes are allowed in there) and to open and close the doors between the lobby and the auditorium in between numbers. The generally need about 6-8 Dads per show (we have 4 shows most years).

Beyond that, I've never been asked to do anything. And for what I pay, I would NOT be volunteering.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

None. The studio owner asks her friends, family members and some of the college-age former students to help with what needs to be done. The only thing the ever ask for volunteers for is that they ask some of the DADS to work the door during the recital (guarding the door from the lobby to backstage makin sure that only MOm's with passes are allowed in there) and to open and close the doors between the lobby and the auditorium in between numbers. The generally need about 6-8 Dads per show (we have 4 shows most years).

Beyond that, I've never been asked to do anything. And for what I pay, I would NOT be volunteering.

Wow. You're lucky you're not pestered to do all of those things I mentioned above! The recital fee I pay is $120 and doesn't include a costume to keep (it's borrowed from previous years), no tickets, no t-shirt, nothing. Which is why I'm left wondering why we parents are asked to do so much volunteering? Each girl has to pay $120 to do the show and we have to buy our own tickets? Which are $25 a piece so for me, DH and the grandparents to watch, it'll cost $100.

Honestly, I don't mind paying the $120 but it kind of irks me to be asked repeatedly (by email, phone and in person) to volunteer more. They actually says things like 'I hope the show can go on, we're in desperate need of volunteers for things still...' No pressure, right?

 

[scrapquitler]

Wow. You're lucky you're not pestered to do all of those things I mentioned above! The recital fee I pay is $120 and doesn't include a costume to keep (it's borrowed from previous years), no tickets, no t-shirt, nothing. Which is why I'm left wondering why we parents are asked to do so much volunteering? Each girl has to pay $120 to do the show and we have to buy our own tickets? Which are $25 a piece so for me, DH and the grandparents to watch, it'll cost $100.

Honestly, I don't mind paying the $120 but it kind of irks me to be asked repeatedly (by email, phone and in person) to volunteer more. They actually says things like 'I hope the show can go on, we're in desperate need of volunteers for things still...' No pressure, right?

But from the other perspective: I wish I only paid $120. We pay for each individual costume, $60-$80 each. My daughter is in 5 classes this year (two years ago, my daughter was in 7 classes, my husband in two and my son in two!). We still have to pay for tickets ($18 each) and we need a separate ticket for each of the 4 shows if we choose to see more than one show (and if you have multiple children, you might not see all of their dances if you only go to one show). Moms get a discounted ticket for $10 that is good for ALL shows, which is good since we usually only get to see parts of each show, since we have to run backstage and make sure our child is dressed and makeup done properly for each costume change).

 

[xCourxCorex]

The only volunteering our Moms do is Backstage - for 1st grade and up. usually by 7th grade they don't need as much help, but those in between ages need at least 2 moms back there to help with costume changes and getting them in line.

Preschool and Kinder dancers have staff help them backstage, and all parents, grandparents etc stay in the auditorium. We also only have one person go back to pick them up, and they must be the person who dropped them off (we mark their hands with a number when they drop off and note the # next to the child's name on an attendance sheet)

Staff does everything else from taking tickets, ushering, selling refreshments, curtains/stage, setting up and breaking down, lining kids up, etc. At most, parents may be asked to adjust the leotard straps and sew them in place, or safety pin them.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

Mine is bummed at being a dancing doll again this year, but Miss Betty explained to her that she will get to do a lot more dancing as a doll than she would get to do as a reed pipe since that would leave her as one of the decorative dancers on the sides of the stage. That helped a lot I just hope the dress from last year fits so I don't have to buy a new one.

My dd was a dancing doll last year so I am sure that we saw you since I was a backstage mom. Mine was a reed pipe the year before and she danced and didn't just sit on the side so I think to go from older girls to younger girls she felt offended.

BUt small world isn't it.

 

[olwyngdh]

My dd was a dancing doll last year so I am sure that we saw you since I was a backstage mom. Mine was a reed pipe the year before and she danced and didn't just sit on the side so I think to go from older girls to younger girls she felt offended.

BUt small world isn't it.

Real small world! I was backstage mom for Dress rehearsal and the afternoon show!

I'm starting to wonder if our girls are in the same class.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

Real small world! I was backstage mom for Dress rehearsal and the afternoon show!

I'm starting to wonder if our girls are in the same class.

We do the 5:15 wed ballet class

 

[Bunless]

Can I ask another question? How much volunteering is expected at your ballet studios? In particular, what are you asked to do.

Here's what I expect parents to do and what I do myself.

Costumes

I find the costumes, do the measurements, the ordering, and find the 'little bits' that might need to be added to the costumes. I ask the parents to make sure the costumes truly fit (by taking in the shoulder straps), and to add the 'little bits'. For an explanation why, it's cost. I can get a basic tutu without adornments for $15 and for the extra $5 for bits to be added. If the parents does the rest, that's $20 for them for the costume. To buy a fully loaded tutu for a four year old, it's going to be at least $50, and the parent still have to adjust the tutu in the shoulders, length, and/or waist.

For costumes that belong to the school, it will depend on the type of costume. Simple leotard and skirt? Parents, please adjust the straps of the leotard so that they don't fall down. Complicated costumes I have a seamstress to do the adjustments, but that fact is reflected in a more substantial rental charge, since I have to pay the seamstress.

Sometimes parents are asked to make simple headpieces.

Volunteering at the show: I ask that every family provides one family member to do one thing. In exchange they get two free tickets. No volunteer? no free tickets.

Backstage moms are the most important thing to have, and the most difficult to get. I had a mom ask me one time why they had to do it. My response was that there had to be someone backstage to make sure the little ones are taken care of during their downtime, we could find babysitters, but 1) thats an additional cost that would need to be passed on to the parents, and 2) do you want strangers watching your children backstage?

We also need people to work the box office and refreshments. I gave up on asking dads to help with rolling out our dance floor. Instead I pay the high school theater techs to do it, with that additional cost being reflected in $1 raise in ticket prices that year.

I do usually use alumni students to help the older students with quick changes and gopher activities.


Thoughts
I have to say that anytime I ask someone to help out, I feel guilty, guilty, guilty. Like I am doing something wrong if I have to ask parents to help out. I keep having to remind myself of two things.
1- It's a long standing tradition, not only in the arts, but also in sports and academic activities, that parents help out.
2- Parents who are involved have children who remain involved. I usually know that a student won't be coming back the next year when a parent refuses (without good reason) to helping out.

 

[princessmom29]

Well, DD7 dances 4 hours a week and is in 5 recital dances this year. We pay a $25 recital fee that helps to cover the facility rental. Tickets are $11, and at that price even selling out the house doesn't cover the rental. We purchase costumes every year at approx $50 per costume. We pay a $30 per costume deposit in Nov. and the balance when the order is finalized in Jan. So recital will cost me about $275 this year, plus hair and makeup, which I do myself. Her tuition is $96 a month. I volenteer backsatage becuase I am back there constantly changing DD and I know how the stage runs as I danced through high school and college. There are only about 6 of us moms out of several hundred students that do this.