? for Dance Moms-

[robinb]

Not really. It's just about offering respect to those who are performing.

When students (or anyone else) are coming and going from an auditorium, those on stage aren't being respected for the hard work that they have put into the dance that they are performing. It is distracting for the audience, it is distracting for the dancers on stage.

There are some schools who will let the students come into the auditorium at intermission as long as they aren't in the second act, which I don't have a problem with.

Oh, please . That seems more about control than respect. Do you also chain the audience to their seats? Lock the doors when the lights go down? I have to tell you I am eternally grateful that my daughter doesn't go to YOUR dance school ... and given my personality I am sure the feeling are mutual .

 

[Bunless]

That seems more about control than respect. Do you also chain the audience to their seats? Lock the doors when the lights go down?

It's truly not about control, it is about respect. The audience is not chained to their seats, nor are the doors locked. However, late seating is not allowed, and if someone leaves in the middle of the show, they are not allowed back in. These are the same rules that govern live theaters around the world.

 

[robinb]

It's truly not about control, it is about respect. The audience is not chained to their seats, nor are the doors locked. However, late seating is not allowed, and if someone leaves in the middle of the show, they are not allowed back in. These are the same rules that govern live theaters around the world.

While brings me right back to my first response: . I'm so glad that the studio your own holds itself to such highfalutin' standards. I'm also so glad that the one my daughter attends does not. Otherwise my elderly mother, who drove 150 miles yesterday to be here and got lost on the way to the recital this afternoon, would not have been able to see granddaughter dance today. She was 5 minutes late.

 

[Bunless]

While brings me right back to my first response: . I'm so glad that the studio your own holds itself to such highfalutin' standards. I'm also so glad that the one my daughter attends does not. Otherwise my elderly mother, who drove 150 miles yesterday to be here and got lost on the way to the recital this afternoon, would not have been able to see granddaughter dance today. She was 5 minutes late.

Those really aren't "highfalutin" standards. They are simply, standard.

I do apologize that I misspoke about theater rules for late seating. I should have been more exact about what I said (as a theater person, we sometimes forget that the rest of the world doesn't know these thing automatically, I apologize). If someone is late, and the door is closed, the ushers or box office personal, wait until there is a lull and escort the late comer to a seat toward the back, where the late comer will not disrupt those who have arrived on time. This is a very different practice than what one would see in a movie theater, which is more for a free for all for late seating.

 

[xCourxCorex]

Working at a dance studio dealing with the little ones, all I can reiterate is please no messy snacks (saltines if you must, because those are just crumbs) or activities. Also, if your group is in a classroom, be on the lookout for chalk or whiteboard markers that are around for little hands to grab.

Stickers and paper are GREAT options. If you have a bean bag and feel comfortable enough playing some little games with them, that's also good. As a PP said, they're little and some parents will inevitably drop off their child not completely as they should (hair, makeup, tights, whatever they're supposed to come already wearing). There will always be ripped tights or a potty emergency, so don't try to plan activities for the whole day, because things will come up. And THANK YOU for volunteering to help! It makes the lives of studio employees a million times easier, we really do appreciate it!

Getting excited for our recitals coming up in June! We have all of our preschool and kindergarten kids in small mini recitals (5 mini shows in total) and then 2 full length recitals for dancers grades 1 and up. Love recital season!

 

[paigeandmorgansmom]

good idea

 

[paigeandmorgansmom]

My daughter dances for a studio that you label as a studio that doesnt know what it is doing. We have over 400 students that attend the studio as well as a competitive dance company. Just because the kids are allowed back out in the auditorium doesn't mean we are worthless. My daughter is on the dance team and has recieved many high golds and platinums this season, so i know our studio is doing something right.

 

[winefairie]

I was a blanket mom last year and I just had a couple of things happen that I thought were harmless. Goldfish when soggy ruin a tutu and red watercolor marker doesn't always come off with water and it doesn't look like stage makeup either!

But it did make for a remembered recital that all the mom's are still talking about. Sometimes you have to just enjoy the moment.

Love the sticker and paper flower idea.

Oh, they didn't ask me to be the blanket mom this year!

 

[irish dancer]

This post is coming at a very appropriate time for me as I've volunteered to help backstage for two of the days for my DD8s recital in June.

I like the stickers and paper ideas. I'd thought about bringing colored pencils for drawing as they aren't as messy as crayons or markers. Also if you have a group of young ones why not bring some books and read them stories, I think they'd love that. I'll be there for the two evening performances so I thought some plain butter cookies would be an OK treat if we can bring food.

 

[Rora]

Not really. It's just about offering respect to those who are performing.

When students (or anyone else) are coming and going from an auditorium, those on stage aren't being respected for the hard work that they have put into the dance that they are performing. It is distracting for the audience, it is distracting for the dancers on stage.

There are some schools who will let the students come into the auditorium at intermission as long as they aren't in the second act, which I don't have a problem with.

It's truly not about control, it is about respect. The audience is not chained to their seats, nor are the doors locked. However, late seating is not allowed, and if someone leaves in the middle of the show, they are not allowed back in. These are the same rules that govern live theaters around the world.

Bunless, I think all of your posts about this are correct and fair. I danced professionally until I was 18- I almost went to dance for a company in CA before I tore my achilles tendon and broke my knee which ended my dance career. Hello, college! As a performer, I would be horrified by people who talked during performances or by those who came in late and made a ruckus. It's sometimes hard enough being on stage that unwelcomed distractions can make or break your performance

OP-I think you've gotten some great suggestions! Puzzles, coloring books, and arts and crafts seem to cover all bases! Oddly enough, I don't remember ever having this type of thing backstage. At my studio we were so busy getting ready, reviewing our routine, etc that we barely had time to go to the bathroom (I went to a very serious studio ). I wish we had had this type of thing backstage!!! Have fun!

 

[ZeitgeistDuck]

I think Bunless would approve of our studio, Our girls are back stage during the first act, which is when all the preschool and elementry age students preform. There is intermission after that act, then the children are all brought out and sit in a special section of the theatre to watch the rest of the preformance. They are required to be quiet and respectful. The littlest children- the preschoolers- sit with thier parents in the audience throughout the remainder of the recital. The second act is the ballet for intermediate and senior level dancers, and the third act is intermediate and senior level dances for jazz, modern, tap, hip hop, etc. The entire recital is about two hours or so.


OP- maybe some sticker books would help keep the kids occupied. Also a game like Candyland or Chutes and Ladders might help.