How to Prepare for a Dance Competition: A Dance Mom’s Survival Guide
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Preparing for a dance competition can be a lot to manage, especially if it is your first one, but they don’t have to be stressful! Check out my tips below for making every dance competition run smoothly.
Arrive 2 hours before first performance:
This is considered the “call time”. Every competition will require the dancers to plan to arrive 2 hours before the performance time. Sometimes competitions are running early, emergencies pop up, or other unforeseen circumstances could arise. Making sure your dancer is at the venue, ready to perform in plenty of time will help make any little hiccup less stressful for everyone involved.
Practice hair and make-up before first competition:
This is especially true for younger dancers that are not used to wearing make-up. Have you ever tried putting eyeliner on your 6 year old? It can feel like you’re trying to bathe a kitten. Practice ahead of time and be patient with your little dancer. You will both feel more prepared and at ease the day of competition.
Allow extra time for make-up, hair, and travel:
When it was my oldest daughter’s first year on the competition team, I allowed 2 hours for hair and make-up. Trust me, you’ll need it, especially if your dancer is hesitant about any of the make-up that needs to be applied. Allow plenty of time and remain calm and patient.
Double & Triple check all costumes, accessories, tights, and shoes:
I always like to do this the night before. Actually, weeks before the competition is when I make sure I have an index card with a list of all the costume requirements for each dance. I attach this card somewhere in the garment bag for each dance costume so that it is readily available. Then, I will double and triple check to make sure all necessary items are easily accessible the day of the competition, especially if I know it will be a quick costume change.
Need to change tights? Hang them with the costume so they are easy to grab quickly. If you can, try to double up on tights. For example, put the tan tights underneath the fishnets. It will create a smoother finish for the fishnets, and will make it easy for your dancer when changing between dances.
No eating in costumes (put on company jacket over costume to eat):
That would be a major bummer if your dancer got Cheetos, chocolate, or other messy foods on her costume. Make sure to always pack stain remover wipes or a stain remover stick just in case the jacket doesn’t cover part of your dancer’s costume and you still end up with a mess.
Check with studio about proper attire for awards: Some studios have requirements for what they want their dancers to wear when going onstage for awards. Typically, it is either the last costume she wore, or the costume for the next dance. Sometimes studios will provide direction on specific warm-up pants, leggings, jackets, shoes, and other attire that complete the look they are going for when representing their studio on stage during awards.
Pack underwear and clothes for the car ride home: Your dancer does not want to wear tights or costume pieces on the car ride home. They are uncomfortable and your dancer will be over the itchy feeling of dance attire by the end of the day. Make sure you don’t forget the underwear!
Check venue directions before competition day:
Make sure you check the directions for getting to and from the venue. You’ll want to make sure you know exactly how long it will take to get there, and then add on 10-20 minutes to allow extra time. Check for any roads that might be closed or traffic issues ahead of time. You may also want to make sure you understand the parking situation, as some venues may charge a fee to park. Finally, make sure your car has gas BEFORE the day of the competition!
Check venue food and drink policies before competition day:
Most venues will allow you and your dancer to bring in outside food, but some do not. Maybe you can sneak in some snacks in your bag? Remember-these venues cannot turn away food or drink that is necessary for diet or medical restrictions. I have also found it to be helpful to simply have food delivered to the venues that do allow outside food or drink, especially if I don’t have another adult to rely on to run out and get a warm meal the day of the competition. Either way, make sure that your dancer is eating and drinking throughout the day. These competitions require A LOT of physical and mental energy, so staying hydrated and fed is a must! Just remember to not overdo it with a heavy meal right before a performance. Find that happy medium of healthy foods that will help you and your dancer sustain energy throughout the day.
Competition Schedule:
Have a document with call times, performance order, etc. easily accessible when you arrive at the venue. Check to see if the competition is running early, on time, or behind and communicate this to everyone involved, including family members that may be watching the performances via livestream at home. While the performance time given on the schedule can be helpful, it is more important to pay attention to the performance number, as competitions don’t always run according to schedule.
Keep all chit-chat positive:
Remember, you and your dancer are representing your studio and yourselves. The way you and your dancer present yourselves will reflect back onto the studio, so keep all chit-chat and comments positive. Congratulate fellow dancers and use good sportsmanship, even as a dance mom.
Consider investing in or making your own large duffle bag with a built-in garment rack to hold all belongings and hang costumes.
Ok, these can be a few hundred dollars brand new but they are totally worth it if you know that your dancer will be in it for the long haul! I remember showing up with my oldest daughter for her first performance and all of the seasoned dance moms had these UH-MAZING dance bags! They were HUGE! I’m pretty sure they could fit a small adult. They also have these rods that you connect together to create a garment rack for your dancer’s costumes. You can get bags with more bells and whistles, so be sure to shop around!
If one of these fancy dance bags doesn’t fit in your budget or you just aren’t sure that it is worth the investment quite yet, you can create your own using an old duffle bag or suitcase and some PVC pipe. We did this our first couple of years, and that is about how long it held up. Once my youngest daughter decided that she also wanted to join the dance company, we made the investment in a larger bag with more bells and whistles. It really helps having something to hang your dancer’s costumes on, and a place to throw extra belongings.
Organize the duffle bag! Pack costumes in reverse performance order.
I like to make sure Everything has a home inside the dance duffle bag. Once we arrive at the venue, I like to get my dancer/s dressed and off to go check-in for the competition. Then, I like to unpack all of the costumes for the day and arrange them in performance order. To make things even more organized, I like to pack them in reverse performance order so that the first performances are on top when I open the bag. This is especially helpful when I know it is going to be a long day and won’t need those last few costumes for several hours. If it is going to be a quick costume change, I make sure everything is out of the garment bags and ready to grab quickly. I’ll even stuff my pockets with whatever I might need that I know I won’t have time to search for, such as bobby pins or lipstick. It is also helpful to have a designated area to throw the costumes during a quick change, such as back inside the duffle bag or into a pop-up hamper. Just make sure you don’t lose any small pieces, shoes, or accessories!
As much as we want our dancers to gain more responsibility, this can all be A LOT for ANYONE to manage, including adults. Your dancer is already under enough pressure and is trying to stay focused on performances. I would strongly recommend checking-in and helping your dancer make sure nothing gets lost or left behind. These costumes, dance shoes, make-up, and other odds and ends can get lost very easily in a crowded dressing room; and you will more than likely be the one to pay for replacing these items if they are not found. So do yourself (and your dancer) a huge favor, and help carry the load of managing all the things!
NO photo or video during competition performances! Dancers could be disqualified!
This is a huge no, no. There should be a photographer and videographer at the competition that has worked out some sort of media package with the people running the competition. Check with your studio about any media fees or packages that might be included in your registration, and make sure you communicate the photo and video policies to any friends or family that come to watch your dancer perform.
I hope you find these tips to be helpful! Keep checking back for updates and remember to ENJOY this time with your dancer! You won’t get these years back.
