5 Dance Recital Tips for Dance Instructors

Are you in charge of leading lots of anxious little girls into their first dance recital?  Are you nervous about impressing all their parents with the performance?  With so much anticipation and preparation, the simple recital becomes a stressful situation.

It’s time to take that pressure off your back.  With a few expert tips from Flutter FETTI, you can minimize the day’s chaos and maximize the viewing experience for all:

Tip 1 – Give it a special touch

A dance recital should be more fun than work.  It should be beautiful, graceful, and cheerful.  And just because dance is at the core of the show, it doesn’t have to be the only element.  Small quirky touches, such as pop songs, top hats, and other props, can make it extra special for the girls and the parents.

Confetti sticks make an excellent, beautiful addition to dance recital numbers.  White confetti can represent snow, die-cut heart and star confetti create stunning special effects, and multi-colored confetti strips transform a dull wooden stage into a visual masterpiece.  Our customizable 14” Flutter FETTI Confetti Sticks are one of the most popular options and a great prop for so many dance recitals.

Tip 2 – Practice makes perfect

It’s a common saying, “practice makes perfect”, and it’s absolutely the truth.  However, we aren’t particularly concerned with telling the girls to practice at home because the most important practice happens on stage during the dress rehearsal.

The dress rehearsal is the only way to shake off those on-stage willies.  Treat it like the real deal and make sure they practice every little detail – that means if they’re using 14” Corkscrews Confetti Sticks in the performance, use them here too (plus it’s fun).  As an instructor, be as encouraging as possible even when they make a mistake.  The dress rehearsal is the last time to build confidence before the big day.

Tip 3 – Pack some snacks

Tired, hungry, and dehydrated girls are not the most pleasant people to be around.  Encourage the parents to make sure the girls eat well, drink plenty of water, and get a good night’s rest the night before the dance recital.  Then on dance recital day, ask parents to bring plenty of snacks and water so the girls have plenty of energy.  The more energy they have, the better they’ll perform.

And don’t think you’re scot-free on this one; it applies to you too.  Eat well, drink plenty of water, get some solid shut-eye, and pack snacks on dance recital day so that you can energetically deal with all the tasks at hand.

Tip 4 – Have a fantastic finish

The finale is one of the most exciting moments of the dance recital.  All the girls prance on stage one last time in front of a beaming audience of proud parents.  Now is the time to compose a fantastic finish.

One idea that consistently receives high accolades is shooting off confetti at the finale.  Before their final bow, have all the girls shoot 18” Airless Launchers filled with Metallic Streamers and Bubbles 20 to 25 feet over the audience.  It’s a gorgeous and magical moment that kids love and parents adore.  Plus, it’s an easy cleanup in an auditorium especially if there’s another show directly after.

Tip 5 – Celebrate their success

Maybe the girls missed a few steps or maybe they were flawless – it doesn’t really matter.  After they complete their dance recital performance, hand out certificates or trophies or small flowers to all the girls.  It may not be as big as the bouquets that the parents have and it may not be as exciting as the pizza party they’re about to enjoy, but it’s a lovely touch and a great way to thank the girls for all their hard work.  The parents will appreciate it too and their support is just as important.  Celebrating the girls’ success is a great way to end the dance recital.  It’s also a good sign that all your stress is finally gone!

Do you have any other dance recital tips for the instructor?  We love hearing all your great ideas!

About Flutter FETTI®: Flutter FETTI is an innovator, manufacturer, and worldwide distributor of confetti and streamer products.  Our mission is to bring excitement and joy into every special event in your life.  Contact one of our confettiologists and we’ll make the right product recommendation to add the “WOW!” effect to your dance recital.