Recital - Free Flight Dance

1 - All dancers dance on BOTH days! June

2 - The shows start at 3 pm, which means all ballet students to be there BY 2.30 pm. All jazz, lyrical, tap, musical theatre and hip hop students who are NOT in the ballet must be there BY 3.45pm.

3 - No students will be allowed to leave the backstage until the intermission (for ballet students not in second half) or the end of the show, there are people watching the children until the show ends. You cannot come backstage to change your child then return to your seat, please note the backstage "Moms" are there for that purpose and no one will be at the backstage door to let you in!!!!!!!!!! Please remain in your seats and do not disrupt the show. The children complain every year about people moving about while they are dancing and it's just NOT theatre etiquette to do so.

4 - All students to arrive in the first costume they will be wearing (check the list up on the boards and around the studio closer to recital) with hair and makeup done. Please include a spare pair of tights (if they are wearing them) and ensure that every costume has ALL pieces, including shoes, hairpieces etc. Do a full check BEFORE you leave home, and pin all pieces together or put each costume into a bag with accessories. There is nothing fun about watching a group of 11 children remove hairpieces because the 12th has forgotten hers at home! Most young children will only receive their hair pieces at recital, one of the Moms will be in charge for each group.

5 - Parents of younger children please send in story books, colouring pencils (NO wax crayons or markers or glue, please), beading work or other fun things to keep them busy while they are waiting to perform. Note: Use your discretion about sending your child with any expensive electronic devices as it is pretty crazy down stairs and we’d hate for your child to lose their beloved IPod or DS. The children often like to make cards for each other or their teacher while they are waiting down stairs. If everyone brings something fun they can do as a group it makes the experience in the dressing room far more fun and enjoyable for all! They are better kept busy than over excited.

6 - All students should bring a bottle of water (no juice), and a non chocolate type of snack (snack bars, bananas, veggies or cheese are good, NO crackers or cookies or chips as they are messy). Please do not send anything with nuts of any kind there are children dancing who have LIFE THREATENING nut allergies.

7 - If you are not picking your child up yourself, if you are carpooling or having a relative pick up, please ensure your child is aware of this arrangement, and send him or her with a letter to the class Mom who is backstage. As it's a different parent each show, please do so for both days if you are not collecting yourself. Ballet ends approx 4.20 pm (this is art, not science, so PLEASE be patient) and the 2nd half at approx 6.45 pm. We have not had a full run through, so it's an educated guess. Children who are only in the ballet may ONLY be collected at intermission, not before, so please remain seated until the lights are up for the break.

8 - There will be someone taking the children downstairs in little "loads" so the parents will not be allowed backstage at all unless your name is on the volunteer list as a backstage helper. Parents are invited to come to the dressing room during the Tech rehearsal for a brief tour and orientation.

9 - We all work really hard (especially the students) to make this a professional looking show that is fun for the children, great for the audience, but most of all, a BIG CELEBRATION of the student's work for the previous 10 months. Thanks to all of you for your wonderful support, of the studio, teachers and your children! Please remain seated until intermission or the end of show, and ENJOY.

10 - The schedule for 1011/1012 will be at photo shoot, June 21^st and early bird registration will be offered to Free Flight students first at that time, with the next open registration will be June 29th from 4 to 8 pm at the studio.

11 - DO NOT phone the studio on the day of the show and expect someone to get back to you. In case of an emergency (sudden illness or such, not what colour lipstick do they need), call me at home 946-8922 before 1 pm when I head out to the theatre.

You can call Kate at anytime at 604-258-8923. Otherwise please DO NOT call the teachers at home for anything, we are ALL very busy and have little or no time with our own families right now - PLEASE! PICK UP ALL SHOES BEFORE THE RECITAL, LOTS ARE IN LOST AND FOUND.

Dressing room "Moms" All parents must please read this!

We are in need of Recital Volunteers and some groups still do not have a “Class Parent”. The signup sheets are posted in both Studio A & C. Please check if your child’s class has a dressing room mom. Dads are welcome and invited to help backstage in various capacities.

Please join us for our Recital Orientation Meeting Saturday June 4^th at 3:00pm. We are eager for your feedback and to answer any questions you may have. There is a signup sheet posted in both studios for this meeting, please let us know if you plan to attend.

Our goal is to constantly improve the Recital experience.

During the Tech Rehearsal June 21st volunteers are invited to have tour the backstage. This is a great time to familiarize yourself with the space, locations of emergency exits and where your group will be situated.

Babysitters will be hired for groups (under the age of 12) without a dressing room mom. The cost of babysitting will be charged to parents of children without a volunteer. Babysitters will be hired on June 11^th and groups requiring them will be charged accordingly. We stress, however, that having a dressing room mom is far superior to a babysitter. This is a great opportunity to volunteer and set an example for your child to show you are involved and interested in their dancing. It is also a great opportunity to get to know the kids and families that your child dances with every week. We would much rather have a group of moms in the dressing that have an investment in the children who are dancing, not just a babysitter who is there to watch and get paid for looking after the children.

If you have any questions please contact Kate Armstrong at the studio 604-946-8586,

mobile: 604-258-8923, email mamakate@hotmail.ca, or stop by during office hours Saturday 11:00am to 2:00pm.

THANKS TO THE MOMS WHO HAVE ALREADY VOLUNTEERED TO LOOK AFTER THE CHILDREN DURING THE SHOW and all who volunteer their TALENT, TIME AND GOOD HUMOUR TO PUTTING ON THIS SPECTACULAR STUDIO PRODUCTION.

Suggestions for the Super Mom Volunteer!

Firstly Thank you for your time, enthusiasm, good humor, and kid corralling skills! Your involvement is so greatly appreciated and completely imperative.

Ballet Dressing room moms should arrive by 2:15pm. Dancers must arrive at 2:30pm the show begins at 3:00pm.

Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical and Tap Dressing Room moms should arrive at 3:30. Dancers for the second half of the show must arrive at 3:45pm.

Some Tasks you’ll need to take on include:

1. Sign each child in as they arrive and stay until the last child is signed out.

2. Report any who is not in attendance to the Dressing Room herder.

3. Please Keep your group of children together in their designated area so that no one wanders off and children are easy to find when it is time to take the upstairs.

4. Ask your group if they need to use the washroom several minutes before it is time to take the stage.

5. Help other moms around you, we are all in this together.

6. We ask that you take charge of any hairpieces or accessories. Please do not take these home with you however please leave them at the main station in their bin.

Keep in mind that the kids are sitting and waiting for around two hours. Think of ways to keep them busy, be creative but note you are not expected to spend your money on this endeavor, instead bring things from home. Portable DVD’s are great, read them stories, play cards, cat’s cradle, the kids like to make a big card for their dance teacher. (no markers or crayons or glue please!) Make friendship bracelets. Keep in mind that any crafty thing you have the girls doing needs to be something that they can do independently. The children should also be bringing things to do!

All Children are to bring a snack, but bringing something such as grapes or apples and an extra bottle of water is always a good idea. Some children always arrive without the proper provisions. Juice boxes are really discouraged and please absolutely no nuts of any kind. We have a number of children with severe allergies. Note: You maybe expected to hold a child’s epipen and taught how to administer it by their parents.

We will have a main station set up with things such as: a sewing kit, curling iron, bobby pins, safety pins, Band-Aids… If you need anything at all please do not hesitate to ask Kate or any of the dressing room management team We are here to help!!!

This is not meant to be a stressful experience so a sense of humor is a beneficial attribute.

Note: Men are not permitted in the dressing room under any circumstances! Do not fret, if a Dad is picking up he just has to ask the runners for assistance and we will bring his child up to him.

Finally please make yourself aware of all of the garbage and recycling receptacles in the area and encourage your groups and the teens around you to use them!

Bravo for your attention to detail last year, it was the first that we did not encounter a huge mess at the end of the day that required hours of cleaning after the children went home. Keep up the good work!!!

On Behalf of the children and the Faculty thank you! We honestly could not do it without your support!

Please call Kate anytime if you have questions: 604-258-8923

www.freeflightdance.com