Let's give ourselves a compliment!

This week in our ballet classes, Angie Calhoun came to talk to us.  She is a school psychologist.  She talked about not only giving others compliments and but to give ourselves one as well.  Mrs. Calhoun suggested we give ourself an affirmation everyday.  We always forget about ourselves and sometimes we need to remember to love ourselves.  The students wrote down their affirmations on a notecard to take home and hang in a special place so we can see it everyday.  Thank you, Mrs. Calhoun!

Studio Trip

The Richmond Ballet II will be coming to the Brunswick Senior High in Lawrenceville on March 16^that 7:00 p.m.  Tickets will be $15.  We will have groups traveling from the studio to see the performance.  This is a great opportunity for students to see a professional company for a very inexpensive fee.  Tickets usually are $50 and up.  Please make sure to take advantage of this opportunity.  Parents /guardians and family members are welcome to attend.

Please see Alicia Washburn for permission forms.  Forms are due 3/6.

Facebook Contest!!!

Take a picture of your student on the way to dance, in class, in dance attire, or in the lobby and post it to the Botofogo’s Facebook page.  Ask your friends to “like” the Botofogo’s facebook page AND like your student’s photo.  Both are required! The student who receives the most likes will receive a free month’s tuition and a free massage from “A Mane Event.”  Contest ends March 30^th!

Bun Making Guide

Things you'll need:

·          Hairspray/Gel

·          Hair Brush

·          Hair Bands (I prefer the metal free thicker ones)

·          Bobby Pins (You'll need a lot!)

·          Hair Net (Make sure it matches the color of your hair)

·          Bun Sock

1. Put your hair in a ponytail.
2. Thread your ponytail through the hair donut.
3. Smooth your hair over the hair donut, distributing your hair evenly.
4. Put a second hair band over the hair donut.
5. Cover with hair net and pin the extra hair around the bun.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://the-coveted.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/sockbun_tutorial1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://the-coveted.com/blog/2012/02/23/sock-bun-tutorial-in-5-easy-steps/&h=1500&w=750&sz=180&tbnid=yffjuZhO7O1f7M:&tbnh=82&tbnw=41&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbun%2Bsock%2Btutorial%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=bun+sock+tutorial&usg=__QuBz58mf3sum6G1D_2S1kzw3ljY=&hl=en&sa=X&ei=JCEVUeXIFePkyQGclYCwBw&ved=0CC0Q9QEwBA

Need to Know for Revue

Tickets: Tickets will be for sale beginning in April.  Tickets will be $5 each.  Each child will be given one “dresser pass” to help students change backstage.  Please wear this at all time.

Recital Lineup: Will be finalized in March.

Hair for ballet dances: No bangs.  Hair in high bun.  See next page for instructions on bun making and bun making clinic. Check out you tube as well.

Hair for movement to music: TBD.

Makeup: All students are required to wear a little blush, eyeshadow, and lipstick.  We require this because the stage casts down many bright lights that can make a child appear "washed out" or pale.  A little make up brightens up their face and allows everyone in the audience to see their sparkling smile as they make their debut on stage.  Teens may also wear eyeliner and mascara if they choose.

Revue t-shirts: Will be available for purchase in March.  More info to come.

DVD: Will be available for purchase in April.  More info to come.

Revue Checklist

Revue Checklist

• Ballet Costume
• Movement to Movement Costume
• Pink Tights
• Suntan Tights
• Hair Tie
• Bobby Pins
• Safety Pins
• Small Sewing Kit in case of emergency
• Makeup
• Hairspray or Hair Gel
• Hair nets
• Bun Sock (available at Beauty Town)
• Ballet Shoes
• Movement to Music shoes
• Rhinestone earrings (will be provided)
• Water
• Snack
• Games or Toys to keep student entertained

Guidelines and Things to Remember – Please review with your student!

1.       No gum, candy, drinks, or food in auditorium, back stage, or dressing rooms.

2.       Be on time and we will start rehearsals on time. Please be patient during rehearsals. This is the time to "fix" everything so that the show itself will go well.

3.       Students should be at dress rehearsal and performance at 6:00.

4.       Dressing for Dress Rehearsal and Performances:

o        No undergarments are to be worn under tights.

o        All hair should be secured away from face.

o        All students are to wear make-up -eye shadow, lipstick, and blush.

o        All shoes should be tied in double knots

o        All strings in ballet shoes should be knotted, cut to about an inch in length, and tucked into the shoes so they cannot be seen.

o        Names should be in absolutely every item.

o        All students should bring their own personal grooming items and make-up.

5.       Please bring extra safety pins and bobby pins in dance bag - extra tights too!

6.       All students should enter through the actors’ entrance on side of the auditorium only.

7.       Picture-taking and video-taping:

o        No video cameras or flash cameras allowed during performances. Picture taking is restricted to dress rehearsal only.

Students may sit in the auditorium during

1.       the dress rehearsals, but must remain backstage at all times during performances. No students are to run in and out of the auditorium during performances. It is extremely distracting to the other students and audience members.

2.       Parents who wish to see their child perform must walk around the theater and enter through front door.  Please use the balcony to watch students.  We suggest leaving your students once they have been “lined up” by the runner and go to the viewing area.  Please return quickly as your child will have quick costume changes.

3.       Please do not wear costumes in public.  Please bring a change of clothes or coverup.

4.       Young students who bring toys, books, etc. to the dressing rooms should be sure they want to share. This sometimes causes problems if they bring something "special" that cannot be shared.

5.       During rehearsals absolutely no children other than dance students who are to be at rehearsals will be allowed in the auditorium or backstage.

6.       Audience should feel free to applaud at anytime during performance however, please do not call out names as it is very distracting to the dancer. A lot of applause and whistles on the other hand make the dancer feel appreciated and give them the drive to do their best!!!!

Revue Items Needed!

 Ballet Class – ballet pink tights and ballet pink shoes with elastic sewn onto shoes.  See ballet instructor for tights. We can do a group order for $6.00 per pair.

Movement to Music – suntan tights and black jazz shoes. See Movement to Music instructor to order.  Shoes can be ordered for $19.00 per pair and tights for $6.00.

Upcoming Dates!

·         Fundraiser peel cards due – February 6^th

·         Costume balance due – February 21^st ($50 for each class)

·         Parent Observation Week – March 5^th & 6^th

·         80s Dress Up Week (break out the neon, legwarmers, and big hair) March 12^th and 13^th

·         Studio Trip to see Richmond Ballet II in Lawrenceville – March 16^th 7:00 p.m.

·         Studio Closed for Spring Break – March 26^th & 27^th

·         Students Ages 7 and older entertainment for South Junior Women’s Club Beauty Pageant – March 30^th

·         Revue pictures in costumes at dance studio – May 4^th

·         Mandatory Revue rehearsals at dance studio 5/13, 5/14, 5/15, 5/16

·         Mandatory Full Dress rehearsal at Colonial in South Hill May 17th

·         “Dancing Through the Decades” Recital  at Colonial in South Hill May 18^th

Tips for the Revue.

Backstage Bliss: 11 Guidelines for Students in a Dance Recital

http://www.danceadvantage.net/2009/05/19/backstage-bliss-dance-recital/

May 19, 2009 by Nichelle (admin) 6 Comments

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Whether it is your first recital or your fourteenth, it never hurts to be reminded about proper backstage etiquette and behavior.

Your studio owners and teachers may have specific regulations and procedures for you to follow. Adhering to these rules helps the performance to run smoothly for you and the others around you. Recitals can be hectic and stressful for those trying to make the day/evening go off without a hitch. I know your teachers will appreciate not having to remind you or your friends of these basics on recital day.

Photo by Chris Hays Photography

1. Don’t mess with other people’s props or costumes

This is a top directive of any backstage situation. Playing with or moving someone else’s props or costume pieces always results in one of the following: A) items will not be in the correct place when they are needed, stalling the show or leaving someone without, B) items get broken, torn, damaged, stalling the show or leaving someone without, C) someone being rather upset with you. If the prop or costume is not yours, don’t touch it! Even if you think it’s in the wrong place and are trying to help, you should just tell the person to whom it belongs or an appropriate adult.

2. Stay in your designated area

I know it can be annoying to be restricted as to where, when, or how you can go somewhere, especially when you are quite familiar with the building or backstage area. It can also be tempting to want to move from your green room (or waiting area) if your friends are required to be in another location. However, it is important to stay where you are supposed to be throughout the recital process. Why? Teachers and recital helpers have a lot of kids to keep track of during a performance. When their requests are ignored, you stand the chance of missing your entrances or causing someone else to miss theirs. Even worse, is that no one knows where to look for you should something unfortunate occur.

Photo by Bo

3. Bring something to do

Recital performances almost always involve a lot of waiting either during dress rehearsal or on show days or both. Even if you think you’ll be busy, it’s always a good idea to bring something quiet to do backstage as you wait (in your designated area). Some possibilities include a book, a simple card game, pens and paper, coloring books and crayons, puzzle books, even a hand-held video game if the sound can be turned off. It is alright to play games with friends as long as you can keep the noise levels down. Just make sure you are ready and in your next costume before engaging in an activity, and that you can drop what you’re doing immediately when asked to go.

4. Always stay one step ahead and on top of your own ‘stuff’

You’re piloting your own plane — be responsible for yourself. Don’t rely on others to know what’s next, know where you are supposed to be, or what you have to do – not if you don’t have to or are old enough to do it yourself, anyway. This involves laying out your costumes ahead of time and knowing what order they go on, keeping track of where your dances are in the performance (and what’s before them), knowing what hair or makeup changes are made and when, being sure about which side of the stage you enter from, double checking that you have all you need before you leave the house.

5. Maximize your focus and keep socializing to a minimum

There’s a lot of energy in the atmosphere at a performance. It is easy to get caught up in the excitement with your friends backstage, allowing noise levels to escalate and/or creating a distracting environment for yourself or others. To have the best show possible it is important that everyone stay calm and focused. After a successful show is the appropriate time to party. During the show choose calm activities (see #3) to occupy yourself and your friends and reserve your energy for your performance onstage.

6. Keep quiet in the wings

The immediate backstage area is not the place to go over choreography, have a conversation, or ask a question. Sound from backstage can carry surprisingly well to the “house,” or audience. If you are prepared, calm, and focused there should be no reason for talking in the wings. If a peer asks you a question, nod (if the answer is yes or no), and/or calmly remind them to be quiet with the universal symbol at left. Making noise in order to quiet others is not only unhelpful, it doesn’t make much sense! Which leads me to…

7. Be responsible for you and you alone

Unless you are specifically put in charge of a person or group, allow a teacher or someone in authority to take care of any disorderly students. If you know that someone missed being given an important direction, for example, when it is time to line up, calmly let them know and then move along yourself. Don’t waste time helping those who are not helping themselves because your only job is to be responsible for you. When you occupy yourself with what others are or are not doing, you risk missing your own cues, entrances, costume changes, etc.

8. Stay warm, stay safe

It is important to stay safe and free of injury backstage. If you know you have some downtime between numbers, wear a warm-up and/or legwarmers over your next costume (just remember to take them off!), staying active and mobile with full-body movements like noiseless jumping jacks or body swings, and doing some stretching to keep your body warm and limber while you wait. Other safety measures include not wearing soft shoes or bare feet in areas that have not been swept clear (especially in the immediate backstage area where often there can be shards of wood or glass, or things lying about from other performances). Your teachers will let you know if an area is safe to be barefoot but wear shoes/flip-flops if you are going to be moving about backstage in zones that may not have been cleared.

9. Be conscious of bleeding light

This is one that even those helping at a recital sometimes forget. If you’ve ever stood in a dark room when someone opens the door to a room that is lit, you understand that light has a way of “bleeding” into the darkness. This is why it is kept dark in the backstage area with only blue or other filtered lights illuminating the area. Being conscious of this means waiting until someone from the inside (who knows when it is “safe”) opens a door to the backstage area, or listening for the appropriate time yourself. Typically when you know that the dancers onstage are performing and being lit, it is safe to enter but do so quickly, quietly, and close the door behind you. Any light from backstage can affect the lighting design onstage.

10. Be conscious of sight lines

Photo by Ed Luschei

This is another one of which novices to the stage may not be aware. Sight lines are imaginary lines that distinguish what is visible to the audience and what is not. A good rule of thumb is that if you can see an audience member, they can see you. However, you must be aware of your whole body, not just your eyes. When waiting in the wings, it is a good idea to stand close to the curtain (without moving it) and back from the very edge. Some studio owners will place a line of tape for students to stand within or behind when waiting backstage. Though it can be tempting to try to see everything happening onstage, stay out of the audience’s line of sight. If your cue for entering cannot be seen from where you are waiting, dress rehearsal is the time to figure out a new cue!

11. Don’t argue

Last but not least, it is important to be courteous and respectful toward others, especially during a performance. This includes the teachers, parents, and others who are helping backstage at a recital. By showtime you should know (by face, name, or by an identifying badge or button) teh people who have been designated as helpers and what role they play in helping the performance to run smoothly. If you are instructed to do something or go somewhere, asked to quiet down, or are otherwise asked to respond to a request – just do it! Don’t question, don’t argue, don’t grumble.

If you happen to be absolutely positive that you are being misdirected, ask nicely to check the facts – “I am sure that I am to be in Room C, not Room A right now. Can we double check, just to be sure, please?” People’s patience can run thin during a high-stress situation like a performance. If your respectful response is not appreciated, don’t react. Simply do your best to comply with the direction given.

Photo by Chris Hays Photography

For those of you who still have recitals ahead, I hope that this list will come in handy. Remember that everyone backstage at a performance wants the same thing – a great show that runs smoothly and is fun for the audience and participants. Though the show’s organization may not be something you can control, you still have the power to make sure you are fulfilling your role to the best of your ability. Following these eleven rules of thumb will help to ensure that.

Top 10 skills children learn from the arts

From: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/01/22/top-10-skills-children-learn-from-the-arts/

 

Top 10 skills children learn from the arts

Posted by Valerie Strauss on January 22, 2013 at 4:00 am

(by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

You don’t find school reformers talking much about how we need to train more teachers in the arts, given the current obsession with science, math, technology and engineering (STEM), but here’s a list of skills that young people learn from studying the arts. They serve as a reminder that the arts — while important to study for their intrinsic value — also promote skills seen as important in academic and life success. (That’s why some people talk  about changing the current national emphasis on STEM to STEAM.) This was written by Lisa Phillips is an author, blog journalist, arts and leadership educator, speaker and business owner. To learn about Lisa’s book, “The Artistic Edge: 7 Skills Children Need to Succeed in an Increasingly Right Brain World,” click here. This appeared on the ARTSblog, a program of Americans for the Arts.

By Lisa Phillips
1. Creativity – Being able to think on your feet, approach tasks from different perspectives and think ‘outside of the box’ will distinguish your child from others. In an arts program, your child will be asked to recite a monologue in 6 different ways, create a painting that represents a memory, or compose a new rhythm to enhance a piece of music. If children have practice thinking creatively, it will come naturally to them now and in their future career.
2. Confidence – The skills developed through theater, not only train you how to convincingly deliver a message, but also build the confidence you need to take command of the stage. Theater training gives children practice stepping out of their comfort zone and allows them to make mistakes and learn from them in rehearsal. This process gives children the confidence to perform in front of large audiences.

3. Problem Solving – Artistic creations are born through the solving of problems. How do I turn this clay into a sculpture? How do I portray a particular emotion through dance? How will my character react in this situation? Without even realizing it kids that participate in the arts are consistently being challenged to solve problems. All this practice problem solving develops children’s skills in reasoning and understanding. This will help develop important problem-solving skills necessary for success in any career.
4. Perseverance – When a child picks up a violin for the first time, she/he knows that playing Bach right away is not an option; however, when that child practices, learns the skills and techniques and doesn’t give up, that Bach concerto is that much closer. In an increasingly competitive world, where people are being asked to continually develop new skills, perseverance is essential to achieving success.
5. Focus – The ability to focus is a key skill developed through ensemble work. Keeping a balance between listening and contributing involves a great deal of concentration and focus. It requires each participant to not only think about their role, but how their role contributes to the big picture of what is being created. Recent research has shown that participation in the arts improves children’s abilities to concentrate and focus in other aspects of their lives.
6. Non-Verbal Communication – Through experiences in theater and dance education, children learn to breakdown the mechanics of body language. They experience different ways of moving and how those movements communicate different emotions. They are then coached in performance skills to ensure they are portraying their character effectively to the audience.
7. Receiving Constructive Feedback – Receiving constructive feedback about a performance or visual art piece is a regular part of any arts instruction. Children learn that feedback is part of learning and it is not something to be offended by or to be taken personally. It is something helpful. The goal is the improvement of skills and evaluation is incorporated at every step of the process. Each arts discipline has built in parameters to ensure that critique is a valuable experience and greatly contributes to the success of the final piece.
8. Collaboration – Most arts disciplines are collaborative in nature. Through the arts, children practice working together, sharing responsibility, and compromising with others to accomplish a common goal. When a child has a part to play in a music ensemble, or a theater or dance production, they begin to understand that their contribution is necessary for the success of the group. Through these experiences children gain confidence and start to learn that their contributions have value even if they don’t have the biggest role.
9. Dedication – When kids get to practice following through with artistic endeavors that result in a finished product or performance, they learn to associate dedication with a feeling of accomplishment. They practice developing healthy work habits of being on time for rehearsals and performances, respecting the contributions of others, and putting effort into the success of the final piece. In the performing arts, the reward for dedication is the warm feeling of an audience’s applause that comes rushing over you, making all your efforts worthwhile.
10. Accountability – When children practice creating something collaboratively they get used to the idea that their actions affect other people. They learn that when they are not prepared or on-time, that other people suffer. Through the arts, children also learn that it is important to admit that you made a mistake and take responsibility for it. Because mistakes are a regular part of the process of learning in the arts, children begin to see that mistakes happen. We acknowledge them, learn from them and move on

Reminder DUE!!

Costume deposits are due now.

Fundraiser monies are due back 2/6.  Please let us know if you need more cards!

We love spinach!!

Nancy Jimmerson came to Tuesday night ballet classes.  The 3/4 year old class learned about trying new foods.  They had spinach, bananas, and apples.  Yummy!  Everyone tried their healthy foods and most asked for more.  The 7/8 year old class learned about the sugar content is typical foods.  We learned to make healthier choices.  Thank Mrs. Jimmerson for your help on our healthy journey:)