Term 4 KGD Newsletter December 2019

Hi !

Welcome to the Showcase December Newsletter for 2019. This email contains specific important information you need to know for our fast-approaching special day!

To make it as simple as possible for you, we have packed this newsletter full of important information. We have also made a new page within our members-only area of the website (KLUBKGD password "kgdancers123"), where you can find everything you need to know for the 2019 Showcase.

You can read the FULL version of the last November Newsletter here.

Please note: All ballet buns will need to be slicked back, with NO side parts, etc.

Please see here on "How to do a Ballet Bun". The final bun should look like this.

Please come to both the dress rehearsal and showcase with the first of your hairstyles needed already in place.

Please note, all costumes will be transported to and from the theatre for both the dress rehearsal and showcase performances by KGD staff.

***All tights are ‘Energetiks’ brand
***Jazz shoes must have elastic sides
***All Classical Ballet shoes must have elastics for concert, not ribbons

(Exception: Ribbons for specific comp teams, Advanced & Senior students only).

See specific requirements below:

There will be a compulsory on-stage dress rehearsal prior to the performance on Tuesday 10th December (same venue as Showcase – Bunjil Place Theatre, Narre Warren).

A detailed timetable of the on-stage dress rehearsal is below, with info on when students are to be dropped off. At this stage it will run all day, starting at approx. 9am in the morning (with the pre-schoolers, then progressing through to senior students later in the evening). Students will not need to be there the whole day, they will come and go for their routines only.

**Please note: Non-participation in our compulsory on-stage dress rehearsal will mean no participation in our Showcase performance**

This is a FULL DRESS-REHEARSAL and will be in full-costume, however stage make-up will not be necessary, only correct hairstyles, costumes, shoes and tights will be required.

By now students should all have their correct dance shoes for the performance, no student will be allowed on stage for the performance without their required dance shoes and tights. Please refer to the attached chart for correct attire.

Please ensure all your children’s shoes, tights and even their bags are clearly labeled to assist our helpers in locating their belongings!

Our selected brands of tights are as follows:
Classical Ballet – Theatrical Pink colour, brand Energetiks
Jazz, Tap, Showtime/Encore, – Jazz ‘Skin’ colour, brand Energetiks

Our selected shoes are as follows:
Classical Ballet – pink, clean classical ballet shoes in either canvass or leather, with elastic sewn across top. Drawstrings must be tightened, tied in bow and tucked under so not visible. (split-soles preferred).
Jazz – Tan coloured Jazz shoes with either elastic sides (elastic sides and split-soles preferred).
Tap – Tan coloured Tap shoes.
(Please see attached chart above for specifics on each group).
ALL Contemporary classes require - Foot thongs/toe undies

***Please note ALL Pre-Schoolers will require both ballet & Jazz shoes, as they are performing 2 routines in the show (Ballet & Jazz), these are separate genres, therefore require separate shoes.

We don’t mind at all if students wear their older tights to class from now on to help preserve their good tights for the performance. Students will be unable to go on stage with very visibly dirty tights and shoes with holes in them. Please ensure they are clean and any holes mended.

FOUNDATION: Preferably a shade darker than your child’s skin, as bright stage lights can tend to wash skin out and cause paleness on stage.
EYE SHADOW: 2 types, one in a white/off-white colour, as this will go all over the eye socket, right up to the brow bone and the other in a dark brown/chocolate colour, which will go over the actual eyelid only.
EYEBROW PENCIL: Brown, for fairer coloured eyebrows if needed.
EYELINER: Black eyeliner to go under eye and 2 special lines/flicks out the side of each eye. (Helpers or more experienced dance parents can assist with this!)

Only cheap make-up brands are needed for this, please don’t go out buying expensive brands, as cheap products on special will always do the job! Students can always share some products between them if they wish.

Some good brands are: ax-factor, Maybelline, Covergirl, Australis and anything else you can find in the specials! Priceline is the best place to go for this, or any other chemist.

Male Hip Hop students will NOT require make-up, unless you would like to do a light stage make-up (foundation, bronzer)

This year all students in Intermediate, Sub-Advanced, Advanced & Senior levels, & All competition team students (except 8 & under age group), must wear false eyelashes in the ‘Gwen’ Manicare brand. These can be purchased from either Priceline or Dance N Dreams also stocks these.

All female students from the Junior level onwards will also require ‘diamante earrings’. Pierced earrings can be purchased from chemists, dance shops, Colette, Lovisa, etc…However ‘stick-ons’ can be purchased from Dance N Dreams, Spotlight, Lincraft and can be glued on with craft glue or eyelash glue.

If students can all please come with clean hair and provide their own: hairbrush, water spray/gel, hair spray, hair ties (in matching colour to their hair).

If performing in a Classical ballet routine they will need in addition: a bun net matching their hair colour, bun pins and bobby pins (these are all available at any supermarket or chemist, or the Hairhouse Warehouse also have a very good range).

Please note: a bun net is essential, so hair does not fall out on stage!!!

It is a good idea to pack some safety pins too, just in case of any costume mishaps and tail comb to tuck under any shoe laces. A good idea is to purchase a makeup case or even better a small ‘tackle’ box to start compiling your dance necessities.

Please note, any underwear worn under costumes MUST be skin/flesh tone and quite brief where possible so as not to be visible, especially underneath tutus, etc. All older students who need support are to wear flesh-coloured bras or body stockings available at any of the local dance shops. The local dance shops have a great range of special skin-coloured dance bras, briefs, all with convertible/clear straps etc. No bra straps are to be visible on stage, as this presents for a very unprofessional and untidy look.

If all parents could please ensure their children arrive with their own foundation already done, to save us some time on the day and if they could please bring as many makeup items on the list above as they can, this will help things run more smoothly backstage.

New parents - please do not feel overwhelmed at the process, we will have people to assist, however, if you are an experienced ‘ballet mum’ now, please feel free to do all hair and make-up yourself, so our helpers can be there to assist the people who really need the help.

Please be responsible for your child and ensure you help them get ready at both rehearsal and showcase, under no circumstance can you drop your younger children off and expect someone else to do all their hair and makeup if you are capable of doing it yourself. (Unless you cannot be present and either KGD is notified or you arrange for a friend to help your child get ready).

Students will need to bring their own food, snacks and drink to have in any large gaps in between their performances and whilst waiting to go back on for finale.

Please bring water only to sip on throughout the evening: Unfortunately spills can ruin costumes, causing disaster before students go on stage! Please no soft drinks, cordial etc.

In regards to food and snacks, students are encouraged to bring something substantial enough to give them enough energy to get through the evening (sandwiches, etc). Please avoid any sticky lollies that can stain or get stuck on any costumes! Please, no chocolate backstage!! We’ve had unfortunate malfunctions in previous years with melted chocolate all over pre-school costumes which had to be frantically washed and dried prior to going onstage!

Students are encouraged to bring fun things to keep them occupied and comfortable throughout the shows. (Each performance will probably go for about 3 hours), most students will not have much time at all in between items and will be

doing quick costume changes throughout, however boy,s and pre-schoolers are encouraged to bring books, puzzles, games, colour-in books, toys, etc to keep them occupied.

Pre-schoolers are also encouraged to perhaps bring a blanket and/or pillow to keep them happy and comfortable in between their dances to help prevent any tears before we go on stage!! It is also a very good idea to bring a warm dressing gown for students to wear over their costumes in between dances and while waiting to provide comfort and to prevent dirtying costumes!

Previous years have seen us run a short rehearsal prior to each show where we practice all groups skipping back on stage and bowing for the FINALE. This year we have decided not to run this prior and this will be rehearsed in class instead.

This means the arrival times for each show will be as follows:
10:30am for the MATINEE
& 5:30pm for the EVENING

This will give all students exactly one hour to get ready for each show.

If you are not already aware, our performance will be held at the new Bunjil Place Theatre, Narre Warren. Please enter through loading dock on Magid Drive. You will need to find parking elsewhere first, then walk around through the loading dock.
Signs will be located on wall in entry and on doors of dressing rooms for each age group.

All students are to stay backstage the entire duration of each performance and will then be led back on by the older students at the conclusion for the
CURTAIN CALLS.

Strictly only 1 parent from each family is to drop off children & collect from backstage at the conclusion of each performance this would be appreciated, due to OH&S, CHILD SAFETY & to help ease congestion backstage!

I know some of this may seem a little daunting, however, please be assured that as long as everyone has their correct shoes, tights, basic make-up (at least foundation already applied) and basic hair necessities required, we will have enough help backstage to ensure a smooth stress-free evening for all – parents included!

Most importantly, I encourage all students to have fun for their performance, I know you will all do your very best. It is all about getting up there on the stage and engaging in the experience of the exciting lights, costuming and atmosphere... and most importantly, HAVING FUN!!!

Try to make the most of this enriching experience, because in the end - it’s the experience that counts!

Wishing all our beautiful hard-working and dedicated students the best of luck for the Showcase and we know you will make all us teachers very proud!

Miss Karlie xx