Dance Competition Checklist for Parents / Competitors
A Seasoned parent’s perspective…
Child: It helps to keep a “ competition bag “ stocked with these items that can be replenished as you run out. Its better to have these on hand than to be scrambling to find someone who can lend you something.
Competition clothing ( Dress, White Socks, Onesie, Pants, Black Socks, Bowtie )
Competition shoes, backups if you have them
Safety pins, shoe glue ( super glue or gorilla glue for leather ), shoe brush
Hair accessories, hair spray, gel, hair-ties, combs, pins, blow dryer or make an appointment for hair to get done
Tanning lotion of some sort, perfume, deodorant ( for the boys )
Makeup for Juniors and older, or makeup appointment schedule
Comfortable shoes or Uggs for long breaks in dancing so feet are comfortable and stay warm
Robe or jacket to keep warm and protect clothing
Band-Aids, blister band-aids, liquid bandage
EmergenC or sort of electrolyte drink
Healthy snack
Water bottle
K tape, Icy hot, Arnicare for injury
Anti-inflamatory / Pain killer / inhaler and vitamins as needed
Clothing to change when you done
Parents:
Go to competition website and familiarize yourself with the venue, schedule and everything there is to know about the competition
Print out heat sheet as soon as they will be available ( normally competition post heat sheets the week of the competition on Monday, some day earlier or day later ). This will help you to know when your child is dancing. Be at the competitions minimum 1 hour before schedule time to dance, FULLY READY, some of competition running 30 min ahed of schedule. However as a parent, i would be there the night before to check the ballroom and get familiarize yourself and your child with where they will be dancing. With kids, no one needs the added pressure of showing up last minute. Always confirm times with Professional Instructor or Imperial Ballroom representative.
Heat sheets are subject to change, so make sure you get the heat sheet from your dance instructor at the competition. Those sheets will be the latest update.
Put your heat sheet on a clipboard and have a pen. If your child is dancing Pro-Am, instructor is generally aware of when your child need to dance. However, if your instructor is dancing with different student back to back, it helps to know when your child will need to be on-deck as your instructor may not have the time to come get them. Drop your child off at on-deck and leave.
Make sure your son has their number pinned to their back. ( numbers, usually Imperial Ballroom dance instructor have them )
If your child is amateur, always know when your child is supposed to dance and make sure they are on-deck, for there dancing. Again, drop them off at on-deck aria and stay back. There are usually an Imperial Representative but, alway pay attention to where your kids needs to be.
When your Kids have breaks… offer hydration and snacks and keep them from running around the hotel and playing between rounds, be back to the ballroom at least 30 min. before next heat .
When awards happening, take your clipboard and listen to the heat numbers being called. They will call out child name and place. Write down placements on the heat sheet next to the heat number. You will have to listen closely. Your child will be out on the floor with the partner or instructor. If you miss placements, you can alway check out placements online at the competition website within a day or two after competitions is over. Kids usually pay close attention because they ant to know how they placed.
Have a favorite drink, whether its chocolate milk or a glass of wine. Sit back and relax… or pace while you watch your kids dance. Cheer them on or off the floor and enjoy the process.
What to wear… look nice and be comfortable. It isn’t a fancy dress up day, but you are reflective of your children. Always layer, as the ballroom usually is set at a cooler temperatures for dancers. Basically, you will freeze:)
Celebrate dance no matter the outcome, because it was a lot of hard work for everyone involved. Make your before and after dance competition traditions for your family. We have We have Shirley Temples the night before the kids dance and go out for dinner as family after the competition with partners, friends. Come up with what means something to your family. ENJOY!
This is simple guidance for dance competition for Parents to know.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call our front desk 480-201-5726 or email us.
Thank you and happy Dancing!