October 19 - 24th: Costume Week (in regular class time)

Monday, November 30th: MANDATORY Theatre Rehearsal at the Concourse Theatre - rehearsal times are in blocks, refer to the drop off and pick up times spreadsheet for your child's specific allocated time.

**One parent/guardian must attend this rehearsal with their dancer.

Friday, December 4th: Regular classes at TDC run as normal.

Saturday, December 5th: Regular classes at TDC are cancelled.

Saturday, December 5th: Recital Performance Day at the Concourse Theatre!! Refer to the drop off and pick up times spreadsheet for your child's specific allocated times for this day.

As always, the safety of our dance family is our #1 priority. 

DO NOT contact us via email on November 30th and December 5th (we will not be monitoring our inbox on those days). If you need to contact us please send us a text message to 0414 102 295.

1. When students arrive at the rehearsal and recital, they are to be checked in by a parent or guardian and must be checked out when it is time to leave.

2. Failure to attend the mandatory theatre dress rehearsal will result in the student not being allowed to dance in the show.

3. Students are not permitted to leave the venue while the rehearsal and concert are running. 

4. No student is to leave the backstage area during the intervals, with no exceptions. 

5. Only TDC staff are permitted on the side/back stage areas. 

6. Please do not bring anything valuable to the theatre. Electronic devices are NOT ALLOWED. 

7. Our studio and the venue will take no responsibility if any personal item is damaged, misplaced, lost, or stolen. 

8. Private videography and photography are strictly prohibited as we will have professionals attending on the day to provide these services for us, leaving you free to sit back and enjoy the show in the moment!

Any audience member caught using their phone to video or take photos during the show will immediately be removed from the theatre and will not be allowed back in.

9. Explicit language, inappropriate attire, offensive clothing, and criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.

10. ALL students are to have their names marked off when they arrive at the venue. If your child has any Medical Conditions that may require attention whilst in our care or are carrying any medication with them, please notify our supervisors when you sign in. 

11. For those dancers with allergy & medical condition action plans, your action plan will be shared with the first aid staff at the theatre. 

12. Students MUST arrive with their hair and makeup done and dressed in their first (or only) costume. {Exception for those who have a hair and/or make-up booking.}

13. When being picked up, all children need to be checked out of the venue by their parent / guardian. If someone else is picking your child up, they need to have a permission note to show who will be supervising them.

14. Costumes are not replaceable, should you lose your costume you will not be allowed to perform in the show.

15. There are no refunds on any fees associated with the recital (tickets, costumes, etc.) whether you participate in the show or not.

16. Please be patient with all security, theatre & TDC staff. We want to make sure each child is looked after and safe.

17. Please ensure students are picked up and dropped off at the designated areas only.

Click the link below to view the dancer drop off and pick up times for Monday, November 30th and Saturday, December 5th. Please note that the times will be different on each day.

Dancer Drop Off & Pick Up Times

After performing on stage on December 5th, our preschool dancers will be escorted into the audience to sit with their families for the remainder of the show. They are welcome to sit on someone's lap or if you require them to have their own seat, a ticket will need to be purchased for them.

Costume Lists & Costume Week

Each class has a different costume and different requirements such as shoes, hair, accessories, etc. You can find all of this information on the costume information tab in your parent portal. These will show up in your portal account during our Costume Week. Please triple-check that you have all items packed and labelled before coming to any rehearsals and the show day.

Costume Week: October 19 - 24th

During our costume week, we will distribute the performer's costumes after their regular class. One parent/guardian is allowed to attend class this week. We will go through all the costume information and your dancer will need to try on their costumes before they leave the studio. Please plan on remaining after class for 15 minutes.

Please note that costume material can be itchy or feel 'scratchy' for dancers who have never worn a costume before. It should be tight-fitting, which might feel uncomfortable for some children at first.

Caring For Your Costumes

Please keep all costumes in their garment bags/carry bags until the rehearsals and actual show day, so they are kept as pristine as possible. Once the show is done, they are yours to do with what you like.

We highly suggest that costumes are not washed until after the performances but if needed, when washing your costumes, please ensure they are hand washed in cold water only, preferably using a lingerie wash bag to ensure that they are not damaged. Costumes should not be tumble-dried, and it is important not to over-expose them to direct sunlight. 

We take as much care as possible in choosing sizing for each student when ordering costumes, but sometimes adjustments are needed once we try costumes on. If your child requires their costume to be adjusted, it is your responsibility to have these adjustments completed before the first dress rehearsal.

Shoes & Tights

babyballet shoes: black tap shoes - dancers MUST be wearing their shoes when you drop them off at the drop-off area

babyballet tights: tan footed tights

Pre-ordered tights will be in your child's costume bag when they collect it during costume week.

Please ensure your child has the correct-coloured footwear. If they need new shoes, it's best to get them ASAP so they have time to dance in them and make them comfortable for the show.

ALL tights for the show must be purchased from TDC so that everyone has the same shade of tights on stage. This may sound like a trivial detail, but under bright stage lights, different shades are very noticeable. If your dancer has dark brown or black skin colour, please contact us so we can refer you to purchase tights that are appropriate for your child's skin tone. 

Undergarments

Dancers are welcome to wear their normal underwear under their tights. We kindly ask that you double check their underwear isn't sticking out once they have their costume on.

We know that some may still be potty training or wearing pull on diapers and that is perfectly fine to wear underneath their costume. If your child is potty training, please let our staff know when you check in so we can keep checking in with your child before they go on stage.

Important Notes:

All shoes must be clean and performance-ready—no scuff marks or holes.

Tights must be free of runs or holes.

Hair

High ponytail (top of the crown of the head)

Optional - curl the hair

Makeup

Pink blush on the cheeks

To view photos and a video tutorial click the link below.

Preschool Hair & Makeup

What happens at a Dress Rehearsal?

At a show dress rehearsal in a theatre, the performers run through the entire show in full costume, with lighting, sound, and stage effects. It mimics the actual performance conditions, allowing dancers to practice transitions, spacing, and timing with all technical elements in place. The focus is ensuring everything runs smoothly, identifying any issues with costumes or staging, and making final adjustments before the live show. It’s the last chance to polish the performance in a real-time setting.

Why is this important for performers?

As the theatre is a new environment for our preschoolers, they need to be in the space to see it, understand what and where they will be going, and practice on the stage with the stage lights. Having this experience before performing in front of a large audience helps them prepare for the show day, which is a busy day. 

Theatre Education

We use the dress rehearsal to prepare our performers for their show and to educate them about how a theatre works, from the theatre staff who help us create a show to being a good audience member and from a performer's perspective. Knowing and learning this information creates an understanding and respect for live art, which we hope they will carry with them throughout their lives.

Dress Rehearsal Breakdown:

1. Arrive at the theatre (dressed in costume, hair done, and shoes on) and check in at the check-in desk next to the lifts. 

2. ONE parent/guardian will escort their dancer into the theatre and sit in the first few rows. {this is a great time to chat to your dancer about the theatre, e.g. where the audience sits, where they're going to dance, etc}

3. We will call the classes up on stage when it's their turn to perform. Dancers will walk up the stairs on either side of the stage and gather in the centre of the stage. 

4. Each dancer will then have an individual photo taken on stage with the professional photographer. It's great help if you practice how to pose for a photo at home.

5. After each individual has had their photo taken, we will then take a group photo. 

6. It's now time to perform! We will recreate the lighting as it will be for the show so the dancers can experience it before they perform on show day. The teacher will remain on stage and perform with the dancers so they can be guided along. 

7. After they dance they will be escorted by the teacher the way that they will exit on the show day and be brought back into the audience. 

8. They will then sit and watch the other routines and learn how to be a respectful audience member in a theatre setting. 

9. After all preschool routines have been performed, you will be excused from the rehearsal and can make your way home on onto your next adventure of the day.

Note: parents/guardians are allowed to video their child on stage during the dress rehearsal. They are NOT ALLOWED to post or share the video on any social media site, the video can be for personal use only.

Our preschool dancers perform in ONE show {Show A} on Saturday, December 5th. There are no limits on ticket purchases.

Click the link below to view the detailed ticket information page that includes, pricing, where to purchase tickets and ticket release dates.

Recital Ticket Information

For information about the theatre, location, address, parking, etc, please click the link below.

Theatre Information

It's SHOWTIME!!

Show day is a bustling day full of nervous and excited energy. Please be kind and patient as our staff and volunteers navigate getting over 150 children ready to perform on stage. 

Preschool Academy Show Day Process:

1. Check the traffic conditions first thing in the morning. As it's a Saturday on the North Shore, traffic can get very busy. Plan your leave time accordingly. 

2. Early arrival at the theatre is crucial to allow for parking time and getting to the check in point.

3. Please check in at the drop-off point next to the lifts to ensure a smooth start to the day. 

4. Your child will be in good hands. They will be escorted to our side stage waiting area where our dedicated teachers and staff will be warming them up and keeping a close eye on them. They will participate in some of their regular class songs/exercises to help them settle in.

5. You can then proceed upstairs to the theatre lobby and enjoy a snack, beverage and some social time before the show. 

6. The show will begin, and your dancer will perform on stage within the first few routines. 

7. After performing, they will remain side stage and be given their performance gift bag by one of our staff. 

8. Miss Jess will make a special appearance on stage, and the theatre house lights will be turned on when we escort your dancer into the audience to enjoy the rest of the show with you. This is your cue to stand up and move to the end of your row so your child can easily find you. If there won't be a parent/guardian in the audience watching, please inform us BEFORE the show.

9. Please take a moment to tell your dancer how proud you are of them and celebrate their win for getting up on stage and performing (even if they didn't end up doing many steps). It takes bravery and courage to perform, and they should be recognised for it. 

10. You can then choose to stay and watch the rest of the show or leave at the interval. Please do not exit the theatre while any routines are being performed on stage. 

Preschool Side Note

We want to remind you that every child experiences the stage in their own unique way. While some preschoolers may embrace the moment, dancing confidently in front of the audience, others may choose to take in the experience more quietly, perhaps not moving as much or simply observing. Both responses are perfectly natural at this age. Our goal is to create a positive, pressure-free environment where your child feels comfortable and supported, no matter how they choose to participate. We celebrate their individuality and are proud of them for being part of this special event. Thank you for your understanding and encouragement of your babyballet star!

Please do not bring anything to the theatre for the dancers to take backstage. 

All extra items you bring must stay with the parent/guardian. 

- Dancers need to arrive in their costumes, with their hair and makeup done and their tap shoes on. 

- Water and cups will be provided backstage. Please do not bring a water bottle. 

- babyballet students do NOT need to bring a bag backstage

Click the link below to read about the policies surrounding photos and videos at the recital performances.

Photos & Videos

Our BAND app provides a space for each class to connect as a community. There is one preschool BAND group. In the preschool BAND group, videos and the routine music will be uploaded for you to use at home. 

If you are not already in the BAND groups, please visit the link below to join.

TDC BAND Links

Home Practice

To help your preschooler prepare for their on-stage performance, you can create a fun and supportive practice environment at home. Encourage them to practice their dance or routine in a playful way by setting up a "stage" in your living room and being their audience. Offer lots of praise for any effort, no matter how small, and make it a fun experience rather than a perfect one. Playing the recital music at home can also help them become more familiar with it. Most importantly, remind them that it's okay to feel nervous and that the main goal is to have fun!

Your TDC Parent Portal is a wealth of information! What you will find there: 

- Your dancer's class name/s

- Your dancer's academy level

- Your recital drop-off times

- The TDC shop: purchase tights, shoes, hair items, etc. 

- Your dancer's costume lists that include hair & make-up requirements

Click the link below to access your parent portal.

TDC Parent Portal