Dance Department Performance Information

DANCERS: It is important to have a unified look. Various hairstyles and makeup preferences can be distracting and take away from the overall performance. Dancers are asked to wear heavier makeup than what would typically be worn on daily basis in order to see facial features and expressions on the stage. Otherwise, the stage lights are so intense they can wash out a bare face or those with light make-up.

Attire/Grooming You are representing yourself, as well as, AAW! Look the part! Hygiene and grooming are crucial! Be sure to:

• Shower
• Shave
• Wear deodorant
• Clip fingernails/toe nails (dancers: this is especially important for partnering)
• No nail polish (if you must wear nail polish or have fake nails, neutral colors:  nude, tan/ light pink and French manicure are acceptable)
• Bring warm up clothes (you should not be in the lobby with your costumes on and will participate in a group stretch/warm up. Have proper attire available for this.
• All under garments are nude or black and should not be seen onstage (Safety pin or glue accordingly)
• Follow hair and make- up guidelines
• Have all costume pieces (Costume, accessories, shoes- will be specified for each class below)

Hair

All female dancers will wear their hair in a sleek style: low bun, low ponytail, double braid or non-distracting strong/secure style. Refer to images below for acceptable looks. Students who have short hair must pull the hair away from the face. NO FLY AWAYS! Hair must be secured with:

• Hair tie- black or color of hair (yes, colored hair ties can be detected and distracting onstage)
• Hair gel
• Hair spray
• Hair net- matching the color of hair (only for bun)
• Bobby Pins
• Clips, if necessary

Make Up

• Foundation matching skin tone
• Blush appropriate for skin tone
• Neutral Eyeshadow- light shadow(tan) on lid and dark shadow (brown) in crease
• Black Eyeliner
• Black Mascara (false eyelashes optional)
• Red or Berry Red lipstick

Accessories & Undergarments

To maintain a professional look it is very IMPORTANT that students do not wear excess jewelry or hair accessories and wear appropriate undergarments. Students may wear post or stud earrings. No hoops or gaudy earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc. Dancers must wear black or nude undergarments depending on the costume that may not be seen from the audiences. All bra straps or excess fabric must be pinned to the costume. Underwear lines and prints seen through the costume are unprofessional. MALE DANCERS: please wear a dance belt if you do not know what this is, see a teacher or a fellow male dancer who will know. If you have an existing injury that requires some sort of brace/support, you can blot sports tape with foundation or wear a brace that is skin tone or easily hidden underneath your costume/tights.

Costumes, Tights & Shoes

Please take care of your costumes. They should be hung on a hanger or neatly folded- not shoved into a bag. Costumes should be ironed or steamed if they appear wrinkly. Tights and shoes should be in good condition: no holes, runs or stains. There is a major difference in the look and durability of a dance tight and nylon. DO NOT PURCHASE NYLONS. Recommended dance brands are Balera, Capezio or Bloch. See details of where these items can be purchased and images provided below.

Students Providing Own Costumes

Unfortunately, we do not have a big enough budget to provide costumes for all of our classes. We try our best to recycle costumes from years past but we run into the issue of class sizes, costume sizing and fitting the mood of the dance. If your dancer is being asked to provide their own costume, PLEASE LOOK THROUGH YOUR CLOSETS FIRST AND HEAD TO A THRIFT STORE AFTER THAT! You will be given guidelines as to where affordable attire can be purchased. Items chosen are meant to be practical and able to wear again in the future. Be thrifty!  If there are any issues please notify your teacher and something will be worked out.

Returning Costumes and Shoes

Any costumes that are provided by the school must be returned and in good condition. All items should be washed. If by hand is necessary, please scrub out the arm pit and private areas then air-dry. All borrowed costumes must be returned by the Friday after a performance. If you do not return the borrowed costumes/shoes (and/or in poor condition) you will be charged the cost of the costume (most catalog costumes run $40 +).

Where Can I Buy Dance Apparel/Tights/Shoes?

Lucy & Ethel’s (Offers small discount with proof of AAW ID)

15262 Canal Rd

Clinton Twp, MI 48038

(586) 263-4350

RD Dancewear (Offers small discount with proof of AAW ID)

35265 Dodge Park Rd

Sterling Heights MI, 48312

(586) 264-7600

Online: www.discountdancesupply.com, www.dancewearsolutions.com, www.amazon.com

 ORDER NOW TO GUARANTEE ARRIVAL BEFORE CONCERT

Please refer to “Dance Department Concert Hair & Make-Up Guidelines” & “Dance Department Concert Costume, Shoe & Apparel Guidelines” documents for mandatory concert needs

2nd Hour Technique/Repertoire I: The Fire You Started in Me (& Burn)

Tops: Burgundy Top (provided by Ms. Meeks)

Bottoms: black leggings

Undergarments: garments: nude or black

Shoes: Pirouettes/turners

Accessories:

2nd Hour Technique/Repertoire I: Casting Call (Chorus Line: I Hope I Get It)

All Performers: Inspiration from the 1980s Movie/1970s Broadway Musical a Chorus Line- wear dance apparel that would be worn to an audition at that time period. Clothing can be colorful BUT NEON/HIGHLIGHTER COLORS ARE NOT PERMITTED.

Tops: Approved Attire: Leotards, off the shoulder tops crew neck sweatshirts, etc.

Bottoms: leggings, shorts, joggers, etc.

(NO HIGH CUT LEOTARDS OR MIDRIFFS/EXPOSED STOMACHS)

Undergarments: Black or nude (depending on outfit) should not be seen by audience

Shoes: All dancers must wear some sort of shoe: turners, ballet shoes, or jazz (black or tan) are acceptable. They can coordinate with your outfit. Bare feet, socks and/or tennis shoes are NOT PERMITTED.

Accessories: Approved accessories: Sweatbands, leg warmers, head bands

3rd Hour Dance Survey- A Need for Change (Man in the Mirror)

Tops: Teal Long Sleeved Shirt (provided by Ms. Meeks)

Bottoms: Plain Solid Black Leggings (no patterns, labels, be sure they are not see through)

Undergarments: Black or Nude (should not be seen through costume)

Shoes: Pirouettes/Turners

Accessories:

3rd Hour Dance Survey- Nerd Vibes (Geekin’)

BE YOUR BEST NERD! Below are appropriate options for outfits. Be colorful and fun!

Tops: short or long sleeved button up (oxford shirt), T-shirt with funny/appropriate sayings, cartoons, etc.

Bottoms: Slacks, jeans, skirts (easy to move in with shorts or leggings underneath)

Undergarments:

Shoes: Clean tennis shoes/sneakers (not the shoes you wore outside for the day), fun socks

Accessories: Glasses, suspenders, bow ties, belts, etc. (Ms. Meeks has some accessories that can be signed out and returned)

4th Hour Tap: You Don’t Have to Say (Cry Me a River)

Color Palette: Black Top, Jeans

Acceptable Patterns: Solid, thin stripes, flannel

Tops: Long sleeves or ¾ sleeves- Leotard, crop tops (minimal midriff showing/no belly button or lower abdomen showing)

Bottoms: Jeans

Undergarments: Nude or Black Undergarments

Shoes: Black socks, Black Lace Up or Slip on Tap Shoes

Accessories:

5th Hr Technique/Repertoire II Ballet: Wintertide

FEMALE DANCERS

Tops: Black Leotards

Bottoms: Black Asymmetrical Ballet Skirts (provided by Ms. Meeks), Ballet Pink footed ballet tights (no runs or holes)

Undergarments: Nude undergarments (please pin to dress straps)

Shoes: Ballet Pink shoes (tuck in the laces)

Accessories: Hair must be in bun or double braided NO Ponytails for Ballet

MALE DANCERS

Tops: Black long sleeve button up Shirt tucked into pants

Bottoms: Black slacks w/black belt

Undergarments:

Shoes: Black Socks, Black Ballet Shoes (tuck in laces)

Accessories:

5th Hr Technique/Repertoire II Jazz: Star Struck

FEMALE DANCERS

Tops: Black leotard, crop top, tank top, long or short sleeved fitted top (may have mesh, fishnet or solid) May not be baggy.

Bottoms: Fuchsia Metallic leggings

Undergarments: Nude (for white, gray or yellow top) or black undergarments

Shoes: Black long socks or black footed tights, Black jazz shoe

Accessories:

MALE DANCERS

Tops: Black long sleeve button up Shirt tucked into pants

Bottoms: Black slacks w/black belt

Undergarments:

Shoes: Black Socks, Black Jazz Shoes

Accessories: Tie/Accessory will be provided

6th Hour: Dance Company: Lessons

FEMALE DANCERS

Tops: Charcoal Long sleeve turtle neck (will be provided)

Bottoms: Black Split Gaucho pants (will be provided)

Undergarments: Black shorts/undergarments

Shoes: Bare foot

Accessories:

MALE DANCERS

Tops: Charcoal long sleeve turtle neck (will be provided)

Bottoms: Black joggers

Undergarments: Black undergarments

Shoes: Bare foot

Accessories:

6th Hour: Dance Company: Let’s Surrender

FEMALE DANCERS

Tops: Olive Green Rompers (will be provided); long or short sleeve undershirt: Tan, Beige, or Oatmeal

Bottoms: Tan stirrup or footless tights

Undergarments: Nude undergarments

Shoes: turners/pirouettes

Accessories:

MALE DANCERS

Tops: Olive Green Long sleeve shirt (will be provided)

Bottoms: Tan/khaki or brown joggers or pants stretchy to dance in

Undergarments:

Shoes: Tan Jazz Shoes

Accessories: