What kinds of dancewear and makeup do I need for Nutcracker?

If this is your (or your child’s) first year participating in a big stage production, it can be a little daunting to get all of your supplies.  What you will need really depends on what parts you will be dancing, but the truth is that you probably really don’t need quite as much as you think you do, and you can use some of the things that you already have.  The dance company will not expect you to obtain any items that are not readily available at department stores or dancewear stores. 

Here are the basic things that all dancers usually need, but specific varieties vary with gender and role.  Always check with your director about exactly what you need; do not purchase items just because I suggested them.

1.  Tights.  For most roles, male and female dancers will need to bring their own tights in nude, white, black, or pink.  If the role requires a unique color of tights, the company should provide them.  I highly recommend purchasing at least 2 new pairs of tights before opening night.  It is not necessary to wear “fresh out of the package” tights to each show, but they do need to be clean, not torn, and not faded from lots of washing.

2.  Costume underwear.  You will have to bring whatever it is you will be wearing under your costume, if anything.  Many female roles require a bra, dance briefs, or a nude leotard.  Male roles often require a dance belt and a tight fitting t-shirt or tank top.  Dancers are usually free to use items that they already own; you do not have to go buy a new pair of briefs or t-shirt unless nothing that you already own will work.  Once you acquire a nude leotard or pair of ballet pink briefs, that item will continue to work for all of your performances until it wears out or you outgrow it.

3.  Dance shoes.  You will have to bring your own dance shoes to the performance (unless you are performing barefoot or are using specialized footwear provided by the company).  I recommend getting new shoes (flat ballet, pointe, jazz) a few weeks before the performance and breaking them in so they will be clean and formed to your foot during the performance.  Character, ballroom, and tap shoes don’t have to be new, just clean.  If you are required to have a special color of ballet shoes, purchase a white pair and dye them.  If you need a special color of pointe shoes, you can color them with fabric markers (see my article about coloring ballet shoes here: ). 

4.  Hair “stuff.”  This includes all gel, hairspray, bobby pins, clips, hairnets, extensions, and items that you use to get your hair ready for the stage.  If you will be wearing a hat, wig, or special hairpiece, the company will provide it for you.

5.  Makeup.  All performances that take place in a big theater will require stage makeup for all dancers.  Regardless of age and gender, dancers will need some form of foundation, eye shadow, eyeliner, blush, and lipstick.  Additionally, older girls and women will need mascara, false lashes, and bronzer.  The particular type, color, and sometimes brand of the products will be specified by the company.

That is really all that dancers need.  If this is your (or your child’s) first time performing (and expensive pointe shoes are not involved), expect to spend about $100 on tights, costume underwear, dance shoes, and makeup.  For subsequent shows, you only need to refresh tights, some types of shoes, and expired makeup products.  Expect to spend about $50.

Young dancers (under age 12 or so) are usually placed together in tight dressing rooms with little extra space, so it is important that they not bring too many extraneous items.  They can get dropped off at the theater already wearing their tights and costume underwear under their clothes and with their hair and makeup already done (except for lipstick—always apply after getting in costume for less mess).  They will need a small tote containing dance shoes, lipstick, and extra hair things like spray and pins.  A water bottle and a snack are also good things to pack, but not entirely necessary.  Most theaters have water fountains, and companies will usually provide “emergency” light snacks and entertainment like blank paper and colored pencils. 

Teen and adult dancers who perform more numerous and advanced parts often need more supplies, and they are usually placed in more spacious dressing rooms with only a few other dancers.  See my “what to take to the theater with you” article here. 

Happy Thanksgiving and Welcome Nutcracker

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I hope you had a fantastic day off if you are in the US and celebrating.  Official Nutcracker ballet performance season kicked off yesterday, so merde and good luck to all dancers participating in Nutcracker performances this year!

Brand Spotlight: Eurotard

This brand is geared toward simplicity.  Simple, usually modest styles are produced in soft fabrics so that dancers can choose (and studios can require) comfortable, attractive, inexpensive dancewear.

pronunciation	yuro-tard
website	eurotard.com
styles of dance included	ballet, jazz, modern/contemporary/lyrical, acrobatic/gymnastics
types of items	bodywear, warm-ups, accessories
country of origin	USA
price point	economy to moderate
quality	very good
availability	Widely available in the US in local dancewear stores, and somewhat available online.  Full selection on eurotard.com.
sizing	leotards/bodywear: cotton is usually true to size or a tad big.  Microfiber runs a bit small.
Jillian’s top pick	Adult microfiber camisole leotard.  Convertible straps and so many color choices!
Jillian’s item to avoid	Cotton basics leotards are great for kids, but tend to look young and cheap on teens and adults.

Leotard Legline Guidelines

I've referenced leotard leglines before as a huge factor in how a leo's size

and style work for different dancers.  To provide more clarification, this

guide will explain the differences between legline cuts and provide

commentary on some common brands.

Leotards generally come in two specific legline cuts: regular and high.

High cut leglines also go by different names like French cut, ballet cut,

and European cut.  It's rare to see a leotard legline specifically listed as

low, but I sometimes use the term to describe a brand's regular cut if it

has an extra-modest fit.

The generally accepted standard for a regular cut legline is one that comes

down an inch or so below the hip bone and hugs the back of the leg between

the butt and thigh.  High cut leglines usually come up to the hip bone in

the front while remaining the same as regular cut in the back.  This creates

the illusion of a longer leg since more of the front part of the leg is

visible. 

Most dancers who choose high cut leglines do so because they prefer the

longer-leg look.  This is especially flattering for dancers with long torsos

and shorter legs since it helps balance the proportions.  For dancers with

short torsos and long legs, high cut leglines are sometimes flattering, but

can also create an unbalanced look. 

Additionally, most leos with high cut leglines have larger leg holes.  This

causes them to sometimes ride up over the hip bones or slide up on the

backside.  Because of this, curvier dancers and very slender dancers often

have a harder time with high cut leglines.  These leotards may feel immodest

or unsecure.

As far as brands go, most have just a regular legline cut.  However, what

brands consider regular varies a lot.  Here's my analysis of the leglines of

some common brands.  

I've tried to include images to help you see what I'm talking about with how brands differ                    from each other, but since each leo is modeled by a different dancer, the differences in their                  bodies can sometimes make it difficult to see how each brand measures up.

Bloch

Bloch--moderate--curvy/extra slim dancers may have ride up, but most dancers

are well accommodated

Capezio

Capezio--Most styles (especially Team Basics) have a lower legline, which is

great for curvier dancers.  Also, cotton leotards tend to be slightly higher

cut than nylon/spandex blends.

Gaynor Minden

Gaynor Minden--definitely low, which is good for modesty, but can start to

get a shorter leg look.

Eurotard

Eurotard--also quite low.

Wear Moi

Wear Moi--very high cut, which creates a long pretty legline, but rides up

on pretty much everyone.

 

Grishko

Grishko-- Also fairly high cut.

Yumiko hight cut

Yumiko regular cut

Yumiko--Offers specifically regular and high cut options.  High cut is

similar to Wear Moi, regular is similar to Capezio.

Motionwear

Motionwear--It varies quite a bit depending on the style.  It seems to me

that older styles (pre-2015) have a higher cut legline, and new styles

(current) have a moderate cut. 

Mondor

Mondor--extremely high cut, rides above the hip bones for most dancers.

If you have a leotard that you love, but the legline is a little higher than

you like, here are some tips to wear it with confidence:

-Wear the leotard with tights over it (rather than leotard over tights).

Your skin will provide more friction than nylon dance tights, so the leo

will ride up less.  Wearing tights over top will help hold the leo down and

really prevent it from slipping.

-If you are required to wear leo over tights, wear a wrap skirt or warm-up

shorts over the leotard to cover up a little more.

-If you must wear the leo with nothing over the top of it, secure it to your

skin (or tights) using roll- on costume glue.  If you're wearing tights, you

can also make a couple of loose stitches to hold your leo to your tights and

therefore in place.  This is especially good for performances.

Is it ok to wear jewelry to dance class?

The common, general answer to this question is "no," but there are always exceptions and deeper explanations.  My answer is "it varies based on the style of dance and style of jewelry in question." (Note: Always obey dress codes and studio rules, even if they contradict what I say.)

There are three big reasons not to wear jewelry to dance.  1) It can be dangerous.  2)  It can look unprofessional.  3) It can impair technique.  Not all pieces of jewelry are dangerous, unprofessional, or impair technique, and some are harmful in some styles of dance and innocuous in others. 

If you do a style of dance that involves turns, jumps, fast movements, and/or moving close to other people, then all necklaces, all bracelets, large/hoop earrings, and large rings can be dangerous. They can fly off while you are moving and hit someone.  If you do partnering, pretty much any rings can be dangerous or impair technique.  It's more difficult to grab hands when rings could get in the way.  Rings with stones can scratch your partner during quick hand grabs.  For all styles of dance, large, heavy, or "swinging" jewelry can throw off your technique. 

For technique classes in ballet, jazz, tap, and modern, it's ok to wear small post earrings, small well-fitting rings, and secure watch-like wristwear like fitbits or heart monitors.  Leave all other jewelry at home.  For any partnering class or ballroom/Latin class, take off rings and wristwear.  Only wear small post earrings, and put post jewelry in any body piercings.

At auditions, summer intensives, or placement classes, it's important to look serious and professional.  Never wear ankle bracelets.  They look bad both under and over dance tights.  Show that you respect the rules and the safety of others by taking off all jewelry except small post earrings and subdued post body jewelry (small well-fitting rings are ok if there is no partnering).