Recital Notice

Recitals are optional

please read all information

before making a commitment

Dear Parents and Students,

For over two decades, Patricia Brosnihan Dance Center has provided students with an exciting performance experience through its Spring Recital. The annual staple of the dance school, the recital, conjures images of childhood and Americana for many. It's a rite of passage for thousands of youngsters, a chance to shine in front of family and friends that they anticipate with nervous excitement.

The recital offers our students a professionally directed performance that allows them to present to their families and friends the results of a year's hard work, dedication, and progress.

Dedication to recital commitments is the responsibility of both students and their parents. We've created this notice in an effort to clarify what we expect from you in terms of commitments and responsibility to the annual recital, the school, and other students and parents.

By allowing your child to participate in the Patricia Brosnihan Dance Center recital(s), you commit yourself and/or your child to the following dates and events.

Date	Activity	Where
October 30	Costume deposit 1^st payment	At the Dance Center
November 30	Costume Balance 2^nd Payment	At the Dance Center
April 1	Program ad packets available	At the Dance Center

TBA	Backstage Volunteers may purchase recital tickets	At the Dance Center

TBA	Program ad deadline	At the Dance Center
TBA	Recital tickets go on sale for everyone else	At the Dance Center
June 13 & 14	Mandatory Dress Rehearsals (Tentative Dates)	Algonquin High School
(Hopkinton) TBA (Grafton) TBA	Recital Photo day (Tentative Date)	At the Dance Center
June 15 & 16	Recitals (Tentative Date)	Algonquin High School

You must keep all the above dates available.
As the season progresses, additional recital information or updates will be in the bimonthly newsletters, and on the school bulletin board. Make it your responsibility to keep abreast of this important information. Our goal is to make the recital an organized, exciting experience for everyone involved. It's a team effort; students, their parents, the teachers, and the director are key players in the show's success.

Students in Multiple Classes

The first prioroty in scheduling the recitals is to have students who take two or more classes per week perform all their pieces in one performance. However, if a student takes two or more classes and the classes are at different levels (i.e. Ballet I and Tap PI/II) those students may end up performing each piece in different performances. If this occurs a maximum of three complimentary tickets will be given for the additional perfprmance.

Siblings in Different Classes

Every effort is made to have siblings perform in the same recital. However, this is never guaranteed because of the number of sets of siblings in the many scheduled classes. If siblings end up in different performances a maximum of three complimentary tickets will be given for the additional performance.

Costumes

We spend many hours determining the correct costumes for each class. They are always age-appropriate and of the highest quality possible. Students in the Preschool I, Preschool II, Ballet and Tap I and Ballet and Tap II levels will need one costume; all other students will need one costume for each subject they train in. Costumes include all accessories (hats, gloves, etc.), but not tights or shoes.

Costume Payments

In an effort to ensure that costumes are delivered in time for the recital photographs and recitals, costume orders are placed during the November holiday break. Costume manufacturers do not accept cancellations or offer refunds; therefore the dance center does not refund costume deposits or payments.

The cost of costumes is $65 for child sizes and $75 for adult sizes. Any special orders, including extra-large sizes, may require an additional charge (determined by the costume company). Additional charges are the sole responsibility of the parent or guardian. Accessories, such as headpieces or gloves, are included in the cost of the costume. Tights and shoes are not included.

Costume Payment Schedule For Each Costume Ordered

Size	October 30	November 30
Child	$45 Deposit	$20 Balance
Adult	$55 Deposit	$20 Balance
X-large Child sizes X-large Adult sizes	Additional charges may occur for these sizes.

Please note: If you are billed for a deposit of $45 for a child size costume and we need to order an adult size costume after taking measurements, your balance will be $30. The opposite is true. If you are billed for a deposit of $55 for an adult size costume and we need to order a child size costume after taking measurements, your balance will be $10.

***The Dance Center must pay for the costumes in full at the time of ordering. Therefore a costume will not be ordered without a costume deposit payment. Late costume deposits will result in a costume being ordered separate from the original costume order. Parents or guardians accept full responsibility for all expenses, including surcharges and postage for costumes that are ordered on a separate order form. Patricia Brosnihan Dance Center is not responsible for costumes that are not received in time for the recital due to late payments. All balances must be paid by November 30th. If there is a balance after this date additional fees may occur to cover administrative costs.

Please Note: Tuition fees must be up to date when costume order is placed. Money collected will go to any outstanding tuition bill first. This may result in a costume being ordered late as well.

Sizing and Alterations

Costume measuring begins during the last week in October, during scheduled class times. Each child will be measured in order to determine his or her proper costume size(s). Costumes are ordered with room to grow. Each size that a costume company uses is made to fit a range of shapes and sizes of dancers. The costumes are not custom made for each individual dancer. Therefore, most costumes will have some simple alteration that will need to be done. For example adjusting straps, hemming pants etc. If your child's measurements are on the higher side of a particular size, the costume ordered will be the next size up and additional alterations may need to be made. All alterations after the costumes have been distrbuted are the sole responsibilty of the parent or guardian.

Students are required to have the specific tights and shoes for the recital. To ensure that there are no discrepancies in color and style a list of required tights and shoes will be posted on the recital information board in Studio A's waiting room in April. It will be the responsibilty of the parent or guardian to look at this posted list. Tights are available at dancewear stores. Be sure to purchase the correct style and color. Please purchase new tights for the recital, and do not wear or wash them before the dress rehearsal or performance. (Note: Having a second pair of tights on hand offers students and parents a great sense of security.)

Dress Rehearsal

Participation in the dress rehearsal is mandatory. The dress rehearsal allows the students to become familiar with the auditorium surroundings and feel comfortable with their performance, costume(s), and being onstage. Lighting, music cues, set changes, and all other logistics for an organized and professional performance are rehearsed so that the students make the best impression possible. Students missing from the dress rehearsals will not be allowed to perform in the recital.

We run an organized and timely dress rehearsal. Dress Rehearsals are closed to observation. Only one parent or guardian will be allowed into the auditorium. Additional attendees will be subject to the full cost of a recital ticket. Younger siblings that are not dancers will not be allowed in the auditorium. Younger students will be scheduled for one rehearsal while older students may be scheduled for both. Rehearsal are scheduled in one hour blocks. Students are only required to be there during their blocked time only. More information on dress rehearsal will be posted on the studio bulletin board in April.

Recital Tickets

The cost of recital tickets are as follows:

$15.00 in advance
$18.00 at the door

***More information on the sale of tickets will be posted as the recital gets closer***

In an effort to create an organized and professional atmosphere, all tickets are reserved seating. Each member of the family must have a reserved seat. No children will be allowed to sit on a parent's lap. If younger siblings would be uncomfortable remaining seated for two hours, please don't bring them to the recital. Children who are running around the auditorium are distracting to audience members. All of our recitals are considered family entertainment and are less than two hours in length.

Recital Policies

No flash photography will be allowed at the rehearsals or recitals.

Security guards will ask you to bring any cameras back to your car. Flash photography is very disruptive and dangerous to the dancers on stage. Remember these dancers have worked hard all year to give their very best performance. Do not ignore this rule and potentially ruin the performance experience for the dancers.

Family members and friends are not allowed backstage or in the dressing rooms during rehearsals or the recital. The same applies before and after the show. There is a lot of backstage activity in a limited space, and dressing rooms are a private area. Please remind your family and guests to be respectful of these areas. Those who wish to greet a performer after the show or present flowers should do so in the lobby areas.

Recital Volunteer Information

Anyone interested in volunteering to help with the recitals is welcome. A volunteer form is required and will be given out as the recital grows closer. All volunteers must abide by the policies set forth by Patricia Brosnihan Dance Center. The recital weekend is a hectic experience; all volunteers must work in a cooperative manner at all times. Our backstage managers work very hard to put an efficient system in place, and we ask that all volunteers rely on their experience and follow their instructions.

You will receive an identification badge, which must be worn in the backstage area at all times. Please do not bring guests, including children, with you while you are volunteering.

Please note: With going to a new school this year a Cori form is not required!

Back Stage Classroom Volunteer Parent / Guardian

Two volunteers are required for each class to supervise the dancers. These volunteers do not need a recital ticket and will be able to watch their children perform from the front row of the auditorium but will not be able to watch the rest of the show. These volunteers must assure that each child in her care is safe and accounted for. They are responsible for making sure that each child is in the proper costume, has the proper accessories and shoes, and is backstage at the appropriate time. They are also responsible for seeing that all children return to their appointed dressing areas after their performance and will stay with them until the finale. After the finale the students will be returned to the volunteers once more before they are picked up by a parent. Please note: If any class is with out two volunteers by the end of March we will have to pick names out of a hat. The only names excluded from the hat are the names of the people who volunteered last year.

Due to severe food allergies of many of our students no food or drinks will be allowed into any of the designated back stage areas. We will allow only water.

Auditorium Rules

Absolutely no eating or drinking is allowed in the auditorium at any time. This rule is strictly enforced by the School Department.

Do not attempt to pick up your child during the performance. When they are not on stage all students will be under the supervision of responsible adults and will be safe for the length of the performance. All students are required to participate in the finale, which will be rehearsed during the last month of classes. Students are not allowed into the auditorium at any time during the performances. All dancers must remain back stage. No student will be dismissed from the back stage areas until after the finale of each performance. No Exceptions

Video

Video taping by one parent or guardian that accompanies the dance student at the dress rehearsal will be allowed. We will not be having the recital professionally video taped this year. Therefore videotaping at the recital will be allowed however, it must be done from your seat. No video equipment or persons are allowed in the front or side aisles at any time! This is per order of the fire department!

Mandatory Attendance

Each exciting lesson is important to the progress of every student. Regular attendance is mandatory through out the year. Students should schedule a make up class for any classes missed. Choreography for the recitals begins in January and is completed by April. Therefore, any student that misses two or more classes during these months and is not keeping up with the choreography will not be allowed to participate in the recitals. This decision will be determined by their dance instructor. No refunds will be given on costumes purchased.

Hair and Makeup

All female students are required to wear makeup for the recital: lipstick, blush, eye shadow, and mascara. (3- 5yr olds may skip mascare.)For the boys, a little blush works well.

Uniform hairstyles are required. A list of hair styles will be posted on the recital board in Studio A's waiting area in April. Again it is the reponsibilty of the parent or guardian to look at this list

Distribution

Costumes will be distributed after all outstanding balances for the season (including tuition) are paid in full. The deadline for all balances due is May 15th. To ensure that there are no costume problems, students should not wear their costumes, accessories, or tights prior to the photo session, dress rehearsal, or performance.

Withdrawal

No refunds will be made if a parent or guardian withdraws a child from the school after costumes have been ordered and prior to the recital. Parent or guardians may pick up purchased costumes at the school at the time of general costume distribution and up to 15 days after the performance. Costumes not picked up after 15 days will be donated to charity.