Over the past few months, everyone has been working hard to produce a fantastic show!  We are so excited to show everyone the wonderful routines we have been working on.

This document is mainly for anyone who has a child performing in the show, but also for our Adults who are performing.

Everyone performs in both the Matinee & Evening Performances

We hope the following information will help you to prepare your child/yourself for Rehearsals and Show Day!

Please ensure you read the document fully, and please complete the Statement of Fitness form at the bottom of the page!

ANIMALS
During the rehearsals & show day, each group will be described by an animal - we will be introducing the Animals into classes over the next few weeks. The group is described by the day of the class they attend, the age group and the venue (e.g. Mon Mini King).

FULL COSTUME LIST 
Please find links to a printable copy of the Running Order- which hairstyle, shoes and extra items that are needed for each dance.

The costumes & items you are hiring from TDC will be at the venue ready for you.

We are providing:
- Costumes,
- Tights/Socks
- Hair Accessories.

You will need to bring the correct dance shoes & anything mentioned in the ‘please provide’ section- if you are unsure please contact us by email. 

SHOES
Please ensure your son/daughter has the appropriate shoes for their dance. If you are unsure, please contact us.

Shoes can be purchased on the Parents Portal, we also have a selection of second-hand dance shoes. Please ensure if you purchase the shoes elsewhere, they are the same style as the shoes we sell.

Please remember to give your dance shoes a little clean before the big day!

Please ensure any flat ballet shoes have elastics (not ribbons)


FINALE OUTFIT
Please ensure you provide the following for your son/daughter to wear in the finale.

TDC T-shirt & your own brightly coloured leggings/ shorts.

TDC T-Shirts can be purchased via our Parents Portal.

The following groups will NOT need leggings/shorts- Koala, Elephants, Penguins & Bears. They will just pop their T-Shirt on over their last costume.

UNDERGARMENTS
Some costumes are made from thin material and therefore can show underwear underneath, we also do not want to spoil the look of the costumes.

With this in mind, could our pupils please wear-
Younger Pupils
Plain (no patterns) Flesh Coloured/ White underwear. 

Older Pupils (Juniors+)
Bra/ Crop Top- a flesh-coloured multiway bra, with plastic back/straps.
Flesh Coloured Seamless Underwear or a Flesh Coloured Thong.


MAKEUP
All performers (young and old) will be asked to wear ‘Show Make-Up’. Without make-up, professional lighting causes performers to look very pale on stage.

Please could all performers wear the following-
Foundation (a thick covering)
Brown/Gold Eyeshadow
Bright Red Lipstick

Feel free to wear more make-up including eyeliner, mascara, blushers etc.

BOYS- Please wear a foundation base.

Please ensure make-up is applied before you arrive at the venue.

We are asking children NOT to bring spare make-up. We will have spare if necessary.

If your child is allergic to certain make-up please pop it in your form below. (Seniors & Adults may bring their own make-up.)

JEWELLERY
No Jewellery to be worn, other than wedding/engagement rings, plain small studs if earrings cannot be removed, and any piercings that cannot be removed easily. If unsure, please check with Niki & Sophie.

Please remove Smart Watches or similar before arriving at the venues.

HAIR
Please arrive at rehearsals/show with your first dance hairstyle- please check the 1st Half Running order. If you are unsure please check with other parents/TDC Team.

The most important thing is to make sure the hair is off the face (no fringes), so hairspray, hair gel and kirby grips are essential! If you struggle with hair, please don’t be afraid to let us know and we can do it for you (remember to arrive as early as possible).

Boys- please have tidy and slick hair, so it does not fall in your son’s face.  


REHEARSALS & SHOW DAY
We have 175 children taking part in the Show, plus adult performers, and staff. Please be patient and understanding at all times with our Backstage Team.

Our aim at all times is to ensure everyone is safe and happy. It takes hours and hours to organise the backstage to ensure it runs smoothly.

Every child must be signed in & out at every rehearsal & performance by a parent/guardian. We have implemented a password system this year, you will pick a password and enter it into the form at the bottom of the page. You will need to give this to the Chaperone when collecting your child.

If you are running late please TEXT Sophie on 07868 656307, with your child’s full name, your name and how long you will be. We will keep the children safe at the venue.

We will have staff in High Vis Jackets to help direct you.

SIGN IN
We will have separate Colchester & Braintree sign-in desks, and these will be arranged in surname order.

SIGN OUT
Each group will have a designated sign-out adult, who will bring the children to their designated sign-out area. We will have people around to direct you. This hopefully will mean everyone is signed out as quickly as possible.  Please do not take your child without signing them out. You will need to give your Password to collect your child.

TIMINGS 

SUNDAY 23rd JUNE – 8.45am- 4.30pm- Colchester County High School for Girls, Norman Way, Colchester, CO3 3US

Individual and Group Photos will be taken. There will be a chance for mixed groups to practice together.

Colchester Classes will be in attendance between 9.15am & 1.30pm, Braintree Classes will be in attendance between 12.15pm and 4.15pm

MORNING SESSION- COLCHESTER/ ADVANCE ADULTS/ ADULT TAP/ LIONS

Arrive with Makeup and Hair ready for your first dance (please check the 1st half running order) .

Please bring your finale outfit.

To Arrive at 8.45am
Advanced Adults
Adult Tap
Lion
Morning Session Chaperones/ Supervised Adults

To Arrive at 9.15am-
Elephants
Sharks
Sheep
Parrots
Penguin

To Arrive at 9.30am-
Rabbit
Koala
Horse
Bears

Collect at 1.30pm-
Elephants
Sharks
Sheep
Parrots
Penguin
Rabbit
Koala
Horse
Bears

AFTERNOON SESSION- BRAINTREE/ IGNITE/ ADVANCE ADULTS/ ADULT TAP/ LIONS

Arrive with Makeup and Hair ready for your first dance (please check the 1st half running order) .

Please arrive in your finale outfit.

To Arrive at 12.15pm
Afternoon Session Chaperones/ Supervised Adults

To Arrive at 12.30pm-
Tigers
Dolphins
Ducks
Starfish
Giraffes

To Collect at 4pm-
Tigers
Dolphins
Ducks
Starfish
Giraffes

To Collect at 4.30pm-
Lions

If you would like a sibling/ family group photo, please complete the form at the bottom of the page.

FRIDAY 28th JUNE- 4.15pm – 9.15pm - MERCURY THEATRE, COLCHESTER

Adults/ Adult Tap/ Chaperones/ Supervised Adults- If you are able to please arrive from 3.30pm.

Everyone else is to arrive between 4.15pm - 4.45pm. 

We understand people will be coming straight from School/Work and travelling from different locations. Please arrive as promptly as possible- if you are unable to arrive before 4.45pm- please complete the form at the bottom of the page.

We would recommend children eat a School Dinner/hot meal for lunch and bring a packed lunch for dinner!

During the last show in 2022, some parents took children out of school a little earlier, if you need a letter to support this, please let us know and we can provide this.

We will be having a Health & Safety Briefing for the whole school at 5pm. We will then practice the finale and then start the Show.

This Rehearsal will be a straight run-through of the Show- basically the show with no audience! During each dance Rob, our photographer will be taking Live photography shots.

Please arrive with Makeup and Hair ready for your first dance & in your Finale outfit.

If you need help with hair & make-up, please complete the form at the bottom of the page.

Mini Pupils –
Please arrive to collect your child at 7.45pm- please be patient and stand in the designated areas for your child’s age. Please listen for directions from our backstage team.

Everyone Else-
Please arrive to collect your child at 9pm - please be patient and stand in the designated areas for your child’s age. Please listen for directions from our backstage team.

 SATURDAY 29TH JUNE- SHOW DAY- 1pm-  9.15pm - MERCURY THEATRE, COLCHESTER


Adults/ Adult Tap/ Backstage Team- If you are able to please arrive from 12.30pm

Everyone else please arrive between 12.45pm and 1.15pm.  

Please arrive with Make-Up and Hair ready for your first dance.
If you need help with hair & make-up, please complete the form at the bottom of the page.

Please collect your child at the end of the Matinee Performance at approximately 4.45pm.

Children can leave their belongings in the venue during this time.

EVENING SHOW

Please arrive back at the venue between 5.45pm & 6pm.

Please collect your child at the end of the Evening Performance at approximately 9.15pm.

If you are unable to collect your children between Shows- please let us know in writing beforehand.

PLEASE NOTE – Only members of our backstage team will be allowed to enter the venues. Please prepare your children beforehand.  

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND A REHEARSAL OR ARE ONLY ABLE TO ATTEND FROM A PARTICULAR TIME, PLEASE EMAIL INFO@TAYLORSDANCECOMPANY.CO.UK

 WHAT TO BRING

We would recommend bringing a named box/mini suitcase- this is so the children can put all their belongings in the box during the day. The children must be able to carry this themselves!

Please make sure EVERYTHING is named!!!

Please bring the following items-
+ dressing gown/cover up- to wear over costumes- nothing that goes over the head due to hairstyles. We recommend an old Shirt or T-shirt cut down the middle to make a jacket, cooler than a dressing gown.
+ hairbrush
+ dance shoes
+ finale outfit (TDC T-shirt & bright coloured bottoms)
+ Packed Lunch/Dinner, snacks & plenty of drinks
+ Games or Crafts (to avoid boredom)
+ Medication if needed (to be handed in at sign in desk, clearly named with dosage instructions)
+ Seniors & Adults- may bring spare make-up, hairspray etc.

FOOD & DRINK
Please ensure you have packed enough food & drink for your child for the whole rehearsal/showtime.
We would prefer for you NOT to include the following items in your child’s refreshments (costumes and the below do not mix well!)

- no chocolate
- no cartons/ cans
- no strong coloured drinks (avoid fizzy, ribena, blackcurrant etc.)
- no food items containing nuts (we have a child with a nut allergy onsite)
- no chewing gum

MAKE UP- MINI/ PRIMARY/ JUNIORS
This year we asked for our younger pupils NOT to bring spare make up/hairspray/gel. We will have spare make up/hairspray etc. if we feel it needs touching up. If your child has allergies to make up please pop it in the form below and we will contact you to discuss.

Our Senior Pupils and Adults are welcome to bring spares.

ENTERTAINMENT
Although the day will go quite quickly, to avoid boredom, please make sure you pack some simple games & crafts.

- Please do not bring felt pens, paint or glue
- Please do not bring anything you would be upset to lose or get broken (children are children at the end of the day)
- Please name everything

THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Please do not bring anything of value or sentimental value to rehearsals.
- Please no electronic items, phones, ipads, kindles, smart watches or fitbits etc.
- Please no strong coloured or staining foods/drinks
- Please bring a cover up/dressing gown
- Please bring a box/suitcase to store items.
- Games & Crafts- no paint, glue and felt pens
- Please NAME everything (may have said this a few times!!!)

MOBILE PHONES/ ELECTRONICS
Due to safeguarding, we have been advised to not allow the use of mobile phones in the dressing rooms.
We would ask for children to refrain from bringing electronic items (especially the younger children). Older children must hand their electronic items to their chaperone, these will be kept in a box and the children will be allowed to use their items at designated times. Please ensure your child’s phone is named.

We take the safeguarding and safety of the children very seriously; we will hope you will support us in this decision.

SHOW VIDEO

AROUND THE WORLD will be filmed at the Mercury Theatre.
Remember the children don’t get to see the show at all, or their own dances!
It’s a lovely memory for them to keep throughout their lives.

You can either purchase a DVD, Blu-Ray, USB, or Online Streaming!

There will be a QR code to order on the day too!

This must be purchased by Friday 5th July 2024.

These will be ready at some point in July/August- we will provide a collection point in Colchester/Braintree.

As I am sure you can imagine, this is a very busy and stressful time for the TDC Team. Please save this page somewhere safe, please talk to your fellow Dance Parents to ask questions & lastly use the Facebook pages to ask questions- another parent may be able to answer more quickly than us!

We understand some parents’ concerns about the length of time the children stay on site. In previous shows, our youngest performers of two or three years old have had a lovely time, staying awake the whole time! It is a one-off special occasion, and if your child is really distressed or upset, we will call you.

STATEMENT OF FITNESS FORM

Please complete the below form to comply with safeguarding procedures:

+Adults please complete your name in the child’s name section, and put n/a in the parents/guardians section

+Please provide two emergency contacts where possible, please put n/a if you are unable to provide a 2nd contact.

+Please ensure your/your child's name is spelt correctly- this will be what we use for the Programme & DVD.

TERMS & CONDITIONS
Taylor’s Dance Company cannot undertake any responsibility for any money or articles left behind or any liability for lost or stolen items.

We recommend bringing only essential items to the Show.

Taylor’s Dance Company takes as much care as possible to ensure a safe experience and environment for all participants. This includes ensuring all equipment; props and dance space are safe for practice and having the appropriate public liability insurance. We have a risk assessment available to view.

Parents & guardians are responsible for letting Taylor’s Dance Company know of any allergies (food or skin related) or medical conditions. We cannot be responsible for claims for injury, damage, or loss if we have not been told in advance.