Suzanne’s School of DanceFinal Show Letter

69 Swakeleys Road, Ickenham, Middlesex UB10 8DQ Tel 01895 631858

Dance Spectacular 2017!

Dear Pupils and Parents, AUTUMN TERM 2017

The show is now only a few weeks away and we are hard at work putting our final preparations into place. This letter contains all the information you will need – please read it carefully and ask a member of staff if anything is unclear. All information is also available on our website

Immediate attention required

  • It is important that all parents check the cast list to ensure that their child's name is spelled correctly as this list is used for the programme.
  • You will also need to know what dressing room your child is in.

These can be done in the shop where you will see a large list containing all this information.

Dressing Room Helpers

A sign-up sheet is on display in the shop. If you have not already done so and can spare some time please put your name down under your child’s dressing room. Please note that the role of a parent helper is to look after all children in their dressing room and not just their own child. New Helpers will need to be able to help on a dress rehearsal so you know what is required on the day of performance.

Tickets

A limited number of tickets are still available from the Beck Box Office (Tel: 020 8561 8371). Remember to buy a cast seat if your child is in only one half so they can watch the other half with you. Please note that the Beck does not permit children to sit on laps in the auditorium

Quick Changes

As usual a number of quick changes are necessary. Although we have tried to minimise this as much as possible it is unavoidable due to the large number of pupils doing several classes. Anyone who has a quick change will receive a letter explaining what to do. If you think your child has a quick change (3 numbers or less in which to get changed) and you do not receive a letter before the first rehearsal please let a member of staff know.

Before the first rehearsal…

  • Please check the running order on display in the shop and inform us if there are any clashes.
  • Make sure you have paid your production fee and costume money in full. We regret that costumes cannot be handed over until they have been paid for.
  • Label all costumes and props with your child’s name.
  • Please check that the emergency contact details we have are up to date – it may be some

time since you supplied them.

On the day…

  • Please treat dress rehearsals as though they were performances.
  • Performers should arrive in their first costume with hair and make-up done.
  • Unless the class teacher has specified otherwise, all ballet dancers should have their hair in a bun and all other performers should have their hair in a neat ponytail with no accessories (unless part of the costume).
  • No jewellery will be permitted on stage and staff will not look after valuables so please do not wear jewellery or bring anything of value to the theatre.
  • Please do not bring any non-essential items to the theatre as we are very limited on space and possessions are easily lost.
  • All dressing room supervisors will be wearing ID badges and no-one will be permitted to enter dressing rooms or the backstagearea without ID.It will not be possible for parents to visit their children during the performance. This is to ensure your child’s safety.
  • On arrival in the foyer please sign your child in at his/her dressing room number with the with the dressing room supervisor.
  • If your child suffers from asthma, severe allergies or any other medical condition which may require intervention, please hand over their labelled medication to the dressing room supervisor along with instructions for use.
  • No-one will be permitted to enter the auditorium during rehearsals and the foyer is likely to be closed during rehearsals. We therefore ask that you leave the theatre after handing your child over to their dressing room supervisor.
  • Releasing children to their parents/guardians can be a lengthy process. This is to ensure your child’s safety and we would appreciate your co-operation and patience.

Arrangements for arrival and collection

All rehearsals and shows take place at the Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes, Middlesex UB3 2UE. On arrival, performers should sign in with their designated dressing room supervisor in the foyer.

Performers in the Matinee Show
1st Half Performers
  • Thursday 19 October Dress rehearsal arrive 4pm or as early as possible straight from school to be collected at 5.30pm
  • Friday 20 October Dress rehearsal arrive 4pm or as early as possible straight from school to be collected at 5.30pm
  • Saturday 21 October arrive 12.30pm in costume to be collected at interval at 2.40pm
Children in the Green Room will be released from the double doors next to the bar. All other performers will be released from the double doors next to the ticket desk.
2nd Half Performers
  • Saturday 21 October arrive 2.30pm in full costume to be picked up at 4.15pm
Children in the Board Room will be released from the double doors next to the ticket desk. All other performers will be released from the double doors next to the bar.
Performers in the Evening Show
1st Half Performers
  • Thursday 19 October Dress rehearsal arrive 4pm or as early as possible straight from school to be collected at 6.30pm
  • Friday 20 October Dress rehearsal arrive 4pm or as early as possible straight from school to be collected at 6.30pm
  • Saturday 21 October arrive at 6pm in costume to be picked up at 8.20pm
Dressing Rooms 2, 3, 4, 5 & Green Room will be released from the double doors next to the bar.
Dressing Rooms 1, 6, 7, 8 & Board Room will be released from the double doors next to the ticket desk.
We regret that it will not be possible for 1st half performers to be in the 2nd half finale and therefore they mustbe collected after the 1st half if they are not also performing in the 2nd half.
2nd Half Performers
  • Thursday 19 October Dress rehearsal arrive at 6.30pm to be collected at 8.30pm
  • Friday 20 October Dress rehearsal arrive at 6.30pm to be collected at 8.30pm
  • Saturday 21 October arrive at 8pm in full costume to be picked up at 10pm
Dressing Rooms 2, 3, 4, 5 & Green Room will be released from the double doors next to the bar.
Dressing Rooms 1, 6, 7, 8 & Board Room will be released from the double doors next to the ticket desk.

Collection times are approximate and while we will do our best to stick to them it may sometimes be necessary to overrun, particularly on dress rehearsals.

Please note that for Dress Rehearsals children in both the matinee 1st half and 2nd half will not finish until about 8.30pm so will need a packed lunch.

Please note that children performing in both the Matinee and Evening shows MUST be collected after the Saturday Matinee as staff will not be on site to supervise them in between shows. They can be taken away for refreshment or use the foyer menu and relax there

If you have any questions regarding the show please speak to Suzanne or Rachel in the shop.

Best wishes, Suzanne