Welcome!
We’re thrilled to present our latest dance show and want to give you an inside look at the months of planning and hard work that go into bringing this performance to life. We hope this timeline helps you appreciate every step we take to ensure the best experience for our dancers and you, their families.
June & July: Choosing Themes and Music

Brainstorming Themes
Each year, we begin by selecting four themes that will guide our music, costumes, and choreography. This year’s themes include Throwbacks, Animation, Divas, and (of course) a Taylor Swift section—reflecting current trends and our teachers’ passions.
Song Selections
Our teachers and students collaborate on song ideas, drawing from requests, class warm-ups, favorite musicals, research on music apps and specialised forums for children’s dance routines. We aim for a blend of classic hits that grandparents and parents will know, alongside modern tunes that excite our young dancers.
Booking our Theatre & Suppliers
July & August: Choreography Creation

Teacher Collaboration
Our team (Layla, Ffion, Eleri, and Caitlin) works on choreographing routines that blend curriculum requirements with fun, challenging steps.
Fine-Tuning
The teachers meet during the summer holidays to share ideas, finalise pieces, and film choreography. This ensures consistency across classes when we start teaching in the Autumn.
First Draft of Formations
Even before classes start learning the dances, we create a rough plan of who will be where in the set formations. As our instructors begin teaching, we watch how students adapt to choreography and move dancers around to complement their strengths.
September: Classes Resume & Costumes Shortlisted
Learning the Routines
As soon as our dancers return, we start teaching and solidifying the choreography in class. Some groups may need a bit longer than we allocate, while others catch on quickly.
Costume Shortlists
We start researching to create a shortlist of costumes that match each dance’s style and theme. We also check color variety and keep each piece to a manageable budget for parents. This stage takes weeks of work and is one of the trickiest parts of this stage of the preparations. We’re committed to keeping show costs low, so our budget is carefully managed; we must source costumes strategically from hire sites and catalogues.
Allocating Classes to Shows: This is when we create the detailed breakdown of which class appears in which show. Using our class lists, we pay special attention to children who are in multiple classes or have siblings in the school. This step can involve hours of spreadsheet juggling! We work hard to place classes into different shows in a way that creates a balanced mix of ages and styles, while also minimising the number of shows for siblings or students with multiple classes. With over 300 dancers, this is no small feat—but we’re proud that most families end up in the same or back-to-back shows.
October: Show Newsletter & Key Updates
Parent Information
We send out our first detailed show newsletter sharing which show or shows children are in, reminding parents about the show date, and sharing information on times, fees, costume updates, and any extra details about photography and videography.
November: Finalising Participation & Formations
Confirming Dancers
By mid-November, we have a clear picture of who will be performing. This allows us to finalise costume numbers and confirm or adjust orders with hire sites.
Refining Formations
We continue fine-tuning each routine’s staging to accommodate new insights about the students’ progress and any changes in class numbers.
Formations & Quality Control
Teachers collaborate on formation charts, ensuring everyone is visible and has a chance to be in the front row.
Late November & December: Recording & Practice
Filming for YouTube
We record each class’s routine and upload the videos to our Youtube channel so students can practice at home. Thank you to all parents who encourage home practice. It truly makes a difference!
Costumes & Payments
All final payments to our suppliers are made in December, and we do a thorough review to ensure costume sizes, styles, and availability are correct.

December:
Formation Lock-In
By December, we finalise and quality-check all formations to ensure fairness across every class. This includes confirming line switching so each child has a chance to shine:
Younger Students: They follow set lines (1 through 4), guaranteeing each student is in the front for at least one dance.
Older Students: We incorporate transitional choreography, ensuring they get front positions in at least one or two dances.
January: Ticket Sales & Running Order
Ticket Release
In early January, we release tickets and send out an updated show prep email, reminding parents about rehearsal times, optional extras like photos or videos, and any last-minute uniform needs.
Running Order
We carefully schedule each show, balancing costume changes, and ensuring minimal quick-change chaos backstage for our multiple-class dancers.
Rehearsal at the Show Venue
We schedule rehearsals at the show venue for each group. This helps children become familiar with the venue and build their excitement. Our technician is present to test lighting cues and music, and address any technical issues. It’s also a great opportunity for dancers to practice formations under real stage conditions.
February: Showtime!

Preparing Costumes for the Show!
Our hired costumes arrive and rooms in Eleri's house become dedicated to the show (covered in sequins and glittering costumes). Eleri, Ffion, and Sian dedicate hours to ironing, organising, and packing each piece so that backstage runs seamlessly. This meticulous preparation helps our staff quickly locate and distribute costumes on show day, minimising stress for dancers and chaperones.
Rehearsals & Performance
The final week includes lots of final fun and focus in classes, last-minute costume checks, program creating, document printing, and backstage prep with our licensed chaperones. Then, it’s time to shine on stage!
Post-Show: Reflection & Celebration
Show Reflection Week
Once classes resume, starting this year we will dedicate a special week to watch performance footage with the children. Dancers will discuss what went well, how they might improve, and offer compliments to their friends.
Award Ceremony
Every performer receives recognition for their hard work. From overcoming stage nerves to helping friends backstage. Our teachers also meet to highlight every child’s achievements.
Looking Ahead
We record feedback in a shared document to keep track of what worked best and any improvements for next year’s show. The cycle begins again in June!
Line Switching & Inclusivity
We operate a ‘line switching’ system so that each child performs in front for at least one dance where possible. (Sometimes due to class absences this isn't always possible). Younger classes may have strict lines, while older classes incorporate transitions that allow everyone to experience the spotlight.
Our chosen auditorium has tiered seating, ensuring every child is visible on stage.
While each dance has a set costume, children can choose the version they prefer (with parental confirmation). Inclusivity and comfort are key!
A Note on Scheduling Challenges
We know it can be tricky balancing siblings and multiple classes. Our team works tirelessly to craft show schedules that accommodate as many families as possible. We appreciate your patience and flexibility if multiple shows are unavoidable. Your dancer’s wellbeing and enjoyment are always our top priorities.
Thank You!
Thank you for taking the time to learn about the extensive preparation that goes into our show. We are immensely proud of our students, and we’re so happy to share their hard work with you. Enjoy the performance!
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