Few important points for participants:
- You will need a good 1.5 hrs. to get ready. So, plan it accordingly. Please get ready at home and be at the premise at your call time. We have a small backsatge with just a tiny dressing room. So please complete all the dressing from home.
- Wear your mask, not your Mattel. The ear chain or Mattal comes in the way of the mask. So please don’t put your ear chains this year.
- Always wear a cycling tights or legging underneath your costume.
- Secure your long chain with safety pins.
- Lock your choker and long necklace behind with rubber bands so they don’t drop forward.
- Fake hair is tucked with the belt so that they don’t dangle around.
- Secure your ankle area of the pant with safety pins.
- Wear a Red round pottu/Bindi.
- Your blouse and dawani / dupatta tucked into your pants/skrit.
- Secure your fans with safety pins.
- Secure your dawani/dupatta like how you would for a saree on your shoulder and just around the chest, so they don’t slip.
- Secure all threads and flowers on the head with hair pins.
- No red colors or markers on your hands or legs. A nail polish or Henna applied previous day is ok.
- Participants will be given snack backstage after each performance. Feel free to get your own snack to eat backstage. If your child has any allergies, please get your own snack.
- It is better to dance on empty stomach. Have a good meal around 12.30 if you are performing in the first shift. Or a meal around 3.15, if you are performing after 5 pm.
Audience etiquette:
We thought this would be the perfect time to share with you our tips for awesome audience etiquette! Following these tips will help us ensure an enjoyable recital experience for everyone involved.
Tip #1: When entering the theater, take a quick note of where the exits are, just in case of an emergency.
Tip #2: Plan to turn off or silence all of your devices prior to the start of the show. The sounds and screens are very disruptive. Additionally, Flash photography is not permitted as it can be very distracting to the dancers. You may videotape dance, but be sure to be seated in your place.
Tip #3: It is courteous to applaud after each routine in the recital, but please avoid shouting or screaming as it can be distracting to both the dancers on stage and to other audience members.
Tip #4: There may be some high-energy routines where you are encouraged to clap. (Just remember: no hollering!)
Tip #5: Avoid entering or exiting the theater while there are dancers performing onstage. A good rule of thumb is to only move from your seat in between routines, if necessary.
Tip #6: Following Tip #5, if you have a baby or young child who is sitting with you and they become disruptive, please exit with them quickly and quietly between routines.
Tip #7: Refrain from talking or whispering with other audience members while the dancers are performing. Quick comments in between routines are OK!
Tip #8: Don’t litter. Please take care not to leave any belongings or trash behind so we do not incur an unexpected cleaning fee.
Tip #9: We encourage everyone to wear masks to keep themselves and others protected. All participants are encouraged to keep wearing their masks. Only take them off before your performance. We encourage you to label participant masks with their name to identify them. Also Mask litter is a new trend and we want to avoid that.
Natyam Academy of Performing Arts is known for being well-organized, gracious, and respectful of the places we rent. As members of our recital audience, your cooperation is much appreciated in helping us maintain this good standing! If you will be inviting other family members and friends to the show, please share these tips with them too.
As you enjoy the show, don’t forget that our students are dancing their hearts out for you and the rest of the audience! Show them your appreciation by following these tips and recognizing their hard work.
Please let us know if you have ANY questions before the big day!