NEWS FROM THE FACTORY FLOOR

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

CONCERT 2021

Dear Families,

Thank you for the support and enthusiasm for our 2021 Concert Season. We are so appreciative of your understanding for our Junior Show to be moved to the 12th December in two exciting shows at 11am and 2pm, followed by our special Performance Showcase at 5pm for soloists and troupes. Fortunately, no changes needed to be made to our Senior Concert scheduled for Monday, 13th December commencing at 7pm.

Tickets will go on sale from Monday, 29th November. A separate email will be sent out once DRTCC has confirmed all the details. We are so appreciative of your flexibility and patience during this period of Covid restrictions.

COSTUME COLLECTION will commence from Friday, 26th November for families who have paid tuition fees and costume fees. Please make this a priority.

READY SET BALLET & READY SET DANCE STUDENTS CAN COLLECT AT END OF CLASSES from Friday, 26th November until Wednesday, 1st December.

Costume Collection for all other classes Friday, 27th November 4pm- 7pm. Saturday, 28th November 1-3pm. Please queue at the Stepping Out Dancewear Depot door.

Due to the necessity of utilising the Convention Centre, our Junior Dress & Technical Rehearsal will now be held on Thursday 2nd Dec.

Our Senior Rehearsal will be held on Friday, 3rd December.

OH THE PLACES YOU WILL GO - JUNIOR SHOW

SUNDAY, DEC 12th 11am & 2pm

Students in the Junior Show Rehearsal will need to be accompanied by a double vaccinated member of their household who will stay with the performer for the duration of the rehearsal.

Entry for this rehearsal will be by the Darling St entry rather than backstage Carrington Ave entry as in previous years. Guardians and performers will be housed in the Convention Centre and children will be called to the stage as required by teachers. Students will then be returned to the parent at the close of their rehearsal or if necessary for their next costume change. Please note that the theatre is requesting this be just ONE member of your household to adhere to Covid capacity. Guardians will be required to socially distance.

Guidelines as specified by DRTCC:

Anyone entering the venue over 16 years of age (front of house or backstage) must be double vaccinated or provide proof of exemption.

Children under 16 who are not vaccinated must be accompanied by a double vaccinated member of their household (front of house or backstage). The household member must remain with them at all times except when performing or rehearsing on stage.

· Check-in will be required when entering the venue.

Masks are mandatory for all attendees and staff except when performing on stage or eating or drinking.
Capacity is now 100% in the auditorium as it has fixed and ticketed seating.
1 per 2 sqm rule applies backstage. SODF employees do not need to be included in this total.
Please be mindful there is strictly no photography backstage, onstage or in dressing room areas.

DRESS REHEARSAL TIMETABLE - THURSDAY 2nd December

Please arrive dressed 15 mins prior to the commencement of the rehearsal so we can settle the students, say their goodbyes and take them into the auditorium. They will be dismissed at the close of their rehearsal and taken through stage doors to the Convention Centre to meet their accompanying guardian.

We also appreciate that it’s a busy time of year and people work and there is the rush after school so we understand that the students may not be picture perfect. We know they will look absolutely beautiful on the days of the concert. We do ask that if you are unsure of hair and make up that you do practise on the dress rehearsal days so we can best guide you.

3.00 - 4.00 pm - ALL RSD & RSB Ballet Students, Tiny Tumblers

4.00- 4.45pm Classical Ballet Students Pre- Primary, Primary, Grade 1, Grade 2 , Grade 3

4.45- 5.15pm Junior Hip Hop, Intermediate Hip Hop

5.15- 6.00pm 5/ 6 years Jazz, 7 & 8 years Jazz, 10 years Jazz

6.00- 6.30pm Primary Acro, Level 1 Acro, Level 2 & 3Acro

6.30 - 7.00pm Junior Tap, Intermediate Tap , Intermediate Musical Theatre

7.00- 7.30pm Junior Contemporary, Intermediate Contemporary

7.30- 8.30pm 12 years Jazz, 10 years Performance, Junior Opening

ACTS FEATURED IN JUNIOR SHOW ( And Stocking & Shoe requirements)

5/6 years Jazz - Nurses ( Tan stockings and camel jazz shoes)

7/8 years Jazz- Firefighters ( Tan stockings and camel jazz shoes)

10 years Jazz- Police ( Tan stockings and camel jazz shoes)

Junior Hip Hop- Lifeguards/ Baby Sharks ( Tan stockings and plain white sneakers)

Tiny Tumblers- Superheroes ( bare legs and feet)

Primary Acro- Racing Car Drivers ( tan stockings and camel jazz shoes)

Level 1 Acro- Car Wash ( tan stockings and camel jazz shoes)

Junior Tap- Post Office ( tan stockings and black tap shoes)

Intermediate Tap- Sailors ( tan stockings and black tap shoes)

Saturday RSD- Graduates ( stockings and ballet shoes/ or jazz shoes)

Saturday RSB- Tooth Fairies ( ballet stockings and ballet shoes)

Friday RSB- Barnyard Ballet / Farmers ( Ballet stockings and ballet shoes)

10 years Performance- Superheroes Avengers ( tan stockings and shoes depending on costumes)

Intermediate Musical Theatre- Matilda the Musical (tan stockings/ white socks and white sneakers. Boys black canvas shoes or black jazz shoes)

Pre-Primary/ Primary- Hairdressers & Barbers ( ballet stockings and ballet shoes)

Grade 1- Maids ( ballet stockings and ballet shoes)

Grade 2- Teachers ( ballet stockings and ballet shoes)

Grade 3- Marching Band ( Ballet stockings and ballet shoes)

Junior Contemporary- Artists ( capri tights)

Junior Opening- Flight Attendants ( tan stockings and camel jazz shoes)

Intermediate Contemp- Tribute to the Frontline ( bare feet)

Friday RSD- Deejays ( stockings and ballet shoes/ or jazz shoes)

Intermediate Hip Hop- Astronauts ( white sneakers)

RSD Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday- Explorers & Flamingoes ( stockings and ballet shoes/ or jazz shoes)

Level 2/ 3 Acro 11 years & Under- Acrobats ( bare feet)

OH THE PLACES YOU WILL GO - SENIOR SHOW

DRESS & TECH REHEARSAL FRIDAY 3rd Dec 4.30- 7pm

Please note that performers will enter from backstage entrance in Carrington Ave. All students in Senior Show will be required for the duration of the rehearsal. This will be rehearsed as per running order ( which will be supplied to you in class prior to rehearsal)

Acts featured in Senior Show are as follows;

12 years Jazz- Walk like an Egyptian ( tan stockings and camel jazz shoes)

14 years Jazz- Sushi ( tan stockings and black jazz boots)

Pre- Senior Tap - Rio ( tan stockings and black tap shoes)

Grade 4- Mexico ( ballet stockings and ballet shoes)

Inter Foundation Ballet- Arabia ( ballet stockings and ballet shoes)

Intermediate Ballet - Paris ( ballet stockings and ballet shoes)

Advanced Ballet- I was Here ( ballet stockings and ballet shoes)

Pointe- Rome ( ballet stockings and pointe shoes)

Senior Tap- Spain ( black tap shoes)

Senior Hip Hop- Gasolino ( white sneakers)

Senior Modern - Leaving on a Jet Plane ( capri tights)

Senior Musical Theatre - Greece ( jazz boots)

Senior Acro- Africa

Senior Jazz- Germany ( tan tights and black jazz boots)

Graduating Soloists

Pre- Senior Hip Hop - Tourists PLEASE NOTE THAT STUDENTS ARE MAKING UP THEIR OWN FUN TOURIST COSTUME FOR THIS ROUTINE.

Pre-Senior Lyrical - Australia ( Capri Tights)

Pre-Senior Musical Theatre - USA ( Tan stockings and white sneakers )

MOVE- PERFORMANCE SHOWCASE

12th Dec 5pm

All information pertaining to your performance will be published directly to the SODF PERFORMANCE & SOLOIST FACEBOOK GROUP.

HAIR & MAKE UP DETAILS

Please note that our blog has a very comprehensive guide to Make Up & Hair. Go to www.steppingoutdance.blogspot.com to get full post and how to instructions on make up for stage. It will be in November archive. We will post how to videos.

MAKE-UP- Foundation, powder, blusher, white/cream eye shadow as base for eye, eye socket shaded with brown eye shadow ( taupe eye shadow for students 8 years & under), black eye liner, white pencil as highlighter, black mascara, false eye lashes ( optional but highly recommended for students from 10 years of age), hot pink lipstick ( under 12s), crimson ( 14 yrs & open.)

TINY TOTS- Parents use your discretion. Lipstick, blusher, shadow and mascara will be sufficient but ensure it is bright as the lights are very strong and can wash out those gorgeous little faces and we really want to see those beautiful smiles.

Students please ensure you wear white, nude colour or plain underwear under costuming and all straps etc must be pinned and unseen. Body stockings are available for older students. We have a whole range of underwear, bras and body stockings for all ages.

BOYS- Hair in own funky style. Make up at own discretion and depending on child’s fairness. Blusher or bronzer usually sufficient.

HAIR & OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH STYLE AS FOLLOWS;

Please note that all hair styles will need to be slicked back from face. The best technique is to use a fine tooth comb on damp hair and gel and hairspray to smooth hair and fringes off face. Please ensure you use hair bands in matching hair shade or clear elastic bands. Students with hair accessories please ensure that these are pinned firmly. Hats, hair ties, hair pieces and wigs need to be pinned thoroughly. We have aimed to be simple this year so that there will not be too many hair changes needed for our students involved in multiple routines. We can have very limited people in dressing rooms so have had to take that into consideration.

JAZZ/ CONTEMPORARY/ TAP/ ACRO/ HIP HOP/ MUSICAL THEATRE / LYRICAL

Hair slicked into high ponytail and curled for juniors 12 years & Under. Hair slicked into high ponytail and straightened for Seniors 13 years & Over.

CLASSICAL BALLET Hair slicked into Classical Bun. Please see blog NEWS FROM THE FACTORY FLOOR for more information if you want clarification on how to pin a ballet bun. We are happy if students involved in many routines wish to keep their hair in a bun for duration of concert. All Ballet students will require ballet stockings and ballet shoes.

READY SET DANCE / BALLET ( Toddler hair comes with its limitations but we ask that you still slick hair from their gorgeous little faces so we can see them on stage. For most students, we advise you curl it into pig tails or pony tail or half up / half down with curls.) Some will have an abundance of hair and some not very much at all so use your own flair and discretion. We just want them to enjoy getting dressed up and know they will all feel like superstars.

We realise this is INFORMATION OVERLOAD so I will send out another email in the lead up with information on Concert Day Organisation, arrival times, duration of shows etc to avoid any confusion. We would also strongly advise that you come along to one of our other concerts to see the talent that is going to be on display from our older students and our performance students.

PHOTOGRAPHY & DVD

We are very fortunate to have the exceptional talents of Winkipop Media ( Sydney based and nationally acclaimed stage photographers) and PressPlay Productions capturing each of our shows through photos and videos. PressPlay will send out an order form shortly and Winkipop photos will be available to view and order online after the shows.

Sunday, November 22, 2020

MAKE UP GUIDE

It's that time of year again when we dive into our treasure trove of make up and get our little darlings looking gorgeous for the stage! Why do we need to put make up on the kids? Well, though your little dancer may look like a mini drag queen off stage, I can assure you that on stage, they will just look like their sweet little self (with just a touch more pizzazz.) The lighting used can wipe them out and make it very hard for them to dazzle us with their brightest smiles so they need a little help to highlight their features PLUS IT'S FUN! Little girls love make up!

Mums, I feel your pain....it's hard to get animated, excited little faces still long enough to weave your magic wand. And then there is the liquid eye liner....oh and the tears, you forget how easily and often little faces can crumple into tears until you spy your pain stakingly applied handi work sliding down their faces. BUT know this, it does get easier and quicker. A little bit of practise before the big day and you are good to go. Remember, children, like animals smell fear! Go into the application with confidence and assertiveness. You are a make up magician.

Big Love & Sparkles,
Miss Rikki xxx

Moisturise that morning – (Plus cleanse and exfoliate for teens.) Use anything except sunscreen, as this makes their face go white under flash/bright light. You want the face as smooth as a babies bottom! Dry skin will never give you a flawless finish as the makeup will stick to spots you don’t want it to, and won’t stick to the spots you want it to! Basically you need to prepare the “canvas.” You don’t just paint a wall without any prep work – the face is the same.
Primer – This stops the skin absorbing the makeup, therefore making it last. It provides a really smooth surface for a flawless finish. Avoid primers that have shimmer as they can leave you looking like a mirror ball.
Foundation – Good quality foundation has a high pigment (colour) – so more colour/bang for your buck – ie. you don’t need to use much of it, especially if the face has been prepared properly as in step 1 & 2, so it will last longer and won’t look thick. Apply with a foundation brush for a flawless finish, to get in every crevice, and to blend it into the hairline, ears, and down the neck. Do not use one with SPF (Those who bought foundation through me don’t panic! The spf in it won’t go white as it’s designed not to.)
Setting Powder – Dust this over with the big brush for a long-lasting flawless finish. Use the lid to circle the brush in the powder and tap the excess off before you apply. Concentrate on the T-zone as this is where most oil and shine comes through. Take it all the way down to the chest.
Eyebrows – SO IMPORTANT!!! They create the frame for your face and allow the audience to see emotion. If we can’t see them you look expressionless or permanently shocked or sick. Comb first with the end of the pencil, then shade the whole brow filling in any gaps and creating an arch and a nice length. Basically draw on a dream set of brows! Don’t just draw over what they’ve already got. Comb through after as well. The colour should be 1 or 2 shades darker than your hair. *See diagrams
Eye base – a MUST! This not only acts as a concealer for the eyelid, but makes the eye shadows last and deepens the colour!!!! I never, ever do a makeup without it. It provides thebest canvas to work on, holds everything in place so that it won’t sweat off with the dancing, or melt off (as eyelids are oily.)
Eye shadow – At least 2 colours. I prefer to start with the darker colour, then use the lighter colour to blend and smooth. Use a small brush and work from the outside corner of the eyelid and follow the brow bone around. How far towards the nose you shade depends on how far apart your eyes are. Close set eyes benefit from keeping the shadows to the outsides, and the opposite for eyes set wide apart. Then use the light colour and start from the inside corner and sweep out, basically covering every other part of the lid up to the eyebrow. Make sure the very centre is this colour.

Eyeliner – Black pencil or liquid - Make sure it isn’t too blunt. Liquid or gel with a brush is great if you’re confident enough. Start about 1/3 away from the inside corner of the eye, follow the line of the eye and out towards the tip of the eyebrow. Practise makes perfect! Then use a little eye liner on the bottom lash line, just on the outer corner, then smudge it towards the centre with a cotton bud.

Mascara – Black. Always.

Lashes – Keep it simple! No sparkles, not too thick or too long. Remember to enhance your features, not hide them. I use “Lash Grip” glue from Priceline, it’s cheap and way better than the glue in the lashes pack. Make sure you trim the false lashes from the outside end to fit the eye. I’ve never not cut some down. Apply with tweezers and cotton buds. Don’t use too much glue!

Under eyes – Use a concealer that is lighter than their foundation, and either dab it with your fingertips, or sweep under the eyes with the foundation brush and set it again with a little setting powder.

Blush – UNDER the cheek bones to imitate a shadow, and therefore the cheek bone stands out, giving the face structure from the stage. Apply in stages as it’s too hard to remove if you put too much on the brush! Work it up into the hair, upwards along the hair line, and dab into the temple. If you have a highlighter (or just the white eye shadow) run this along the cheek bones to bring them out.

Lip Liner – a MUST! Not only does it deepen the colour, prevent the lipstick feathering and bleeding, it makes the lipstick stay on so much longer! It also defines the lips, creates shape, either enhancing or correcting the lip line....which otherwise we can’t see from the stage. See pic for working out best way to start.

Lipstick – Using a brush helps to keep the lips a really nice shape because you can target exactly where you want the product to go. Then they can use it straight on their lips to layer it on carefully. Use a tissue to close the mouth on to get excess off and therefore less likely to end up on their costume, and they can use a clean finger to put in their mouth, close their mouth, then pull their finger out (wipe off what lipstick is left on the finger) ......graphic I know, but this stops it from getting on their teeth!

CONCERT UPDATE- TWO WEEKS TO SHOWTIME

CONCERT UPDATE - TWO WEEKS TO SHOWTIME

Dear Stepping Out Families,

What a busy but beautiful term we have had in Term 4 in the lead up to our 2020 Concert Series?! Though I am a little sad we can’t house our usual full school spectacular, I am very grateful that we can give our wonderful students the opportunity to perform. This will be Stepping Out’s 22nd year of holding concerts and we are immensely proud that we have ensured “that the show can still go on” in a year besieged by challenges. We are aware that for many of our families this is their first foray into dance concerts and I can assure you that this is my first foray into a Covid challenged concert so it’s baby steps for everyone and I trust we are all doing our very best. We will endeavour to make it as smooth and stress free as possible and we welcome your questions in the exciting lead up. Hopefully, this newsletter will answer a few more for you.

COSTUMING At last count, I had ordered 826! My house, the studio and my car boot have all been a haven for all manner of beautiful, glittery things. Costumes have been going home over the last week or so once we are satisfied with the fit and have considered what accessories may be needed. This process will continue this week and next week. We have loved seeing the wide eyed excitement and hope that the children will feel as special as they are going to look. Please ensure that the costumes are hung and that all matching accessories are kept in a safe place. Children should not be wearing their costumes until after the concert and then we are quite happy for them to wear them every day if they like. We will remind you that costumes are not created for comfort. For some children, costuming will be a very different feel to their usual play clothes and the fabrics used are designed for WOW effect on stage. I will relink the Dancewear Depot link for anyone needing stockings, shoes etc. Orders must be in by this evening at 6pm. This order link was attached to our previous newsletter. Please ensure that your child has the correct dance shoes for each style that they are enrolled in.

Get Concert Ready!docs.google.com

HAIR & MAKE UP DETAILS 2020

Please note that our website has a very comprehensive guide to Make Up & Hair. Go to www.steppingoutdance.blogspot.com to get full post and how to instructions on make up for stage. It will be in November archive. We will post how to videos.

BOYS- Hair in own funky style. Make up at own discretion and depending on child’s fairness. Blusher or bronzer usually sufficient.

HAIR & OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH STYLE AS FOLLOWS;

JAZZ/ CONTEMPORARY/ TAP/ ACRO/ HIP HOP/ MUSICAL THEATRE / LYRICAL

Hair slicked into high ponytail and curled for juniors 12 years & Under. Hair slicked into high ponytail and straightened for Seniors 13 years & Over.

READY SET DANCE / BALLET Hair must be slicked back from face ( see above) but can be in your own hair style. We suggest curls but are aware of the limitations of some of our little dancers hair. They will have headpieces. It will need to be pinned. Ballet Shoes. Ballet stockings.

COSTUME CHANGES

“IT’S A WRAP” - If your child needs help with costume changes please ensure that their second costume comes in a garment bag with all necessary accessories enclosed. We will have helpers to assist with changes.

“AN EVENING FULL OF STARS” - As this is a Showcase of our Classical Ballet & Eisteddfod performers, they are all well versed in quick changes. Please work in with your team of Mums to coordinate this.

“ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE” - Please advise us if you feel your child will need assistance. This must be directed to rikki@steppingoutdance.com.au to keep all requests centralised.

REHEARSALS

Classes will be as normal in week 23rd to 28th November at our studio in Mountbatten Drive.

Saturday 28th November- Extra rehearsals for Performance Students involved in “An Evening Full of Stars.” See post on Performance Facebook page.

STAGE REHEARSALS - DRTCC

Classes will be held at DRTCC during this week for all afternoon classes. READY SET DANCE & BALLET STUDENTS will attend their regular class times at the studio and be involved in a dress rehearsal on Thursday, 3rd December.

It’s time to get really excited because after all of our hard work in class we are now about to step on to stage for our very first stage rehearsal. Our stage rehearsals will be held during normal class times on Monday, 30th November and Tuesday, 1st December at Dubbo Regional Theatre, Darling St. The students are asked to please enter through the backstage entrance at Carrington Ave where your child’s name will be marked off the roll. This is a closed rehearsal and only performers will be allowed entry beyond stage doors and area. Unfortunately, parents are NOT PERMITTED to wait inside the building due to Covid rules and regulations enforced by Dubbo Regional Theatre. Children will be within the theatre itself and on stage. The backstage entrance will be manned at all times and students will be escorted to door to await pick up. Parents and caregivers will need to come to door to collect their children.

Stagecraft Rehearsals prepare the students for the correct manner to enter and exit the stage, the stage dimensions and other important features of Performance. They are an important and exciting lead up to Dress Rehearsals and our Concert and are sure to combat all the nerves and ensure the performers are feeling prepared, confident and most importantly, very excited about their performance.

Students should come dressed in dancewear and the entire faculty will be present on the day to keep a watchful eye over our stars. Please collect your child from the backstage entrance at the close of their rehearsal.

DRESS REHEARSALS

This year we are holding our dress rehearsals over three afternoons. We understand that for some children this will mean they will be required due to their number of classes and segments they are performing in over a few days. Please appreciate that every decision we make is in the very best interests of the students and within the current COVID climate, very necessary. We feel our students benefit best when it is less busy, less congested in the back of the theatre and when we have more precious time on stage to ensure that our lighting, sound and other effects will best enhance our students and ensure that it is a magical and memorable time for them. We also appreciate that it’s a busy time of year and people work and there is the rush after school so we understand that the students may not be picture perfect. We know they will look absolutely beautiful on the days of the concert. We do ask that if you are unsure of hair and make up that you do practise on the dress rehearsal days so we can best guide you. Otherwise, there is no expectation for hair and make up on these rehearsal days. ALL DRESS REHEARSALS WILL BE HELD AT DRTCC, following same guidelines as per stage rehearsals.

“AN EVENING FULL OF STARS” - Wednesday 2nd December 4-7pm Students will be required to be in attendance from 4-7pm.”

Below is the program as it will appear on the day of concert. We will aim to adhere to this during rehearsals.

“IT’S A WRAP”- Thursday 3rd December

READY SET DANCE 3.45- 4.30pm ALL STUDENTS

READY SET BALLET 4.30- 5.15pm ALL STUDENTS

All other students appearing in “IT’S A WRAP” 5.30pm to 7pm.

Below is the program as it will appear on the day of concert. We will aim to adhere to this during rehearsals.

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE- FRIDAY 4th December 4.30-7pm

Below is the program as it will appear on the day of concert. We will aim to adhere to this during rehearsals.

We realise this is INFORMATION OVERLOAD so I will send out another email next Sunday with information on Concert Day Organisation, arrival times, duration of shows etc to avoid any confusion. We would also strongly advise that you come along to one of our other concerts to see the talent that is going to be on display from our older students and our performance students.

PHOTOGRAPHY & DVD

BACKSTAGE

Our number one aim is to make every child's concert experience an exciting and magical adventure, and a positive memory that they can treasure forever. This will be our 22nd year of putting on spectacular concerts and with many years of learning and experience we have developed a backstage management system that minimises stress for our students, and maximises efficiency and child safety. This year we will also be dealing with much smaller casts in each concert due to COVID.

We will be utilising the Convention Centre as dressing room space to allow for social distancing and will have a team of volunteers to assist with supervision and changes.

A COVID SAFE CONCERT.

We take very seriously the responsibility to produce an event that is safe for our studio community, and we are working closely with Dubbo Regional Theatre to ensure that everything we do is within the current NSW Covid-safe restrictions and following recommended guidelines.

Thank you! We can’t wait to make precious memories with you!