What's with the end of year dance concerts at theatres for dance studios? Don't get me wrong, I know it's to showcase what they have learnt but it is SOOO much. Make up, hair, outfits, waiting, waiting and waiting then multiply by however many concerts there are, in our case 4. Then having to buy tickets, then not being able to watch yourself anyway because you're back stage helping and men can't really be there when there's young girls getting changed so it's always mum's that miss out on the concert. Then getting other kids babysat because what a nightmare having them in there if they aren't performing. I only have one girl, the rest are boys and not interested in dancing. Honestly feel like pulling her out, it's such a headache and just seems like a massive money grab! I don't know any other sport that makes family pay and go through all this effort just to see what they learnt through the year! I would be happy with a little concert at the studio. This is crazy and way too much for kids sport.
14 Replies
I agree and understand to a point, and found concert time for my kid to be overwhelming and exhausting.
I can also see the point in them:
- The performance part of it is an important part of learning to dance, and while most kids who do dance lessons don't go on to perform professionally later in life, the confidence and resilience built in those performances are helpful in so many ways. Putting on a concert at the studio wouldn't have the same impact.
- Financially speaking, while dance lessons are expensive already, the overheads involved running a dance school are insanely high; many are small businesses and the costs of renting the space, paying the teachers and themselves, keeping the lights on and insurances would be ever-increasing. They're not a business you get rich in, but they deserve to open the performances to the wider community and try and get their name out there, build a reputation and help to keep some cash in the bank for the following year.
I don't agree with charging backstage parents for tickets, however. Ours put on at least 2 full concerts to give all parents a chance to attend and we weren't charged for tickets if we volunteered backstage.
Yes, it's expensive and having concerts at this time of year it is not ideal as it's hectic as it is, with Christmas, school fees, other end of year stuff.
When my child got old enough to start, I was warned by co-workers whose kids were already in dance that it was going to be expensive and busy and get more so every year. My child was in 3 classes their last year (before COVID, and we haven't been back, though they want to go back next year) and the concert days were so stressful. But they also really loved their dance friends and teachers and had a great time.
My advice would depend on how much your child likes dance; if they're not super into it, maybe cut down or pull them out. If they do, it will get better as they get older - for little kids they need more hands on help for backstage but as they grow, they need less help and you get to chill and enjoy the performances. Your other kids will get older too and not need babysitting while the concerts are on.
This is why my daughter didn't do dance. My best friends children danced, and one is at an academy on the central coast, at 5k a term. The money she's put into it over the years, could buy a large home. My friend used to make costumes to cut costs. I just don't have the funds to pay that kind of money. So we went gymnastics, at $120 a year gymnastics rego, then $120 a term. And the end of year concert was only $30 @ seat. The costumes were provided. Still costly but not like dance.
Concerts aren’t a cash grab, they usually over costs. I don’t know a dress maker who I’ve worked with who actually got paid for her time to make those costumes.
The last three years we lost money on the concerts.
There are schools out there that don’t do concerts every year, do lower key events, and reuse costumes. If she wants to dance I’d suggest finding a school that fits what your family are looking for.
As my dad said growing up, dance actually takes less involvement from the parents than soccer, netball etc, in terms of hanging around and watching. As a kid I spent far longer watching my sisters playing netball throughout the year, than they spent at my performances.
I second all of this. It isn't remotely a cash grab for the vast majority of studios. However, that doesn't make it cheap.
What costs is it covering? Because our theatre has 650 seats, tickets are between 30-40 each and the hire is $1600 for the day (2 concerts in one day). Then everyone is paying for their own costumes, their own hair and make up, no staff are being paid. The place is close to sold out so let's say 1000 seats for the day, that's at least 30000 minus $1600 for hire. Then times it by 2 because there's 2 concert days. Between 60000 to 80000 from ours on top of all the fees that are already paid through the year.
That must be a very big dance school then! And it’s not typical. Find a dance school that suits your family. There are schools that keep costs low. But they won’t have a big name, sprung studio floors and mirrors and over heads that come from leasing a space that’s quite possibly not bringing in any money until after 3pm every day.
I find it hard to believe a theatre that size would be $1600 for the day?
Lighting technicians, bar, staff are usually all on top of the hire fee also.
I think they get a percentage of the sales to cover all that
Yes. It's expensive and a pain. We only have two concerts & they're very well run. Parents aren't allowed backstage unless official volunteers. I drop at the stage door and pick up again at the end. I sit in the audience & watch. My husband goes to one & me the other.
In the end, my usually terrified of everything 6 y/o goes confidentiality onto stage. She loves it so I grit my teeth and deal with it. She's only allowed to do her beloved ballet though. I'm not going down the multiple dance styles/ eisteddfod route. I've no idea how those families cope time and money wise. It's insane.
What peeves me is that we have to buy concert costumes & my daughter's have always been ugly. She's a ballerina and has never worn a pretty tuti or feminine costume. The other groups all seem to get their chance.
Then there's the extras being constantly in your face. Professional photos, dancer roses, usb video of the performance etc.
Child activities are definitely expensive!
Maybe dancing just isn’t for you and your daughter.
My daughter dances and absoloutley loves every single part of it as do I love watching her do something she enjoys so much. The end of year concert is by far the best event of the year our studio puts on an amazing show that’s really enjoyable whether my child is in that section or not everyone is like family so seeing all the children grow and perform better and better each year is absoloutley amazing.
In my opinion the cost is nothing compared to my child’s happiness
change dance schools, our old dance school had one concert, and each class the kids took performed once, yes there were costumes per group but i knew that when i signed up. they didn't perform much during the year so it was awesome! our club also had front row seats free for helpers so they could watch their kids perform. and tickets were really only to cover the cost $20pp. as for other kids i made mine go as if my girls had to watch soccer every fricken saturday morning in the winter my sons had to watch one dance concert! it's call supporting each other. Dance isn't for everyone and it's on the more expensive side . Good luck
Oh I hear ya! I had 2 girls doing dance for years up until 2 years ago. Everything you said, plus I’d get super stressed getting them ready for photo days/rehearsals/costume checks/concerts because they were always at the most inconvenient times. They actually suggested girls take time off school to get ready for their concert! This was just a run of the mill suburban dance studio too, nothing elite.They play footy now which is like $200 rego and kit for the year and a whole lot less pretentiousness and stress, wish we hadve switched sooner!
As A teacher at a dance school I have to say the dance schools make $0 off of end of year concerts - actually it ends up costing us money. Theatres cost money to hire AND as dance schools are not “community theatres” they have to pay commercial rates of hire. This can cost upwards of thousands of dollars. Your tickets to watch your children would cover the costs of paying employees, the theatre hire, lighting, sound etc etc. definitely not a money grab. ;-)
My daughters dance studio has the option to not participate in the end of year concert. You click the button at the beginning of the year. They buy the costumes and add it to your fees over the year.
This year I helped back stage during the lunch show and watched the evening show. Not enough parents put their names down to help and we were short handed but made it work.
If you don’t want the fuss of the concerts tell them at the beginning of the year if it’s an option. Also it’s ok to say no. If you can’t help you can’t help.