Five Items I Always Pack in my Dance Bag for Performances
It’s performance season! After all of the rehearsal hours and hard work you've put in this year, it's time to get out on the stage and show 'em what you've got!
Before you head into the theatre for those long tech rehearsals, check out these five items I always make sure to pack in my dance bag.
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Hydro Flask Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is essential for those long days in the theatre. I’ve tried A LOT of water bottles, and none of them measure up to the Hydroflask in my opinion. It’s vacuum insulated so your water will stay cold for hours. Plus, it doesn’t leak or sweat so I can throw it in my dance bag without ruining my pointe shoes. With a massive array of colors and sizes, you’re sure to find the perfect bottle for you!
Bloch Warm Up Booties
These warm-up booties are perfect for keeping your feet cozy in a chilly theater. They’re also the perfect accessory to keep your pointe shoes clean from all the dust and debris backstage. Slip them over your pointe shoes or wear them alone…either way, your toes will be warm and happy!
Notebook and Pen
A notebook and pen are an absolute must-have for those last-minute rehearsal notes. With limited time to implement any corrections, it’s essential to write them down! (Of course, I recommend this practice after every class and rehearsal, not just performance time). I absolutely love the notebook collection by Pointebrush - not only are they functional, they’re beautiful too!
Noise-Canceling Headphones
These noise-canceling headphones are the best - whether I want to listen to my performance music and go over my choreography or turn on some pump-up jams before the show, these really get me in the zone. Just make sure to take them off as you get close to the performance so you don’t miss your call!
Deodorant
Ok…deodorant may not be the most exciting item on this list but it’s definitely one of the most essential (and one I find a lot of dancers forget). You’ll want to freshen up at some point during that 14-hour tech rehearsal - in a pinch, some body wipes plus deodorant totally does the trick!
These are five of my must-haves - but as all dancers know, it’s far from everything you need for a performance! I’ve got a full guide to packing for performances (plus so many more goodies to get you show-ready) in my Dance Performance Bundle!
Meet the Author
Caitlin Sloan is a Dance Educator and Career Mentor based in Madison, WI.
Caitlin received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Grand Valley State University and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Missouri.
She danced professionally for nine years with companies including Ballet Tucson and Missouri Contemporary Ballet (now Mareck Dance). Caitlin has taught at schools all over the Midwest, most notably serving as Director of The School of Missouri Contemporary Ballet and Youth Company Director for Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. She is currently on faculty at the School of Madison Ballet.
Caitlin founded The Brainy Ballerina® in 2019, a virtual resource providing support and guidance for aspiring ballet dancers. Follow @thebrainyballerina on Instagram for your daily dose of dance career guidance and inspiration.
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