Tips and Packing for Summer Dance Intensive Programs
Summer dance intensives are an exciting part of a dancer’s growth and development. You meet lots of other students that share your love of dance, you work with master teachers and you learn to become a bit more independent. It’s a great experience!
Going into the program with the right tools and supplies can alleviate some of the nerves that have a natural tendency to intermingle with your excitement.
Here is our suggested packing list (yes, you will need a large suitcase!):
- Leotards: At least one per day. Check with your program to see if certain colors or styles are required.
- Tights: Lots! You will enjoy the feeling of a fresh pair mid-way through the day. Do not wear any tights with holes, stains, etc.
- Jazz Pants
- Wrap Skirt (check your program to see if there are required colors)
- Character Skirt: if you will be taking character classes
- Pointe Shoes: Plan on several pairs. They will wear out quicker in the summer humidity. Be sure to rotate them to let them rest and re-harden between wearings.
- Other dance shoes: Make sure you have the right shoes for your classes: jazz, soft ballet shoes, character, etc.
- Studio Warm-ups: You never know how much AC you will have, so bring some form-fitting layering warm-ups for in the studio and for covering up outside.
- Hair pins, ties, bun covers, hair nets, headbands, hairspray.
- Hip Alignment belt (check your program details)
- Manicure/Pedicure tools
- First Aid kit: Icy Hot or other sore muscle ointment, band aids, ace bandage, quick ice pack, heating pad
- Sewing kit
- Dance bag
- Water bottle
- Therabands
- Music playing device and headphones (include chargers)
- Power bars and other healthy snacks
- Laundry detergent: handwashing, or regular, depending on facilities
- Yoga or Pilates Mat
- Toe tape, toe separators, gel toes, toe pads and other point shoe accessories
- Drying rack or cording to line-dry your handwashables
- Make-up (for performances and everyday, if so inclined)
- Toiletries and a shower bucket to transport them
- Towels
- Pillow
- Alarm clock and a watch
- Camera
- Book, craft, knitting, playing cards, something quiet to do after curfew or in between classes to wind down.
- The most comfortable walking shoes you own. No time to try out cute new shoes that will give you blisters. Give your feet a rest!
Optional comfort suggestions available in our shop:
- Happy Feet Foot Scrub
- THE-Footstretcher
- Bloch warm-up booties
Additional tips to make the most of your program:
- Even if your program allows phones, lay off them during your time at the program. Certainly check in with parents a couple of times while you are there, but if you are busy texting mom and friends from home, you may miss some of the experience! Take the time to meet new people and network. The friend you meet at summer intensive may end up being the person you can reach out to when you need advice for auditions!
- Shoes: take all of your shoes out of your bag each evening so they can dry out overnight. The better you take care of them, the better they will support your feet!
- Treat each class as if it were an audition and make a good impression. Wear clean tights in good condition, wear a leotard that makes you feel great, avoid sidebar conversations during class, take corrections with gratitude and thank the instructor at the end of class. And, don’t be late! Bring and wear an old-school watch, when not in class, so you always know what time it is.
- Take care of your feet each night. Check toenail length and trim them at night. Check for blisters and make a plan for fine-tuning your shoe padding the next day.
- Get contact information from favorite instructors and classmates to develop a network for your career.
Have a great time at your intensive!
