Our recital is at the end of May, but the dates/times of the show were released in the fall. I've been starting to hear from some of my younger students that hey, they won't be at the Saturday show! I guess there is some Brownie meeting on the same evening.

I haven't heard anything offically from the parents, but I think I've had at least 6 kids tell me this in an offand way. 6 kids! And 4 of them are in the same class!!!

Now recital is not mandatory, but come on! They've worked for months towards this and now I'm hearing that they aren;t going to show up! Classes and formations will be affected, not to mention our videographer is only coming on the Sat. even (this is out finale show).

To make things even better, I heard one of the mums in the lobby mention to another that her daughter had 1st Communion on the same day as dress rehearsal, so they wouldn't be there. Dress rehearsal is mandatory, but for something like a 1st Communion, I'll work with you. But to miss dress rehearsal and 1 of the shows??? (We do 2 shows)

I'm stuck, what do I do? Part of me wants it in writing from the parents if this is what they are going to do (b/c I need something official from the parents). Is that too much to ask? I can't force them to be there, but I will be so disappointed if they don't show up.

How do I convince them to come to the show? They are all 1st years, and I know they will regret it if they miss. What do I do if they say no way? And what do I do about the one who is apparently coming to only the 1 show?!

Help! I haven't had to deal with this before!!

Don't get too upset until you hear it directly from their mothers. Kids have a way of starting rumors, taking things out of context... Call a mom and say "your daughter mentioned that she might not be able to participate in the performance, I wanted to check with you to see if this was true". If it is true, have the kids practice the dance in class without them, it happens. Some people just don't understand how they can affect others. You know, they are the center of their own universe.

First year students, preschool level? This has happened to me with 1 or 2 students in a group, but never 4. Are you the SO? I think it would be up to the SO to phone the parents and discuss the matter. I have choreographed students out of numbers when they have gone on vacation without notification before I start the choreography.

When dealing with new parents, I usually have to explain the reasons why they can't miss rehearsals or classes leading up to. Parents don't understand how hard it is on a group of young, inexperienced dancers, trying to rehearse with holes. They think their child is a soloist in a group number...educate them and maybe they will change their minds. Good luck!

I am the SO, so it's up to me!

These are mostly 1st year kids, around age 6-8. So this is like my Primary Jazz, Primary Ballet, L1 Hip Hop...all the big classes where it's a struggle just to have everyone in class each week!

I was thinking of sending home a general notice to all these classes just mentioning I had heard that some families may not be able to participate in the show and if this is so, the parents need to contact me immediatly. Also would include how important attendance is, how it affects other dancers and that I will need to alter choreography (ie, don't complain to me if your kid is not front and centre!). I think I would do this, just because I am hearing from so many people.

Do you think this would work?

Organize something in the theatre on that Saturday, that all these kids would love to join. Such as 'Special Backstage Pictures' (ask the photographer to make some backstage pictures), or a party for all dancers during the break of the show (for you it is 'only' putting down lemonade and some candy/chips). Announce that the 'joined-the-show-gifts' are distributed on Saturday only. Not present = no present.
Make them want to come.

You said there will only be a video of the Saturday show. Is that well-known by everybody? Make sure they know, it might make a difference.

If you are going to send a letter home I wouldn't ask them who isn't coming or mention that you heard something. Make your wording direct- This is a reminder that our annual recital takes place on May XX and XX. We appreciate your attendance at the show as well as your students attendance for the upcoming weeks classes. If your child is not participating in the recital, please contact the studio by X date so that arrangements made be made to alter dances as needed. If you do it directly and say if you aren't dancing call, that will generate alot less hustle and bustle than "I overheard someone say they weren't dancing".

Also, did these parents pay for costumes? Normally if they have plans in advance to miss the recital they won't pay for the costumes. If they have, you may want to include a notice in the letter that states that if for any reason your child does not participate in the recital there will be no refunds for the costumes orderred for your student. It's something you shouldn't have to say but someone is bound to ask about it.

i agree with lidwina, maybe if the parents knew that saturday was the only day the show will be taped, then things would change. it's a shame that we sometimes have to "bribe" our students to come to certain things, especially recital, but that's just the name of the game nowadays.

I will just say that I agree with the above. I do not always listen to kids, you have to go to the source.

id say both shows, or none at all. you dont want to confuse the rest of the kids. find out from the parents what the real deal is, then rework what you can.

I agree with lidwina, you need to get the dancers excited about being in the evening show. The backstage pictures sounded like a great idea, also the "party". If the girls want to come to the recital instead of the Brownie event, they will probably be able to convince the moms.

I do a 'commitment to the concert' form for all families at the studio (im in Australia so dont know if this is something you guys do too)
It just lists all the compulsory rehearsal & performance dates and times and states that by signing & returning the form parents are commiting to their child being there as well as accepting all costs associated with the performance eg.costumes.
It also has a section where they write down their childs costume size and explains that the form is used for group choreography numbers etc.
If i dont have the form back by the due date the child is assumed to be unavailable and no costume is ordered for them.
I havent had any negative feedback about it because parents seem to feel happy that they know all the infomation up front prior to making the decision to participate and also gives me some back up in the event that someone decides they just 'dont feel like coming' but still want to perform on the night.
I dont think its too much to ask
Good Luck