“Clothes make a statement. Costumes tell a story.”
While that might just be another one of Mason Cooley’s witty aphorisms, he does have a point—especially when it comes to theater and dance. Costumes play an important part on the stage, helping to enhance the visual appeal and narrative of a performance. Costumes can be used to convey the mood, style, and theme of a dance, as well as distinguish between different characters or groups within a performance. They are meant to complement the song, scene or piece, and create uniformity among the dancers. Simply put, costumes bring the entire dance to life!
While most instructors and choreographers choose costumes that enhance the performance, fit with the theme of the dance, and do not hinder the dancer’s movement, at Turning Pointe Dance, we also strive to weave our mission and values into every stitch and seam. When STARZ Theater Company performed Walt Disney’s “Newsies” in 2020, each costume was custom made to echo the look and feel of the original Broadway version, with Kelly’s signature blue featured alongside counterpart Katherine Plumber’s classic pink ensembles. When Fidèle Youth Dance Company staged “The Pilgrim’s Progress” in 2022, they intentionally used color to show the audience which characters represented members of God’s Kingdom within the famous allegory.
And it doesn’t stop with our performance companies!
Our teachers are trained in recital expectations that ensure each choice combines art and faith to produce something that will change lives and hearts—from our advanced and adult classes to our youngest Twirl dancers receiving a costume for the very first time. They’re given guidelines for affordable pricing and styling standards to carefully choose costumes that are age appropriate, beautiful but appropriately modest, and fun costumes that both parents and children love.
As we wear costumes to class this October 28-November 2, remember: We’re not just doing it for fun (even though it is pretty fun). We’re practicing a performing art! We’re learning about costumes, and why they’re important to dance. We’re teaching the significance of costumes in the history of dance, and how costumes can translate the meanings of the dances we study, practice and see. We’re building confidence dancing in costumes, and working toward our ultimate goal of shining His light with a complete and polished performance this spring.
Feeling a little lost in the recital costume process? Even though recitals are still several months away, the process actually gets started in just a few short weeks! Here are a few reminders as we head into the holidays:
Note: All costumes ordered after December 1 have an additional $10 late order fee.
Opting Out of Recital
Students wishing to opt out of the recital should submit a written request to the office prior to November 30, 2024.
Costumes
Changes in a student’s schedule can result in a change of costume and costume fees. A student’s costume amount includes costume and tax. For male dancers, the teacher will discuss with the dancer’s parents what attire is to be worn for the performance. All other classes will have one costume per class. All costume fees are due December 1, 2024.
Our class drop/add period ends December 1, 2024. Dancers who wish to change classes after that date must purchase an additional costume.
Costume Distribution
Dancers will receive their costume(s) the week after Spring Break. Spring Peek Weeks are a great opportunity to see your dancer practice in costume and video the recital routine for at-home practice!
Exchanges
Costumes may be exchanged for size (depending on availability) and the cost is $8.00 per exchange. It’s important that parents come into the studio November 11-23, 2024, to double-check their child’s sizing, as the sizes are computer generated to help avoid sizing issues.
Refunds
After December 1, 2024, costumes are non-refundable and non-transferable. A student who withdraws from a class after purchasing a costume may pick up the costume between May 1-25, 2025. Costumes not picked up by then will be donated.