It’s here! The culmination of months of hard work! The week when students can celebrate their progress, and make lasting memories. The stage will be full, the lights will be bright, and the costumes will be vibrant! And while sharing the joy of dancing with our friends and loved ones can be a thrilling experience, it can be an overwhelming one, too. (May has enough going on, am I right?) If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Take a deep breath—we’re here to help! Recital week should be a joyful celebration for students and families, and we’re committed to walking through this season together. That’s why we’ve compiled our top five ways to keep calm during recital week!
1. Remember the purpose
Overwhelm often occurs when the brain’s rational center is hijacked by the emotional center, making tasks feel insurmountable. Remembering the “why” (the underlying purpose, value, or goal behind your actions) can create calm by shifting your focus from the sheer volume of tasks to the meaningful outcome of each one. We dance because we’re learning a performing art. We dance because it provides a sense of accomplishment and motivation to keep improving. We dance because we want to share our progress and celebrate our hard work with loved ones. And at Turning Pointe, we dance for a greater purpose. Luke 1:46 says “My soul magnifies the Lord.” Our goal is for every dancer to be a “Big Light,” shining for Jesus, glorifying God through movement, and sharing the Gospel. Yes, there are plenty of details and extras to keep on top of this week. But they’re all absolutely worth it.
2. Cover the week in prayer
As Colorado Springs’ premier faith-based studio, this step truly sets this week apart. When you’re feeling anxious about recitals, take it to Jesus. At our spring performances, we’re dancing with and for the Lord—and that includes rehearsal! Inviting God into stressful preparation transforms our anxious labor into a trusted, purposeful process, allowing His peace that surpasses understanding to prevail. It shifts focus from self-reliance to divine strength, turning overwhelming challenges into opportunities for growth, breakthrough, and spiritual maturity. So turn up that worship playlist when you’re driving to the theater. Pray through the music of your recital piece(s). Worship dance in your costume(s). Fill the spaces linked to nerves with His overwhelming goodness and joy.
3. Use your resources
Using your resources (whether they’re people, tools, or technology) during big weeks is critical to keep calm and maximize success. We’ve made keeping recital details straight as simple as possible, but only if communication is mutual! Read your emails carefully in their entirety. Read the Recital Handbook. Reduce the stress of searching for important details. We’ll link it all here:
● All About Recital
Performance dates, performance location and times, dress rehearsal information, ticket information, keepsake memories, performance information by color, performance policies, etc.
● Recital Handbook
Reminders for parents, performance day information, costume change information, audience etiquette, checklists, etc.
● Recital Quick Reference Guide
At-a-glance dates and times for rehearsals and performances, hairstyle, tights and shoes
needed, organized by class.
Still can’t find what you need? Our administrative team is ready to help!
Recital week front desk hours:
● Monday, 9:30 a.m.-Noon and 4-7:30 p.m.
● Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.-Noon and 4-7:30 p.m.
● Wednesday, Noon-2 p.m. and 4-7:30 p.m.
● Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-Noon and 4-7:30 p.m.
● Friday, 4-6:30 p.m.
4. Create routine
I know what you’re thinking. There is no consistency in May! Between all of the end-of-year events, extras, and obligations, you’re hard-pressed to find a day with a “normal” schedule. That’s why it’s important to find routine where you can! This isn’t the week to try brand new food, drinks, or snacks. It’s not the week to try a totally different warm up, or listen to a playlist full of unfamiliar songs. Find consistency where you can to avoid drowning in all the extras and changes! Stock up on your favorite dance snacks and ways to hydrate through class and rehearsals. Stick to the warm up exercises you know, love, and trust. Spend your time on familiar details to combat the one-off details that can be overwhelming this week.
5. Practice the details
There’s a reason they say “practice makes perfect.” If the details of your dances are adding anxiety, practice them! Play your music and walk through your dances each night before bed. Don’t stop with the steps! Practice doing your hair and makeup so you’re familiar with the process and how long it takes. Keep your costumes, hairpieces, makeup, tights, etc. in a consistent place and practice getting everything together for theater days. Why? Practicing is essential for improving skills, achieving mastery, and building confidence. It turns conscious efforts into automatic, habitual behaviors. Simply put, the more you run through your steps now, the less you’ll have to think about them on stage. And the more you practice the other preparations, the less likely you are to forget a shoe or two when it matters most. Your body and mind will know what to do because you’ve trained them! And I think we can all agree, the less we have to think about this week, the better.
Participating in a recital isn’t just about dancing or acting—it builds confidence and self-esteem, public speaking and presentation skills, teamwork and adaptability, retention and memory skills. We’re here to clarify expectations and ensure a wonderful recital experience for dancers, teachers, parents, and the audience. It’s going to be an amazing recital weekend! We can’t wait to feel His presence, and to share it with all of you!