Hi, my name is Ria, and I have been taking part in dance festivals since I was around seven years old! I remember feeling very nervous when I first started, so I wanted to share my top tips to help you have the best time at the festival. ( Eastbourne Performing Arts Festival )
Be Prepared
The first and most important thing is to be prepared! Make sure your costume is ready in a costume bag, along with any tights, shoes, or hairpieces you need. If you have a prop, keep it with your festival things so you don’t forget it.
I find it helpful to use a small suitcase to pack my essentials, such as tights, shoes, hair accessories, makeup, and hair products. That way, everything is in one place, and I’m less likely to lose anything. You could also use a plastic box instead of a suitcase—just remember to put your name on it! Having everything together in one place helps reduce the stress of worrying that you may have forgotten something. I always double-check my suitcase before leaving to make sure I have everything I need!
Warm Up and Stretch
It is so important to warm up and stretch before you go on stage to avoid injury and perform at your best. Depending on the style of dance, I warm up in different ways:
Modern – A big warm-up with lots of stretching to prepare for kicks, jumps and splits.
Tap – Focusing on warming up my feet with ankle rolls, shuffles, and tap springs to ensure they are relaxed and ready.
Ballet – Lots of footwork, rises, pliés, and développés—essentially, exercises from the ballet barre.
A good warm-up helps get the adrenaline going and ensures that you feel confident and ready to perform!
Practice with Your Props
If you have a prop in your routine, make sure you practise with it as much as possible in your lessons! This is really important because you want to feel completely confident using it before the festival.
For example, I’m currently performing a Greek quartet where we use scarves. We have been practising with them every week to perfect our timing, especially when we have to throw and catch them. Props can sometimes be tricky, but with consistent practice, they become more manageable, helping you feel more relaxed and confident on stage.
Most Importantly—Have Fun!
The most important thing to remember is to HAVE FUN!
A big misconception about festivals is that they are only about winning. Of course, placing feels great, but that’s not the only reason to take part. I love festivals because they give me the chance to perform on stage, build my confidence, and prepare for future shows and pantomimes.
I also love spending time with my friends and supporting my dance school. Festivals are a fantastic opportunity to make new friends with dancers from other schools. Watching my fellow dancers perform, especially the younger ones, makes the experience even more special. Seeing everyone enjoying themselves on stage and knowing that we are all supporting one another creates such a positive and encouraging atmosphere.
No matter the outcome, the most important thing is to do your best. Everyone at RAPA—your teachers, dance friends, and family—will be incredibly proud of you. So step onto that stage, give it your all, and most importantly, enjoy every moment!
Good luck and happy dancing!
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Join us today and discover the joy of dance! Book a trial class now at RAPA Dance, Eastbourne and start your dance journey with RAPA.
Blog written by pupil and former RAPA Dancer of the Year Ria.
Photography from https://www.johnscofieldphotography.co.uk/ and Emma Cronk , Principal of RAPA Dance, Eastbourne
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