Choosing the right costumes for your dance recitals is more than just aesthetics; it’s a crucial business decision that can significantly impact your dance studio’s bottom line. As studio owners, we constantly strive to create magical experiences for our young dancers and their families. We meticulously plan choreography, select music, and envision vibrant performances. However, sometimes, even with the best intentions, a seemingly small costume choice can lead to unintended – and costly – consequences. Let’s delve into a real-world scenario that highlights the importance of careful costume selection, especially when incorporating fun themes like Boogie Woogie Dance into your curriculum for young children.
Years ago, Tiffany Henderson, co-owner of multiple dance studios and a seasoned dance educator, sought to inject fresh energy into her youngest dancers’ recital. After years of adorable pink tutus, she envisioned a fun, upbeat routine for her class of two-year-olds. The chosen music? A catchy tune called “Boogie Woogie Piggie.” The concept was undeniably cute: toddlers dancing to a boogie woogie dance inspired song about piglets. The dancers were adorable, the music was infectious, and everything seemed set for a heartwarming performance. Then came the costume decision.
Thinking it would amplify the cuteness factor, they opted for full piglet costumes, complete with ears and a curly tail. What could go wrong?
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Oh, the irony! We can laugh about it now, but the economic fallout from this seemingly innocent costume choice was no laughing matter. A class of ten enthusiastic two-year-olds dwindled to just three.
The Cold Hard Math of Costume Choices
Let’s break down the financial reality for dance studio owners. At the time, tuition was $50 per month. Losing seven dancers at $50 each translates to a monthly loss of $350. If these dancers withdrew around November, as is common when recital preparations begin, the studio missed out on approximately seven months of tuition for that season. That’s a direct revenue loss of $2,450 (7 months x $350).
But the potential loss extends far beyond a single season. Consider the long-term impact. What if those two-year-olds, turned off by the pig costumes, never returned to dance? What if, with a different costume choice, they had continued dancing until they were teenagers? Even if they only took one class per week, fifteen more years of dance education at $50 per month represents a staggering potential tuition value of $57,750 per dancer!
While this is a worst-case scenario, it vividly illustrates the profound financial implications of every costume decision. It underscores how a single costume choice can affect dancer retention and, consequently, your studio’s long-term financial health. The key takeaway here isn’t to avoid fun themes like boogie woogie dance, but to be incredibly thoughtful about how you visually represent them through costumes, especially for very young children.
So, how can you, as a dance studio owner, navigate the sometimes treacherous waters of costume selection and avoid costly missteps? How do you ensure your costume choices resonate positively with dancers and parents, fostering loyalty and boosting your studio’s success?
Taking Control: Your Guide to Smart Costume Decisions
As a dance studio owner, it’s your responsibility to steer the ship and ensure the business remains financially sound. Costume decisions are a significant part of this responsibility. Establish a clear plan, communicate it effectively, and stick to it. If you have instructors, empower them with guidelines but don’t hesitate to set boundaries regarding budget and design appropriateness.
Here are practical tips to guide your costume selections:
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Begin with the End in Mind: Theme First. Start with your recital theme. A well-defined theme provides a framework for costume choices, narrowing down options and ensuring cohesion. Even if you’re incorporating a boogie woogie dance number, consider how the “piggie” theme aligns with the overall recital concept and age group.
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Age-Appropriateness is Paramount. Scrutinize necklines and bottom cuts, particularly for dancers aged 2-8. Parents of young children often prefer modest coverage. Cap sleeves are generally favored over camisole bodices for babies, and slightly longer shorts are preferred for school-aged dancers. While trunks were acceptable in previous decades, they are less favored by parents today.
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Comfort is Non-Negotiable. Itchy fabrics are a major no-no, especially for babies and toddlers. Young dancers (2-6 years old) haven’t yet grasped the “beauty over pain” concept. Be wary of sequined straps and bodices that might irritate sensitive skin. Always opt for fully lined costumes whenever possible.
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Minimize Distractions. Those adorable hats and accessories in costume catalogs can be problematic for very young dancers. A sailor hat might engulf a three-year-old’s head, constantly slipping and disrupting their performance. Choose accessories designed for small bodies and ensure they are securely attachable.
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Consider the Boys. If you have boys in your classes, ensure there are equally appealing and masculine costume options. A matching vest that dads can be proud of is crucial. Costuming boys thoughtfully is as important as costuming girls.
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Size Availability Across the Board. Factor in the diverse body types within any class. Select costumes offered in a wide size range. Avoid choosing a costume only available in child sizes if there’s a chance a dancer might need an adult size, and vice versa. Proactive size consideration prevents disappointments and last-minute costume switches.
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Don’t Fear Saying “No.” Studio owners sometimes hesitate to disagree with instructors who’ve chosen unsuitable or overly expensive costumes. Remember, you are the CEO. There are countless costume options. Don’t be afraid to guide instructors toward choices that align with your studio’s vision and budget.
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Early Deadlines are Your Friend. Set firm costume selection deadlines for your instructors. Communicate clearly that if deadlines are missed, you will make the costume selections to ensure timely ordering and recital preparations.
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Work the Averages, Set Price Ranges. Studio owners typically apply a markup to costumes to cover handling, shipping, exchanges, and labor. This is standard practice. While establishing a price range is essential, allow for flexibility. If you find an exceptionally charming costume, even for a boogie woogie dance number, that might slightly exceed the budget, consider a slightly lower markup on that particular costume, balancing it with others to maintain your overall profitability.
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Give Parents What They Envision. Parents of recreational dancers often have a specific vision of how they want their child to look on stage. This includes costume color and style. While artistic integrity is important, remember that satisfying parental expectations contributes to their overall positive experience and continued enrollment. Sometimes, giving them “what they want” in terms of a visually appealing costume is a worthwhile investment in dancer retention, even if it means slightly compromising on a very specific artistic vision.
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Class Pairing and Streamlined Styles. Consider pairing classes to reduce the number of different costume styles you need to order. For instance, Tiffany’s Dance Academy uses a “Twinkle Star Showcase” for younger dancers (ages 2-6) with a shorter, more streamlined performance. This allows for fewer costume styles, simplifying ordering and management. If you have multiple boogie woogie dance classes for similar age groups, consider using the same or very similar costumes across those classes.
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Outsource Costume Management. Consider leveraging services that allow dancers to purchase costumes directly online. Platforms like CostumeManager.com enable studio owners to create costume lists, set markups, and let the service handle transactions, ordering, receiving, sorting, and even shipping costumes directly to the studio or classroom. This significantly reduces administrative burden and potential errors.
By implementing these strategies, dance studio owners can make informed, strategic costume decisions. Remember, costumes are an integral part of the dance experience and a reflection of your studio’s brand. Thoughtful choices can enhance dancer enjoyment, parent satisfaction, and ultimately, contribute to the financial stability and long-term success of your dance studio. Don’t let a “boogie woogie piggie” costume moment cost you thousands of dollars – learn from this lesson and costume wisely!
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About Paul Henderson
Paul Henderson is a seasoned expert in dance studio administration and technology, with nearly three decades in the dance industry. With a family deeply rooted in dance and gymnastics, Paul understands the nuances of the dance studio business from multiple perspectives. He and his wife, Tiffany Henderson, own and operate Twinkle Star Dance™, a leading online choreography and curriculum resource for young recreational dancers, along with multiple successful dance studios in California. Paul’s expertise lies in developing innovative solutions to streamline dance studio operations, freeing up studio owners and instructors to focus on their passion: teaching dance.
About CostumeManager.com
CostumeManager.com, developed by Paul Henderson, is a revolutionary platform designed to simplify and streamline dance costume management. It consolidates catalogs from major costume and dancewear manufacturers into one searchable website, allowing studio owners to efficiently browse, select, and manage costumes for their classes. CostumeManager.com handles the entire costume ordering process, from dancer purchases to order fulfillment and delivery, significantly reducing administrative workload and maximizing studio profitability.
To learn more about simplifying your dance studio operations and costume management, visit www.CostumeManager.com, www.TwinkleStarDance.com, or www.TiffanyDance.com.
Video and photo courtesy of Tiffany’s Dance Academy & CostumeManager.
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