Dance Teachers, it’s time we had a serious conversation. We need to stop sending children onto public stages dressed in what is essentially underwear. Perhaps you’ve added a few rhinestones, or maybe a strategically placed piece of chiffon, but let’s be honest – underwear is underwear, and we all recognize it as such.
And Dance Parents, you shouldn’t be allowing this, even if your child’s dance teacher thinks it’s acceptable.
Whenever I attend dance recitals and competitions, I feel like I’ve stepped into “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” Surely, among the hundreds of adults present, I’m not the only one who finds it inappropriate to have children dancing on stage in their knickers. Am I alone in this?
You might be wondering about my qualifications to voice such an opinion. Well, here’s my background:
- I’ve been involved in dance as a student, performer, and teacher since around 1963.
- I started my daughter’s dance training at a traditional ballet school, but was later drawn into the competitive dance world as a Dance Mom.
- I founded an arts education program for children with special needs, where dance plays a significant role at Merrimack Hall.
This should demonstrate my expertise on the subject of dance competitions. You might even call me opinionated, but feel free to dismiss my credentials and chalk this up to mere obnoxiousness. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve expressed a strong opinion that I believed was undeniable, only to be told I was being difficult.
I am far from prudish. Those who know me are aware of my colorful language and liberal viewpoints. I generally have an open mind, especially when it comes to the arts. However, over the years, I’ve witnessed children’s dance costumes shrink to the point where they’ve practically vanished. Now, we see what are called “hot shorts” or “bloomers” paired with what look like bras from Victoria’s Secret, all under the harsh glare of stage lights. I’m unsure what I find more troubling – seeing 8-year-olds or 17-year-olds dressed this way.
Perhaps Dance Teachers believe they are costuming their students to emulate their idols, like Misty Copeland or Beyoncé. Let’s consider Exhibit A:
Misty Copeland in Under Armour ad in rehearsal space
Misty Copeland is indeed not fully covered in this photo, nor in her famous Under Armour commercial. However:
- She is Misty Copeland.
- She is a mature woman.
- This is an advertisement for undergarments, specifically underwear, not items marketed as dance costumes.
- Both the photo and video are set in a rehearsal setting, not on a performance stage before an audience.
Now, let’s examine Exhibit B:
Beyonce Knowles performing on stage in lingerie-inspired outfit
I admire Beyoncé and see her as a positive and empowering role model for young women. It’s clear she isn’t wearing much in this image, but:
- She is Beyoncé.
- She is a grown woman.
- Again, she is Beyoncé.
I suspect even Mrs. Carter would find Exhibit C questionable:
Young girls in "Single Ladies" costumes performing suggestive dance
I could elaborate extensively on this image and the dance performed by these 6-year-olds, which went viral and sparked considerable controversy a few years ago. It’s a clear example of what is “inappropriate for their age.” But for now, let’s focus on the costumes themselves.
I’ve witnessed countless teenagers at competitions and recitals in “costumes” resembling Exhibit D:
Teen dancer in revealing activewear set in dance studio
Do you see what I mean? She might as well be unclothed. Yet, note that she is in a rehearsal space, alone in the photo, and the catalog promoting this item labels it “activewear.” It is important for dancers to see their bodies to assess their turnout and lines in class, often in front of mirrors. Dance class is one thing, but performing before an audience is another. I firmly believe this is unacceptable.
This trend appears to have begun when young dancers stopped wearing tights. However, one can dance barefoot while wearing footless tights, which would at least provide some coverage. I recently sat next to a man at a competition who confessed he couldn’t watch dancers dressed like this, finding it deeply uncomfortable, so he resorted to scrolling through Facebook during those performances. His daughter is only 7; by the time she’s a teenager, will dancers be wearing just thongs and pasties?
I always thought costumes were meant to enhance a dance or tell a story. Consider Exhibit E:
Teenage dancers in bikini-style costumes on stage
What narrative necessitates girls dancing on poles in bikinis? Perhaps the dance teacher responsible is preparing these children for careers as erotic dancers. I have no issue with erotic dance and can appreciate a well-executed striptease – when the performer and audience are all over 21, and perhaps with a cocktail in hand. But at a “family-friendly” dance competition? It feels entirely misplaced.
I recognize that some professions involve public performance in minimal clothing, like track and field athletes or gymnasts. Their attire is designed for aerodynamics or to prevent entanglement on apparatus. Dance teachers must also ensure costumes don’t hinder movement or cause trips. However, there is a boundary of good taste, and Dance Teachers, I must say, you have crossed it.
So, Dance Teachers, please reconsider your costume choices. And Dance Parents, please voice your concerns if you are uncomfortable with these types of costumes. Scant costumes do not improve a dance’s competitive edge, and parents should not hesitate to express their discomfort with immodest attire.
Perhaps I am wrong, or simply being difficult, but I believe our children deserve better.
Stay tuned for future posts where I’ll share my expert opinions on tilts, leg extensions, crotch shots, props, music selection, and much more.
