Ah the show order. The most important and complicated task in planning your recital. One would think putting a list of dances together would be easy. One would be wrong. For anyone who has to complete this task, here are important things to consider.
Length of show. Your show should be no longer than two hours with a 15 minute intermission. Aim for about 15 dances in each half for a total of 30 dances. Any more than 40 dances and you will want to consider a second show.
Energy. The recital energy needs to flow. Start with an opener that will tell the audience this is going to be great! Something upbeat with some of your stronger dances is a good start. Many times I will plan for the opening number to be a special number either by our company dances or an optional number dancers can addition for. You should also have a strong number for the first dance after intermission and the last dance of the show. From there alternate between styles and types of music. Entertain your audience!
Vary your ages. Alternate between age levels. This will add to the variety of your show and also limit the number of quick changes.
Quick changes. Try to limit the number of quick changes. Each dancer should have at least three dances between numbers. This is not always possible and quick changes are needed but the less you have the better.
Group families together. When having multiple shows attempt to put dancers from the same family in the same show. Again this is not always possible but attempting to put families together is appreciated.
Bow or finale. End with a great bow or finale! Pick upbeat music so that all dancers can celebrate their achievement.
Putting a successful show order together can be like playing Tetris trying to get all the pieces to fit. It definitely takes work. Thankfully Prosody Backstage makes it a little bit easier! (One of our Prosody community members told me that it took her 45 minutes to put her show order together with Prosody Backstage and normally it took her three days! )The show order is the first step to a great show. You can do it!
Happy Dancing!
