Show Run Saturdays: Building Confidence, Community, and a Stronger Show
Our first Show Run Saturday was this past weekend, and it was so exciting to see everyone come together.
Show Run Saturdays are something I introduced after COVID, when many of our dancers hadn’t yet had the experience of being on stage. I wanted to create a bridge between the classroom and the theatre. A space where dancers could feel prepared, confident, and supported before stepping into the full performance environment.
It’s now a practice I will keep forever.
In the four weeks leading up to the recital, we run optional Show Run Saturdays for our Level 1+ dancers. These sessions are designed to simulate the flow of the show and give dancers a real sense of what performance day feels like.
Understanding the Show
Dancers begin to learn the running order and how their pieces fit into the full production. It shifts their perspective from “my dance” to “the show.”
Costume Changes in Real Time
Quick changes are a skill. These rehearsals give dancers the chance to practice them under real conditions, which reduces stress and builds confidence.
Stamina and Endurance
Many of our dancers train in multiple styles. Moving from one piece to another takes energy, focus, and pacing. These runs help them understand how to manage that.
Problem Solving Before the Stage
These rehearsals are invaluable for catching issues early. Just this Saturday, we discovered that a beautiful costume from our costume bank simply couldn’t be changed into quickly enough. That’s something we can now fix well before show day.
Building Community
This is one of the most special parts. Dancers watch each other, cheer each other on, and start to see the full picture come together. Younger dancers look up to the older ones. The older dancers lead by example. It creates a shared sense of excitement and pride.
By the time we arrive at the theatre, this work shows.
The dancers feel more grounded. The transitions are smoother. The energy is stronger.
And most importantly, the experience is more joyful.
We’re just getting started, and I can’t wait to see how the next few Saturdays continue to shape this year’s recital.