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Show dance preparation4 minutes

The big performance day: Your checklist for the acrobatics show

By Mary De LucaUpdated

In a nutshell
  • A detailed schedule for arrival and the on-site process prevents rushing in the changing room.
  • The structured packing list ensures all costumes, props, emergency supplies, and show music are double-checked.
  • A thorough walkthrough of the stage clarifies floor conditions, spatial boundaries, and entrance paths before the show.
  • Clear responsibilities within the team regulate the breakdown and post-show tasks after the applause.

Standing on the stage together

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Standing on the stage together

The curtain rises, the spotlight is blinding, and the hall is packed. For your show group to shine on the big day, every cog behind the scenes needs to mesh perfectly with udansa.

What you need on-site on the day of your performance

  • Complete costumes including spare tights
  • Show music on a USB stick and as a backup on your smartphone
  • First-aid kit with ice spray and blister plasters
  • Printed schedule and timeline for all team members
  • Cleaning and make-up supplies for quick touch-ups

Safety and focus away from the dance floor

A successful show dance performance thrives on the precision of lifts and the group's expressiveness. However, athletic performance during training is only half the battle: on the day of the show, background logistics determine whether you succeed or descend into chaos. If you consistently work through the checklist for organizing an acrobatic performance in advance, you have your team's back. This allows all performers to focus fully on their body tension and mutual trust, instead of searching for safety pins or the right music medium shortly before doors open.

Organizational preparation begins weeks before the actual event and involves the entire team. While the athletic foundations must already be established within the club, the focus at the venue is on adapting to local conditions. Every stage has different dimensions, different floor surfaces, and different lighting conditions. A structured schedule ensures that no important detail is forgotten, despite any stage fright.

Step by step to a confident performance

  1. Check equipment and costumes

    Pack all costumes, props, and personal equipment using your acrobatics show packing list. Double-check that all hairpieces, makeup supplies, and the matching shoes are stowed in the car.

  2. Arrive at the venue on time

    Meet the entire team on time at the agreed meeting point at the location. Plan for extra time for traffic or finding a parking space to avoid any stress from the start.

  3. Organizing the dressing room

    Move into your assigned dressing room and lay out your costumes neatly. Set up a permanent emergency corner with a first-aid kit, hairspray, and safety pins that everyone can access immediately.

  4. Inspect the stage in detail

    Use the udansa stage run-through directly on the performance area. Check the grip of the floor, look for orientation points for your positioning, and test the ceiling height for your lifts.

  5. Coordinate with the technical team

    Have a quick chat with the lighting and sound technician to clarify music cues and any lighting moods. Hand over your music medium in person and perform a quick soundcheck.

  6. Start the mental walkthrough

    Go through the choreography one more time in your head or in a quiet corner of the changing room. Focus on the key parts and your mutual trust.

Success factors on the day of the performance in comparison

Correct

  • Have music with you on a USB stick and mobile phone
  • Walk off the stage dimensions before the warm-up
  • Designate a fixed contact person for the technical setup

Wrong

  • Relying blindly on the internet at the venue
  • Testing the ceiling height only during the first throw
  • Letting everyone talk to the sound engineer at the same time

The schedule for your show day

One week before

Preparation

Two hours before

Arrival

After the performance

Follow-up

Frequently asked questions

  1. The emergency bag should contain safety pins, hairspray, spare hair ties, blister plasters, ice spray, transparent tape, and a small sewing kit. A USB stick with the show music as a backup should also be kept here.

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