Have a stress free dance competition season with this ultimate dance competition checklist! Here to help you navigate and win this dance comp season.
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It’s almost dance competition season, which means you might be getting ready for a lot of stress and pressure ahead of getting ready to compete. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Get ready to dominate your dance competition prep with this dance competition checklist and prep guide designed to help you prepare for the win with all your dance competition must haves.
You’ll even have the opportunity to get a free downloadable version of this blog post to check off as you pack for your next dance competition!
Be sure to save this post so you can be as prepared as possible for your next dance comp all because you have the ULTIMATE dance competition checklist.
This post is all about dance competition checklist
Pre-Competition Planning
This section focuses on administrative, physical, and psychological preparation that you need to do in the days leading up to a dance competition. If you are the dancer some of these things will be taken care of by your dance teachers, studio, or maybe even your parents.
It is still a good idea to double check all of these things just in case.
Administrative & Logistics
These are all the things you’ll need to do prior to arriving to the competition to ensure smooth sailing up until performance time. These include confirming your schedule, reviewing competition rules, planning meals and travel, and checking technical elements.
Confirm Schedule
Verify call times, performance times, and awards ceremonies. Know where you need to be and when. It is a good idea to have a hard copy of these to easily reference.
Review Rules
Different competitions have different rules. And it is really important to abide by them before, during, and after the competition.
Double-check specific rules for props, stage entrances and exits, music file format (if needed), and costume restrictions.
Map Out Travel
How much mapping out you have to do will depend on where and when the dance competition is.
A couple days before your competition be sure to calculate travel time, parking costs/availability, and necessary tolls. You don’t have to get super specific down to the minute of how long it takes you to walk from the parking garage to the venue but you will want to give yourself plenty of time to get to the competition.
Meal Planning
Staying properly fueled during your dance competition day or weekend is essential. Plan and pack healthy, energy-sustaining snacks and meals (no messy, colorful, or staining foods!).
Try not to rely too heavily on delivery or takeout if you don’t already have large blocks of time in your schedule where you aren’t doing anything. It’s probably best to pack some good, protein and carb loaded snacks that you can munch on throughout the day.
Some of the best options include trail mix, a fruit or yogurt pouch, nuts and seeds, and a protein shake.
Music Check
Ensure music file is correctly labeled, volume checked, and a backup (USB/Phone) is ready. Your studio will most likely be taking care of this if you are the dancer or dance parent but it never hurts to be prepared.
You might also like: How to Prepare for a Dance Competition
Physical Preparation
Once you’ve settled the logistics of dance comp prep, it’s time to do some of the physical preparation for the competition. This section goes over all you need to do to ensure you can physically show up for success at your next dance competition.
Skin and Body Care
Your body is your instrument so you want to take care of it properly leading up to your competition. For this step of your dance competition prep checklist, you’ll want to prep your skin and body not only for the competition but so you can feel confident.
Some steps in this part of your checklist might include
- Taking a shower the night before
- Rolling out muscles after final rehearsals
- Bandaging any blisters or small wounds on your body
- Continuing your skin care routine
- Shaving (if necessary)
- Applying self tanner or getting a spray tan if necessary (I recommend doing this 3-5 days before the competition to avoid looking too orange)
Hair Prep
Practice hairstyle with headpieces/accessories to ensure fit and stability. If your studio is having you do a very specific newer hairstyle for a dance, try practicing it a few times to see how long it takes you and what you’ll need to keep it in.
Recommended Post: 20+ Dance Competition Hair Ideas You’ll Love!
Costume Check
Try on all pieces (including tights, shoes, and jewelry) to check for rips, missing buttons, or necessary repairs. You probably already had a try on or competition practice day with your studio in costume to do this so you might not need to do so at home.
Be sure to at least do a visual check on the hanger of all costume pieces and essentials a few days prior to the competition to ensure everything is perfect and ready for competition day.
Practice Intentionally
The final step in your physical preparation on your dance competition checklist is to practice and review intentionally. Rest is super important leading up to a competition so be sure not to overwork your mind and body beforehand.
If you are already spending hours at the studio leading up to competition day and additional mental walk through is probably all you’ll need ahead of the big day.
The Ultimate Dance Competition Packing List
This section will go over all of the physical items you need to make sure you pack ahead of your next dance competition.
Keep reading to get the free download so you can check everything off you list as you pack for your next dance competition!
Costumes & Accessories
You might as well not show up for your dance competition at all without all of your essential costume pieces and accessories. In this part of the section you’ll find everything you need on your dance competition checklist to look your best onstage.
All Costume Pieces
Be sure to pack all of your different costumes and costume piece. I recommend getting an individual garment bag for each costume and its essential accessories.
Tights and Undergarments
You want to make sure you are good to go underneath all of your costumes with the best undergarments and correct tights.
Check with your studio for requirements and what they recommend.
Dance Shoes
And it would really be a tragedy if you forgot all of your dance shoes you need for the stage. I recommend packing different pairs in their own bag just to know what you have and keep them stage ready.
Head Pieces and Accessories
Most of the time you will want to keep all costume accessories like head pieces with your costume. Add them in the pockets of your garment bag or attach a bag to the hanger to keep everything together.
Hair & Makeup Kit (The Glam Bag)
Now it’s time to make your face and hair stage ready with all your dance competition hair and makeup essentials. This section of your dance competition checklist will go over everything to include in your dance competition glam bag to make you stage ready.
Dance Competition Hair Kit
Keep your dance competition hairstyles looking ready all day long by packing the following dance competition hair essentials. For the best product recommendations click the item names below!
Holding the Hairstyle
Hairstyling Products
Combs and Brushes
Dance Competition Makeup Kit
Once you’ve packed your hair kit it’s time to create your dance competition makeup kit. Be sure to check with your studio if there are any particular products they recommend or require before you start packing.
The Base
- Primer
- Concealer
- Foundation
- Setting powder
- Setting Spray
Eye Makeup
- Eye shadow primer
- Eye shadow palette
- Liquid eye liner
- False eyelashes
- Eyelash glue
- Waterproof mascara
Dimension
- Bronzer/Contour
- Blush
- Highlighter
Lips
- Long-wear lipstick – I SWEAR by this one
- Lip Liner
- Lip gloss (if required)
Makeup Tools
- Makeup brushes
- Makeup sponges
- Makeup remover/micellar water
- Makeup removing cloth
- Q-tips
- Mirror
Here are some of my recommendations for the essentials listed above
Tools & Emergency Kit
Dance competition weekends can be long and mishaps can easily happen. That’s why it never hurts to be prepared with some emergency essentials to add to your dance competition checklist.
This section will help you create your dance competition emergency kit and teach you all about the essentials to add.
The S.O.S. Section
These are all of your SOS essentials to pack in case of emergency and just for extra caution on the day of the competition.
Costume Fixes
- Sewing Kit
- Fashion tape
- Super glue (for rhinestones)
- Body glue
- Clear nail polish (for preventing runs in tights)
First-Aid Essentials
- Bandaids
- Blister pads
- Rubbing alcohol
- Gauze
- Medical tape
- Second skin – I SWEAR by this stuff for blisters, floor burn, and scrapes
- Mini first aid kit
Random Emergency Essentials
- Nail polish remover
- Cotton balls
- Hot glue gun
- Tide pen/stain remover
- Odor spray
- Lint roller
- Trash bags
Hydration
It’s going to be pretty hard to get through an entire dance competition without staying hydrated. Be sure to pack a good reusable water bottle and maybe even some extra disposable ones for good measure.
The Quick-Change Survival Kit (Crucial for Dancers)
If you’re going to a dance competition and performing multiple times, you need to be prepared for multiple changes and maybe even some quick ones.
This section will cover all of your quick change essentials to keep each costume change as stress free as possible!
Cover-up/Robe
Sometimes when it comes to getting ready at a dance competition you’ll be in some less than private places. That’s why having a cover-up or robe will come in handy.
Small hand towel (for wiping off sweat/glitter)
Be sure to pack a good hand towel or wash cloth to stay feeling clean and wipe off any sweat or glitter after performing.
Slip on shoes or booties
To keep your feet warm and also walk around the competition venue, be sure to pack some good dance booties or slip on shoes to wear.
Competition Day (Before, During, and After)
This section of the dance competition checklist is all about the day of competition necessities. Following these steps and tips is crucial to having a stress free dance competition.
Arrival & Setup
Once you arrive at the competition there are some essential things you need to do to ensure a smooth competition day. From checking in to claiming your spot, here is all you need to do to arrive and properly set up for your dance competition.
Check-In
When you arrive at the competition you’ll need to check in. It is possible that your studio director or dance teacher will do this for you but it never hurts to double check.
Be sure to grab a program and any necessary materials before heading to get ready. It’s also important to check in with your dance teacher or studio to get any instructions and find out where you all are meeting.
Claim Your Spot
Now you need to claim a good spot to get ready in. Most likely your studio will have a designated room or area to get ready in.
Once you find your spot try your best to politely claim an outlet to charge any devices or use any necessary prep items.
Program Check
When you find your space to get ready it is super important to check the program to know when you’ll be competing and when you need to check in backstage.
Circle or highlight your dance routine in the program in addition to when you’ll want to be backstage.
The Performance Phase
This part of the section will go over everything you need to do right before you go onstage to perform.
Pre-Stage Warm-up
As you set up and get ready it is incredibly important that you warm up properly, and that doesn’t just mean stretching! Focus on dynamic movements and warming/activating your muscles first and then stretching last for best results.
During this time you might also mentally go through your routine or even practice with your group.
Costume Check
Now it’s time to do a final costume check when you are fully dressed. Confirm all accessories and shoes are properly secured 15-30 minutes before call time.
Have a fellow dancer check you and do a self-check in the mirror so you don’t miss any loose pieces or tags sticking out.
Mental Check
Finally, the most important part of dance competition prep is to prepare yourself mentally. Try to minimize distractions and take some time to breathe.
Try visualizing your routine and maybe repeating some affirmations to get you motivated. I personally like to listen to a hype song a little while before I perform to get myself in a confident mindset before I take the stage.
Post-Performance & Awards
The competition day doesn’t just end once you’ve performed all of your routines. Now it’s time for everything you need to do following your performance and in preparation for awards.
Immediate Care
Once you get off stage you can go ahead and get out of your costume and remove all accessories. Start packing up your things that you don’t need at this point to go back in the car.
At this time you might also get into some comfortable clothing like a studio shirt, jacket, and some leggings or track pants.
Costume Inventory
Put all pieces of the costume back together immediately (e.g., put earrings with the headpiece) to prevent loss.
Review/Reflection
Before awards even happen it’s important to take notes on what went well and what needs practice (optional but useful). Reflect on how you’re feeling and what you want to take away from the competition regardless of the outcome at awards.
Awards Ceremony
Awards can be exciting and nerve-racking. No matter what the outcome is be sure to stay and cheer for your studio and maintain good sportsmanship throughout.
Post-Competition Follow-up
After recovering from the competition there are still a few things you’ll want to do to be sure you have smooth competitions in the future. This final section of your ultimate dance competition checklist will cover everything you need to do following your dance competition.
Unpacking
When you get home be sure to completely unpack and air out or wash all costumes and dancewear. This way they won’t start to smell and they’ll be ready for the next dance competition or dance performance you have.
Repair and Restock
Note any supplies that ran out (tape, glue, safety pins) and restock the emergency kit immediately for the next event.
Review Feedback
Finally, it’s a good practice to watch performance videos and review judges’ critiques with your teacher/coach. This will help you prepare going forward.
Before You Go
And now you’re ready to start prepping for your dance competition and using this dance competition checklist! With your dance competition checklist and proper preparation, you’ll be ready to have the best performance of your life
And if you’re still looking for your dance competition checklist download and digital checklist, type your information below and get it sent straight to your inbox NOW!
This post was all about dance competition checklist
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