I’m going to be in a dance show!

This is a special and exciting experience. Lots of children feel excited, happy, or even a little nervous before a performance. All of these feelings are okay.

My teachers and class helpers will be there, and adults called Chaperones who will look after me and help me throughout the day.

Saturday – Practice Day

When I arrive at the theatre on Saturday, I will go with my Chaperone to look at the stage and sit in the seats where the audience will watch the show.

Then I will go onto the stage with my class helpers to practise all of my dances in my Vinnies uniform.

After the practice, I will go to the dressing room with my chaperone, who will help me get changed into my first costume.

Just before it is time for my dance, the chaperones will bring my whole class to the wings. This is the area next to the stage where we wait before going on. The wings might feel a little dark at first, but I will be able to see the bright lights shining on the stage.

My class teacher and class helpers will be waiting in the wings to meet me. They will tell me when it is time to go onto the stage. When I am in the wings, I need to be very quiet and not talk to my friends. If I need to speak to a grown-up, I can whisper.

When I step onto the stage, the lights will be bright and I might not be able to see the audience seats very well. There will not be many people watching on Saturday because it is our practice day.

After my dance, I will return to the dressing room with my chaperone and get changed into my next costume. Some of my friends do more classes than me, so they will have extra costumes that I don’t have.

I will stay with my class and chaperone until it is time to dance again. If I need the toilet, I can ask my chaperone and they will take me. My chaperone will tell me when it is a good time to eat my packed tea.

When all of the classes have practiced their dances, everyone will come onto the stage together for the finale dance.

At the end of the rehearsal, I will leave all of my costumes in the dressing room. Then my chaperone will take me to be collected by my grown-up.

Sunday – Show Day

When I arrive at the theatre on Sunday, Miss Keely and a new chaperone will meet me and take me to the dressing room to get changed into my first costume.

My family will sit in the audience ready to watch the show. When I am on stage, the bright lights may make it difficult to see their faces, but they will be there watching me and smiling.

I will do my best and have fun dancing with my friends. At the end of my dance the audience will clap and cheer to show how much they enjoyed it.

After each dance, I will return to the dressing room with my chaperone and get ready for my next dance, just like I practised on Saturday.

After the show, I will go back to the dressing room to collect my bag, and my chaperone will take me to see my family.

I can feel proud of myself for learning all my dances and performing them on the theatre stage!

This is the stage for the Vinnies show.

Click here to visit our gallery page and watch our show highlights video from 2025: Rise Up!