First time at a ballet performance? Going with children? I got you covered!

Let’s start with the dress code.

Nowadays, most theatres and operas state that they don’t have any special or strict dress code. However, I strongly believe that something as elevated and elegant as ballet should be met with at least some level of elevation and elegance. It’s all about respect for the art. And if you want to show respect for this beautiful art form, these tips may help you along the way.

??Dress code for adults going to the ballet ??

At ballet performances, I’ve seen people dress in all kinds of ways:

• from very casual (e.g. hoodies, sneakers or everyday office outfit like jeans and a cheap blazer)
• to modest classy (like a knit dress with statement jewelry),
• quirky and creative (like a dress with vibrant colors and an unusual shape)
• to very classy and glamorous (like an evening dress for women or a high-quality velvet suit for men).

Here are some basics you should consider when dressing for a ballet evening.

• Sport clothes do not belong at a ballet performance. This includes trainers, leggings, jeans, hoodies and similar.
• If you still want to be on the more casual side, pay attention to the colors of the outfit you choose. While neutral colors like black, blue and beige might make you look like you are going to another conference or a lunch meeting, adding a little more color to the outfit (for instance, adding a little bit of red to your beige outfit) can instantly elevate the vibe in your look.
• Don’t overdo it: Ballet is an elegant form of art. Anything that puts you on the vulgar side would be inappropriate for a ballet performance, for example, a deep cleavage, a very short dress/skirt, especially if it is tight… Also, be mindful of your makeup: It’s not a night club gathering. I would, for example, skip dark smokey eye makeup and anything that gives you a seductive look instead of an elegant one.
• As said, ballet performances usually last for two hours, and you need to be able to sit, walk and breathe comfortably. So, make sure you are wearing something in which you feel comfortable, confident, and happy.
• Lastly, it’s not very warm at theatres and operas. If you want to wear a sleeveless evening gown at a winter ballet performance, put on a bolero or the like to keep you warm.

Dress code for children going to the ballet performance for the first time ??????

First times are always special, and the first time at a ballet performance – even more so. Teach your child from the very beginning that going to the ballet is a special and festive occasion, not an everyday mundane activity. This starts with the clothing.

If you have a girl, let her wear something in which she feels both comfortable and elevated.

I took my daughter to a ballet performance for the first time at the age of three. She was wearing a beautiful pink dress that my mother-in-law and I had made for her a year before for another occasion. People kept approaching her, telling her what a beautiful princess she was. She thanked them for the complements by agreeing that she was a pink princess. Letting your daughter dress and feel like a princess also helps her identify with the ballerinas and feel like she is in a world where she belongs. My daughter kept saying that she was a princess just like all the other princesses on stage. ?

If you have a boy, go for something elevated and elegant here as well, as long as the child feels comfortable in it.

• A shirt, bow tie and classy pants might be a good option.
• If it’s a Christmas season and you are about to see the Nutcracker, you can even go bold and let your child dress in a festive way by choosing a costume that somehow relates to the Christmas spirit or is inspired by costumes from the Nutcracker.
• If your little boy likes being in the center of attention, what could be a better costume than that of the Nutcracker?

The Nutcracker costume can also be an empowering choice for little girls. ?

Do’s and Don’ts before and during the ballet performance ??

Before:

?? Read about the story told by the ballet in advance. This way, it will be easy for you to follow the storyline and understand what is being communicated in each part.

• You can google it, or check the website of the theatre for this kind of information. Operas and theatres often provide free booklets with information about the storyline as well as the names of the dancers and more. Ask for the booklet at the reception.

Not all theatres or dance companies provide this kind of free booklets. On rare occasions, they are sold for a price. Dance companies and theatres, PLEASE STOP WITH THIS PRACTICE. You wouldn’t expect students to pay for a whiteboard so that they can learn under proper circumstances at universities. It’s the same with a ballet performance. It’s the spectators’ right to receive information about who is performing and how the dance company has modified the storyline to make sure they understand what they are seeing. Who wants an audience who is not sure about what happened on stage?

??Make sure you get to the performance in time. If you still get late, the staff might let you in at an appropriate time, for example, when people are applauding, and if that happens, you should not start looking for your seat. Sit wherever you find a free spot at the back or on the side. Some operas and theatres may have a stricter policy and you may have to wait until the intermission before they let you in.

• They usually ring a bell three times, with some time in between to let you know the start of the performance is approaching. The last call may consist of three consecutive ringing with a few seconds in between.

?? You are allowed to bring your coat with you when watching the performance, but I’d recommend a cardigan or similar instead. If you get too hot, you will have to put your coat on your knees, and it might not feel very comfortable. Cloakrooms can be free of charge, or they might charge a small fee for storing your coat.

?? Due to the risk for terror attacks, the theatre may not allow bags. Double-check before going to the performance. ?

During:

In the words of the dance professor Edward C Warburton, ”(…)for a complete experience of dance to take place, dancers and viewers must move into empathy together”. For this kind of empathetic interaction to occur, spectators need to be thoroughly engaged and immersed in the performance, both physically and emotionally.

? Here are some tips to make sure your experience of the dance performance is complete.

• Try to avoid taking photos

Ballet is not a cheap experience, and you are paying for the experience. You want to enjoy it then and there. Taking photos, or especially videos, can distract you from the experience and snap you out of the feelings of harmony and joy that you otherwise might have felt. If you still feel like you want to have a visual memory of a certain moment, make sure the flash is off when taking a photo.

• No videos

I sometimes see people filming some parts of the performance - usually the most dramatic and impressive moments of the ballet. I strongly recommend against it. How many times do you come back to videos taken in other contexts? It is highly likely you won’t rewatch the video you’ve taken of the performance, and guess what? Your body won’t remember that amazing part because you were so focused on filming with the right angle, etc. that you completely missed out on the experience.

• No talking and moving around

Make sure you are sitting comfortably and have everything you need with you before the performance begins. Standing up and moving around, looking for things in your bag, eating snacks, discussing the performance with your company, etc. can interrupt not only your experience but also that of everyone around you.

?? If you are bringing a small child to the ballet performance

Make sure to talk with her/him in advance about how to behave there. If this is her first time and if she is super excited about it, chances are the child will be vocal when expressing her first emotions and impressions. No-one should criticize the child for this – it should only be welcomed – but at the same time, people won’t like being disturbed by sounds that are not a part of the performance.

Ballet performances usually last for two hours with a short break in between. Going to the loo before the performance as well as during the break are a must. But still… Book aisle seats. You never know when the child might ask you again for going to the loo or when she might get bored – you need to be able to give her a break without disturbing others’ experience.

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