Ask Rhee
By Rhee Gold

Dance educators seek advice about teaching issues

Q: Dear Rhee,

This year I am celebrating the 50th anniversary of my school. I have loved every minute of the past 50 years and I want to make my recital something special, maybe do something totally different. Do you have any ideas? Thanks!

—Charlene

Dear Charlene,

Congratulations on this milestone in your career—you deserve a pat on the back! The first thing that comes to my mind is the concept of reminiscing about all those years of dance. Consider creating a set that includes a giant scrapbook in the center of the stage. Fill those pages with enlargements of approximately 10 program covers or pictures from your past recitals, going back to the very first one. Have students turn the pages of this giant book to move from one scene to another, and use some of your favorite music and/or choreography from each of those shows.

You could set the mood for the evening even before the curtain goes up by creating a slide show of photographs that span your school’s 50 years. Have it running on the stage (or perhaps in the lobby) before the show starts, once the auditorium doors open and the audience is filtering in.

Also, run an ad in the paper announcing that you are looking for alumni from your school. Invite them to come back to perform a closing number for the show.

Be sure to send a press release to all the local newspapers and television stations to let them know about your anniversary. Also send it to all the politicians from your state—you just might find yourself receiving a proclamation or some other recognition that is certainly well deserved.

Again, congratulations, and I wish you another 50 years of continued success! —Rhee

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