The Concert Day Tricks Most Dance Studios Miss

The Concert Day Tricks Most Dance Studios Miss

It was supposed to be a magical day.

Phoenix, Bec's youngest, was excited for his first-ever dance concert. He loved dance. He loved his teachers. He’d been counting down.

But that year - COVID year - we changed things. We had to. The preschoolers weren’t allowed backstage, so we sat them in the audience instead. Cute idea in theory.

Total disaster in practice.

Sitting still, quietly, in the dark for an hour? Phoenix cracked. The sparkle vanished. And just like that, he decided he hated dance.

He never came back.

It was one of those gut-punch parenting moments, but also a wake-up call for us as studio owners. Because if our kids could feel that way - after all the love and prep and effort - what about the families we don’t know as well?

And more importantly: how many kids have quietly slipped away from dance because their concert experience just wasn’t fun?

Why Concert Day Might Be Working Against You

Concerts are a huge deal. We know this. We spend months preparing. Costumes, rehearsals, lighting, cue sheets, trophies…

But for most students - especially little ones - the bulk of their concert experience happens backstage.

And if backstage feels like a boring padded cell, where they’re told to sit quietly for three hours, they’re not walking away with magic. They’re walking away with discomfort, stress, maybe even tears.

Which means concert day - your biggest marketing opportunity of the year - could actually be pushing people away.

So We Asked: What Would They Want?

We flipped the script. Instead of building concerts around what we thought they should look like, we asked:

“What would make this the best day of the year for a 5-year-old?”

Here’s what we discovered.

Themed Party Rooms

Bec now runs an epic “party room” at her concerts, complete with a DJ, glow sticks, dance games, and quiet corners with loom bands or colouring for kids who need a sensory break.

It’s a total vibe - and the highlight of the day for most kids. One group last year even rushed to get changed early just so they could get more time in there.

It’s not expensive. It’s not complicated. But it makes them feel like VIPs.

Character-Led Groups for Preschoolers

Amanda’s studio turned boring change rooms into magical wonderlands. Each preschool group had a theme - like space or princesses - and was led by a fully costumed “character” who played games, read stories, and helped them feel excited (not scared) to be backstage.

Add some bubble machines, shimmer curtains, and fairy lights - and suddenly, drop-off isn’t traumatic. It’s enchanting.

Boxes of Fun

Every group leader had a “box of fun” - pre-packed with easy activities like stickers, colouring, soft toys, or storybooks. These weren’t just to kill time; they created shared moments and comfort for nervous kids.

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. A few $5 Kmart finds go a long way.

Snack Time = Fun Time

We used to dread snack questions from parents (please, no yoghurt pouches near the sequins!). So we started providing simple, low-allergy snacks like Jatz or apples.

It wasn’t about feeding them - it was about creating a moment. Sitting together, sharing food, taking a break. It mattered.

The Real Shift? It’s Not About Us.

We used to run concerts for us. The big show. The wow factor. The applause.

But now? We run them for the kids. And the parents. Because if they walk away smiling - if it’s a memory they treasure - they’ll stay. They’ll re-enrol. They’ll tell their friends.

Even if they only danced for six minutes.

A Little Challenge for You

As you prep for your next concert, take a moment to walk through the day from your students’ eyes.

How long will they be backstage?

What will they do while they wait?

How will they feel when they leave?

Make it magic. Not just for the audience - but for the kids who need a reason to love dance again next year.

You don’t have to spend big. You just have to care enough to plan it differently.

And trust us: that little shift could change everything.