How to Pack the Perfect Dance Bag
Proper preparation is a sure-fire way to succeed in the dance world. That’s why it’s a no-brainer that you need a thoughtfully packed dance bag!
Before every practice, performance, or audition, you might prepare yourself for optimal performance by eating healthily, stretching, and getting a good night’s rest. What are you doing to feel prepared during practice, though?
Your dance bag should be packed with all the essential items you’ll need to breeze through the day. This week, we’ve compiled a helpful list of items you should pack in your dance bag to help you feel prepared for anything that may come up while you’re at the studio or on set.
Nutrition
Dancing for several hours at a time can be strenuous on your body. Some days, you may spend an entire day at rehearsal or auditions. The busier you are, the easier it will be to resort to junk food to cure your hunger. Keeping light, easy-to-eat snacks in your dance bag guarantees that you’ll make healthy choices while keeping yourself energized throughout the day.
What to pack:
Hydration
Water, coconut water, iced tea, and natural fruit juice are all good sources of hydration.
Healthy & Mess-Free Snacks
Pack easy-to-eat fruit such as bananas and apples. Granola bars, nuts, pretzels, and cheese cubes are just a few examples of mess-free snacks that are packed with nutrients.
A Sweet Treat
Satisfy your sweet tooth with fruit snacks, a chocolate bar, or chocolate-covered fruit and nuts.
Comfort
Every ballerina experiences their share of stage fright. Before performances, auditions, or during a new dance class, jittery nerves are normal. Packing a few comfort items in your dance bag will help you feel at peace during those moments, which will likely enhance your performance.
What to pack:
Dance Warm-ups & Layers
The temperature in your studio may fluctuate, so it never hurts to have a loose, warm sweatshirt you can easily pull over your leotard and remove as needed.
Warm-up pants and leg warmers are also essential to keep your muscles warm as you stretch, reducing your risk of muscle strain or injury.
Physical Therapy Items
Any supplies you’ll need to warm up efficiently, such as resistance bands, toe tape, and massage rollers, should be stowed away in your dance bag.
Combination Lock
Keep a combination lock in your bag in case the studio or theater has lockers for you to use. Locking your dance bag away will grant you the peace of mind needed to focus as you practice.
Toiletries
After spending hours in the studio working up a sweat, you’ll be glad you packed some essential toiletries in your dance bag to keep you feeling refreshed. Your toiletries will be a lifesaver for touch-ups between performances and auditions, so don’t let your dance bag go without them!
What to pack:
Hair Products
Our hair can sometimes have a mind of its own, and that’s okay! Coming prepared with hair ties, bobby pins, a hairbrush, and your favorite styling product will keep your strands in check. It wouldn’t hurt to pack a hair scarf or bonnet, especially on performance days when changing your costume may mess up your hairdo.
Hygienic Products
Pack a razor, feminine products, deodorant, and other items you regularly use to maintain proper hygiene. Consider also packing a fresh pair of underwear and an empty plastic bag for dirty clothes.
Make-Up
Keeping a small pouch with make-up in it will come in handy on performance days. On another note, it’s not wise to share eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick with other dancers, as doing so increases the risk of spreading germs.
COVID-19 Prevention Kit
Speaking of spreading germs, make sure you carry a face mask, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, and disposable gloves in your dance bag so you can protect yourself and others from the spread of COVID-19.
Emergencies
In case of a minor injury, a wardrobe malfunction, or an accidental spill, make sure you’re prepared by packing the following emergency items in your dance bag.
What to pack:
Extra Dancewear
A set of extra tights and a leotard can serve as back-ups if you notice random rips or stains in your dancewear. If your tights get caught on something and are starting to tear, you can also put a dab of clear nail polish on them to stop the run in its tracks.
First Aid Supplies
It always helps to have a couple of bandaids, ointment, and Q-tips on hand in case you get scratched or bruised while practicing. Make sure you also have all of your necessary medicines, vitamins, inhalers, etc. on hand.
Sewing Kit
For quick wardrobe repairs and adjustments, pack a small sewing kit in your dance bag, along with a stain removing pen and a miniature lint roller.
Entertainment
For those idle moments between performances or auditions, you can pack some entertainment options in your dance bag.
What to Pack:
Dance Journal
Keeping a notebook on you at all times will be helpful for taking notes about your performance or lessons, and jot down random thoughts and ideas that come to mind.
Homework
Use your spare time to work on assignments and reading for school.
Technology
Use your smartphone or tablet to listen to a relaxing playlist, a motivating podcast, or to read an e-book.
Let us know what’s in your dance bag in the comments below!
Don’t have a dance bag packed yet? No worries! We created a Dance Bag Checklist for you to download. Visit our shop for exclusive Brown Girls Do Ballet gear to pack in your dance bag!