What to Pack for Dance Intensives
Seasonal intensives are an exciting experience for ballerinas. For weeks at a time, dancers travel to a new city to hone their skills with lessons typically offered by experienced ballet professionals at prestigious companies. While traveling to a new city and being away from family and friends can be a challenge, also provide an opportunity for dancers to gains a sense of independence.
Depending on the intensive program, dancers may share dorms with other dancers during their stay. Otherwise, they may be living alone for the first time ever. While it’s important to check your program’s requirements and suggestions for what you should bring to intensives, we’ve created a Dance Intensive packing list with the help of our Brown Ballerina Ambassadors so that you can be prepared and comfortable during your time away from home.
Daily Dance Bag
What you pack in your daily dance bag can really make or break your success while at intensives. You’ll be spending hours on your feet and in the studio, likely with little-to-no time to return to your dorm during the day. That’s why it’s important to keep your daily dance bag stocked with everything you’ll need to get through the day worry-free.
Related: How to Pack the Perfect Dance Bag
Pack extra dancewear, comfortable clothing, warm-up or post-practice items, healthy snacks (with ice packs to keep things cool in case there’s no refrigerator in the studio), a refillable water bottle, and a sweat towel with you. During downtime, you may want to read a book or watch a movie on your phone or tablet, so don’t forget your headphones! Depending on how much you think you’ll need to bring with you each day, our FroBella Minimalist Backpack or our Bella Duffle Bag may be great solutions for you.
In case of any wardrobe mishaps, be sure to have extra dancewear and a small sewing kit on hand. “One thing I always make sure I pack in my bag are safety pins. It never fails that during recital or competition someone always needs a safety pin,” said Brown Ballerina Ambassador Madison Davis.
Related: Discussing Dance Travel with Brown Ballerina Ambassador Madison Davis
Other Dance Supplies
Use your program’s requirements as a reference to ensure you’re prepared for each day’s lessons. Items may include dancewear that aligns with the program’s dress code, extra tights, dance warm-ups, and any physical therapy items you may need. Don’t forget your dance shoes! Brown Ballerina Ambassador Olivia Bell doesn’t attend intensives without multiple pairs of pointe shoes.
“Depending on the kind of pointe shoes you wear and the climate of the city you’re visiting, an advanced dancer can go through three to five pairs of shoes a week,” she said. “Also, depending on the city, it might be hard to get to a dance store that’s open when you don’t have class and that carries your brand of pointe shoes, and that has your particular size, style, and maker in stock. I always make sure to have enough pointe shoes to make it through the full summer program before I leave home.”
Related: Discussing Dance Travel with Brown Ballerina Ambassador Olivia Bell
Wardrobe
Dance store availability isn’t the only thing that could be affected by the city you travel to. The wardrobe you bring will also be influenced by location. When packing your non-dance-related clothing items for intensives, consider the city’s climate, lifestyle, and the activities you’ll take part in. If you’re traveling to New York City, for example, you’ll want to pack a comfortable pair of walking shoes. In Florida, you’ll need to prepare for rain with an umbrella or rain jacket. In California, you’d need sun protection and a light jacket for chilly nights. Don’t forget to pack a swimsuit, street clothes for going to museums and dinner, and comfortable clothes for relaxing.
Brown Ballerina Ambassador Cheyenne Kira likes to keep a cozy pair of sweatpants on hand.
“It’s a staple for any kind of travel, but for dance-related things, it’s important to me for warmth and comfort, and it’s pretty easy to put on and take off,” she said. “Also, if a teacher allows me to dance in sweats, especially for a contemporary or floorwork class, I will gladly take that opportunity.”
Related: Discussing Dance Travel with Brown Ballerina Ambassador Cheyenne Kira
For Your Dorm
How you start and end your day will have a direct impact on your performance levels during intensives. Being away from home, your typical routine will shift. You’ll be away from friends, family, and many other things you’re most comfortable and familiar with. While this may seem intimidating to dancers who’ve never traveled, you can create a pleasurable experience away from home by packing everything you know you’ll need to feel comfortable.
In general, you should come prepared with basic household cleaning items, storage containers for snacks, and your own bedding (pillows, sheets, etc.). For bathroom comfort, pack the soap and toiletries you typically use at home, as well as bath towels, rugs, a bathrobe, shower shoes, and a shower caddy to help you easily organize and carry your toiletries. You’ll be sweating through a lot of clothes, so don’t forget to pack laundry detergent, and a dirty clothes hamper. Bring hangers to allow your delicate clothing and dancewear to hang dry, that way you won’t encounter any shrinkage or discomfort.
Extras
Now that we’ve covered all of the necessities, let’s consider the extra items you may want to bring along to optimize your experience. In case of emergencies, you should have any prescription medicines on hand, as well as emergency contact numbers, your health insurance information, and a list of allergies. It also helps to have a prepaid debit card on hand - separate from your spending money - for any financial emergencies that may arise.
For preventative care, pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and daily vitamins. For extra comfort while in your dorm, pack a foot-soaking tub and extension cords. Even though you’ll be quite busy with dance, you’ll still have some time for leisurely activities. Bring board games and video games to play with your fellow dance students. Last but not least, make sure you pack your cell phone. Brown Ballerina Ambassador Kennedy George said cell phones were required at her last summer intensive. “I can access music, videos, and important information/details from my email at any time,” she said. “I can research information, make videos, take notes, and entertain myself in my downtime - and of course, take lots of pics for memories and footage.”
Related: Discussing Dance Travel with Brown Ballerina Ambassador Kennedy George
What Not to Pack
As much as you should know what you should pack, there are also things you should leave at home so that they don’t get lost, stolen, or cause you to be expelled from the dance program. Don’t bring any expensive items like jewelry. Avoid bringing flammable substances in order to prevent fires in the dorms. Lastly, you should not bring any weapons, illegal substances, or alcohol.
Did we leave anything out? In the comments below, tell us what’s on your packing list for dance intensives!
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