DanceSupplies Ambassador Abigail Newcomb is an aspiring ballerina who has attended numerous summer intensives, including Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, The Rock, Next Generation Ballet, Annarella, Kaatsbaan, and others.
"So You’re Going to a Summer Intensive… Part 1"
You survived audition season - filled with its ups and downs - and you spent weeks (maybe months!) researching and finding the perfect summer intensive. You made your decisions, put your deposit down and you’re ready to go … or are you?! Whether you’re attending your first local intensive or traveling across the world for a prestigious program, preparation can make the difference between merely surviving and absolutely thriving this summer. From must-have essentials to tips to save your sanity (and your toes!), here are some things that every dancer should know before summer intensive season begins.
Before You Arrive
I am a type A planner, so before I head to a summer intensive I like to be as prepared as possible. Most intensives send a handbook before arrival which often includes a sample schedule, dress codes, expectations, etc. My favorite handbooks also contain a packing list. Some packing lists are short and sweet with just a few required items on them. Others are longer with many requirements and even some optional items. Read these handbooks and lists carefully! It can make the difference between arriving confident and ready to dance or scrambling when you get there to find a white wrap skirt or a gray colored leotard in a small town with no dance store. Preparation is key when it comes to summer intensives!
What to Pack
Packing can be one of the most stressful parts of summer intensive planning, but it does not have to be. Whether you are staying local or venturing to a far off destination this summer, here are some must-haves for summer intensive packing:
1. Leotards - most summer intensives have a dress code. From “only black leotards allowed” to “simple leotards with no mesh or lace,” my biggest piece of advice is to learn about the dress code ahead of time and pack accordingly.
Summer intensives are not a fashion show. You want to be dress code compliant and comfortable for long days of dancing. Let your dancing be what makes you stand out in class, not your distracting dancewear!
A few of my favorite summer intensive leotards are:
• Nikolay Charlotte - this is my go-to leotard. The black one is my “lucky” audition leotard, and I usually pack it for summer intensive placement auditions. It is simple enough to meet most dress codes but it comes in many colors and is flattering on all body types.
• Bloch Dianna - this is another staple leotard. It comes in several beautiful colors and has a flattering cut. I truly feel amazing in this leotard.
• Wear Moi Faustine - this is a popular “uniform” style leotard for many ballet schools, and now I know why - it’s comfortable, looks great on all body types, comes in many colors, and it holds up really well. I have this leotard in several colors and have a few more on my wishlist!
2. Skirts - if your intensive allows skirts, be sure to pack a few. My year round program does not allow skirts so I love wearing them during intensives, especially for pointe and partnering classes.
My go-to skirts include:
• Bullet Pointe Skirt - this is THE skirt and a must for your summer intensive packing list. It is a classic piece, never goes out of style, is comfortable, and it comes in a broad range of colors and sizes! You cannot go wrong with the Bullet Pointe skirt.
• Bloch Vera Wrap Ballet Skirt - I have been to intensives that require a wrap skirt for end of summer performances. If a wrap skirt is on your packing list, this is the one you want. I love that it ties in the back and the length is just perfect.
• Nikolay 5-Layer Practice Tutu - if your summer intensive includes an end of the summer performance, a tutu may be on your required packing list. If so, the Nikolay practice tutu is the perfect pick. I love how well it packs up - last summer I brought mine to Europe for an intensive and it held its shape perfectly.
• Capezio Practice Tutu - if the Nikolay tutu is out of your price range or too bulky for your suitcase, the Capezio practice tutu is the perfect alternative. I have this tutu in both black and white and it travels very well.
3. Tights, Shoes and Warmups - the key here is to bring more than you think you need. Depending on the laundry situation at your intensive, you will want to have a pair of tights for at least one week. I bring as many pairs as I can fit in my suitcase (and as many pairs as my mom will buy me!). I always bring at least two new pairs of tights, one for placement classes (when you look better, you dance better!) and one for any performances or parent observation classes. My favorite tights are the Capezio Ultra Soft Transition Tights because they are insanely durable and last forever. Last summer I stocked up on them when they were on sale and despite wearing them all year, those tights still look brand new.
Shoes are, of course, a personal preference, but it is imperative to bring enough shoes to last you all summer. Although there might be a ballet store near your intensive, there
is no guarantee they will carry your shoe or have your size in stock. My rule of thumb, if you are on pointe, is to bring one pair of shoes for each week you will be gone. I also like to sew them before I leave - the last thing you want to do is sew shoes after a long day of dancing. I do always keep a Bunheads Stitch Kit in my bag for any emergencies though!
Warmups are a necessity, even during the hot summer months! I love the Aluvie Flo Petal Shorts to throw over my leotard and tights while walking back and forth between the dorm and the studio. They look super cute with the Aluvie Icee Crop Top which comes in the cutest colors. You will also want some legwarmers to keep your legs warm in between classes (yes, even when it is 100 degrees out, your legs will get cold during breaks!). My favorite are the Aluvie Bee Legwarmers. Aluvie makes the best warmups, you cannot go wrong with any of their products!
4. Recovery Tools - summer intensives are called “intensives” for a reason. You are usually dancing a lot more hours in a day than your body is used to, which makes your pre and post class wellness routine even more important! Here are a few must-have tools for your dance bag:
• Bunheads Footsie Roller - this foot roller has been a life saver for me. I use it before and after class every single day to protect my feet and alleviate cramps,
especially after a long pointe class.
• Suffolk Foam Roller - you have rolled out your feet, but what about the rest of your hard-working muscles? Rolling is an essential part of my daily routine. I roll before class to get my blood flowing and warm up my muscles, and I roll after class to massage and release tension. This roller may take up a lot of room in your suitcase, but it is absolutely a necessity.
• Suffolk Resistance Band - light enough to throw in the front pocket of your dance bag, resistance bands are perfect for improving flexibility and strength. I use mine several times a day and love that the Suffolk bands come in two different strengths!
5. Miscellaneous - your suitcase is probably pretty full by now, but here are a few other items you may want to shop for before you leave:
• Suffolk Company Bag - you probably already have a dance bag you love, and that is great. However, summer intensives are a different beast. You might have a long walk between the dorms and the studios, and the last thing you want is a heavy or uncomfortable bag to carry around, especially in the heat. This bag looks small but it has tons of pockets and compartments and is perfect for summer intensives. It is also super light and super comfortable to carry around. I have the black, but it comes in many other cute colors!
• Nikolay Puff Tutu Bag - if you are required to bring a tutu (see above), you absolutely want to protect it with a tutu bag. I love the Nikolay puff tutu bag for bringing my tutu to summer intensives.
• Eleve Jackie Leotard and Eleve Fabiola Leotard - one of my favorite things to do during summer intensives are photoshoots. Either with friends or with a professional photographer, I love packing a few “special” leotards and taking pictures in new places. These are two of my favorite leotards for pictures. They are both unique and come in the prettiest colors. Plus, they pair nicely with the Nikolay tutu for photoshoots!
Okay, you are packed and ready to go - now what!? Stay tuned for So You’re Going to a Summer Intensive… Part 2!
Abigail Newcomb
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