By Emma Braithwaite, Staff Writer
Tights, check. Leotard, check. Water bottle, check. Mask? This is a new item on many dancers’ checklists now, thanks to COVID-19.
Since coronavirus appeared in the U.S. in March, dance studios haven’t been able to function as normal. Some studios are just now opening back up, while others still can’t open.
Atlantic Dance reopened Sept. 9 for the first time since March 13. Still, owner Mila Smith has to run things a little differently this year.
“We’re running on a modified schedule at least until the fall,” Smith said. “We are having each of our core groups come at one time by themselves instead of utilizing both of our studios at the same time.”
Other safety precautions include masks being worn by dancers and teachers at all times, temperature checks, social distancing and a lot of sanitization.
“My first goal was just to get everyone back in here and then we sort of just play the next few months as it comes,” Smith said.
Atlantic Dance hopes to finish its 2019-20 season and have a corona-conscientious recital in December.
Another studio that has kicked off its 2020-2021 dance season is Outer Banks Dance Academy. Owner Sabrina Hassell also began her studio’s season differently than previous years.
“We will have limited numbers in classes, and teachers and helpers must wear a mask. Our students must wear one when social distancing is not possible,” Hassell explained. “Temperature checks are required before coming, students not feeling well must stay home and anyone entering must sanitize.”
The Outer Banks Dance Academy will have helpers in the younger kids’ classes to enforce social distancing and will have multiple sanitizing stations around the studio.
When they studio shut down in March, Outer Banks Dance Academy continued their classes over Zoom with a few exceptions, allowing dancers to finish their 2019-2020 season choreography. They will be having an outdoor recital soon.
“It will not be like a regular recital. Basically, each dance will come perform and go or get ready for their next piece,” Hassell said. “We are going to maintain all guidelines set by NC laws to comply with our performance location.”
While many private studios are starting up, county programs like Dare County Dance Department can’t go back yet.
“Since it is a county program, we have to follow all the guidelines,” Dance supervisor Lisa Heath explained. “I hope to open up when school goes back.”
In the meantime, Heath has been doing small camps with social distancing and mask-wearing.
“I’m doing a princess club with the little ones,” Heath said. “I’m putting circles on the floor with chalk for them to stay in that are six feet apart.”
Usually, Dare County dancers come back to dance in the fall and practice for 12 weeks, then have a Christmas show in December. This annual recital won’t be able to happen this year.
For the studios going back with restrictions, the goal of getting things back to normal again – or at least as close to normal as possible – is just a little closer now.
“I am really glad that I get to go back to dance and have something fun to do,” said sophomore Mary Kathryn Stroud, who performs at Atlantic Dance. “But it is really weird trying to dance while social distancing and wearing a mask.”
Sophomore Emma Braithwaite can be reached at 23braithwaiteem06@daretolearn.org.
