Dance Parent Audience Etiquette

The Head TFB is HEAVILY INFLUENCED by a Dance Informa article to create a line of Zazzle-exclusive merch to motion dance parents to practice audience etiquette at dance recitals and competitions. Why, you ask. "To be completely honest, most people cheer dancers on in competition in order to help them win awards," Dr. Steven Karageanes, sports medicine specialist, said, "Because these dance conventions include a competitive element, parents, friends and fans take sides. In competition, you have winners and losers, and nobody enjoys losing. Parents and friends can get caught up in the winning and forget to show sportsmanship and class toward other dancers and studios." In contrast, people would ONLY clap SOMETIMES AFTER the principal dancer would pull off 32 fouettes in the coda of the Act II pas de deux at a major ballet company's production of SWAN LAKE.