Tumblers filled with iced water, turn shoes for dancing and cosmetics are just a few of the many essentials that keep Falcon dancers organized as they pirouette through the day with one goal: to “do work.” Dancewear, bobby pins and medical tape are some of the essential items found in a dancer’s bag. But what are some other fun things that linger in the various pockets?
Each link leads you to the product that the dancers use and keep in their bags.
Water bottles, 40oz+ tumblers
It is no surprise that water is one of the most necessary items in dancers’ bags; it is essential to stay hydrated through long practices and competitions.
“If we’re not fully hydrated, we can’t have energy to work hard or go full out,” Jordan Hopper (12), member of the varsity hip-hop performance and competition teams, said.
Eamon Hinton (10), member of the junior varsity hip-hop performance and competition teams, makes sure to never leave home without his Stanley.
“Of course, I have my Stanley,” Hinton said. “Long rehearsals after school can be so tiring for any dancer, but my Stanley has always been liable for keeping my water cold and [refreshing].”
Hair care
Dancing requires extensive momentum and movement from the athlete, so the last thing dancers want is to deal with a loose bun, a strand of hair in their face, frizz or general discomfort. For lots of dancers, having an extra brush or a can of hairspray can go a long way.
Hairspray is essential for varsity hip-hop performance and competition team member, Aisha Kharraz (11).
“I do have curly hair,” Kharraz said. “This is used to bring my hair some volume … flat hair does not look the best [while dancing].”
Dancers also never leave the house without a brush: not just any brush, but one ideal for slicked back hairstyles. This way, dancers can easily throw their hair into a ponytail without stray strands of hair, which disrupts the flow of their turn combinations.
“I have my slickback brush, [specifically one] that has the good bristles to make my hair slick and smooth,” Olivia Holder (10), member of varsity contemporary performance and hip-hop performance and hip-hop competition, said.
Hair ties, while essential in every dance session, always seem to weasel away from dancers, only to mysteriously return later at the bottom of a bag or snagged on pieces of clothing.
“I usually bring ten hair ties, [quite] a lot,” Kharraz said. “You never know what [might] happen.”
Items beyond the barre
Past all of the expected items, athletes carry various other objects, which may not be essential for dance, but are still practical for other occasions.
“I have my [digital] camera,” Kharraz said. “You never know when you need to take a cute little picture.”
Additionally, the dance room is full of mirrors for dancers to attach their OctoBuddys, a phone case attachment that helps your phone stick to surfaces.
“It could be really helpful to stick your OctoBuddy on the mirror [to] play the music for your set you need to go over, take videos to see what you need to improve on and to just put your phone somewhere that isn’t the floor,” Hinton said.
After a long day of school followed by physically intense practices, some dancers carry medicine.
“I have Advil in case my muscles are sore or I have a headache,” Holder said. “I always have a headache after school, especially on dance days.”
Dancers normally spend long hours during the day preparing for another nationals win or performance during pep-rallies in the Olive Garden. Each morning they leave their dance bag in their car or drop it off at bag drop; the items within, no matter how random or obvious they may seem, all serve a different purpose.
“You should always overpack as a dancer,” Kharraz said.
