How to Pack for Class: 10 Dance Bag Essentials

 

Being a successful dancer means planning ahead and being prepared for anything. You wouldn’t expect to find an artist in the wild without their sketchbook, so why would a dancer walk into any class, rehearsal, or audition without their magic dance bag filled with tricks? A little foresight can be the difference between a good or bad first impression with a choreographer who could give you a job in the future. As a college dancer, I have started compiling a list of some must-have items that never part from my bag. Follow along for 10 essentials you should have queued up in your dance bag to make sure you can be as confident and comfortable as possible walking into any dance space.

1. Dance Shoes

This is probably the most important part of packing your bag. Whether you are in a college program or going to weekly classes at your local studio, it’s not a bad idea to have a variety of shoes in your bag at all times. A teacher might want you to throw on your tap shoes or a pair of heels for a spontaneous combo. Nothing is worse than that feeling in your stomach when you reach into the bag and realize your LaDucas are sitting on your bedroom floor instead of getting ready to set the floor on fire as you learn Fosse’s “Steam Heat”. To be safe, I always have ballet slippers, heels, jazz flats, and tap shoes ready to go.

2. Deodorant

While this one should go without saying, deodorant is often overlooked when gathering your items. Even if you apply it before leaving, it will inevitably wear off from hours of rehearsals. Air on the side of caution and throw in a stick for a quick refresh throughout your busy day. My favorite is Dove, but there are so many options to avoid that dreaded BO.

3. Bobby Pins, Hair Elastics, Hair Nets, Brush

If you look good, you feel good. Making sure your appearance is put together can let you focus on technique or performance quality rather than if your high pony is going to fall down in the middle of a killer turn sequence. Keeping some simple tools like a brush and comb in your bag leaves you ready for a touch-up at any time. Consider opting for a secure hairstyle, like a low bun, so that you don’t have to make adjustments during class.

4. Muscle Roller/Massager

Let me just say I LOVE my roller stick. It’s always tucked into the side pocket of my bag and ready to work out knots in my quads and calves when I have time between classes. Giving your muscles some care and relief during the day can help reduce soreness later on. You can get a variety of styles from your local CVS or Amazon, so there is surely something to tailor to anyone’s specific wants or needs when it comes to muscle recovery.

5. Water Bottle

Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! What more can I say? Bring a few water bottles or a refillable one to keep drinking throughout the day. You might not realize how busy you are and how much you’re sweating, but sipping your water bottle throughout the day will help keep you going because dehydration from sweat happens more often than people think. Not getting enough water can negatively impact muscle recovery and your mood, which is something I experienced as I was under hydrating during my first few weeks of college.

"The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today"

-H. JACKSON BROWN JR.

6. Snacks

Following the same line of reasoning as packing the water bottle, snacks will replenish your glucose levels and prevent a crash. Keep your bag stocked with quick and easy food like nuts, protein bars, or granola to provide essential energy for long rehearsals. It’s better to have too many snacks than not enough because how much time you have to eat and what you’re craving are variables that can’t always be determined beforehand. 

7. Notebook and Pen or Pencil

Have you ever been struck by inspiration in the middle of class? Or really loved something the instructor said or did? I bet you wished you had a pen and paper available in those moments. Avoid regrets in the future by stocking your bag with a dance journal to record all of your brilliant ideas. You can even have a special journal that always stays in your bag so you’re never without it. If you don’t have it with you, you could use your Notes app and transfer it to paper later on. I personally find writing class ideas down to be most beneficial to me as it sparks inspiration in other areas of my creative life.

8. Band-Aids

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Dancing may look graceful a lot of the time, but rehearsal mishaps happen, and having some band-aids on hand for a quick fix can get you back on the floor in no time. Blisters are also a beast of their own, so a band-aid could bring you some added comfort for when you aren’t able to take a break from creating friction on your body.

9. Neosporin/Icy Hot

Neosporin, Icy Hot, and other gels or creams come in handy when accidents happen. They can also provide some extra relief to keep you dancing your best. Sometimes muscle pain happens at the most inconvenient times, and you can’t take a break to sit out. A quick swipe of Icy Hot might just give that needed comfort to get you through the rest of class.

10. Chapstick

I don’t know about anyone else, but I am notorious for losing chapstick. I’m also notorious for having chapped lips, especially when dancing with a mask on. That’s why I now always have at least one chapstick in my bag to avoid painful cracking. Dollar store brands work just fine and make a big difference.

These 10 things are items that I couldn’t imagine leaving home without. Some of my peers have different ideas of what they need to keep in their bags to make them the most successful in class. Over time, each person can curate the contents of their bag to their personal needs with what makes them feel the most confident. I find these basics to be a solid starting point for packing in most rehearsal situations.