Student Blog: What's in My Bag?

I can proudly say that I have curated my dance/theatre bag to be equipped for any situation. I really value being prepared for as many situations as possible, so I thought I might share some of my non-negotiables when it comes to packing my bag! These might be basics or things you have never thought of, but I thought I would share them anyway.

The first thing I must have is a lacrosse ball. This is your mini message tool that can aid with any soreness or discomfort you may have. I find it works best when rolling out my feet, but I also use it on my back, legs, shoulders -- you name it. Lacrosse balls specifically are a perfect size and density to effectively roll out your muscles, so I suggest buying them specifically.

The next thing you need is one bag for all of the little things. Find a cute little pouch and put Band-Aids, hair ties, deodorant, perfume, hand sanitizer, lip gloss, chapstick, Advil pencils, and any other small things you don't want floating around. Putting every little thing in one place makes it so much easier to access later.

One thing to consider getting for your mini bag is Tiger Balm. I absolutely could not recommend this stuff more. I use it on bruises and aches as it provides a cooling sensation when dealing with the healing process. It comes in a mini container and is perfect for using right before or after dancing.

I also always have two extra pairs of socks in my bag: one for my LaDuca boots and another pair for dancing. Not everyone wears socks with dance shoes, so this may not be necessary. However, if you like Nike ankle socks or a specific dance sock, make sure to always have an extra pair in your bag in case you forget on one occasion!

I also always keep my vocal mister in my bag because I enjoy keeping everything in one confined space. With it, I keep about 5 saline solutions for on-the-go use, so I am always prepared in case I need to sing!

Finally, always keep a pair of shoes to cover any genre you may be faced with. For me, my standard is a pair of character heels (with or without boots), ballet shoes, tap shoes, and jazz shoes. The thing I dread is showing up to an audition or class and not being prepared for the combo given to me. So, I make sure to keep all of my best shoes in one place to be extra prepared!