Liturgical Dance and the Uniform

There are always questions about liturgical dance wear. Because my dance history covers both the commercial and non-commercial realms of dance, I have alot  of rules about how to wear dance uniforms/costumes. There are basic things like:

1. No underwear under leotards and tights.  Always a problem with this one, but really, do you want to see Dora the Explorer sticking out. You don't wear undies under your swimsuit, do you? Right, it's the nature of the sport.

2. No jewelry in performance/presentation/demonstrations. Sure you're sparkly and all, but that ring can cut someone really badly, or a finger finds it's way into someone else's hoop earring and now we have a torn ear lobe. Plus, you don't want to compete with the lighting and blind some innocent spectator because you just had to wear those diamond dangles today.

3. No nail polish in crazy colors. Pinks and peaches and french tips are okay. Hot Pink, Electric Purple, Neon Yellow with Tony the Tiger orange stripes is not. This goes for fingers and toes.

4. Hair off your face. Most dance studios require the well known "ballet bun". That's always the best choice. But unless the choreographer says otherwise, your hair should always be pulled back from your face (use a secure headband or other secure hair blending accessories. Your hair should not be distracting to either you, another dancer or the audience. No excessive hair kadiddles or up-do's (unless directed by the choreographer).

Now specifically for liturgical dance - 

5. All dancers should have a white and a black leotard, a pair of white footless tights and a pair of black footless tights. These items go under your dance dresses, dance tops and pants or skirts. If you are wearing a white uniform, please wear white underneath. Dark color uniforms will generally use the the black, again unless directed by the choreographer to do something different, this is a safe bet for what to put underneath.

6. Boys in dance should have black sweatpants, black short sleeved tee shirt, black long sleeved tee shirt, white short sleeved tee shirt and black underwear (tank and shorts). It is also helpful for boys in any dance program to have a dance belt (it's like a protective cup without the hard plastic insert).

As questions come up, I will post the answer here.