By Amara Galloway
Congratulations, you’re going on tour with a ballet company!
Once the initial butterflies have settled you may realize your thoughts wander towards, “now,
what do I pack?”
I have good news because you are in the right place. As a seasoned tour traveler I have
developed a few insights for hitting the road (or skies), including a list of some personal
necessities I never leave home without. Along with packing the average clothing, toiletries, and dancewear here are my top tips...
Tip #1: Research the places you are visiting and the hotels you will be staying at on tour. This is a great first step to guide you in knowing what you need to bring.
Top things I recommend checking;
Is breakfast included? Is there a refrigerator or microwave in the hotel?
What restaurants and grocery stores are nearby? Are there laundry facilities? This can help determine the amount of clothing items you will need to pack. I also like to ask if there is a bathtub as I am a fan of an epsom salt soak after a rehearsal or performance day.
Tip #2: Pack snacks! This is something I recommend for all travel. With expensive airport prices and long days you do not want to be hungry while you are traveling. I always pack a few granola bars and trail mix in my bag. I also like to bring a little bit of chocolate with me, though I do warn that it can be more mess than it’s worth if you are traveling in a warm climate.
Tip #3: One of my staple packing items is the unglamorous: oatmeal! I have rarely found myself in a location where I don’t have access to a microwave or kettle to boil water and that’s all you need to make it work. It has saved me in a pinch on a few occasions.
Tip #4: Bring a clothing dryer clip. This is especially helpful if you are washing leotards between cities and need to hang them to dry, or if the available clothing dryers aren’t fully functional.
Tip #5: If you are tight on space a lacrosse ball is a great option for travel-friendly massage use.
Tip #6: Pack a small first aid kit with items like band-aids, cold medicine, advil, arnica, and
similar products.
Tip #7: If you are checking a bag I recommend putting your toothbrush and a spare change of regular clothes, dance clothes, and pair of pointe shoes in your carry-on bag - just in case.
Tip #8 (for the ladies): Pack extra feminine care products. It is better to be prepared if a surprise comes your way.
Bonus tip!: Always pack a bathing suit. I have been on many tours where there is a hotel pool or hot springs location. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on some TLC between performance days!
Pointe Specific Tips
I imagine the most anticipated subject for my fellow ballerinas is: pointe shoes. A lot comes
down to personal preference. However, I have included some of my own general
recommendations.
Tip #1: It can be difficult to decide how many shoes to pack and it is just as tricky to answer this question. It depends highly on your own preference, number of roles, choreography, and even shoe brand. If possible, begin to feel out how many shoes you may need based on the rehearsal process. In my own experience I like to have them a little on the harder side and I can use them for warm-up class to finish forming them to my feet before a show. Alternately, I have had shoes that break in really well and I keep them off to the side just for the performances or a specific role. Try to bring at least one backup pair - either sewn or with supplies - in case you wind up in need of another set. The same goes for foot care items like toe pads and tape.
Tip #2: Pack a few pairs of pointe shoes to rotate them and give them a chance to dry between shows. Take them out of your dance bag as soon as possible to allow the maximum time to air out.
Tip #3: Bring Jet Glue, or a similar quick-drying adhesive. This has saved many shoes for a
rehearsal or performance.
Final Tour Tip: Keep an open mind and take in as much as you can on tour!
If you do happen to miss packing something remember there is likely a place to pick it up or you can ask to borrow from a fellow dancer. Try new things and enjoy your adventures!
Amara is a professional ballet dancer with State Street Ballet in Santa Barbara, California, and a national and international guest artist!
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