Submitted by Pamela Rezach, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Idea posted January 20, 2003
If you take into consideration that the parents are in attendance for only one thing: to see their child on stage... I assume that most of the time they do not care about the other children. My assumption comes from the fact that many times parents will ask to get their child after s/he has done his/her thing. I always reply, "You will need to wait until the end of the show." That's also why my students stay on the risers the whole time. When they get to the show they go directly to the risers. (I do allow them to sit on the risers.) They do not leave the risers until I end the show. Using this procedure means no one needs to baby-sit them in another room. I am in full control and it works out great.
Also, people are terribly busy at the holiday time of year. One more night means one more night away from home.
SO, my shows range anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes. It's long enough to present a good program and short enough to keep order with the children.