The Utassy Parents’ Association is a non profit organisation. A volunteer group of parents, who work side by side with the Utassy Ballet School. It is financially and fully independent from the ballet school. It provides services to the parents and students of the school in the form of newsletters, the uniform shop (competitively priced uniforms and 2nd hand ballet shoes), and the costumes and sets used in the various productions of the school throughout the year. All of the costumes and sets are the property of the Parents’ Association – not the Utassy Ballet School.
Costumes are made by volunteers of the Parents’ Association and are hired to the students at a considerably lower hire charge, than the cost of an equivalent item if the parent had to provide the costume, themselves. All our costumes are laundered, washed, ironed, mended, and maintained by the Parents’ Association and stored appropriately. Costumes are kept in the wardrobe for use in future productions. Fees for costume hire are based on the number of disciplines that each student performs in the end of year performance. For example; classical ballet, contemporary, character. Invoices are sent to families at the end of each year, prior to the performance. These fees are to be paid to the Utassy Parents’ Association – not the Utassy Ballet School.
If you able to help with costume making, alterations, labelling and a host of things needed to get the costumes (and students) on stage in acceptable condition – please make yourself known to a committee member or your class rep.
Please note: Each hour of sewing reduces your costume hire costs.
The sets are also made by the Parents’ Association and volunteers. If you are able to help, (in any way at all), please make yourself known to a committee member or your class rep.
Backstage costume and set preparation
Members of the Parents’ Association also “staff” the rehearsals and performances as dressers, production assistants, set and props assistants. Again, if you are able to help, (in any way at all), please make yourself known to a committee member or your class rep.
At the end of the year, the Parents’ Association presents prizes and scholarships to outstanding students, and students who have made substantial progress in 12 months to encourage participation and excellence.
In past years, Utassy Parents’ Association had fundraisers such as Chocolate Drives, Stalls etc…. but due to feedback from parents, these activities have been replaced by an annual subscription – currently $20 This annual subscription goes towards necessary expenses such as costs associated with the productions. Some of which are undertaken by the Parents’ Association rather than by the Ballet School. For example, the programs, orchestra (when possible), flowers, cosmetics, toiletries, first aid supplies and many other incidentals.
Production organisation, costume work, and getting performances on stage, are big tasks and the old saying of ‘many hands make light work’ really applies here.
We need you!!
Your skills and support can really make a difference. We are office workers, home makers, teachers, nurses, plumbers and all sorts – female AND male. None of us who are currently involved, knew much about what goes on behind the scenes when we started. But we are more than happy to pass on the skills learned. It’s social, and fun, and really contributes to the wonderful productions prepared by the ballet school. We meet once a month and are ALWAYS happy to see a new face. Please do contact a committee member to be involved or to find out more. Our names and numbers are on the cork board outside the Soundshell studio. Alternatively, speak with your class rep or email us at utassypac@gmail.com