My daughter (11) attends a ballet studio twice a week, and they decided to put on an extra mid year performance. They charge an extra $300 for additional rehearsal lessons and ticket prices for show @ $55 each. The performance was run with another organisation that promotes the arts focusing on female and youth performers but upon looking them up, the director is same teacher as ballet studio. The show was for 80 mins with teacher performing on stage for around 30 mins (with others but predominant roles). While my daughter and handful of other younger dancers maybe 10 mins at most. Other senior dancers maybe 30-40 mins.
Teacher is a good dancer but I was super angry everytime she came on, I didn't expect it, I thought it was a youth performance not a platform for herself. I'm pretty sure all the attendees would have just been friends and family of students. I think other parents were a bit annoyed too.
I don't think they should have performances where they mix students and teachers as she does. I feel like she wants to perform but she won't sell tickets so she does shows with students because at least there will be say 40 friends and family buying tickets. I want to send her a complaint that she was too heavily featured in the show and it should be about students and developing their skills.
She also did a 10 minute performance at the students year end show last year that started at 7pm on Sunday and goes for over 2 hours. I think it is totally unnecessary on an already long show which seems to go forever. There's 30 minutes of just handing out certificates and medals.
Am I overreacting for being angry. After being at the ballet studio for over 3 years, I have now watched the teacher perform on stage for longer than my daughter. Or is it my fault for not being aware that the show may include non student performers/performances. I enjoy professional ballet and have seen a few shows here and there over the years, but at those shows most just want to watch my kids and go as quickly as possible.
I think if the tickets weren't so expensive I wouldn't be as annoyed as it costs around $165 for me, partner and our other child to attend