Case of the TOPLESS-TAP-DANCER

THE DOCTOR IS IN!
Day-4 and I am remembering an extremely rare but troubling case.

How to keep your studio free from being 'exposed' to a case of the "topless-tap-dancer":

Setting:
One week before your show and you are excited, exhausted and exceptionally cranky. It is now time for your class of recreational teen tap dancers. Always fun to have around because they just want to laugh and have fun and, sometimes, so do you! But today, something is a little different...and you're not laughing...yet.

Situation:
16 teens lined up and ready to rehearse. You walk down the line greeting each one and taking role as usual when suddenly...there it is...something you've never before seen in your studio and hope to never see again... a case of the "topless-tap-dancer!" So many things go running through your mind. "How do I handle this one? Will it embarrass her when I mention it? Doesn't she KNOW that this is just wrong? Has anyone else noticed?"
You get it together and calmly whisper in her ear, "Why did you cut the tops of the toes off your tap shoes?" (so now we have high-heeled character, open-toed tap shoes here!...with 10 toes literally hanging over the edges of the shoes in front and touching the floor!)

What-the-flap?!!

"Oh, Miss... they were too small. Hurtin' my feet. This feels a lot better. My mom says she won't buy me any new shoes this close to recital so she fixed 'em for me."

I mean...who does that!? Am I right?!

So what do you do? This girl's pretty big and has an even bigger foot! A size 12...wide!
For the sake of your show (and the "topless-tap-dancer's" impending ridicule) you have no choice at this point. You are stuck with purchasing a special-order/overnight delivery pair of shoes. Her mom cannot afford new tap shoes and you don't have time to waste or wait.

TODAY'S PRESCRIPTION:
Always have a box of FREE SHOES in your studio. Have people donate old shoes year-round for just this type of situation. NEVER allow a case of the "topless-tap-dancer" to enter your school! The integrity of your show is very important to your future! No studio's reputation can afford the potential damage that could come from this kind of 'exposure'!
December 12, 2009 4:45 AM