Help With a Large Group on Stage??

My daughter has a dance program coming up. I always take pix at them I mostly use my 10d and a 50 1.4 and a 85 1.8 iso 800/1600.
The last dance of the show always the same with all of the dancers on the stage. But, now the dance teacher would like a kind of panoramic shot of that. As you can guess the light is pretty low.
I have never done pano stuff I did not think the multiple shots would work with them moving anyway. I thought maybe rent a 5d then crop it down on the top and bottom.
Any ideas how I could do this?

Thanks

Get as far back as possible. Or think about a wider prime like the Sigma 30 1.4. Multiple shots will work but yes, you will probobally find people getting cut off.

You could rent a 5D but it still might not do the job to be honest. Have you got a pic of the stage or any idea how easy it would be to simply backup till you can get the whole stage in the shot?

To be honest, I would get closer to the stage and shoot at an angle.

No I don't have any shots of the whole stage, just shots of sections with one or two people. That was why I was thinking the 5d with the 50 1.4 thought that may get close enough. I don't have the Sigma 30 1.4. The widest I have are 24 2.8 and 17/40 4.0 I know the f4 is to slow and probably the 2.8 as well.
Maybe I will call the school this week and see if I can get in and see how close or far away I can get with different focal lengths.

Thanks

17-40 should cover it to be honest. Just bump up your ISO to compensate.

What body are you currently using? If you cannot do it and you have to spend money to rent a 5D, I would pass those costs on to the teacher who asked since it will be your money. Personally, if you wont get paid then I wouldn't bother spending money.

You probably need at least f/4 to get everyone in DOF!

Use a tripod if you have. Makes composing the shot easier, and you are sure you won't get camera shake. You can set up the tripod in advance, so all you have to do is set the camera on the QR.

I'd use a longer lens if possible.

The stage is probably higher then where you are, so the closer you get, the more up the nose / loosing feet shots you'll get.
You probably'd want to be higher then the group, if at all possible. (balcony?)

I did this 2 weeks ago.

Rene is correct about setting up ahead of time, gives you time to chimp and alter settings if necessary. But...

Be advised, when your setting up, try to get high enough that the heads of the audience will be out of the picture (bad pun).

If you shoot at an angle, you will need to squeeze down the aperture to keep everyone in focus and risk the cast being hidden by other members. IMHO, better to be in front to keep the lens more open.

Keep that ISO up as high as necessary/possible and go easy on EC.

Good luck my friend.