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Recital at MDSA

Starting in January each year, teachers and students begin preparing choreography for a themed performance and show called Recital. This performance takes place the last month of the dance year and is an exciting time of year for both student and teacher! The primary objective of recital is to showcase each dancers joy, energy and performance skills. 

The additional fees associated with recital are broken down and explained under 'Financial Responsibility' on our Pricing page.

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Recital teaches students:

  • Respect for the performing arts

  • Teamwork with their classmates

  • Problem solving in exciting situations

  • How to receive positive critique and instruction

  • Technique in their dance style

Recital at MDSA

2026 Spring Recital | May 8th, 9th, & 15th
Theme: Soundtrack of Our Lives

Recitals are very fun and something we have been working hard for all year but they can also be a little stressful and hectic if things don’t go as planned or students are late etc. Please be there on time and also please be patient with our staff and volunteers.

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Performance Schedule: The recital will be held over two Friday evenings & a Saturday afternoon (5/8 , 5/15 & 5/9). Saturday, May 9th in the afternoon will be Acro Tumbling classes only.

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Dancers will perform inside our theater space at the back of MDSA. Are you excited to sit in our theater chairs? We received the donation of our theater chairs from Unity Theater last year! We appreciate all donations from small to large. From monetary donations to a treat for our teachers. Each thoughtful gift means so much to our foundation! 

 

  • If your dancer is enrolled in 1-2 classes, we will attempt to have them perform on just one of the Fridays, but absolutely no promises can be made on that.

  • If your dancer is enrolled in 3 or more classes they will probably perform on both Fridays. Coach Mark's classes will definitely be on May 9th in the afternoon. 

**Before you contact the studio with a question, please check through this recital page to see if you can find the answer there. We are happy to answer questions but are very busy so please check here first.

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Remember: Classes do not end after recital! Classes run until May 23rd. This time is used for student evaluation for the following summer and fall classes.

​

The additional fees associated with recital are broken down and explained under 'Financial Responsibility' on our Pricing page.

​

Recital teaches students:

  • Respect for the performing arts

  • Teamwork with their classmates

  • Problem solving in exciting situations

  • How to receive positive critique and instruction

  • Technique in their dance style

Recital at MDSA

2026 Spring Recital | May 8th, 9th, & 15th

Recitals are very fun and something we have been working hard for all year but they can also be a little stressful and hectic if things don’t go as planned or students are late etc. Please be there on time and also please be patient with our staff and volunteers.

​

Performance Schedule: We will be holding recital over three different days, classes will perform twice. Find your class to identify which day(s) your student(s) are scheduled to perform. The schedule will be emailed.

**Before you contact the studio with a question, please check through this recital page to see if you can find the answer there. We are happy to answer questions but are very busy so please check here first.

​

Remember: Classes do not end after recital! Classes run until May 23rd. This time is used for student evaluation for the following summer and fall classes.

​

The additional fees associated with recital are broken down and explained under 'Financial Responsibility' on our Pricing page.

​

Recital teaches students:

  • Respect for the performing arts

  • Teamwork with their classmates

  • Problem solving in exciting situations

  • How to receive positive critique and instruction

  • Technique in their dance style

  • Dancer Arrival

    • BE ON TIME and remember this year we will be showing dances twice.​ However, families will only be to attend one showing. Families will be split between the show times to allow for all to attend!

    • Please enter quietly and follow the signs and/or volunteers to the designated changing area.

    What to Wear

    • Tights on, cover-up of some type, full make-up, and hair done along with their dance bag and extra water. They should be ready to put the costume and dance shoes on and be ready to perform!​

    • Students WILL NOT arrive in full costume. Your costume will be provided when you arrive at the studio. We encourage you to come with an additional emergency set of tights. ​​

    • WHAT NOT TO WEAR: Do not wear jewelry, watches or nail polish on the day of recital or for pictures (see email for picture day info).​​

    • Dancers typically DO NOT wear underwear with their costumes, this is why they wear tights. If this makes your dancer uncomfortable, please provide them with the proper skin toned underwear. This does not apply to male dancers. Boys in most classes will wear underwear as usual. Boys in ballet classes, please stop by the office to speak with Ms. Samantha to get the proper undergarment.

    What to Bring

    • Please make sure you have all costume pieces for which you are responsible. This includes shoes, tights/socks, and skin colored undergarments if needed for quick changes.​​​

    • Ballet: Don’t forget your shoes - both of them (left & right)! Your ballet shoes must be clean and ballet-pink. If they are not, please see Ms. Samantha to purchase a pair from The Shoppe at MDSA, or order elsewhere, but check with your instructor to see if she has any preferences. ​

    • Label Everything! Every shoe, brush, water bottle, make up bag, etc. Anything found left behind will be placed in the Lost & Found baskets by the studio office.

    Ideas for Dancer's Recital Bag:

    • Duffel bag to keep items in, LABEL IT!

    • Tights for all costumes

    • Extra tights for all costumes! 

    • Shoes for all costumes (socks? Talking to you Hip Hop!)

    • Sweats and t-shirt for in between costume changes.

    • Phone charger

    • Older girls: Extra sanitary items (never hurts!)

    • Any particular undergarments that may be needed for certain costumes *must not show!

    • Hair & Makeup needs

    • Ideas: brush, comb for parts, bobby pins, elastics

    • Ideas: brushes & sponges, foundation, eyeshadows, blush, mascara, lipstick, setting spray or powder (keep your makeup from running)

    • Pain reliever (Advil, Tylenol, Aleve, etc.)

    • Something quiet to do (please use colored pencils or crayons and NOT markers)

    • Waters!!!

    • Water bottles will be available for purchase at the front counter at limited times.

    • A clean, easy snack (avoid crumbs to keep clean up easy)

    What to do at Recital

    • Dancers must stay in the dressing room and must not wander the studio. They need to be able to be found by our costume staff or teacher at all times. Please stress the importance of them staying in the dressing room until instructed to get lined up. ​

    • After dancers perform they will be taken back to the dressing room. Please wait for them in the lobby after the second block of performances is over. A staff member will bring them to you at that time. Do not take your dancer(s) after the first show of the night.​

    • Once the dancers are dressed and ready, they will wait with their class in a designated place. Dancers will be led out and kept safe by a teacher or pre-chosen staff member. ​

    • For privacy reasons, there are no pictures allowed in the dressing rooms. Tell your tween and teen dancers this as well. You may go into the hall if you want to take a picture or a selfie. ​​​

  • As you may know, our new theater space has expanded, but we still have limitations on seating capacity. To ensure that every family has the opportunity to attend and support their dancer, we are implementing a ticket allocation system.

    • Each family is allotted four tickets for their designated showing.​

    • If you find that you will not utilize your full allocation, please email mdsaoffice@gmail.com with the number of tickets you will not be using. This will allow us to redistribute these tickets to families who may require more than the allotted four.

     
    Your cooperation and understanding in this matter are greatly appreciated as we strive to accommodate all of our dancers and their families during this exciting time.

  • Parent Responsibility

    • You are responsible for informing your guests of our rules.​

    • If you have any questions, feel free to call the studio but do so AFTER checking this page.

    Parent & Guest Arrival

    • Please enter with dancers quietly and follow the signs and/or volunteers to the designated changing area. ​

    • Parents are not permitted in the dressing rooms during the show. Moms may come in BRIEFLY at drop-off to assist with the costume or costume/hair changes. Dads, please see a staff member if your dancer needs specific assistance. As a reminder, there are no pictures allowed in the dressing rooms.​​​​

    Performance Viewing 

    • Parents do not leave your seats until all dances have performed. Your child will be taken care of, hugged, praised, and kept safe for those few minutes until you can leave the theater. ​

    • It is very important that audience members stay seated in the theater for the entire time block they are scheduled for. Dancers will be led out and kept safe by a teacher or pre-chosen staff member. ​

    • Please do not take videos and photos during the performances, this distracts our dancers and others in the audience. It can also interfere with the recording the studio will provide.​​

  • Professional Recital Pictures will be taken at the studio, dates and instructions will be provided once finalized.

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    All students will receive a complimentary download of all class group pictures they are in. These files will be provided over the summer via digital download, instructions will be sent over email.

    Individual and sibling pictures are available for purchase through our photographer. Purchased individual photos helps us improve our marketing for the next dance season!

  • We're still in need of volunteers. If you know of students 15 and up that are willing to volunteer their time, please contact an office staff member. This is great for service hours for scouts, NHS, and on college applications!  


    We may need them to:

    • Be an usher

    • Pass out programs

    • Direct guests where to go

    • Help with Stargrams

    Or other things!

  • Important: The information given here are guidelines and tips only. Specific directions for your student(s) class(es) will be emailed to you once finalized.

    Traditional Makeup

    Girls:

    • Mascara


    • Blush


    • Neutral pink lipstick or tinted gloss


    • Neutral Eye Shadow

    • Eyeliner

    Boys: Light blush and powder

    **We encourage all of our performers to wear makeup on stage. However, the use of makeup is at the parent’s discretion.

    Hair Tips & Tricks

    Hairspray and gel are your friends! And smoothing brushes are a great wingman!

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    BOYS: Boys should have their hair styled, with ample amounts of gel and/or hairspray.

     

    BUNS:

    Start by using a smoothing brush and gel to slick back your dancers ponytail. Basic buns should be situated on the crown of the head, secured with bobby-pins or hair pins and a hair net over the bun. After that, use lots of hairspray. Location of buns should be verified in your specific costume directions.

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    PONYTAILS:

    Ponytails lacquered in hairspray and/or gel. High ponytails are to be located at the crown of the head and low ponytails at the base of the neck.


    Half-up ponytails: Using your dancers ears as a guide, section all the way up to the top of their head. Using a comb or bristle brush smooth back the front section of hair. Once the hair is nice and smooth secure with hair tie. Using a strong hold hairspray, spray a generous amount over the hair. 

Playbill Recital Ads

This is a wonderful opportunity to have a keepsake for your dancer, or advertise a business. It is also a great fundraiser for MDSA Foundation. We hope you invite your favorite businesses to take part and also a call to aunts, uncles, and grandparents to see if they want to shout out your dancer would be wonderful too!

Submissions are due by April 10th! They must be submitted via the Google Forms link in the product description.

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