SDA RECITAL 2026 : Talk About It
Please read this page carefully, and come back here before each event to stay up-to-date!
Thanks for making this day so special for your dancers who work hard in class all season preparing for this one big day on stage! We know they’re excited to show off in front of their favorite audience!
HOW TO DRESS:
Hair and Makeup, Dancers Ages 3 and Under (Me & My Buddy and Baby Ballet)
Hair and Makeup, Dancers Ages 3-6 (Me & My Bear, Kindergarten, Acro 1, Move N Groove)
Hair and Makeup, Dancers Ages 6+ (Level 1 and Up!)
Tights, All Ages
OTHER NOTES:
Jewelry and nail polish must be removed for pictures and for our recital performances.
Tights can snag - it’s a good idea to have an extra pair in each color packed with your dancer just in case!
All grooming items that may be needed for touchups (extra hair ties, hairspray, comb, lipstick) should be packed up and labeled for the big day.
Underwear should not be worn under costumes. (Think of leotards like a swimsuit - there is no need for the extra layer underneath, and we don’t want to see it peeking out under costumes.)
Please write your dancer's name in every item they bring to the venue. Lost items without a name will be donated.
To avoid dancers being distracted by their ballet shoes coming untied, we suggest tying the elastic string in a bow and using duct tape to tape the strings inside on the top of the shoe! Tan tap shoes will be worn with the elastic only, we won’t use the included shoe strings.
RECITAL DAY 2026
Lewis Central Performing Arts Center is a big, beautiful facility that is brand new as of 2023, and was our recital venue for 2025, and we are THRILLED to have secured this facility for a second season!
REHEARSAL: Saturday, May 2 AT Lewis Central Performing Arts Center
Lewis Central PAC | 3504 Harry Langdon Blvd, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 | Detailed schedules will be linked below April 1!
Rehearsal Schedule Will Be Posted Here on April 1 | Estimated Time, 8:30am-1:00pm
StageMom Call Time 8:15am | Dancer Call Time 8:30am | Dancers are dismissed after their last dance has practiced on stage.
Notes about our Rehearsal:
Dancers will rehearse in their regular weekly dancewear and the correct dance shoes for each class. No need to bring costumes or do hair and makeup for the morning.
Dancers will check in with their StageMom in the dressing room at their designated Call Time (above). Once dancers are checked in, parents are free to watch from the audience, or you may choose to leave and come back at dismissal.
Dancers will be released from their StageMom backstage back to their parents after their last dance for that show has practiced on stage.
Everything your dancer might need during rehearsal should be with them backstage (clothes, dance shoes, water bottle, etc). Please do not bring costumes and hair/makeup supplies backstage for rehearsal.
All dancers and their belongings must leave the venue after rehearsal. The venue is closed to dancers from 1pm-3pm.
While we try our best to stick to our schedules, the actual time on stage for each dance may vary slightly.
Please pay close attention to our call times. Dancers will not be allowed in the dressing rooms early.
Dancers in both shows will need to be picked up from their StageMom at each dismissal, and check in again at the next call time.
RECITAL: Saturday, May 2 AT Lewis Central Performing Arts Center
Lewis Central PAC | 3504 Harry Langdon Blvd, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Dancers will perform in the afternoon/evening in full costume, hair and makeup! Times will vary based on which class(es) and which recital(s) your dancer is performing in. Each show will run roughly 90 minutes including a 10 minute intermission.
Recital 2026 | 3:30pm | StageMom Call Time 3:00pm, Dancer call time, 3:15pm ( Mobile Program | Printable Program ) | Estimated end time, 6:00pm
RECITAL NOTES
FOR OUR GUESTS
The lobby will open to guests at 3:00, and the doors to the auditorium will open at 3:10.
Guests may meet and congratulate their dancers in the lobby or outside. No guests are allowed in the backstage area at any time.
A ticket is required for every seat taken inside the auditorium, including children. Infants sitting on a lap will not need a ticket, but please consider buying a seat if you intend to bring in a carseat, diaper bag, or if little ones may want to spread out during the performance.
No photos or videos allowed inside the auditorium doors. This is for the safety of your dancers, and as a curtesy to the other guests. Please take your photos in the lobby, or outside the venue. Mr Video will be on site recording the show. Online orders will open soon!
FOR OUR DANCERS | Before You Arrive…
Dancers should have hair, makeup, tights, first costume and first hair accessories on before arriving at the venue.
Remember, dancers should wear pink tights OVER tan tights if their ballet dance is first. This saves tons of time backstage!
We suggest each dancer brings their dance shoes, extra tights, additional costumes, accessories, grooming items, and water bottle in a small laundry basket or other open basket/bin with their name on it. Having these items in an open bin instead of in a small dance bag helps tremendously during quick changes, and allows even little ones to be more self-sufficient backstage.
Double check that all of your costume pieces and personal belongings are labeled with your dancer’s name.
Please pay close attention to our call times. Dancers will not be allowed in the dressing rooms early.
FOR OUR DANCERS | Checking In…
Before heading to your dressing room, we ask dancers to take one more trip to the restroom while in the care of their parent - our StageMoms thank you!
Dancers will report to the dressing room to check in directly with their StageMom at the Call Time listed above, and will remain in their care backstage until the end of the show.
Everything your dancer might need during recital should be with them backstage (costumes, tights, accessories, dance shoes, water bottle, hair and makeup items, etc). You will do their hair and makeup and put on their first costume at home, but our StageMoms will handle any costume changes and touchups during the show.
No parents are allowed backstage after checking in with their StageMom unless specifically instructed by an SDA faculty member. StageMoms will be in charge of hair and makeup touch-ups, as well as any costume changes that are required backstage. If you want to be backstage with your dancer, please join our StageMom crew (link below).
FOR OUR DANCERS | After The Show…
After the last dance of each show, one guardian can pick dancers up from their StageMom backstage.
Dressing rooms are for dancers and StageMoms only, please let all other guests know to wait for your dancer to meet them outside or in the lobby.
STAGEMOMS
We’re looking for volunteers to be the designated StageMom for each of our classes backstage. StageMoms facilitate costume changes, makeup touchups, and restroom runs during our Rehearsal and Recital events. Since you’ll be backstage with your dancer during the show, you’ll be the first to give them a big hug after they perform, and you will not need a ticket since you’ll be watching from the wings. Sign Up To Be A StageMom HERE.
StageMoms please will receive an email in April with more details!
Recital TShirts
T-Shirts will go on sale in our market this spring, and will ship directly to you in 7-10 days. These are not required, but are a fun keepsake!
Recital TICKETS
All audience members will need a ticket for each recital, including children. This is how we ensure every fan will have a seat. (StageMoms and dancers in that show will not need a ticket since they will be backstage.)
Tickets will go on sale in our market for $10 from April 1 - 11 and will be distributed to your dancer during our last week of classes, April 14-17. No tickets will be sold at the studio anytime, or online after April 11.
If available, tickets will be sold at the door for $15.
Recital VIDEO
Mr Video will be on site again this year capturing the show for us! ORDER HERE before recital day for the best price.
PICTURE WEEK : April 21-24 at SDA
Deyo’s Photography will be in the studio this week taking individual and group pictures of our dancers in all of their recital costumes!
Dancers should arrive in full hair and makeup and dressed in their first costume, just like on recital day. Pay close attention to the schedule and plan to be at the studio 10 minutes early since times may be slightly adjusted from your normal weekly schedule, and we cannot hold pictures for dancers who aren’t ready at their scheduled time.
last Week of 2024-2025 season : April 28 - May 1
Dancers will come to the studio for one more week to celebrate the dance year as a class! We’ll dance and play together, and teachers can help answer questions about which class level your dancer will be ready for in the fall!