Mandatory Technical/Staging Rehearsals – Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31, 2026
All students MUST attend the Technical/Staging Rehearsal to perform in the recital.
Mandatory Rehearsals
Technical/Staging rehearsals will be held at Yardley Hall.
Rehearsals will start on time. Please arrive 10 mins before your rehearsal time.
Teal
Saturday, May 30 9:30 – 11:30 am
Blue
Sunday, May 31 9:00 – 10:00 am
Silver
Saturday, May 30 4:30 – 6:30 pm
Purple
Saturday, May 30 12:30 – 4:00 pm
This is NOT a dress rehearsal. At this rehearsal, students learn their placement on the stage, backstage procedures, and more. Last-minute changes to spacing could be made during this rehearsal, which is why it is imperative that everyone is in attendance.
Purple and Teal performers- Please wear your finale outfit (recital tank top and black leggings) and bring your appropriate dance shoes. Do NOT bring costumes. Company dancers should wear their Company uniform.
Silver and Blue performers– arrive in your first costume with hair and makeup done.
Hair and makeup: Makeup is not required at the staging rehearsal unless your performance follows the rehearsal. We do ask that all students have their hair neatly pulled back into a bun or tight ponytail. Use hair spray and bobby pins to secure back any flyaways. Please do not wear any extra jewelry or hair accessories.
These are closed rehearsals– only performers and backstage volunteers will be allowed into the theatre.
Performances
Saturday, May 30 and Sunday, May 31, 2026
Silver
Saturday, May 30- Cast arrives at 4:30 PM
Doors open at 6:30 PM, Performance begins 7:00 PM
Blue
Sunday, May 31- Cast arrives at 9:00 AM
Doors open at 10:00 AM, Performance begins 10:30 AM
Teal
Sunday, May 31- Cast arrives at 1:00 PM
Doors open at 1:30 PM, Performance begins at 2:00 PM
Purple
Sunday, May 31- Cast arrives at 5:00 PM
Doors open at 5:30 PM, Performance begins at 6:00 PM
Arrival: Please report to the entrance of the Polsky Theatre five to ten minutes before your call time. Performers should arrive in their first costume and cover-up with hair and makeup already completed. Please bring your garment bag and hanger, so the backstage volunteers can help students hang their costumes after changing for the finale.
Parent pick-up: At the conclusion of the Blue/Teal shows, ONE parent/guardian should pick up their performer in the designated area IN THE LOBBY (look for your student’s class sign in the lobby and meet your student there). Purple/Silver performers will be picked up by one parent/guardian outside the Polsky Theatre. ONLY performers or designated volunteers are allowed in the Polsky theatre and backstage.
Hair and makeup: Female performers over the age of seven should wear foundation, blush, eyeshadow (neutral tones), eyeliner, mascara, and red lipstick. Small false eyelashes are optional. Male performers should wear foundation, blush, and a neutral lip color. Students under the age of seven may choose to wear full stage makeup or blush, red lipstick, and mascara. Hair should be styled as written in the description on your costume bag label.
Jewelry is not allowed when performing. The only exception is small stud earrings for performers with pierced ears. No dangly /hoop earrings. Please be sure to remove all nail polish/temporary tattoos/etc.
Food and Drinks: Per the Midwest Trust Center’s policies, food/drink are NOT allowed in the theatre or backstage areas. Please do not bring any food or drink to rehearsals/performances. Anyone bringing food into the backstage areas will be subject to a cleaning fee. Performers should bring a water bottle with a sealable lid. Students in multiple shows will have an area and time designated to eat between shows.
Helpful Tips
What to Bring:
- Costumes/garment bags/ coverup
- Makeup for touch ups
- Dance shoes with your name in them
- Water bottle with a sealable lid (no Stanley cups that can spill!)
- Something to keep you entertained backstage book, cards, coloring book, etc.
What to leave at home:
- Food/drink (other than water)
- Jewelry
- Noisy electronic devices
- Valuables
- Balloons- balloons are not allowed in the theatre, so please do not bring these for your performer.
- Silver, Teal, and Purple performers must have black leggings and their recital tank top for the finale! Blue performers must have their recital tank top.
Other Performance Tips:
- It is a good idea to have baby wipes/makeup wipes, a Tide pen, safety pins, extra hair ties/bobby pins/hairspray /hair gel/hairbrush, and makeup for last minute touch ups/repairs.
- Dancers need to arrive performance ready- backstage volunteers are not able to do children’s hair and makeup when they arrive at the theatre.
- A dab of clear nail polish can help stop rips in tights.
- Dancers have received all the tights needed for the performance in their garment bag. You may want to have a backup pair in the event of runs/rips/ etc. A limited number of tights may be purchased at the Johnson location during classes, or you can purchase backup pairs online or at a dancewear store. Pink tights are in the shade of “Ballet Pink.” Tan tights are in the shade of “Suntan.”
- Undergarments should not be outwardly visible. To achieve this, dancers will wear tights instead of underwear.
- Place your name inside all costumes, tights, finale shirts/leggings, shoes, accessories, coverups, etc. Hair pieces and accessories should be placed in a hard container (like a tupperware container) to prevent damage. Finale shirts will be passed out during classes this week.
- All hair pieces must be secured with bobby pins.
- Use hair spray, gel, bobby pins, etc. to keep hair neat and secure. Use a strong hair tie that matches your child’s hair. Buns should be wrapped in a hair net that matches your child’s hair.
- Performers should always respect others’ space and belongings in the dressing room. Please do not touch costumes or anything belonging to others.
- Review the show order and determine if your performer has any quick changes. A quick change would be necessary for students with three or fewer dances between performances. Students with quick changes should notify the backstage volunteers, and place their costume/shoes in the quick change area. See the Recital FAQs for instructions on how to access Show Orders.
Recital Gifts
Recital gifts can be ordered through May 28. Orders must be placed on the Parent Portal by registering for the event corresponding to the gift you are purchasing.
Payments will be processed once the orders have closed.
We have a limited number of these items, so be sure to reserve in advance!
Recital gifts will be available for pickup in the Yardley Hall lobby prior to each show!
• Unicorn, Ballerina Bear, or Bunny Stuffed Animals- $20 + tax
• Tilly, Dragon, Flamingo Squishmallows- $25 + tax
• ODA Lottie & Lou Blankets: $69 + tax
Purchases will be charged to the student’s ODA Jackrabbit account. Orders may be placed on the Parental Portal under Events by May 28., and will be available for pick up at all recitals!
FAQs
Where is the recital?
Mandatory Technical/Staging Rehearsal and Recitals will all be held at Yardley Hall.
12345 College Blvd
Overland Park, KS 66210
How do I know which show my dancer is in?
- Blue – Preschool Academy, select Company dances, Beginning Adult Tap
- Silver – Tumbling Academy, Hop and Roll classes
- Teal – Lower Academy (K-2nd Combo I-III), Squads, select Company dances, Adult Hip Hop
- Purple – Upper Academy (3rd-12th grade dance), Company group dances, Intermediate Adult Tap
Full descriptions and a list of classes in each performance can be found in the Recital Handbook.
How do I access the Recital Handbook, Show Orders,and performance music?
The Recital Handbook, Show Orders, and music can be found in your Class Resources on the Parent Portal.
- Login to the Parent Portal using the ODA app.
- Go to “Classes & Events”
- Find your current class
- Click “View Resources”
Recital Handbook contains a lot of important information and tips! Please review it in the coming days so you and your dancer are prepared.
What does my child wear for finale?
All students will receive a recital tank top during class this week to wear for the finale. Please bring this recital tank top. Students in the Blue recital will wear this over their costumes for finale. Students in Silver, Teal, and Purple need to bring a pair of black leggings to wear with their finale tank.
What will my child do when they aren’t performing?
All recital students will wait in Polsky Theatre (next to Yardley Hall) when they are not performing. The recital will be broadcast into Polsky, so students can watch while they wait! You are welcome to send your child with quiet activities if you wish. Please exercise caution if sending your child with a tablet or phone. Ovation Dance Academy cannot be responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen items.
My child is in more than one class with conflicting hairstyles. Should they change their hairstyle during the show?
No. For children in multiple classes – one requiring a ponytail, and the other a low bun- we ask that the student wear a low bun for both performances.
May I take photos and videos at the recital!
No. For the safety of the performers and the enjoyment of all, video recording and photography are not allowed. All dancers receive a professionally recorded digital copy of the entire show! We are thrilled to provide this so parents can sit back and enjoy the performances without having to record! Please share this information with your guests attending the show.
When do 25-26 classes end?
We will be closed for Memorial Day May 23-25. We will hold classes May 26-28.
How do we get tickets?
Tickets may be purchased online, in person, or over the phone using the Midwest Trust Center box office. A link is provided in this email. All tickets are General Admission. Performers may reserve a comped ticket by calling the box office BEFORE May 30 to attend performances other than their own wearing their recital tank top.
Do I need to come backstage to help my child change?
No. We will have helpers backstage to assist the children. Only performers and those volunteers with a badge are allowed backstage, in Polsky, and in the dressing rooms. Please be sure to label ALL of your child’s belongings (shoes, cover ups, costumes, finale shirt, etc). This helps the backstage volunteers tremendously!
Why does my child need makeup?
Students all wear makeup for the performance. This is to ensure that the bright stage lights do not wash out our dancers’ faces!
Will my child be able to eat if they are in more than one show?
Students in more than one performance will have a designated area they can eat their meal/snack between shows. Please keep food in this designated area.