The Ruby Slippers

Sunday, June 2, 2023

1:00 and 4:00

• Recital Fees Due — Monday, February 5
• Spring Session Fees Due — Monday, March 11
• All Outstanding Balances Due — Monday, April 1
• Memorial Day, NO Classes — Monday, May 27
• Dress Rehearsal — Friday, May 31
• Recital — Sunday, June 2
• Last Day of Classes — Monday, June 3
• MDA DOES NOT TAKE A SPRING BREAK

TAKE HOME NOTES — will continue to be updated

• 2024 Recital Participation Form
• 2024 Recital Participation Information
• 2024 Dress Rehearsal Call Schedule for ALL Students 
• 2024 Dress Rehearsal & Recital Information
• 2024 Picture Order Form
• 2024 Recital, Dress Rehearsal Order
• 2024 Recital, Show 1 Order
• 2024 Recital, Show 2 Order

PARTICIPATION INFORMATION

All students who are enrolled in the 2023 Winter and Spring Sessions can participate in our annual recital. It is an opportunity for students to showcase what they have been learning throughout the year. By performing, the children not only gain confidence and poise, but their appreciation for the performing arts grows immensley.

Students are not required to participate in the recital, but they are encouraged. We understand, however, that there may be important events that families are already committed to. Therefore, children can still enroll in classes and learn everything being taught, including the choreography, so they continue to progress with their classmates. It is important to note that MDA does not spend the entire classtime teaching recital choreography. 

Students in combination classes (Pre-Ballet/Tap 3) will perform TWO dances, a ballet and a tap dance. All other classes will perform ONE dance. 

PARTICIPATION FEES 

Recital fees include participation in all recital events (dress rehearsal and recital), including the costume and tights. We must pay for the venue rental, lighting and soound tech, stage managers, costume processing and preparation, extra instructor fees, etc. The fees are as follows: 

• $140 — Pre-Ballet 1, Pre-Ballet 2, or Hip Hop Minis ($65 for each additional class)
• $160 — Pre-Balllet/Tap 3 or Pre-Jazz/Hip Hop ($65 for each additional class)
• $160 — Upper level classes (ballet, modern, jazz) ($75 each additional class)

SPRING SESSION ENROLLMENT DEADLINE

Why do we require participation during the Winter and Spring Sessions? There are several reasons:

• During the Fall Session, students are learning and reviewing the basics of ballet and other dance forms according to their level. During the Winter and Spring Sessions, they are learning advanced steps and combinations that will be used in their recital dance. 

• Costumes must be ordered in the beginning of February in order for them to arrive before the show. On ocassion, our first choice of a costume is already sold out. There are a limited number of costume companies who provide costumes for thousands of dance studios.

HAIR BUNS

Ballet buns serve a functioning purpose and they are beautiful. They can be worn high, low, braided, etc. Buns allow the dancers to turn and spot without distraction. Ponytails and loose hair distract and hinder the dancer’s use of visual focus. The bun helps enhance the lines of the body that are imperative to the ballet aesthetic. In class, the instructor needs to see the back of the neck to ensure the dancers are using proper technique and posture. 

GENERAL TICKET SALES — Begins March 3, 2024

• All seats are reserved.
• Seating will be assigned in the order in which ticket orders are time-stamped and paid.
• Tickets must be paid in full at time of purchase. We will not hold any unpaid ticket requests.
• Online ticket sales close at 7:00 pm on Thursday, May 30, 2025.
• Ticket prices:
  • $18 in advance,
  • $23 at door.
  • Children age 3 and under are free, but must sit on a lap.
• All sales are final. No refunds. No exchanges.

Click here to order tickets. 

We will need people to volunteer to be classroom helpers, backstage, usher, and call table. You may or may not need to purchase a ticket as follows:

• CLASSROOM HELPERS (Tu-Tu Two's and Pre-Ballet 1) — you WILL need to purchase a ticket because you will be seated with your family after the Pre-Ballet 1 class performs. You will be able to watch them from the wings of the stage. Your child does not need a ticket if she sits on a lap.
• CLASSROOM/BACKSTAGE HELPER (Pre-Ballet 2 through upper level) — you will NOT need to purchase a ticket. You will be able to watch your child perform from the wings of the stage.
• USHER/CALL TABLE -- if you would like to be seated in reserved seats after the show begins, you WILL need to purchase tickets. Ushers who do not want to purchase tickets can sit in the back of the auditorium near the entrance after the show begins. 

If you will volunteer, please sign the sheets in the studio lobby, or email us

SHIRTS -- WEAR THE ENTHUSIASM!

Order your souvenir shirt -- The Ruby Slipper

SAY IT WITH FLOWERS! -- information is pending

Let special dancers know how much you appreciate their hard work, commitment, and passion for dance!

Our bouquets are made fresh by Mariano's in Evergreen Park. They include a variety of flowers and colors of red and yellow to match our theme. Each bouquet will have a commemorative, red ruby slipper penant attached to it.  They will be available for pick-up in the lobby of the auditorium on the day of the recital. 

Pre-order prices through May 25, 2024:

• $25 Small (yellows)
• $32 Large (reds)

Prices May 26, 2024 and later:

• $28 Small (yellows)
• $36 Large (reds)

There will be a limited supply of bouquets to purchase the day of the recital.

Click here to pre-order bouquets and flowers.

"THE RUBY SLIPPERS" NECKLACE

PLUSH DANCEMALLOWS

We are excited to add custom made 8" plush Dancemallows to our collection of MDA product. These adorable plushies include MDA's logo on their bellies. They will surely delight dancers of all ages!