Recital 2026

Backstage Volunteer Sign up

Your role as a backstage volunteer truly makes a difference. By helping create an organized, positive, and encouraging environment, you ensure that each child’s big day is filled with confidence, fun, and unforgettable memories.

What is a Recital Backstage Volunteer?

Recital volunteers play a vital role in maintaining a safe, organized, and efficient backstage environment. Volunteers are responsible for assisting during the recital show they sign up for and must be available for the entire duration of that show — from check-in to final dismissal.

Volunteers are the link between dressing rooms, holding areas, and the stage. They work directly with teachers, studio staff, and other volunteers to manage dancer groups, maintain order, and ensure that every performer is fully supervised at all times.

Volunteer Responsibilities (Required):

  • Supervise assigned groups of dancers before, during, and after the show — no child should ever be left unattended.

  • Escort dancers to and from the stage for each routine and the finale, following staff instructions and stage cues precisely.

  • Assist with basic needs such as restroom breaks, water, and tidying dressing spaces if needed — while keeping dancers in their assigned areas.

  • Maintain a calm, safe, and organized environment — no consistent cell phone use or visitors are permitted while supervising dancers.

  • Follow all staff directions immediately and communicate any issues or safety concerns to a designated staff member.

Volunteers must remain backstage for the entire show and may not leave early or watch from the audience during their assigned performance.

Whenever possible, volunteers will be paired with their child’s class; however, final assignments are based on the studio’s needs to ensure proper coverage and safety for all performers. Flexibility is expected — every volunteer contributes to the overall success and safety of the event.

Failure to follow guidelines or instructions may result in removal from volunteer duties for future events.

How Many Volunteers Are Needed?

We need volunteers for each recital show, for almost every class. Number of volunteers per class are based on on the size and age group of the class.

Below is a typical breakdown of how many volunteers are assigned to each class.

  • Creative Movement, Intro to Dance, Little Hip Hop
    2–4 volunteers per class, typically look at a 3:1 ratio.

  • Tap/Jazz, Ballet/Jazz, Pre Ballet, Pre Jazz, Pre Hip Hop, Intro to K-Pop, Intro to Lyrical, Acro (ages 6–9), Breakdance (ages 6–8)
    1–4 volunteers per class, typically look at a 4:1 ratio.

  • All Leveled Classes (1, 1B, 1C, 2, 2B, 3, 4), K-Pop, Breakdance, High School Dance Team
    6–10 total volunteers per show to support the Level 3 dressing room and general backstage flow.

What to Know Before Signing Up

  • If a class already has enough volunteers, we may not be able to place you. If this happens, you will be placed on a waitlist for that class.

  • All volunteers are required to attend one mandatory meeting in person meeting before the recital at the studio plus a venue walk-through training at Dress Rehearsal on Friday, June 12th (morning and afternoon time options TBD).

  • Volunteers must arrive at the theatre one hour before showtime and stay until the end to assist with the finale lineup, and dismissal. Dismissal will be after everyone in your child’s class is dismissed to a parent or guardian.

  • Volunteers do not need a ticket for the show they are working in. You will be backstage and able to watch your child perform from the side of the stage.

  • If you buy a ticket and later sign up to volunteer, the theater can process a refund.

  • You’ll receive your specific assignment and detailed instructions closer to recital weekend.

  • Each volunteer will have a specific volunteer lanyard that will permit them into the theatre backstage area. If you do not have the specific lanyard, DAU staff and theatre staff will not allow you in.

Important Notes

All volunteers will receive a DAU volunteer lanyard labeled with your name and show assignment(s) and job.

  • Lanyards will be available for pickup at our Recital Venue Walk through.

  • No lanyards will be available for pickup at the studio before dress rehearsal.

For safety and security, only volunteers wearing a DAU lanyard are allowed backstage. This includes no access for non-performing family members, siblings, or guests.

No dancer or volunteer is allowed to leave mid-show. Doing so creates unsafe conditions, as we may not be aware if a child or a parent volunteer from a class is missing. If you are volunteering, you are required to stay for the entire show—no exceptions.

Volunteer assignments can fill up quickly so it is possible that we may not need your assistance if volunteer requirements have been fulfilled for a class. We realize this may impact the number of tickets you need to purchase so please sign up as soon as possible if you are interested in volunteering. Also, if you buy a ticket but then volunteer, the theater can process a refund for you. 

Volunteer assignments are first come, first served — If you have been a recital volunteer in past years, your participation and performance at the recital as a volunteer will also be taken into consideration.

Ready to sign up?

Sign ups will be available April 10th at 1:00 pm!
If you have any questions, contact Marina at marina@danceacademyusa.com