Annual Recital

Recital Weekend is June 12th - 14th , 2026.

Recital 2026 location is currently TBD.

You should arrive at the Market Street entrance to the California Theatre, 15 minutes before your scheduled rehearsal time. Dancers should be totally dressed, hair and makeup done and ready to go onstage.

Proceed to the main auditorium, take a seat and wait until your child’s class is called to go backstage. Rehearsals generally take about 2 hours. Parents may either remain with their child or come back to pick them up at the end of the rehearsal. Once your child is done practicing on stage you are welcome to exit the main auditorium and go upstairs to take pictures - you do not need to stay for the entire duration of dress rehearsal. Dress Rehearsal is your opportunity to take pictures. During the actual recitals no cameras, videos, or phones are allowed.

Your child needs to be at the theater 45 minutes before show time. They need to be there early in order to get everyone situated before the show and to get the backstage volunteers familiar with the kids.

Drop-off for all DAU dancers

All dancers will enter the California Theater through the Market Street Lobby Exit Door. The spot will be clearly marked with signs and activity. Please be at that spot no later than 45 minutes before show time and allow enough time for parking. Upon reaching the Market Street Lobby Exit Door, dancers will be escorted by a DAU staff member, Teacher Assistant or parent-volunteer to their dressing rooms. Do not bring extra clothing, shoes, food, or play items to the theater – and please make sure your dancer is in their costume, ready to go! Audience house doors will open 30 minutes prior to the show. When planning your travel time to the theater, please allow extra time to park and make sure your dancer has the correct dance shoes on.

Pick-up for Intro to Dance, Creative Dance, Combo, “Pre” Level, Acro 6-9, and Rookie Classes

All dancers will participate in the finale at the end of the show. For parents of Creative Dance, Intro to Dance, Pre Hip Hop and Child Combo classes (ages 3-8): your child will be escorted from the stage directly to the Market Street Stage Right Entrance (inside the building). They will be supervised the entire time until they are safely back in your hands. At the completion of the show, you will exit the theatre through the Market Street Lobby Exit Door; then, walk about 30 yards (towards San Carlos) to the Market Street Stage Right Entrance. Check in with a staff member at the door, and we will make sure your child gets safely to you. Please only send one parent for pick-up. After reuniting with your young dancer, you can meet up with family and friends inside or outside the theatre and take pictures and celebrate your dancer’s accomplishments.

Pick-up for all other age groups and dancers

Please coordinate a meet-up spot with your child INSIDE the California Theatre. Dress rehearsal, while you are on site, is a good time to talk about this with your child. Note: the meet-up location should not be the dressing room or outside the walls of the theatre. The best general location is the upstairs or downstairs foyer areas; they are HUGE and there are tons of spots to choose from. We do not recommend that you use the Market Street Lobby as a meet-up spot, as this area will be heavily congested after the show. After reuniting with your dancer, you can take pictures inside or outside the theatre as you wish and celebrate your dancer’s accomplishments.

When you drop your dancer off in the Market Street Lobby, DAU Staff will take your dancer to the dressing room they are assigned to. All dancers ages 3-6 who are in Creative Dance, Intro to Dance, Pre Hip Hop, Pre Ballet, Tap/Jazz, Ballet/Jazz, Intro to Lyrical (6-9) and Acro (6-9) will be taken to Level 2. PC dancers with a PC routine in that show should report to level 1/PC. All other dancers will report to Level 3.

Dancers who have 1 number in the show will be escorted to the mezzanine level in the main auditorium to watch the half of the show in which they are not performing. No food or beverage is allowed backstage. The less the dancers bring, the less they have to lose. No backpacks, water bottles or jackets needed. Water stations are provided backstage. Kids will be going to the stage for the finale so the less they have to worry about the easier it is for everyone.

In order to make recital a fun and safe environment for all dancers, children will not be excused to their guardians until after the show ends.

Every dancer should arrive for both dress rehearsal and recital prepared to perform with hair and makeup done. Please see your class email regarding costume, accessories, tights, shoes, makeup, and hair.

Please do not send anything with your child on the day of the recital. Be sure to feed your dancer a healthy snack or light meal BEFORE bringing them to the theater, so they do not get hungry during the show. Water will be available for the dancers. Backstage volunteers will supervise the dancers in the dressing room. Per the California Theater, outside food and drink are not permitted.

Only designated volunteers will be permitted backstage. Backstage volunteers will supervise all children, not just their own dancer.

In order to make recital a fun and safe environment for all dancers, children will not be excused to their guardians until after the show ends. Each show lasts about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

During a dress rehearsal, you may film and photograph your child. Due to the Santa Clara County Fire Code, filming and photography are prohibited during the shows.

Click here to purchase tickets for our 2025 Recital. You may buy tickets at the theater either before or on the day of the recital, but we tend to have full shows and it would be wise to get them now.

Childcare is not provided between shows. Please pick up your child after each show and return 45 minutes prior to the next show.

We highly recommend parking in the Convention Center Parking garage which is close and within walking distance of the California Theatre.

Picture Day will take place at Dress Rehearsal at the California Theatre on Friday, June 14th. Once your child is done rehearsing you may exit the main auditorium, go to the main Market Street Lobby and walk upstairs to take individual dance pictures in costume. If you have multiple numbers to rehearse you may take your pictures at any time during the day.

To order your 2024 DAU recital video here (search for Dance Academy USA). You can also scan the QR code below to access the website. All shows will be available in the following formats: DVD, 4K (2160p) USB, and HD (1080p) USB.

DAUPC will be selling flowers in the main lobby that can be purchased for your dancer. Prices range from $12-15. Cash only, please try to bring exact change.