DAU RECITAL 2027

The California Theatre in downtown San Jose.

Recital Weekend is June 11th - 13th , 2027.

Dress Rehearsal takes place on the Friday before Recital Weekend and gives dancers the opportunity to practice on the actual stage before their show. While attendance is not required, it is highly recommended.

Please arrive at the Market Street entrance of the California Theatre 15 minutes before your scheduled rehearsal time. Dancers should arrive in full costume with hair and makeup completed.

If your dancer is performing only one dance in that show, their stage rehearsal will take approximately 20 minutesfrom the time they are called backstage until they come off the stage. This is the only portion of Dress Rehearsal they are required to attend.

Parents may wait in the main auditorium or return to pick up their dancer after their rehearsal.

Dress Rehearsal is also the time to take photos and videos! Phones, cameras, and video recording are not permitted during the actual recital performances.

Your child needs to be at the theater ready to walk backstage 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.

Dancer Drop-Off: All dancers should be dropped off at the Market Street entrance, located directly across the street from the Convention Center parking structure. Dancers will be checked in by DAU staff and escorted into the theater. Once inside, DAU staff and TA’s will take dancers directly backstage and guide them to their assigned level, where they will remain with their class, teachers, and backstage volunteers.

To help make the drop-off process as quick and organized as possible, it is very important that both you and your dancer know the name of their class and their teacher’s name. Staff will use this information to determine which level the dancer needs to be directed to. Dancers will be assigned to either the 2nd Floor or 3rd Floor backstage area based on their class.

Please only send dancers with the costumes they need for that specific show. Dancers should not bring any additional belongings, bags, food, drinks, or other personal items with them. Please make sure your dancer arrives with everything they need for their performances in that show, as parents and guardians will not be able to bring additional items backstage once the dancer has been checked in.

Recital Dismissal Process

Red Wristband – Early Dance Education: Dancers wearing a red wristband will remain on stage following the finale. Parents and guardians must remain seated until their dancer’s class is announced. Once called, one parent or guardian may proceed to the pickup area on the left side of the stage (from the audience perspective) to meet their dancer. Parents may then leave with their dancer through the Market Street exit.

Purple Wristband – Younger Technique Classes: Dancers wearing a purple wristband will remain on stage following the finale. Parents and guardians must remain seated until their dancer’s class is announced. Once called, one parent or guardian may proceed to the pickup area on the right side of the stage (from the audience perspective) to meet their dancer. Parents may then leave with their dancer through the First Street exit.

Blue Wristband – Older Technique Classes: Blue wristbands are assigned to select classes with older dancers. Following the finale, these dancers will be released from the stage and may exit independently to meet their families. To help maintain traffic flow, blue wristband dancers will be directed to exit through the First Street doors.

Important Parent Information: If you are seated in the Mezzanine or Balcony and have a dancer with a red or purple wristband, please make your way to the Orchestra Level when the curtain closes and remain there until your dancer’s class is announced. We ask that you find an open seat and remain there until your dancer’s class is announced.

Production Company (PC) dancers do not receive wristbands and will follow separate dismissal procedures communicated by their directors.

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.

Recital Tickets will go on sale approximately 2 months before the recital shows.

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.