Frequently Asked Questions:

A dance recital is an opportunity for dancers to showcase their hard work, skills, and routine for family and friends. Dancers dress in stage costumes and perform with their class. Recital is a special day for dancers that gives them an opportunity to dress up, feel proud, and gain confidence from their accomplishments all session. It’s truly a day they will always remember!

Almost every studio in the country hosts a spring recital and/or December recital and costumes must be ordered months in advance to ensure they are in stock and arrive in time for recital. The registration deadline allows us to move forward with planning and provide accurate information to registered participants in a timely manner.

Female recital fee is $89. Male participants pay $59 and provide their own black bottoms and undershirt, when applicable. The fee covers the cost of your dancer’s costume, shipping and handling, and a professional recording of the show for each family. Tickets range from $15-$30 depending on pre-sale and day of sales. Proceeds from the tickets go directly to the rental costs of the auditorium, SAHS staff, and security.

Our recitals are held at the beautifully renovated Bill Medley Auditorium at Santa Ana High School. The facility has a fully operating stage and staff, secured backstage, professional sound, and lighting.

You can register your dancer online (via a link emailed by your instructor). Please make sure all registration information is completed and measurements are accurate. Please note deadline dates for registration. Failure to sign up by these dates will result in non-participation.

OCDP typically hosts 2 to 4 recitals in one day. Your child will only participate in one. If your dancer is in multiple dance classes, they could be in multiple shows. Each show lasts approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Call time for each show is 45 minutes prior.

OCDP will follow any and all state, local, and auditorium guidelines. Guidelines are subject to change at any time and/or for any reason to ensure the health and safety of our dancers and their families. Non-compliance may result in your child not being allowed to participate. No particular measures are guaranteed and there may be circumstances where we cannot enforce face masks at all times, though will recommend them. Please be sure your dancer and your family are comfortable with any guidelines that may be set in place prior to registering for recital. No refunds will be given for any reason related or non-related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Day-of policies will be announced to parents via email closer to the recital date.

Yes, we host two recitals a year, a spring show in May or June and a winter show at the close of the fall session in December. Registration for the May/June recital begins in January/February and registration for the December recital starts in September.

The entire OCDP staff works each recital and are with your children backstage and in the dancer holding area. Each class remains with their instructor, class, and other staff for the duration of the recital. Backstage is locked off and secured only allowing our background-cleared staff to interact with dancers before and after their performance.

Starting with our December 2022 Recital we switched to an online, professional recording of the show. Each family will receive a link so they can watch their dancer’s performance easily at home and share it with friends/family around the world! The Recital Commitment Fee includes access to the show recording and no additional fees will be owed in order to view the recording. If you wish to download the recording you’ll be able to do so for a small fee.

To protect the privacy of your child and others we request that families do not share video recordings on social media or other public, online platforms.

We are happy to answer them! Either email your instructor with specific questions or feel free to contact the OCDP office with any questions or concerns you may have!