The recital will be held outdoors behind Dance Connection’s Islip studio.   The recital will be held in the parking lot adjacent to Gold’s Gym (behind what used to be the Thro Warehouse).  The recital will be performed on a large professional touring stage with a lighting system, sound system, and video effects system all brought in.

In light of the current Coronavirus pandemic, we felt it was best to transition to an open-air outdoor venue.  An open-air venue is generally a safer alternative to indoor venues and more allowable for congregate gatherings.  It will allow us to have a recital more similar to what we’ve had in the past and the quality expected from a Dance Connection production, while also allowing all dancers and audience members to feel comfortable.

There will be seven recital performances held Friday June 11 at 5:00PM and 8:00PM, Saturday June 12 at 5:00PM and 8:00PM and Sunday, June 13 at 11:00AM, 5:00PM, and 8:00PM.  An updated Who’s In What Recital sheet is available here.  Please check the updated sheet as changes have been made.

Yes, it is possible that your recital time did change.  Please check the updated Who’s In What Recital sheet to confirm your updated show assignments.  All shows are scheduled for either the original recital dates (June 12 or June 13) or for Friday June 11, one of the dress rehearsal dates under the original schedule.

Due to the operational changes of producing an outdoor production, showtimes were shifted to allow for shorter shows than in past years with the comfort of audience members in mind, avoiding hot summer heat.

In the event of unsafe weather conditions during dress rehearsals, we will pause or postpone rehearsals on stage and reschedule a class’s dress rehearsal on an as-needed basis for any affected class.

In the event of weather conditions that preclude a performance from occurring at its scheduled time, the performance will be rescheduled onto a rain date in the evening of Monday June 14, Tuesday June 15, or Wednesday June 16.  Performances will be rescheduled to new show times starting with Monday and continuing onto Tuesday and/or Wednesday if necessary.

Dress Rehearsals will be held at the same outdoor recital location (behind Dance Connection’s studio) on Monday June 7 thru Thursday, June 10 between the hours of 4:00PM and 10:00PM.  Each class will be assigned a specific dress rehearsal and photo time.  The dress rehearsal schedule will be available in early May.

During the show, dancers will wait inside our backstage area set up inside the large Thro facility.  The space will be setup just like our normal shows with tables, chairs, TVs to watch the show, games, activities, and more!  Dancers will be supervised and cared for by volunteers and staff.

Male and Female dressing rooms will be available inside the large Thro facility. 

All of Dance Connection’s StudioSafe™ protocols will be in place for the recital.  We continually monitor and adjust health & safety protocols in response to guidelines from the local, state, and federal government.

While we are always excited to offer unique performance opportunities, we plan to produce the 2022 recital indoors at CM Performing Arts Center.

The recital is approximately 90 minutes long with no intermission.

Tickets go on sale online on Monday, May 3 at 8:00AM.  Tickets are available at the studio starting Tuesday, May 4 at 4:00PM.

Due to capacity restrictions, there will likely be a ticket limit during initial sales to ensure that every family can attend the recital and secure seats.  Once the initial sale period is over, families can order additional tickets.  At the time, we do not know the exact ticket limit.  We will have at least two tickets per family available, however the exact number will be available closer to when tickets go on sale.

Volunteers are what make our production possible!  We will still need volunteers this year.  Volunteer areas include supervising and watching dancers backstage, helping with costume changes, stage crew, security, concession sales, ushering, and parking guides.

Volunteer sign ups will begin in mid-April.  There are a limited number of volunteer spots in each volunteer area.  Volunteers are able to see their child perform without purchasing a ticket.

Yes, the recital site will be secured by both crowd-control volunteers as well as contracted security officers.

Yes, the outdoor performance space will have assigned seating.  No personal chairs are allowed.

Yes, outdoor restrooms will be available for audience use during the shows.

Parent volunteers from the studio assist in coordinating & supervising backstage along with staff from Dance Connection. The backstage area is supervised for the duration of the show, and dancers remain backstage the entire time. If you would like to volunteer please watch for our volunteer sign-up in April. Volunteers DO get to watch their dancer and do not need to purchase a show ticket.

It can seem like a long wait for an excited dancer backstage. For that reason we give our volunteers and staff many tools to keep the kids entertained. There are toys and games for the kids, coloring sheets, crafts, and a live video feed of the show playing on large TVs. When it is their turn to dance they are called, and our staff walks them to the stage and back safely. Dancers will remain backstage for the entire show.

This is an important memory, one you will always cherish. For that reason, we hire a professional videographer to film all shows and give those videos to all of our families for free. Phone and flash photography can be a distraction to our dancers as well as to the audience members around you.  For that reason, the taking of photographs or videotaping of the show is strictly prohibited – this policy is enforced by the security officers at the show.  Parents can videotape or photograph the dress rehearsal.

Yes! Before each class goes on stage for their dress rehearsal, our photographers take class and individual photos.  Everyone will receive a free class photo download.  Prints and products of the class photo and individual photos are available for purchase.