A group of dancers performing on stage illuminated with blue lighting, with a large empty blue screen in the background and stage lights overhead.
Young ballet dancers performing on stage during a recital, viewed from backstage.

Recital Resources

FAQs

  • All recitals (Discover Dance 3+) are held at the Hudson High School auditorium: 1501 Vine St, Hudson, WI 54016

    Dancers in Discover Dance 2 have an in-studio recital at Helmer Dance Studio Sunday May 31, 2026 at 11:00 am.

  • Tickets typically go on sale at the beginning of May.

  • The Hudson High School auditorium seats 771. Once tickets go on sale, there is not a limit to how many you are able to order.

  • Our annual recitals consist of 4 different shows.

    1. Discover Dance 2 (In-Studio Recital)

    Friday PM

    • Performance Mini dancers

    • Recreational Dancers 1st grade and up (this includes Primary Acro 2-3)

    Saturday AM

    • Discover Dance 3

    • Discover Dance 4

    • Discover Kindergarten Tap/Ballet

    • Discover Acro 1

    • Discover Acro 2

    Saturday PM

    • Competition Dancers only (minus Minis)

  • We ask that all dancers arrive performance-ready at least 30 minutes prior to their showtime.

    Performance-ready means: in tights, costume, hair done, makeup on (if you so choose), accessory items on and shoes ready.

  • Doors to the auditorium will open 15 minutes before showtime.

  • Concessions are sold at each show.

    ONLY COVERED WATER IS ALLOWED IN THE AUDITORIUM.

  • Individual roses will be available for sale, at each show (while supplies last).

  • Medals and trophies will be available for pickup during our in-studio dress rehearsal and pictures (June 2 and/or June 4).

  • This is totally up to you! Some dancers wear full stage makeup, some wear a little makeup, and some wear nothing.

    What is stage makeup? Stage lights tend to “wash out” dancers and make it hard to see their faces. The object of stage makeup is to create harsher lines and contours and overdrawn shapes (essentially heavily applied), to make dancers faces pop on stage.

  • Totally up to your and your dancer(s)! Each costume typically comes with a hair accessory, so we simply ask to include this accessory as noted in the costume book.

    We’ve seen most everything: full on updo, high ponytail, low ponytail, half ponytail, side ponytail, low bun, high bun, pigtail buns, braids…you get the point ;)

  • Dancers should arrive in costume, ready-to-perform — this means hair ready, makeup on (if you so choose), tights, costume and any accessory items.

    Please arrive in street shoes and a bag with any necessary dance shoes.

  • Dancers should ARRIVE performance-ready (in costume with hair/makeup done).

    Dancers should BRING a bag with their dance shoes (if applicable) and recital t-shirt.

  • Upon arrival, there will be a check-in table to the right of the auditorium doors. Please check your dancer in here. Dancers are then able to head back to the holding room where they will remain for the duration of the show.

    At check-in, Discover Dance/Acro students will get a number attached to their costume and parents will get a corresponding wrist band. Only parents with wristbands are allowed to bring their dancer back to the holding room and pick their dancer up from the holding room (after the recital’s completion).

  • The holding room is staffed with teachers and parent volunteers.

    For our younger students (Discover Dance/Acro), there will be (at least) 1 person assigned to each class. They are in good hands! Enjoy the show.

  • Dancers are welcome to bring something to the holding room to help pass the time. However, there won’t be a ton of downtime, as we line them up to go backstage several numbers before they actually perform. There is also a TV where they’re able to watch the show.

    If you do decided to bring something along, we ask that it’s mess-free (think colored pencils vs markers, etc.).

  • Per the school, food is NOT allowed in the holding area/backstage area with your dancer!