Maximum Performance Dance

13th Annual Recital, “ICONIC”

RECITAL IS A DANCER’S SUPERBOWL! EVERY STUDENT AT OUR STUDIO IS PART OF THE MPD TEAM!

Dancers and Families: Please take note of all the important dates and information on this page to help your dancer and their teammates have a smooth, comfortable and fun experience up on the big stage!

Recital and Dress Rehearsal Information 2024

Dress Rehearsal for the Recital 2024

Dates: May 6-11

Time: Dress rehearsal is mandatory and will take place at MPD during students’ class time. Dancers must arrive in costume with hair and make up complete. Appropriate dance shoes and tights must be worn. If a student has a costume change, they can bring their additional costume(s) for that day. We will have changing areas set up. 1 parent/guardian can attend for students. Please wait outside and we will call you in once we have the children set to go!

Location: Maximum Performance Dance

Dress Rehearsal: The dress rehearsal is the only time the children have to practice in costumes with hair and make up complete. It helps each child feel comfortable on stage and helps ensure that everything runs smoothly on recital day.  It is very important that all students attend dress rehearsal!

Recital 2024

Date: Sunday, May 19, 2024

Time: Show 1 begins at 1:00pm. Dancers in show 1 should arrive and check in between 12:15-12:30pm. Show 2 begins at 4:00pm. Dancers in show 2 should arrive and check in between 3:15-3:30pm. There will be 2 shows with each show running approx. 2 hours long. *See below the recital costume check list and the show order of your routines!

Location: Watchung Hills Regional High School

Recital Info: 

• Parents please escort your child to their dressing room (gym) so we can check them in as they arrive. Younger students can be escorted by parents to dressing room to set them up but all parents must clear dressing rooms after dropping off their child. We will have staff members in the dressing room to help children.

• After dropping students off in the dressing room, please head to the lobby to pick up any pre-orders/flowers and head to your seats when the theater doors open.

• Students will stay in their assigned dressing room for the whole show. Each show is approx. 2 hours long.

• Students may bring books, coloring, activities etc. to keep occupied in dressing room.

• Please label all costumes and belongings.

• All students must stay for their entire recital show, finale and awards after the finale. They will receive a trophy and have their named called which is a special moment for them!

• MPD staff ONLY will be allowed in the dressing rooms during the recital.

• One parent ONLY can pick their child from the dressing room after the show.

Click HERE for the Recital Performance Order!

Click HERE to view the Recital 2024 Costume Look Book! *Do not follow hair from these pics! All recital hair is a low bun w/ hair partner in middle!

Click HERE for the Recital Costume Checklist! *Use this to make sure you have everything you need for recital and for packing for recital.

Photos/Video Taping/Video Link: Flash photography and videotaping are NOT permitted during the recital. We want audience members to sit back, relax and enjoy the show! This is also distracting to the dancers and to other audience members. The show will be professionally recorded and the recital video link will be distributed to those who choose to purchase it. Purchasing a recital video link is a great way to capture and remember this special event! MPD will not be able to take emailed orders. (Cost: $40 per family): Click HERE to order!

Recital Tickets: Students performing in the recital will not need to purchase a ticket. Anyone occupying a seat will need to purchase a recital ticket for each show they are attending. Tickets are $22.50 each and are non-refundable. All account balances must be paid in full before purchasing tickets. Seats book rather quickly so we recommend not waiting to purchase your tickets. Please know which show you are buying tickets for in advance. Tickets go on sale Sunday, May 5th at 7pm. *Recital Ticket Link: https://mpdance.booktix.net

Finale/Pick Up/Awards: All students come on stage for the Finale, which takes place at the end of the show. All students should stay to perform in the finale and receive their recital award at the end of their show.  After the recital, dancers will be dismissed to their dressing rooms to collect their belongings. One parent ONLY is permitted to pick their child up after the show. Details on dismissal will be finalized soon! *All students who participate in the recital will receive a recital trophy! Loyalty Awards, for students who have been at MPD for 3, 5, 7 or 10 consecutive years, will be distributed during award week at the studio, the last week of classes!

Recital Tights/Shoes: Please read over the costume check-list and make sure that your child has the appropriate tights and shoes for their class. We recommend Capezio brand tights. We have a limited supply of recital tights in stock at the dance studio so if anyone needs to purchase them please see the front desk. If your child needs new dance shoes, we recommend: Accents Dancewear: 258 Springfield Ave, Berkeley Heights.

Recital T-shirts: Purchase your limited edition MPD 2024 recital t-shirt! Students may wear the recital t-shirts to class leading up to the recital and for the finale! They can change into them or wear them over their costume. These make great recital gifts too! Place your recital t-shirt order HERE! *Please note: Recital t-shirts must be purchased in advance by March 11th.

Recital Program Messages: Send a message to your shining star! Complete the recital message form and submit to MPD by April 1st. All messages must be 2-lines and e mailed to MPD as you wish it to appear in the program. $5 per message. Click HERE to order your recital program message!

Recital Program 1 page Ad: If you would like to feature an ad in our virtual recital program or send a special full page message w/ pics to your dancer, please submit the form by 4/1. We typically have about 900 audience members so it is a great way to advertise your business!

*Due date: on/before April 1st!

*Cost $30 per 1 page add *You can also include a direct link to your business website!

*Click HERE to submit your recital program ad!

Recital Merchandise/Goodies: To make your recital experience even easier and more memorable; MPD apparel, water bottles, teddy bears, bracelets and more will be sold at the recital! These items make great recital gifts for your dancing star!! We will also have snacks and water for sale! *Cash or check only please will be accepted!!

Hair & Makeup Information:

Dancers should arrive at dress rehearsal and recital in costume with hair and make-up complete. If they are in more than one performance number for recital, please check the performance order list to find out which costume is to be worn first. The following make-up colors will work for all costumes. Make-up:  tans, browns, grays on eyes, black mascara & eyeliner, peach or rose color blush, pinks, rose, or mauves for lip gloss or lip stick. 

For dress rehearsal and the recital please be sure to bring some safety pins to adjust straps if needed or to fix other costume emergencies. Also, bring a brush, hair spray, gel and bobby pins for to touch up hair and secure hair accessories.*MPD staff members will be assigned to each dressing room to assist.

 *All hair should be slick with gel and hairspray. Donuts and hairnets are suggested for making buns. Hats and other hairpieces need to be securely fastened with bobby pins.

*Capezio brand tights are recommended and are available at the front desk. We have a limited supply of child and adult sizes.  Dancers with multiple costume and tight color changes may need to layer two pair to help with quick changes.

*Recital Packing List

Hair Check List:

• Brush/Comb

• Hairspray/Gel *slicks hair and keeps it net/in place

• Hair net around bun to match hair color (for all who are wearing a bun) *helps keep bun secure

• Bobby pins (to match hair color) *keeps bun secure and helps secure hair accessories so they don’t fall out on stage

• Donut for making bun (medium size) *makes nice, easy, neat bun

• Hair ties (clear or to match hair color)

• Costume hair pieces, hats or accessories (see costume checklist) *bobby pin to head

*Hair must be neat and securely pulled back. Use plenty of bobby pins and hair spray. All hair accessories should be securely fastened to head to ensure they will not move or fall out. Donuts and hairnets should be used for buns!

Other Items to Bring:

• Costumes/costume accessories (see costume list)

• Make-up:  tans, browns, grays on eyes, black mascara & eyeliner, peach or rose color blush, pinks, rose, or mauves for lip gloss or lip stick. 

• Hair supplies (see hair list)

• Garment bag (to carry costumes in so they don’t get wrinkled)

• Duffle bag, dance bag or or duffle to carry items in

• Hair accessories or hair pieces (if needed for costume, see costume list)

• Safety pins

• Band aides

• Body glue (if needed for costumes)

• Tights, back up tights in case a pair rips (see costume list) & socks if needed for hip hop sneakers

• Dance shoes (see costume list)

• Water

• Any particular undergarments that may be needed for certain costumes *must not show!

• Hand Sanitizer/Wipes

*Make-Up Tutorial: Click HERE

*Hair Information:

• Low bun with middle part *Use donut/bun maker *See video & picture below!

  *bobby pin all hair accessories to hair to ensure they stay in!

• Bun Tutorial Video: Click HERE