Recital — Starlight Dance Studios and Theater

Everything You Need To Know About Recital 2025

New and improved for this year! Please read all details below.

 
 

STARLIGHT’S 2025 RECITAL: ICONS

When: Saturday, June 21st 2025 at 12pm & 5pm

Where: The Starlight Theater, 115 Crescent Drive, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

For PICTURE DAY

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, June 14th & 15th

Saturday, June 14th at 9am- SHOW 1 | Sunday, June 15th at 9am- SHOW 2

Where: Starlight Performing Arts Center, 115 Crescent Drive, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Photo days do not have a predetermined end time. This is due to the nature of photographing dancers, as it can often take multiple shots to get one good photo. Please plan to be at Starlight for the majority of the day. Once dancers have completed all individual and group photos with each of their classes and routines, they will be free to leave. We thank you for your patience and understanding!

Saturday, June 14th at 9am:

  • ALL SHOW 1 DANCERS: Recital photo day in full hair, makeup and costumes. MANDATORY TO BE ALLOWED TO PERFORM IN RECITAL. A photo day schedule will be available for all dancers and parents upon arrival.

    • Arrive in full hair and makeup (see below), wearing tights, dance undergarments if applicable, and any comfortable street wear clothing. Please bring all dance shoes and a water bottle! Please use the restroom prior to arrival (especially our littles). PLEASE ARRIVE 15 MINUTES EARLY TO PUT ON COSTUMES WITH YOUR PARENT’S HELP.

  • ALL DANCE TEAM MEMBERS: Photo day for ALL DANCE TEAM GROUP ROUTINES; Galaxy, Zenith, Equinox, Polaris, and Luna (EXCEPT Supernova). Full hair, makeup and costumes as it would be for competition on photo day. MANDATORY TO BE ALLOWED TO PERFORM IN RECITAL.

    • Arrive in full hair and makeup (see below), wearing tights, dance undergarments if applicable, and any comfortable street wear clothing. Please bring all team costumes, dance shoes and a water bottle! Please use the restroom prior to arrival (especially our littles). PLEASE ARRIVE 15 MINUTES EARLY TO PUT ON COSTUMES.


Sunday, June 15th at 9am:

  • ALL SHOW 2 DANCERS: Recital photo day in full hair, makeup and costumes. MANDATORY TO BE ALLOWED TO PERFORM IN RECITAL. A photo day schedule will be available for all dancers and parents upon arrival.

    • Arrive in full hair and makeup (see below), wearing tights, dance undergarments if applicable, and any comfortable street wear clothing. Please bring all dance shoes and a water bottle! Please use the restroom prior to arrival (especially our littles). PLEASE ARRIVE 15 MINUTES EARLY TO PUT ON COSTUMES WITH YOUR PARENT’S HELP.

  • ALL DANCE TEAM MEMBERS: Photo day for SUPERNOVA ENSEMBLE & SELECT GROUP ROUTINES, AND ALL DANCE TEAM SOLO/DUO/TRIO ROUTINES. Full hair, makeup and costumes as it would be for competition on photo day. MANDATORY TO BE ALLOWED TO PERFORM IN RECITAL.

    • Arrive in full hair and makeup (see below), wearing tights, dance undergarments if applicable, and any comfortable street wear clothing. Please bring all team costumes, dance shoes and a water bottle! Please use the restroom prior to arrival (especially our littles). PLEASE ARRIVE 15 MINUTES EARLY TO PUT ON COSTUMES.

    • If you are not in Supernova Ensemble, and are ONLY taking solo/duet/trio photos, you may do something other than the team hairstyle for these photos (with your choreographer’s permission).


Saturday and Sunday, June 14th and 15th:

  • We will create a schedule for photos for each day, and do our best to run according to the schedule and order. Starlight reserves the right to alter or adjust the schedule throughout the day as needed.

  • All dancers must take their costumes home with them after picture day!

  • Photo days do not have a predetermined end time. This is due to the nature of photographing dancers, as it can often take multiple shots to get a good photo. Please plan to be at Starlight for a majority of the day. Once dancers have completed all individual and group photos with each of their classes and routines, they will be free to leave.We thank you for your patience and understanding!

For DRESS REHEARSALS

WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY, June 18th & 20th

Wednesday, June 18th, 4-8pm- SHOW 1 | Friday, June 20th, 4-8pm- SHOW 2

Where: The Starlight Theater, 115 Crescent Drive, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

3-5s: 4-6pm | 6+ 4-8pm FINAL DRESS REHEARSAL ON THE STAGE FOR ALL DANCERS and ALL DANCE TEAM MEMBERS [Mandatory to be allowed to perform, NO EXCEPTIONS]  

Enter through the side stage door, located in the parking lot to the left of Starlight. The stage door will open for check ins 15 minutes prior to the start of rehearsals. This door will lock 10 minutes after rehearsal start time. Late dancers will not be allowed to check in, so please be on time. Parents of younger dancers will check in with the stage manager and drop their dancer off here upon arrival. A Backstage Volunteer will escort younger dancers from the stage door into the theater. Only dancers and Backstage Volunteers will be allowed in the theater during dress rehearsal. All dancers should arrive in full hair and makeup (for details, see below).

Dancers ages 6+: Arrive wearing tights, black leggings or shorts, any dance undergarments if applicable, and a comfortable shirt or dance team jacket. Please bring your costumes, all dance shoes, and a water bottle! A backstage helper will help dancers change costumes as needed, and hang costumes backstage after rehearsals, where they will be stored until recital.

Dancers ages 3-5: please arrive WEARING your costumes, with comfortable leggings/pants and t-shirt or jacket as a costume cover up. Please note: only performers and designated backstage parents will be allowed inside.

  Please use the restroom prior to arrival (especially our littles)

For RECITAL

THE DAY OF THE SHOW Saturday, June 21st, 2025, 12pm & 5pm

SHOW 1: Saturday, June 21st at 12pm | SHOW 2: Saturday, June 21st at 5pm

SHOW 1 CALL TIMES: 3-5s 11:30am, 6+ 10am | SHOW 2 CALL TIMES: 3-5s 4:30pm, 6+ 3:30pm

Where: The Starlight Theater, 115 Crescent Drive, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

NEW FOR THIS YEAR! ALL 3-5 DANCERS will perform in ACT II OF BOTH SHOWS! See details below.

Enter through the side stage door, located in the parking lot to the left of Starlight. The stage door will open for check ins 15 minutes prior to the call time. This door will close and lock 10 minutes prior to curtain. Late dancers will not be allowed to check in, so please be on time. A Backstage Volunteer will escort younger dancers from the stage door into the backstage area. Only dancers and Backstage Volunteers will be allowed backstage on recital day. All dancers should arrive in full hair and makeup (for details, see below).

Show 1 Dancers ages 6+10am: Parents and dancers will check in at the stage door upon arrival. Parents of younger dancers will drop their dancer off here at this time. A Backstage Volunteer will escort younger dancers from the stage door into the backstage area. Arrive wearing tights, black leggings or shorts, any dance undergarments if applicable, and a comfortable shirt or dance team jacket. Please bring all dance shoes, and a water bottle! A backstage volunteer will help dancers change costumes as needed throughout the show.

Show 1 Dancers ages 3-5, 11:30am: NEW FOR THIS YEAR! ALL 3-5 DANCERS will perform in ACT II OF BOTH SHOWS, so they can sit with their parents in the audience for all of act I! Check in at the stage door upon arrival at 11:30am. Parents will then escort dancers around the building and through the front doors to take their seats in the audience for Act I. Please arrive with dancers WEARING costumes, covered by comfortable leggings/pants and t-shirt or jacket. Parents who would like their 3-5 year old to have their own seat in the audience for act I must purchase a ticket for them. Your littles are welcome to sit on your lap, or on a mat by the stage with designated Starlight staff/parent supervision, for free! At intermission, we will collect all 3-5 dancers from the audience and take them backstage, already in hair/makeup/costume, so they can perform. Please be mindful to listen for instructions at the top of intermission! Note: only dancers and designated backstage parents will be allowed backstage, undesignated parents will not be allowed to walk their 3-5 year old dancer backstage if they miss their call during intermission.

  Please use the restroom prior to arrival (especially our littles)

$100 RECITAL FEE

The Recital Fee covers your photo and video package of the show, individual and group portraits, tights (to keep) and costumes (new this year, to keep!). Starlight has opted to provide dancers with purchased costumes this season, so we can give every class and its dancers a unique and personalized look for each routine!

If you haven’t paid your recital fee yet, please do so prior to picture days.

Hair/Makeup and What to Wear

Please wear the following for Picture Day, Dress Rehearsals at the Theater AND the Recital Performance at the Theater

Hair

Recreational ONLY, Non-Ballet Dancers: Clean, smooth LOW ponytail with a center part, no bangs or hair frizzies. Use hair spray, gel and bobby pins to tame unwanted baby hairs and frizzies. These hair items are essential for all dancers! Watch Youtube video tutorial

Recreational ONLY Ballet Dancers: Clean, smooth LOW bun with a center part, no bangs or hair frizzies.Watch Youtube video tutorial

Starlight Dance Team Members: Team hairstyle is required for all routines performed in Recital. When participating in a recreational class routine, your team hairstyle will remain the same.

Makeup

Makeup is required for all dancers, as bright stage lights wash out facial features and make it difficult to see your dancer on stage.

Dancers 6+: foundation, powder, blush, neutral/earth tone eyeshadows, red lipstick, black liquid top lid eyeliner, and mascara (fake lashes are optional for recreational dancers, but encouraged).

Dancers 3-5: Blush, neutral/earth tone eyeshadows, red lipstick, and mascara.

PLEASE NO GLITTER. Watch Youtube tutorial here

WHAT TO WEAR/BRING

  • Tights

  • Black leggings or black shorts

  • Comfortable t-shirt and/or dance team jacket

  • Dance shoes (whichever your class requires)

  • Water Bottle & refills

  • Nut-free, mess free snacks

  • Makeup for touch ups

  • Hair care items (hairspray, bobby pins, gel, etc.)

  • Needed medical devices: Please alert your dancer’s teacher and the stage manager to any medical devices your dancer must keep with them.

  • Non-electronic activities (coloring books, reading books, friendship bracelet supplies, cards, etc.)

  • Dancers ages 3-5: wear your costumes to the theater! Bring a change of clothes for after the show.

  • Optional: performers can wear a nude leotard under their clothing

Costume

Costumes are provided by Starlight. Dancer’s costumes will be waiting for them in a garment bag with their name on it to collect upon arrival at picture day. All dancers will take their costumes home with them after picture day.

Dancers 6+: bring costumes back for dress rehearsal, then leave them at the theater for recital. Take costumes home after the show!

Dancers 3-5: Take costumes home after picture day and dress rehearsal. Parents bring their dancers to recital dressed in their costumes. Take costumes home after the show!

New this year! All dancers keep their costumes after recital!

RECITAL T-ShirtS

Families can purchase a recital tee shirt to take home with them as a wearable keepsake! These will be sold at picture days, dress rehearsals, and recital.

FAQ’s

  • No. All dress rehearsals are closed to everyone except dancers, staff, and Backstage Volunteers. We want the first time you see your dancer’s dazzling performance to be at the show!

  • No, only the Backstage Volunteers will be allowed backstage.

  • Backstage volunteers must be over 18, and must be fully vaccinated. They will be able to watch dress rehearsal but will not be able to see the performance as they will be backstage. If you want to volunteer please click here.

  • We provide all costumes. Costumes will be held at Starlight for dancers to collect on picture day. Dancers will not be given their costumes, or allowed to take photos with their class, until the recital fee is paid in full. All dancers will take their costumes home after picture day, then bring them back for dress rehearsal. During the show, backstage volunteers will assist any dancers in more than one routine with costume changes.

    Dancers ages 6+: After dress rehearsal, dancers leave their costumes at the theater, hung in a garment bag with names attached, until their recital show.

    Dancers ages 3-5: After picture day and dress rehearsals, parents of dancers 3-5 take their dancer’s costumes home with them. Parents of 3-5 dancers, please dress your dancers in their costumes at home before dress rehearsal and recital at Starlight.

  • Our recital run times are approximately two hours, not including our post-recital closing ceremonies.

  • No. All performers must participate in the bows and be present for closing ceremonies. For safety reasons, we cannot manage individual check outs prior to our bows and closing ceremonies. Plus, bows and the closing ceremony are a big part of the event! All dancers will be recognized for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to dance with Starlight during these sections of the event. Every dancer will receive an award, and we want to make sure your dancer gets theirs, too!

  • The recital fee covers what we provide to your dancer: photos, recital video, tights, and costumes. Our competitors price these items out a la carte with large markups, so they can make a profit. Our Dance Director, Miss Shelby, came from a single parent household where having high a la carte fees charged at the end of the season put strain on their family. With the support of our owner, Chelsea Gaskin, Miss Shelby has helped to set Starlight apart from other studios and make dance more accessible for all families, by bundling all your recital costs into one fee! That way, no parent or guardian is overwhelmed by last-minute, surprise fees associated with our events.We understand that your dancer’s education and performance opportunities are a big investment. Your fees help Starlight make the art of dance accessible for everyone. We greatly appreciate your investment in us!

  • The Starlight Theater capacity is approx. 250. Our audience is ADA compliant, with a reserved area near the stage for wheelchair access and viewing. Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis. Families and friends of Starlight are welcome to purchase as many tickets as they’d like until shows are sold out. At Starlight, we adore our students and want them to feel loved and supported when showcasing the skills they have been working hard on during the school year. We are so proud of our dancers, and want to share that same pride and joy with as many people as possible!

  • Yes! We will be recording the show and taking staged photos of each group and individuals. These are included in your recital fee.

  • Families will receive two separate links via email containing access to your photos and videos. One will be a link to your photo gallery from picture day and recital performance, the other will be a link to your recital video. Photos are provided by Nicole Diall Photography, and videos are provided by WEtransfer link. Once you receive your links, you will be able to instantly access all photos taken! For videos, follow the instructions provided by WEtransfer to download. Please keep in mind that these files are large, and will take a significant amount of time to download on most electronic devices. We recommend downloading your video onto a computer or laptop.

    NOTE: All links will be sent to the email associated with your Starlight account (whatever email was used when you registered for classes). Please make sure the email associated with your account is accurate. Starlight is not responsible for links sent to incorrect emails due to customer error, any lost links or file transfers. Please ask a front desk staff member for help with any concerns.

  • Processing times vary. Photo and video files can take anywhere from 8-24 weeks, or longer, to process and be sent out. We thank you for your patience, and rest assured we will get them to you as quickly as we can!

  • No. For the safety of our dancers on stage and the teachers who created their routines, only our professional photographer and videographer will be allowed to take photos and videos during the show. Please feel free to take as many photos and videos of your dancer in the lobby or on stage after the show! Photos and videos during the closing ceremonies ARE permitted, but please no flash photography.

  • Your concerns are valid and we respect them, here’s a detailed explanation of what to expect that day and what we have done / plan to do to care for your child.