All classes except Creative Movement and Adult/Teen Ballet levels. Most classes are in one performance.  All five performances are required for Ballet 5/5X and 6/6X/7, Theater Dance 5/5X and 6/6X, and Contemporary 4/4X and 5/5X.  All ballet classes will perform excerpts from a chosen ballet. In the fall, we will post a list outlining in which show(s) classes are performing. 

Note: Due to the number of students enrolled in multiple genres across different levels and the number of class offerings, it is not possible for all students to have all dances in the same performance. We tried our best to minimize the number of dancers affected. Please note that Showcase is an optional opportunity and you are not required to participate in Showcase for all classes.

Towards the end of Spring Semester each year.

We requested May 29 -  June 1 for our 2025 Spring Showcase.  The theater staff has informed us that our preferred date may not be available due to university programming.  We expect they will confirm theater availability in late September.

Below are the potential dates for the 2025 Annual Spring Showcase:

• May 29 - June 1 (FIRST CHOICE)
• May 15 - 18 (SECOND CHOICE)
• June 5 - 8 (THIRD CHOICE)

The performances are held in a local theater. The 2025 venue is tentatively scheduled for the Gordon Theater at Rutgers – Camden on May 31 - June 1, 2025. 

TENTATIVE Mandatory In-Studio Dress Rehearsal:

Saturday, May 17 and/or Sunday, May 18, 2025 

On Saturday, May 17, the mandatory dress rehearsal is held at our Old City location – The Philadelphia Dance Academy, 219 Cuthbert St, 3rd Floor. 

On Sunday, May 18, the mandatory dress rehearsal is held at our Ardmore location - 116 Cricket Ave, Ardmore PA. 

TENTATIVE Showcase Weekend Technical Rehearsals:

May 29 - 30, 2025 

Walter K. Gordon Theater / Stedman Gallery and Fine Arts Complex

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-Camden Campus

314 Linden, Camden, NJ 08102-1403

(free parking in Lot 14)

Showcase Weekend Performances:

May 31 - June 1, 2025

Walter K. Gordon Theater / Stedman Gallery and Fine Arts Complex

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey-Camden Campus

314 Linden, Camden, NJ 08102-1403

(free parking in Lot 14)

The Gordon Theater is a 7 minute drive from the Old City studio. Driving directions are available on Google Maps.

It is also accessible by NJ public transit. Take the PATCO line from Philadelphia to the Camden City Hall stop at Market and 5th Streets or the Riverline Lightrail to the Cooper St/Rutgers U stop at Cooper and 3rd Streets. Both stops are mere blocks from the campus. See the NJ Transit website for timetables.

There is a MANDATORY In-Studio Dress Rehearsal two weeks before the show AND a MANDATORY dress rehearsal on stage during show week.  These are necessary for students to feel confident and prepared on stage.

For younger classes, the stage rehearsal is typically immediately before their performances.  For older classes (Ballet 3/3X and higher) they may have a rehearsal on Thursday or Friday of performance week.  Please see the Performance Week Schedule for specifics.

TENTATIVE Performance Week Schedule:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vS7zvyMIYcxXv-aHIoSk-XYQ-N9KsZeJe0sMr18nqUggLAtVneDMiUjPXGKETLRJ8MDdg0DDt8mqMs5/pubhtml

The TENTATIVE 2025 in-studio dress rehearsal dates are Saturday, May 17 (Old City Studios) and Sunday, May 18 (Ardmore Studios).  Specific times for each group can be found by using the links below.  Each class can anticipate approximately 15-30 minutes of rehearsal on either Saturday OR Sunday.  

May 17 - Old City In-Studio Dress Rehearsal Schedule:  TBD

May 18 - Ardmore In-Studio Dress Rehearsal Schedule:  TBD

There is also a MANDATORY In-Theater Technical/Dress rehearsal on Showcase Week.

For all PHL Theater and Contemporary, ARD Contemporary 4/4X, PHL Ballet 3/3X, PHL Ballet 4/4X, PHL Ballet 5/5X, ARD Ballet 5/5X, and Ballet 6/6X/7 on the Thursday and/or Friday of Showcase weekend at the Gordon Theater as well as a stage rehearsal at the theater before each performance on Showcase weekend.  

All those performing must arrive at the theater early so that each class can practice onstage before the show.

Students who perform in only one show should arrive in costume with hair neatly in a bun (no bangs) for ladies and light stage make-up already done, as dressing room space is limited. Make sure your child has snacks/lunch and plenty of water to last the day. Drinks that could stain costumes are not permitted.

Drop off your child with a staff member in the theater lobby. That staff member will bring your child into the theater and make sure they are being chaperoned by their backstage class volunteer. At that time, you may leave the building and return 30 minutes before show time. Only staff and volunteers are allowed backstage.

In addition to their costumes and headpieces, students need to wear the following:

Ballet- girls must wear footed pink tights and pink ballet slippers or flesh tone tights and matching flesh tone shoes (with a strap sewn, not tied, across the instep). Tights and shoes should be very close in color to create a continuous line (see example pictures below.)  Hair must be in a neat bun with no bangs.  Boys wear black or white shoes and tights, depending on the costume.  

Theater Dance- girls wear NON-shimmer footed tan tights and tan jazz shoes and boys wear black jazz shoes (tights color may vary by costume). For hair, check with the class’ instructor.

Contemporary Dance -  students should check with the class’ instructor for tights and hair preferences.

Note:  Underwear is not worn under costumes but students may wear a flesh tone leotard or dance belt for boys as an undergarment.  These are available at most dancewear stores.

Sales are limited to 5 tickets TOTAL PER FAMILY for the first 72 hours. After the first 72 hours, you are welcome to purchase as many tickets as you would like.  Tickets purchased beyond the limit, will automatically be refunded.  

Note: Before you purchase tickets, confirm the show day and time in which your child is performing. We have five performances, and each has a slightly different cast. Please know the exact amount of tickets you need before purchasing, as seats are assigned.

We recommend using a computer, rather than a phone or tablet, to purchase your tickets so that you can select your own seats and know exactly where they are located.  If you choose "best available" your seats may not be all together.

Tickets are first come, first served and can be purchased online through the link on our website. Seats are assigned. No refunds or exchanges. They are $30-$45 each depending on section of the theater. 

You WILL ONLY be able to purchase tickets with a credit card via TicketLeap. If students are going to attend one of the performances in which they are not participating, they will need a ticket to ensure that there is adequate seating. A toddler who is sitting on your lap the entire show does not need a ticket.

For 2025, Tickets go on sale on April 22 at 6:00a and sell out very quickly. 

Yes. We always have shows professionally filmed. Every family participating in the Annual Spring Showcase will receive Digital Download links.

Each Digital Download link contains all of the five performances. DO NOT TAKE FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY DURING THE SHOW OR HOLD UP PHONES/ELECTRONIC DEVICES DURING THE SHOW. The flash upsets and distracts the performers.  Your screen disrupts the view and experience for those around you.   You are not permitted to film during the performance since we have the performance professionally filmed.

The price of the digital download is included in the Showcase Participation Fee.

Sign up to volunteer backstage by adding your name to our Google doc for volunteer sign-up.  We will send the sign up sheet in Early Spring before tickets go on sale. 

We need 1 or 2 parent volunteers assigned to each class (depending on class size). For classes performing in multiple shows, we ideally like more than one set of volunteers so that volunteer parents will have a chance to see one of the shows.

Volunteers are required to attend In-Studio Dress Rehearsal day and arrive early BEFORE the dancers on performance day. Detailed volunteer procedures available HERE. 

The Showcase Participation Fee is $150.  Upon completion of the Showcase Participation Form, DUE NOV 15, the fee is charged automatically to the card on file on November 16 each year. This includes the cost of one costume and the digital download of all five performances.

If you have multiple children or your child is performing in more than one dance, the cost is $80 for each additional costume.

If payment is declined or not received by November 16, a $15 late fee will be added to accounts starting November 23.  If we do not receive your costume fee, we WILL NOT order your child a costume.  Due to global supply chain shortages, we cannot guarantee costumes will be available if ordered late.

Students learn dances during their regularly scheduled classes.  A small portion of each class is dedicated to teaching and rehearsing the choreography.  Students who are not participating in the show still participate in this process as learning choreography is a very important skill in dance training even if they are unable to participate in the show.

Usually no. Sometimes smaller classes are combined, but generally each class has a different costume and a different dance, so switching classes after costumes are ordered is not permitted. This is also why excellent attendance is necessary for dancers to feel prepared.

One parent/guardian will pick up each child in the hallway outside of the dressing room. Tell a staff member your child’s name, and they will bring your child to you. Only staff members and backstage volunteers are allowed in the dressing room. Dismissal typically takes about 20-25 minutes.

YOU MAY NOT PICK UP YOUR CHILD DURING THE PERFORMANCE.  Dismissal will be done by staff members at the end of the show.

If your child is in more than one show in a day, they must stay at the theater the entire day, so pack a lunch, and snacks with plenty of water. If you and your other family members would like to leave, we recommend the Cherry Hill Mall for dining (Capital Grill, Seasons 52, food court, etc.) and shopping. It is about 15 minutes from the theater.

Let us know if you have any additional questions.