Showtime!

Drop-Off & Pick-Up Procedures

As the recital approaches we want to take a moment to review our updated procedures and policies so that everything runs as smoothly as possible. 

1. Please arrive at your assigned report time with hair and make-up done, and the first costume on. (A list of showtimes is posted at the bottom of this page for your convenience and planning purposes.)

2. When you arrive at Cardinal O'Hara HS, please enter through door number 19 (The Arts Entrance). This is the same place you entered for dress rehearsal. 

3. Once inside, walk in and turn toward the left and head to the marked check-in table. Parents should wait in line and check-in table with their dancer. Parents of Pre-School & School-Aged dancers will be given a backstage pass to come back and change your dancer during the show, if you so choose. Our JCDA Staff member will point you and your dancer in the direction of your assigned dressing room. While dancers are waiting backstage for their opportunity to dance, they should stay in their assigned areas and JCDA & volunteer staff will monitor them. 

Dressing Room Assignments are as follows:

Pre-School - Teachers Lounge (across from the cafeteria)

School-Aged & Up - The Cafeteria

Quick Changes - The Dance Classroom (Room off of the stage)

Boys Dressing Room - The Corner Room (at the end of the stage hall - once dressed, he may join his class in their dressing rooms for practice and line-up!)

* Older dancers will meet in the assigned warm-up area in the cafeteria to run their next dance and to check in with their teacher. *

4. Unless parents are coming back into the dressing room to change their dancer with a changing pass (pre-school and school-aged students only), we do ask that only JCDA Staff and Parent Volunteers remain in the dressing rooms and backstage areas. If you are utilizing that pass, we ask that you safely return the the audience area to watch your child's next dance after they are changed. 

5. Children in our younger classes will be assigned a staff member, assistant teacher, alumni and/or parent volunteer to monitor them throughout the show and help them with bathroom runs, costume changes, and preparing them for their time on stage. Find more information out about parent volunteers on the "Parent Volunteer" page. 

6. All students with changes should set up their costumes in their own space in the dressing room. You may use the costume racks the studio provides - or you are welcome to bring your own - however please clearly mark all HANGERS, COSTUME PIECES, SHOES, etc. This will help keep all our dressing rooms organized. Please remind your child to put all costumes, shoes, and accessories back into their bags as soon as they are finished with them, 

7. If your child has multiple costumes, we recommend setting up a "cheat sheet" for your costume pieces and accessories (similar to the small sheet coming home with costumes. This helps the dancers with a checklist of what they should be wearing before they take the stage!)

8. While dancers wait for their opportunity to dance, they will have access to our JCDA Busy Bags available in each room! These bags have coloring activities, books, cards, and puzzles to keep our dancers calm and happy before they go onstage. ** Please Remember: Dancers are encouraged to leave the tablets and phones at home. JCDA and Cardinal O'Hara are not responsible for lost or missing items INCLUDING electronics. **

9. Dancers are permitted to have water backstage. Please bring it in a labeled sports water bottle with a spill-proof top. Please, no other liquids, or anything sticky. Dancers should eat before arriving at the school to eliminate the need for snacks backstage during the show (we want to keep those costumes neat and tidy!)

10. Dancers will perform their dances, and head back to the dressing room to to wait for the final bow. Once all dancers are on stage, we will release our students in the following ways:

Pre-School & School-Aged Dancers will be dismissed directly from stage to their parents at the end of the show. Parents can then collect any belongings from their dressing room. Parents can then take them into the lobby & outdoor area for hugs and pictures with family!

Triple Discipline I, Wednesday Combo & Praise Dancers will exit the stage at the conclusion of their show and head directly back to their dressing room. One parent can meet them in the dressing room, help them secure their belongings, and take them into the lobby & outdoor area for hugs and pictures with family!

Triple Discipline II, III & Pointe/Modern Dancers will exit the stage at the conclusion of the show and head directly back to their dressing room. They will pack up their belongings and meet their families in the lobby & outdoor area for lots of hugs and pictures! 

ANY DANCERS WHO NEED TO LEAVE BEFORE THE FINAL BOW MUST BE SIGNED OUT AT THE CHECK-IN TABLE. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION. 

Important Etiquette & Reminders 

A reminder that all patrons MUST have a ticket - we are unable to look up a ticket record the day of show as that can delay the line of people attempting to enter the facility. Thank you for your understanding!

Please refrain from leaving during the middle of a dance. Getting up during the show is distracting to other patrons and may block them from their opportunity to see their child. There will be a 15 minute intermission. 

Bathrooms are located in the lobby, past the check-in table on the right side of the hall. 

Concessions will be available for purchase before the show and during intermission. Our concessions include water, gatorade, pop, chips & candy for purchase. Some additional items may be available we we get closer to the show.  Please, cash only. 

Remember to grab your Pre-Sale gifts and flowers at the designated table in the lobby area! If we have any items left over after our pre-sale, we will have them available for purchase at this table as well! Please, cash only.

We will have a JCDA INFO TABLE staffed by a JCDA representative to help you register for summer or fall. If you have any questions that our staff member can't answer, they will write it down and we will get back to you the week of June 2-June 6 via email or phone. Thank you for your patience!

If you have any questions, please kindly reach out to a staff member at anytime. Together - with a little patience and understanding - we are confident we can make this a wonderful recital experience. 

Thank you for helping us to make this show a success!