Spring Dance Showcase

This annual showcase grants students of select dance classes the opportunity to present material learned during their class(es) throughout MCA’s Spring Session in an informal performance at Saint Mary’s University Page Theatre. All classes will be presenting material that has been taught in the studio during their regular class meeting times. For some, this may be a short, progressive combination, and for others, it may include class exercises that students have practiced over a series of weeks. The purpose of this showcase is to celebrate “process over product,” giving students the opportunity to experience growth through performance.

No, auditions are not required to perform in this production.

Due to our increased class offerings and student population, there are two performances this year! They are at the Saint Mary’s University Page Theatre on:

• Friday, May 8, 2026, at 6:30 pm*
• Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 11:00 am*

*Note that performers are asked to be at the theatre a half an hour before the performance is scheduled to begin.
 

To help adequately prepare the students and crew, there will be two dress rehearsals at the Saint Mary’s University Page Theatre on the following days:

• Wednesday, May 6 from 4:30-8:30 pm*
• Thursday, May 7 from 4:30-8:30 pm*

*Specific time frames for each class are provided in the class Welcome Letters (to be sent after registration is completed) as well as listed in below point.

No. The dress rehearsal time will be broken down by classes with the youngest performers going first and being released well before the rehearsals’ scheduled end times. Tentatively, the release schedule will be as such (please note that this is subject to change once class participation has been solidified):

• Dancers in Ballet for 5 and 6 Year Olds, Ballet IA, Contemporary IA and Contemporary IB will be dismissed at 6:00 pm
• Dancers in Ballet IB, Ballet IIA, Boys Dance, Jazz Dance I, Jazz Funk I, Poms for Grades 1-6, Tap IA, Tap IB, Tap IIA and Tap IIB will be dismissed at 7:00 pm
• Dancers in Ballet IIB, Ballet III, Ballet IV, Ballet V, Contemporary II, Contemporary III, Jazz Funk II and Pointe Technique II will be dismissed at 8:00 pm
• Dancers in Jazz Dance II will be dismissed at 8:15 pm

Only dancers registered for Ballet III, Ballet IV and Ballet V will be called for company class during the following dates and times. All other dancers are asked to be at the theatre a half an hour before the rehearsals and performance are scheduled to begin.

• Wednesday, May 6 from 4:00-5:00 pm
• Thursday, May 7 from 4:00-5:00 pm
• Friday, May 8 from 4:30-5:30 pm
• Saturday, May 9 from 9:00-10:00 am

The following list of classes are invited to perform in the Spring Dance Showcase: 

• Ballet for 5 and 6 Year Olds
• Ballet IA
• Ballet IB
• Ballet IIA
• Ballet IIB
• Ballet III
• Ballet IV
• Ballet V
• Boys Dance
• Contemporary IA
• Contemporary IB
• Contemporary II
• Contemporary III
• Jazz Dance I
• Jazz Dance II
• Jazz Funk I
• Jazz Funk II
• Pointe Technique II
• Poms for Grades 1-6
• Tap IA
• Tap IB 
• Tap IIA
• Tap IIB

While highly encouraged for the dancers’ artistic growth, participation in the Spring Dance Showcase is not required. That being said, participation in this production, including the two scheduled dress rehearsals, is assumed with registration for any classes invited to perform (listed in above point). If a student is unable or does not want to perform at this time, please contact the Production Coordinator, Jess Dienger, at jdienger@cotterschools.org by no later than noon on Friday, March 27, 2026.

Not at all. All dancers in all participating dance classes will be able to fully participate in their classes regardless if they are performing or not.

Thanks to your donations, generous benefactors, and the Minnesota State Arts Board, there is no performance fee associated with this showcase.

All performers are expected to stay until the end of the showcase.

This is dependent on the class(es) your dancer will be performing with, as all dancers will follow their class dress code(s). Aside from replacing worn out, torn clothing, we do not foresee dancers needing to purchase any additional dance wear for this informal performance. No stage makeup will be required, as this is an informal showcase with minimal lighting.

While we will be seeking out a few volunteers to help with young dancer supervision during the rehearsals and performances, there are no required volunteer hours associated with this production. Should you be interested in volunteering, please contact Production Manager Jess Dienger.

 Each performing dancer will be granted two free tickets to distribute how they wish with each additional ticket being available for purchase on a “pay what you can afford” sliding scale. The additional tickets to purchase will go on sale online after final dancer participation has been confirmed. Stay tuned for more information!