Why We Choose "Production" Style Magic

As the studio hums with the final few rehearsals of the year, there is a specific kind of electricity in the air. You’ve likely heard the news by now: this week, we are Off to Neverland! While many studios opt for only a traditional recital as a wrap up to their season and a showcase of their dancers' growth and talents, we add in a special opportunity for our dancers. A recital format is a series of wonderful but disconnected dances (although you know that we always have a fun theme pulling everything together). We believe in the power of putting on a "Production" Style show each year as well. It’s a massive undertaking, but when we see our dancers transform into Lost Boys, Mermaids, and Fairies, we know exactly why we do it.

Here is why the production format is so vital for your dancers’ growth:

1. Artistry Through Storytelling

In a production-style show, a dancer isn’t just performing "Jazz Level 2." They are a Pirate guarding the Jolly Roger or a Star guiding the way to the second star on the right.

• Dancers learn that technique is the foundation, but expression is the heart. It teaches them to maintain character, understand plot arcs, and use their movement to communicate emotions to the back row of the audience.

2. Mentorship and "Big Picture" Thinking

One of the most beautiful parts of a full-scale production is the way our age groups intertwine. Our youngest fairies get to watch the high schoolers portray Peter or Wendy and aspire to have that role when they are older.

• This means that the dancers have a sense of lineage and gives easily achievable goals. The younger dancers see where their hard work can lead, and our older dancers learn the responsibility of being role models. We aren't just a collection of classes, we are one cohesive cast.

3. A Professional Stage Experience

A production like Off to Neverland mirrors the professional world of theater and dance. From cohesive costuming to fully built set pieces, the dancers experience what it’s like to be part of a Company.

• The benefit of this is that we get to learn something new and builds "Stage Intelligence." Dancers learn about timing, spacing, and how their specific role, no matter how small, is a crucial gear in a much larger machine.

4. Making Memories That Last "Forever"

Let’s be honest: there is something uniquely magical about a themed show. Years from now, your dancer might not remember every pirouette they practiced, but they will remember the year they flew to Neverland with their best friends.

• This builds a strong studio culture, which is one of the things that we pride ourselves on here at On Pointe Arts! These shows become the milestones of their childhood, marked by the characters they played and the "magic" we created together on stage.

"To live will be an awfully big adventure." — J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

We are so proud of the hard work our dancers have put into their choreography, characters, and our story. We can't wait to share this magic with you this week!

Get ready, dancers, think happy thoughts, grab a bit of pixie dust, and let’s make this the most magical show yet!