2026 COSTUME & PICTURE DAY INFORMATION
STUDENT PRODUCTION: Wishes & Wanderlust
PLEASE READ TO END
We are very excited for your child’s participation in DEAC’s Wishes & Wanderlust Student Production 2026! We are preparing items to send costumes home. The following are policies regarding costume maintenance. Compliance with them will ensure that your child has the best recital experience.
Attachment: Picture Day Schedule 2026
Attachment: Picture Day Form 2026
Attachment: 2026 Costume & Picture Day Handout
1. To ensure quality fit, we have measured your child. If there is any tailoring that needs to be done, it is the responsibility of the parent. Sizes have been ordered to best accommodate your child’s size requirements. (Item can always be altered smaller, not larger). Do not allow your child to wear the costume until the performance.
2. Be sure your hands and the child’s hands are clean when handling the costume.
3. Do not consume food or drink while wearing costumes.
4. Tights & other accessories are for performance only. It is important that all tights match on stage.
5. Place costume in a high-quality garment bag when traveling to and from performances.
6. Store costumes at home in a closet to keep them protected from siblings and pets.
7. To remove wrinkles, please do NOT iron. Ironing could change the color, burn the fabric, & deteriorate the costume. Steaming is a safe option. Hanging the costume in the bathroom during hot showers works well to eliminate wrinkles.
8. Each item of costuming (including footwear) must be labeled with your child’s name & CANNOT be replaced.
9. Create a recital checklist for every item for every costume. Refer to the list before you leave for performance venue.
10. Complete make up and hair before putting costume on to keep it clean.
11. If after the performance you want the costume cleaned, check with your dry cleaner for the best process. Some cleaning methods can ruin the fabric & trims.
REMEMBER: YOU ONLY HAVE ONE COSTUME. IT CANNOT BE REPLACED!!!
If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to ask.
The following items are needed to complete your child’s costume for recital & picture day.
Please Note:
1. Alterations, including pant hems and straps, may be needed and are the responsibility of the parent. Be sure to consider growth of the child before cutting fabric. For hems, please sew or use iron-on hem tape.
2. Tutus and some other fabrics cannot be ironed. Steam them!!! Check with staff if not sure.
3. Do not allow your child to play in or with the costumes. It is the only costume available for your child and cannot be replaced.
4. Wear tights (included) for picture day and performances.
5. All Intro, Pre Dance, and Level 1 classes need PINK ballet shoes and BLACK tap shoes. Level 2 and above require BLACK oxford taps, PINK ballet shoes, and BLOCH PULSE TAN jazz shoe. All Lyrical and Contemporary classes require TAN footies.
If you have any questions, email at [email protected] or call the studio at (412)364-5505.
Student Production Overview
All Dance Families will receive a student production packet at the beginning of MAY. This packet will cover procedures, information, and a general overview of what to expect recital week and the day of the production. We are planning dress rehearsals at DEAC during normally scheduled class times June 8th – 11th. TECH rehearsals will take place at the Masonic Center Wednesday & Thursday, June 17th & 18th at approximately 4:00 PM. Students in Intro to Dance and Pre Dance will be scheduled in an hour-long block so they are not there the entire tech rehearsal. Students level 1 and up will run the full show in order.
There will be one evening show on Friday, June 19th, one matinee show for Intro and Pre Dance classes Saturday, June 20th and one evening show Saturday, June 20th.
TIMES ARE TENTATIVE. An exact schedule will be issued at a later date.
Hair & Make Up
Hair for photographs and performances should be presentable, clean, and polished. Company members must have hair styled for company.
- Intro to Dance: Hair 1/2 up and polished with no bangs.
- Pre Dance and UP: Low ponytail with center part.
- ALL OTHER CLASSES BESIDES BALLET: Low ponytail with center part.
- Ballet 2 through 7: Low bun with center part.
- Use only plain barrettes and bobby pins and heavily hairspray. NO BANGS PLEASE! We want to see those beautiful faces.
PICTURE DAY HAIR: Hair should be completed as instructed above. Dancers with solo routines may have hair in any appropriate style of their own choosing for picture days.
APPLY MAKE UP AT HOME: Eye shadows should be in natural tones (greys and browns NO blue or green shadow) worn with mascara. A blush on the cheekbones must be worn that is best paired with your child’s skin tone. The strong stage lights and photography flashes wash out the faces that do not have sufficient make up. Senior students may be asked to correct the make up of younger students. Company make up as discussed.
*Please see the attached link to our 2026 Costume Look Book for pictures of all costumes for all classes*
2026 PICTURE DAY WEEK
SARENAE PHOTOGRAPHY
WED – SAT MARCH 25TH – 28TH
Sarenane Photography will be onsite for four days taking beautiful photos of all dancers in costume. Please review thoroughly the attached order form and picture day schedule at the top of this email. All order forms and payments should be given to the Sarenae representative the 1st DAY of your child’s pictures ONLY. DEAC does not collect picture forms or payments.
Intro to Dance and Pre Dance classes will be individual shots and sibling shots only. Level 1 and above will have individual and group shots. If you do not wish for your child to participate in a group photo, please notify the staff ahead of time via email.
NEW POLICY: Friend photos will be limited TWO per family this year, even with all-inclusive packages. Please determine if you would like photos with another family prior to the first day of pictures. Sibling photos do not count toward this limit.
If you would like to have a sibling shot or friend photos done beyond an individual picture, please email the studio BEFORE PICTURE DAY WEEK. The schedule is extremely tight and we must have advanced notice of any extra photos being taken. We thank you for your cooperation.
THERE ARE NO REGULARLY SCHEDULED CLASSES ON PICTURE DAYS. PLEASE REFER TO THE PICTURE DAY SCHEDULE. This has been accounted for in the annual calendar that was emailed at the beginning of the season.