Previous slide
Next slide

SPRING 2023

Dance Studio Classes

Spring Dance Classes will begin the week of January 9th.

Spring 2023 Dance Calendar

First Act Dance Studio Location –
6800 West 153rd Street,
Overland Park, KS 66223

***Discounts for Dance Studio are as follows: 2 dance classes – $40 off total; 3 dance classes – $90 off total; 4 dance classes – $150 off total. The multiple class dance discount is per person; it cannot be used as a sibling discount. You will need to call the First Act office (913-681-3318) for your discount voucher if taking more than one dance class. Note: Because we are offering a larger tiered discount for dance, this discount may not be used alongside the Early Bird Discount. The Early Bird Discount will still apply for those taking single dance classes.

***While we think our tuition is a great value, we understand that it can be a daunting amount, especially for families that have multiple children in the program. We do not want to prohibit anyone from being part of a First Act. If you would like to discuss special arrangements/payment plan options, please contact the First Act office at (913) 681-3318.

Young Movers

Teacher: Amy Carson

Students will learn basic dance positions and movements as well as play dance/movement games. Students will dance alongside a parent/adult and learn to move to the music. Some basic ballet/dance terminology will be taught, and dancers will get to use their imagination while dancing. Register for each date individually. If you register for four classes at the same time, call the office for your $10 discount voucher!

Class Dates: 1/30, 2/27, 3/27, 4/17

Teacher: Carlye Stone

Our combo classes are great for our younger students and designed to introduce students a combination of basic ballet, jazz, and tap. Percussion and other methods are used to teach rhythm and musical awareness. Etiquette, posture and grace are accented, while keeping dance a fun and creative experience. Specifically designed for children ages 3-5 each class evolves with the child’s educational development, teaching how to be expressive through artistic means.

Musical Theatre

Teacher: Becca Graham

Musical Theatre Dance is not just a single type of dance, it is a combination of multiple forms of dances rooted in Broadway musicals. Because of this, the class will focus on learning choreography and dance for the theater! If you have ever wanted to know what a choreographer is looking for when planning dances for a show, this is a great class to learn!

Teacher: Caroline Shackelford

This advanced Musical Theatre class will focus on learning choreography and technique from well known Broadway shows through the decades and will focus on the intricacies of various forms of dance required for the stage!

*Suggested Prerequisite: At least 2 years in a jazz, contemporary, or ballet class.*

Jazz

Teacher: Caroline Shackelford

Dancers will learn to develop strength, flexibility and coordination while continuing to work toward more complex dance and performance skills. Emphasis will be placed on proper technique, stamina, jazz styles, musicality, and performance within Musical Theatre.

Teacher: Amy Carson

Jazz Dance is based on the techniques of ballet, modern, and is always fun for any dancer at any level! Dancers will continue to develop strength, flexibility and coordination with each level of our jazz classes while continuing to work toward more complex dance and performance skills. Emphasis will be placed on proper technique, stamina, jazz styles, musicality, and performance. With each level, classes will move at a faster pace with more content added to their repertoire than the level prior.

Level II-V: Requires placement.

Teacher: Amy Carson

Jazz Dance is based on the techniques of ballet, modern, and is always fun for any dancer at any level! Dancers will continue to develop strength, flexibility and coordination with each level of our jazz classes while continuing to work toward more complex dance and performance skills. Emphasis will be placed on proper technique, stamina, jazz styles, musicality, and performance. With each level, classes will move at a faster pace with more content added to their repertoire than the level prior.

Level II-V: Requires placement.

Teacher: April Okken

Jazz Dance is based on the techniques of ballet, modern, and is always fun for any dancer at any level! Dancers will continue to develop strength, flexibility and coordination with each level of our jazz classes while continuing to work toward more complex dance and performance skills. Emphasis will be placed on proper technique, stamina, jazz styles, musicality, and performance. With each level, classes will move at a faster pace with more content added to their repertoire than the level prior.

Level II-V: Requires placement.

Teacher: April Okken

Jazz Dance is based on the techniques of ballet, modern, and is always fun for any dancer at any level! Dancers will continue to develop strength, flexibility and coordination with each level of our jazz classes while continuing to work toward more complex dance and performance skills. Emphasis will be placed on proper technique, stamina, jazz styles, musicality, and performance. With each level, classes will move at a faster pace with more content added to their repertoire than the level prior.

Level II-V: Requires placement.

Teacher: April Okken

Jazz Dance is based on the techniques of ballet, modern, and is always fun for any dancer at any level! Dancers will continue to develop strength, flexibility and coordination with each level of our jazz classes while continuing to work toward more complex dance and performance skills. Emphasis will be placed on proper technique, stamina, jazz styles, musicality, and performance. With each level, classes will move at a faster pace with more content added to their repertoire than the level prior.

Level II-V: Requires placement.

Ballet

Teacher: Elizabeth Phillips

This class is a level 1 class that will focus on level 2 techniques and positions. Ballet is the foundation of all dance and at First Act Dance Studio, we have fun with ballet! Dancers will learn classical ballet technique in the traditional class format while learning how to apply this technique in all types of dance. Focuses will include proper alignment, turn out, increasing flexibility, developing a proper pointe, muscle control, positions of feet and arms, balance, ballet vocabulary and French terminology.

Teacher: Hope Williams

Dancers are encouraged to be enrolled in at least one other dance class as well to broaden the knowledge of dance technique. Ballet is the foundation of all dance and at First Act Dance Studio, we have fun with ballet! Dancers will learn classical ballet technique in the traditional class format while learning how to apply this technique in all types of dance. Focuses will include proper alignment, turn out, increasing flexibility, developing a proper pointe, muscle control, positions of feet and arms, balance, ballet vocabulary and French terminology. With each level, classes will move at a faster pace with more content added to their repertoire than the level prior.

Level II-V: Requires placement.

Teacher: Hope Williams

Dancers are encouraged to be enrolled in at least one other dance class as well to broaden the knowledge of dance technique. Ballet is the foundation of all dance and at First Act Dance Studio, we have fun with ballet! Dancers will learn classical ballet technique in the traditional class format while learning how to apply this technique in all types of dance. Focuses will include proper alignment, turn out, increasing flexibility, developing a proper pointe, muscle control, positions of feet and arms, balance, ballet vocabulary and French terminology. With each level, classes will move at a faster pace with more content added to their repertoire than the level prior.

Level II-V: Requires placement.

Teacher: Kelly Edgar

This is a placement class only. This class is used in addition to your current leveled Ballet class, it is not a replacement. Prepointe is an important element to working toward Pointe. Students will develop technique and work toward goals that will continue their technique within the world of ballet. Students are required and continue to work on have proper spine alignment, ankle strength, proper foot-pointing technique, ability to hold turn-out from the hips, a well-elevated releve on demi pointe with straight knees, and correct distribution of body weight both on two legs and on one leg. Prepointe will include exercises in demi pointe to strengthen calf muscles, ankles, and arches of the feet. Exercises will begin at the barre for safety and stability in this class to progress toward the goal of pointe in the future.

Tap

Teacher: Madison Phipps

This is a beginning to intermediate level class that is designed to continue with more complex tap skills and performance value. The focus will be endurance, skill, core, and tap technique. This class will be working on combinations and short dance pieces to enhance performance skills as well as characterization that fits with Musical Theatre tap.

Teacher: Caroline Shackelford

This is a beginning  to intermediate level class that is designed to continue with more complex tap skills and performance value. The focus will be endurance, skill, core, and tap technique. This class will be working on combinations and short dance pieces to enhance performance skills as well as characterization that fits with Musical Theatre tap.

Teacher: Amy Carson

This fun and challenging form of dance promotes a combination of rhythm, timing, and coordination. Dancers will continue to develop strength, flexibility and coordination at an appropriate level working on more complex dance skills. Students will develop musicality through various exercises and combinations. All of our tap classes emphasize proper technique, stamina, tap styles, performance, clear taps, and appropriate speed. With each level, classes will move at a faster pace with more content added to their repertoire than the level prior.

Level II-V: Requires placement.

Teacher: April Okken

This fun and challenging form of dance promotes a combination of rhythm, timing, and coordination. Dancers will continue to develop strength, flexibility and coordination at an appropriate level working on more complex dance skills. Students will develop musicality through various exercises and combinations. All of our tap classes emphasize proper technique, stamina, tap styles, performance, clear taps, and appropriate speed. With each level, classes will move at a faster pace with more content added to their repertoire than the level prior.

Level II-V: Requires placement.

Teacher: April Okken

This fun and challenging form of dance promotes a combination of rhythm, timing, and coordination. Dancers will continue to develop strength, flexibility and coordination at an appropriate level working on more complex dance skills. Students will develop musicality through various exercises and combinations. All of our tap classes emphasize proper technique, stamina, tap styles, performance, clear taps, and appropriate speed. With each level, classes will move at a faster pace with more content added to their repertoire than the level prior.

Level II-V: Requires placement.

Teacher: April Okken

This fun and challenging form of dance promotes a combination of rhythm, timing, and coordination. Dancers will continue to develop strength, flexibility and coordination at an appropriate level working on more complex dance skills. Students will develop musicality through various exercises and combinations. All of our tap classes emphasize proper technique, stamina, tap styles, performance, clear taps, and appropriate speed. With each level, classes will move at a faster pace with more content added to their repertoire than the level prior.

Level II-V: Requires placement.

Swing

Teacher: Liz Watkins

Swing dance is a group of dances that developed with the swing style jazz music in the 1920’s – 1940’s. This class will focus on learning East Coast Swing as well as the 20s Charleston throughout the semester. There will be lots of partner work, musicality, dips, and tricks! It will be a swingin’ good time!

Teacher: Liz Watkins

In this advanced level swing class, students will continue to focus on East Coast Swing while also beginning to learn other forms of swing such as West Coast Swing and Lindy Hop. You must have permission from the teacher to join this class. 

*Prerequisite: Swing 1*

Modern

Teacher: Hope Williams

This beginner level class will encourage dancers to express emotion through a free-flowing, interpretive style. Jazz, ballet as well as modern technique will be important components in this class. Students will learn and practice the basics of Modern Dance as well as introduction to Improvisational Dance.

Teacher: Hope Williams

This intermediate to advanced level class will encourage dancers to express emotion through a free-flowing, interpretive style. Jazz, ballet as well as modern technique will be important components in this class. Students will learn and practice the basics of Modern Dance as well as introduction to Improvisational Dance.

*Prerequisite: Modern 1*

Non-Leveled

Teacher: Becca Graham

Moving at a faster pace than most classes, this class will continue to encourage dancers to express emotion through a free-flowing, interpretive style similar to lyrical. Contemporary dance incorporates not only fundamental and essential ballet techniques but also dance and jazz technique as well. Students are encouraged to be enrolled in a ballet class while taking this class as well.

*Placement or prior approval from teacher is required for this class.

*Suggested Prerequisite: At least 1 year in a jazz, contemporary, or ballet class.*

Adult

Teachers: April Okken, Amy Carson

First Act offers adult workshops on the last Friday of each month during the 14 week session. You can sign up for these individually at $20 per workshop. All of these workshops are open level with no previous experience required!

  • January 27- Jazz
  • February 24- Tap
  • March 31-Strength & Conditioning
  • April 21- Musical Theatre

Upcoming Events & News

Stay tuned here for news on upcoming events and other happenings at the Dance Studio!

Dance Studio Attire Policies

First Act Dance Studio strives to create a safe and professional environment for dancers to work and learn.

In order to do this, the following guidelines have been established:  

  • Students should wear dance clothes during class and a leotard if applicable (see specific classes below). It is difficult for instructors to see lines in baggy street clothes.
  • Hair should be pulled back away from face and secured.
  • Girls should put hair in a bun for all ballet classes.
  • Various shoes are required for proper instruction in classes.
  • All dance shoes, bags, and property of the dancer should be labeled with the dancer’s name.
  • No jewelry should be worn during class.
  • No gum, food or drinks are allowed during class time. Water bottles are an exception.

No Crop Tops or Short Spandex Dance Shorts – please remember our modesty policy. Students should always wear a cover up when entering and leaving the dance studio (pants over tights / shirts or jackets over leotards).

Ballet Classes:

  • Ballet I, II, III & IV – black leotard, pink tights, hair in a bun, pink ballet slippers (optional – black ballet skirt-no dance shorts)
  • Pre-Pointe / Pointe – black leotard, pink tights, hair in a bun, pink ballet slippers and/or pointe shoes (optional – black ballet skirt or dance pants)
    • pointe placement required-do not buy pointe shoes until placed
  • Male Ballet  – white t-shirt, black pants, black ballet shoes, dance belt (for males 13 and older)

Jazz, Modern, Lyrical, & Contemporary Classes:

  • Jazz – solid color leotard, black or tan tights, black jazz pant may be worn, black jazz shoes — no jazz sneakers or tight dance shorts
  • Male Jazz – solid color t-shirt, dance pants/shorts, black jazz shoes
  • Contemporary – solid color leotard, black or tan tights, black dance pant or short may be worn, barefoot or jazz shoe
  • Male Contemporary – solid color t-shirt, dance pants / shorts, barefoot or jazz shoe, dance belt (for males 13 and older)
  • Lyrical – Leotard, tights, and shorts. Ballet shoe or turner/spins
  • Modern – Leotard, Tights, and shorts. Ballet shoes or turner/spins

Tap Classes:

  • All levels: Attire is solid colored leotard and dance capris or jazz pants. No baggy pants, jeans, or shorts please. Dancers should wear black leather, full-sole Jazz Tap Oxfords. Males wear same. (Tap 1 or Tap 2 may wear mary janes)
  • Male dancers may wear shorts