DANCE STUDIO CLASSES

In order to receive the multiple class discount, you must call our office at (913) 681-3318. It will not be automatically applied online.

For more information about class discounts, visit the Class Policies page.

SPRING CLASS DATES: JANUARY 8 – APRIL 11

First Act KC Dance Studio
6800 West 153rd Street,
Overland Park, KS 66223
Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
Various Times between 4:00-9:00 PM

Workshops

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: 1/29, 2/26, 3/25, 4/15

Teacher: Caroline Shackleford

A traditional ballet class, including barre and center, inspired by the ballet Swan Lake. Students will dance to the original music by Tchaikovsky and learn combinations with movement inspired by the well known choreography. Focus on proper technique is to be expected but also lots of fun in the process. Ballet dancers of all levels are welcome.

Teacher: Jerry Cranford

Learn some of the basic moves, the isolations, the back bump and control that made Fosse’s style unique in changing the Broadway dance landscape.  In the class, you will learn bits of his stylized choreography from the original Pippin and Sweet Charity.  Professor Cranford of Kansas State University was fortunate to work on three productions with Fosse’s assistant, Jon Sharpe which allowed him to be accepted as one of 20 dancers for a 5 hour masterclass with 4 time Tony Award winner and 6 time nominee, Gwen Verdon.  Ms. Verdon was Fosses’ wife, muse and heavily assisted in the development of his style.

Teacher: Caroline Shackleford

In this workshop, we will learn a variation (small solo excerpt) from the ballet Esmeralda, which is based off of Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. After a warm up at the barre and in center, students will learn the choreography and end the workshop with a performance. Due to the challenging choreography, ballet dancers of Level 2 and up are invited.

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: 1/29, 2/26, 3/25, 4/15

Teacher: Elizabeth Phillips

Both of 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 3-4 and 5-6 each class evolves with the child’s educational development, teaching how to be expressive through artistic means.

Teacher: Elizabeth Phillips

Both of 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 3-4 and 5-6 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!

Jazz

Teacher: Madison Phipps

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: Madison Phipps

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

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: Caroline Shackleford

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: Becca Graham

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: Becca Graham

This is a placement class only. 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: 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: 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: 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

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 2

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.

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

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

Contemporary

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.

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.

Upcoming Events & News

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

Dance Studio Attire Policies

First Act KC 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
modern
tap

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.

Young Movers:

  • Combo Classes (ages 3-4 & 5-6) – leotard, solid color tights or leggings, ballet and/or jazz shoes and tap shoes
  • Mommy and Me – clothes that are comfortable to move in, can wear leotard/dance attire if desired. Kids and adults can wear ballet/jazz shoes, socks, or bare feet.
dance studio 2