Our 23/24 Season Has Begun!

Classes for our 11TH SEASON began yesterday and we couldn’t be more excited to be back in-studio with our Stagelighters! Read on for some important info about materials you might need for class, special new photo-ops in-studio + MORE!

Grab Your Gear for Classes

If your child is in need of some clothing, shoes, or other materials for class, look no further! You can find all of the recommended gear your child needs for their class discipline(s) HERE! Be sure to select each of the applicable disciplines to find all the gear and materials they might need for this season. If your child’s discipline isn’t listed, check your Enrollment Email for more details.

As a reminder, here are our general dress code policies:

• No bare midriffs.
• Acting, Vocal and Musical Theatre class: Students should wear comfortable dance/workout wear that allows for easy movement.
• Ballet ages 7+:
  • Females- pink tights, pink ballet shoes, level-assigned leotard (must purchase at Stagelight Performing Arts for $25), level-assigned ballet skirt is optional (must purchase in-studio), hair in a secured bun
  • Males- black leggings, black ballet shoes, level-assigned T-shirt (must purchase through Stagelight Performing Arts for $25), with long hair secured out of the face.
  • Dancers may arrive to class in dance warm-ups that include ballet sweaters, leg warmers, or dance pants, but all warm-ups must be removed at the conclusion of the barre warm-up or at the teacher’s direction.
• Combo-level classes: Leotard and tights, dance/workout outfits, proper dance shoes (ballet, jazz, or tap)
• All other Dance classes: leotard and leggings, dance/workout wear (no denim), and proper shoes (jazz or tap shoes).
• Hair securely out of face for all classes.
• Students are not permitted to take class out of dress code.

Introducing our Studio Aide Program

Is your Stagelighter interested in earning community service hours at Stagelight Performing Arts? We are seeking six Stagelighters who would like to help us keep our studio organized, clean, & pristine! Becoming a Studio Aide at Stagelight is an honor that comes with great responsibility. Open to students in 6th-12th grade, we expect our Studio Aides to fulfill their responsibilities 20-60 minutes once per week before or after their class time. Once their duties are fulfilled, they earn one hour of community service. Responsibilities include replenishing bathroom stock, organizing the family room, and general studio upkeep. Interested in applying or learning more? Head to our Studio Aide Application.

Drop-Off & Pick-Up

Please help us ensure the safety of our kids and traffic efficiency by:

• Pulling straight into the center and turning left at the FAR END of the parking lot into our side
• Pulling forward as far as possible to drop off your children
• Parking only in unmarked stalls or stalls labeled 2657
• Do not send your children across the parking lot from the right side of the lot to our side (no matter his or her age)
• Please use safety and caution at all times when pulling out of stalls and driving through the lot
• No unattended children in the parking lot

Photo-Op In-Studio!

Grab your friends, strike your best pose, and smile! After you sign in on the iPads, be sure to stop by our BRAND NEW photo-op spots to snap a picture for your first day in-studio this season, and don’t forget to tag us @stagelightarts.

Submit Future Absences Through the Portal

If you plan on missing class for any reason, log your absence ahead of time in the Customer Portal or in the Stagelight app (App Store and Google Play) to make room for another student to take a makeup class. Working together to log absences is the only way we can ensure the makeup spots in class are available when you need them.

Subscribe to Our Google Calendar

Be sure to save the dates for all of the studio closures and shows with our Google Calendar schedule.

Invite Your Friends to Join a Class

You know what’s better than dance class? Getting to participate in dance class with a friend! All new students who have never before taken a class at Stagelight Performing Arts are welcome to take one free trial class. But, make sure you convince them soon – classes are filling up quickly! Have them head to the Customer Portal to create an account today.

 

If you have any questions about your enrollment or our studio, please email stagelightarts@gmail.com. We can’t wait to Live on Stage with our Stagelighters!

Our 23/24 Season Begins NEXT WEEK!

We hope you’ve been enjoying your summer break so far, but we’ve definitely missed seeing our Stagelighters in-studio and are SO EXCITED to welcome everyone back!

 As a reminder, all classes begin the week of Monday, August 7th. Here are a few classes we have added to the schedule based on demand:

Tap I (ages 10-15) on Mondays, 3:30-4:20pm with Mr. Michael

Acting II* (ages 7-9) on Mondays, 6:30-7:20pm with Ms. Crystal (*instructor approval required)

Head to the Customer Portal to secure your spot in these classes today!

Feeling the Rhythm in Tap Dance

It’s almost impossible to put into words what the study of Tap Dance does to the heart of a dancer. But when you see your child fall in love with this art form, you can be certain that what your child learns in tap dance lessons will become part of the soundtrack of your life forever.

Studying Tap Dance helps students understand its rich historical context, social awareness, rhythm, music theory, kinesthetic awareness, and artistry. The joy that radiates from the art form is contagious. Watch as the intricacies and steps challenge dancers, leaving them hungry for more.

Tap dance lessons at Stagelight Performing Arts include rhythm work, rudiment series, coverage of classic tap steps and rhythmic hoofer-style tapping, presentation of key tap dancers throughout history, choreography, performance skills, and challenging improvisational exercises. Not only does the study of Tap Dance lead students toward becoming more well-rounded dancers, it allows them to gain a greater appreciation for the historical context from which this discipline was born and encourages them to continually fall in love with the art form each time they step through the classroom doors. Becoming a member of the Tap Dance legacy is special; finding your own voice through the study of this art form is exhilarating. Read more about our Tap Dance program here.

Tap is a weekly class offered during our 23/24 Season and open to students ages 7-18. Classes begin August 7, 2023, so head to the Customer Portal to grab your spot before we close enrollment at the end of next month!

Conquering the Unknown in Improv Acting

Picture this. Dedicated actors walking onto a fully lit stage with no idea of what’s about to happen. The audience settles in, anticipating a great show. They’re here to laugh. They’re here to see something new. But the actors have no script, no plan, and no idea if their performance will land. If that sounds terrifying, you’re not alone! But does the exhilaration make the whole experience worth it? Unquestionably so!

Although this type of performance and craft takes an incredible amount of courage and vulnerability, the amount of growth you see in your child because of this class is astounding. Through the practice of Improv, you’ll see your child’s trepidation turn to tenacity and insecurity to instinct. Students who study Improv become smarter risk takers and learn to “roll with the punches” both on and off the stage. You can read more about our Improv Acting program here.

Improv Acting is a weekly class offered during our 23/24 Season and open to students ages 7-18. Class begins the week of August 7, 2023, so head to the Customer Portal to grab your spot in class today!

Staff Spotlight

We have some wonderful instructors here at Stagelight Performing Arts! This week, we wanted to introduce to you the incredible instructors who teach in our Tap and Improv Acting programs, along with some other classes. Meet Mr. Michael, Ms. Lauren, Ms. Brooklyn, Ms. Alyssa, and Mr. Phil! Below is a sneak peek into the lives and careers of these awesome teachers. You can read more about them and the rest of our amazing staff here.

Mr. Michael Mr. Michael teaches Tap. Michael is an established tap dancer, teacher and choreographer. Michael currently teaches tap at AMDA LA and is also a respected acting/audition coach. He has taught masterclasses and workshops around the country in cities such as New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Phoenix and more.

Ms. Lauren Ms. Lauren teaches Tap. Lauren is a proud graduate of Chapman University as a Theater/Dance major with an emphasis in Dance Performance, training in jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, modern, Pilates, and choreography and a minor in Mathematics. She also holds her secondary teaching credential from Chapman as well as her MA in Secondary Education from Cal State University of Fullerton.

Ms. Brooklyn Ms. Brooklyn teaches Musical Theatre Song & Dance, Tap, and Tap/Ballet Combo. Brooklyn was born and raised in Southern California. She has been involved with Stagelight Productions since the age of 5, and began dancing with Stagelight in 2013. Brooklyn attended Brea Olinda High School, where she held the position of Dance Captain in their advanced competitive show choir. She is currently studying Elementary Education at Fullerton College.

Ms. Alyssa Ms. Alyssa teaches Tap, Tap/Ballet Combo, and Tap/Jazz Combo. Alyssa is Co-Owner and an Instructor at Stagelight Performing Arts. She earned a BA from Chapman University in Advertising with a Minor in Graphic Design and a Teaching Credential in Physical Education/ Dance from Cal State Fullerton. Her performance credits include Disney and Fullerton Civic Light Opera. She has extensive experience in teaching, choreography, and show direction.

Mr. Phil Mr. Phil teaches Improv Acting and our Improv Team. A graduate of the Conservatory Program at The Second City, Hollywood, Phil learned improv and sketch from some of the very best. He’s been involved in several shows there, sketch and improv alike, as both a writer and actor, including The Really Awesome Improv Show, Ruiz Must Die and Picture Show: The Show!, among others.

Learn a Tap Rudiment Combination with Mr. Michael

Calling all tappers! We are incredibly excited to have Mr. Michael joining us this season to teach Tap! To get back into the swing of things, try this Tap Rudiment Combination taught by Mr. Michael to start warming up your feet and getting into the rhythm for next week!

Get Creative with this Improv Game

Grab your best friend and challenge them to a one-on-one Improv Game! Perfect for car rides, recess activities, and anywhere else, there are unlimited times you can play this game! Read the instructions below to learn a new skill.

If you have any questions about our classes or our 23/24 Season, please email stagelightarts@gmail.com.

Watch Your Mini Stagelighter Fall in Love with Performing in Tap/Jazz Combo

Get their favorite dance outfit picked out, pack up the dance bag, and get ready to swoon over how cute your Mini Stagelighter is in our Tap/Jazz Combo for ages 4-6! With our Combo class format, your child learns foundational knowledge of multiple disciplines and stays engaged in a fun and welcoming learning environment. You’ll see your child blossom in confidence, make new friends, grow stronger, and fall in love with performing in this class. If you are looking for the perfect creative outlet for your child that also gets their bodies moving, Tap/Jazz Combo is your best bet.

During the Tap Dance portion of this class, your child learns to recognize beats and counts in the music, balance and control their body movements, and make lots of noise with their tap shoes! At the halfway point in class, dancers stay in the classroom and change into their jazz shoes. You’ll watch your dancer stretch, build strength, dance to the beat in popular Kidz Bop tunes, and conquer gross motor skills such as skipping, galloping, and leaping during the Jazz Dance portion of class. Counting, math skills, listening, call and response, taking turns, performance quality, and memorizing sequences are additional skills we’ve hidden throughout a variety of fun activities in Tap/Jazz Combo. Over the course of week-to-week attendance in class, you’ll be amazed at your child’s progress in both Tap and Jazz. You can read more about our Combo classes here.

Tap/Jazz Combo is a weekly class offered during our 23/24 Season and open to students ages 4-6. Class begins the week of August 7, 2023, so head to the Customer Portal to grab your spot in class today!

Build Musicality and Strength in Jazz/HipHop Combo

Get their favorite dance outfit picked out, pack up the dance bag, and get ready to swoon over how cute your Mini Stagelighter is in our Jazz/HipHop Combo class! In this class, your child learns foundational knowledge of multiple disciplines and stays engaged in a fun and welcoming learning environment. You’ll see your child blossom in confidence, make new friends, grow stronger, and fall in love with performing.

In our Jazz/HipHop Combo class, your Mini learns core concepts of both the HipHop and Jazz Dance disciplines in the form of fun and engaging lessons and combinations. The HipHop portion of class helps your child learn to recognize beats and counts in the music, balance and control their body movements, and execute strong isolations. At the halfway point in class, dancers stay in the classroom and change into their jazz shoes. You’ll watch your dancer stretch, build strength, dance to the beat in popular Kidz Bop tunes, and conquer gross motor skills such as skipping, galloping, and leaping during the Jazz portion of class. Counting, listening, call and response, taking turns, performance quality, and memorizing sequences are additional skills we’ve hidden throughout a variety of fun activities in Jazz/HipHop Combo. Over the course of week-to-week attendance in class, you’ll be amazed at your child’s progress in the disciplines of both HipHop and Jazz. You can read more about our Combo classes here.

Jazz/HipHop Combo is a weekly class offered during our 23/24 Season and open to students ages 3-6. Class begins the week of August 7, 2023, so head to the Customer Portal to grab your spot in class today!

Staff Spotlight

We have some wonderful instructors here at Stagelight Performing Arts! This week, we wanted to introduce to you the incredible instructors who teach in our Tap/Jazz Combo and Jazz/HipHop programs, along with some other classes. Meet Ms. Alyssa, Ms. Kris, Ms. Katy, and Ms. Sofia! Below is a sneak peek into the lives and careers of these awesome teachers. You can read more about them and the rest of our amazing staff here.

Ms. Alyssa Ms. Alyssa teaches Tap, Tap/Ballet Combo, and Tap/Jazz Combo. Alyssa is Co-Owner and an Instructor at Stagelight Performing Arts. She earned a BA from Chapman University in Advertising with a Minor in Graphic Design and a Teaching Credential in Physical Education/ Dance from Cal State Fullerton. Her performance credits include Disney and Fullerton Civic Light Opera. She has extensive experience in teaching, choreography, and show direction.

Ms. Kris Ms. Kris teaches Dance Tricks & Turns, Jazz, and Jazz/HipHop Combo. Kris Kniseley was born and raised in Southern California and technically and artistically trained for 18 years in ballet, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary, modern, acrobatics, hip-hop, and jazz funk. Once she graduated from high school, Kris continued her dance education via undergrad degree programs, began teaching at local dance studios, and further expanded her performance career into the professional realm with both her choreography and drive to perform.

Ms. Katy Ms. Katy teaches Tap/Ballet Combo, Preschool Creative Dance, HipHop, Jazz/HipHop Combo, and Musical Theatre Song & Dance. Katy has been dancing on stage since the age of five. She has studied jazz, tap, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical, musical theater, modern, cheerleading, and gymnastics.  Currently, Katy is enjoying doing what she loves most by being in the studio and watching her young students grow and develop into beautiful dancers, people and performers.

Ms. Sofia Ms. Sofia teaches HipHop, Jazz, and Jazz/HipHop Combo. Sofia Ayala was born and raised in Orange County, California. Since age 3, she has been dancing in various styles such as ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, contemporary, and more. Sofia is currently working towards getting her Bachelors of Arts Degree at California State University, Fullerton. Sofia aspires to continue teaching, performing, and choreographing for as long as she possibly can, and is always growing as an artist and individual.

Kicking Up the Creativity with a Coloring Page

​​Is your Mini Stagelighter ready to soar in Tap/Jazz Combo this season? Print out this coloring page, and after they color it, help them master their first Tap Dance move: the “Shuffle!” Be sure to post on social media and tag us @ stagelightarts for a chance to be featured!

Prepare for Your Jazz/HipHop Class with a Combo from Ms. Sofia

Is your Stagelighter thinking about enrolling in one of our Jazz/HipHop Combo classes? Try this Jazz/HipHop combination with Ms. Sofia to get a feel for the moves you’ll learn in this class!

If you have any questions about our classes or our 23/24 Season, please email stagelightarts@gmail.com.