Hello APA Families — Happy May! It’s hard to believe we’re already approaching the end of our session and getting ready for spring performances! As one season wraps, we’re already planning and dreaming up ways to make next year even better for you and your performer.
One of the most valuable ways you can help us grow is by filling out our year-end survey, which we send after all performances are finished. Your feedback — the things you love and the things you wish were different — helps us shape the future of APA. We read every single response and share them with our team, because your voice truly matters to us.
As always, we know this time of year has plenty of questions! Whether you prefer a quick call, an email, or stopping by in person, we’re here for you. If texting is easiest, simply text 414-441-4629!
Thanks for being such an important part of our APA family — we can’t wait to celebrate all of your performers’ hard work this spring!
May Value: Exceed Expectations
Expectations are integral, both in the classroom and during competitions or performances. We believe that encouraging students to exceed expectations sets a strong foundation for success both in arts education and the world around them.
Looking Ahead:
What’s Coming Up @ APA in May:
- May 10th: Princess and Pilates One Day Camp @ NSDS Franklin
- May 12th-17th: Parent Observation Week (last 15 min. of dance class)
- May 17th – 18th: Competitive Team Auditions
- May 26th: APA Closed for Memorial Day
- May 28th: Musical Theatre Intensive
What’s Coming Up @ APA in June:
- June 4th: Musical Theatre Intensive
- June 7th-8th: APA Music Concerts @ Saber Center
- June 7th: APA Drama Performance – “Leap Day” @ Saber Center
- June 9th: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL YEAR CLASSES
- June 10th: Shrek Jr. Auditions @ APA FR
- June 10th-12th: Dance Pictures/Dress Rehearsals @ APA OC
- June 13th: Competitive Team Showcase @ OCPAEC
- June 14th: Dance Showcases @ OCPAEC
- June 16th: Start of Summer Session I classes
Stay Up To Date!
Want to see other future dates @ APA? Check out our studio Calendar!
Summer is open!
Summer Registration is OPEN NOW for ALL Departments!
Fall Registration is OPEN — Enroll Now!
Secure your spot today: Click HERE to Register in your parent portal
May 1st–31st Special Offer
Use Promo Code: FALL25 when registering for group classes to receive:
– 25% off your Membership Fee!
*Not valid on mini-sessions, private lessons, or competitive teams unless you are also registering for a group class.
– In addition, dancers will receive $20 off dress code items. This is not a physical card — the discount will be kept on file at APA for future use.
This offer is available for both returning and new members.
Be sure to enter FALL25 at the bottom of the registration form in the coupon field to apply the discount.
Summer Musical: “Shrek Jr.”
June 17th – August 16th
Calling all performers ages 6-18! Join us for “Shrek Jr.,” a heartwarming musical adventure filled with fun, laughter, and unforgettable music!
→ For all of the details, click HERE.
Dance in the 4th of July Parade!
Join us for our exciting 4th of July Kiddie Clinic—a fun and exciting experience where dancers will learn a choreographed routine to perform in this year’s Oak Creek 4th of July Parade! Open to kids of all skill levels ages 7+, with a practice to ensure everyone is parade-ready and prepared to shine. Participants will learn their routine with video guidance from our expert instructor, Miss Heather and receive a 1-hour long rehearsal before the event held at our Oak Creek location, set of Pom-poms for the parade, and an EXCLUSIVE 4th of July APA t-shirt!
Don’t miss this chance to be part of the APA parade family and create lifelong memories this Independence Day! Dancers under the age of 7, please click the link below for a way for you to still partake in the fun!
→ Register HERE!
5, 10, & 15 Year Awards:
Students who have taken classes at APA for 5, 10, and 15 complete years are eligible to receive a trophy! If your child has been with us that long, please complete this form before May 15th so that your child will receive their trophy at their dance rehearsal or in their music concert! Students would have had to have been consistently enrolled with APA since Fall 2020 (5 year), Fall 2015 (10 year), Fall 2010 (15 year). If you are unsure, please email [email protected] and we can look into this.
→ 5 / 10 / 15 Year Awards Form!
Competitive Team Auditions
Competitive Team Auditions for 2025-2026 Teams: Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Lyrical and Contemporary
Auditions will be held the weekend of May 17th-18th. More details will be available May 1st.
→ Click HERE to be on our list to receive our try-out details as soon as it is available.
Yard Sign Contest:
Grab a yard sign from the lobby at either location and place it in your yard, THEN take a photo and share it to your Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #APAproud! We will pick a random winner each month who will receive a $50 tuition credit. Winners are announced on our social platforms, and we’ll contact you on your post! First come, first serve!
Kwik Trip Fundraiser!
Looking to earn funds for summer or September classes? APA will be offering an optional fundraiser for students to sell Kwik Trip car wash gift cards or regular gift cards to earn money towards your future expenses at APA. Order forms will be emailed out this month.
→ Click HERE for an overview!
Automatic Tuition Withdrawals
Automatic withdrawals for tuition will stop after May 15th unless you sign up for our fall session.
Princess and Pilates Dance Party
Saturday, May 10th @ 12:30-1:30
@ Next Step Dance Studio (sister studio)
Cost: $25
This one-day dance party is for dancers aged 3-9 AND their parent/guardian. Camp includes crafts, games, and DANCING.
Click HERE to register!
Dancers Parent Observation Week: May 12th-17th
We will allow parents to enter the classroom the last 15 minutes of class this week to hear important updates from your teacher and watch students practice their dances. It will be standing room only and we ask that only 1 parent attends to limit the number of people in the building. *If anyone wants to record their student’s dances so they can practice at home, you will do this during the last 15 minutes.
Individual Feedback sheets for recreational dance students will be given out during Parent Observation Week. Feel free to still register for a fall class that works for you and you can always transfer to another class. We will be handing these sheets directly to parents, to ensure that you are receiving the information.
Assistant/Leadership Program:
Please click the link below to view the new details on the program! The application form is also listed on this document:
→ New APA Leadership Program
Special Someone Dance!
Special Someone Dance Production @ Spring Dance Showcase
This is one of our favorite events to see ON STAGE at our Spring Showcase! This is a FREE event. This is for current students performing in our Spring Dance Showcase who want to dance on stage for a special performance with mom, dad, grandma, grandpa etc. Only one practice will be needed to learn the routine. If you can’t make it, we will have a video link for you to learn at home starting in June.
Students will wear their costumes on stage for the performance. For the adults that will be performing with their students – we suggest that you wear business casual clothing or jeans and a nice shirt for the performance. Both locations may attend either practice.
Oak Creek Practices: FRIDAY, May 30th
Grades 1st and younger: 5:45-6:30pm (45 minutes)
Grades 2nd and older: 6:30-7pm (30 minutes)
Franklin Practices: SATURDAY, May 31st
Grades 1st and younger: 11:30am-12:15pm (45 minutes)
Grades 2nd and older: 11am-11:30am (30 minutes)
→ Please sign up HERE!
Spring Dance Showcase Info!
Everything You Need to Know – Spring Dance Showcase
Showcase & Rehearsal/Picture Times:
- Rehearsals & Pictures: June 10th–12th at APA’s Oak Creek location
- Competitive Team Showcase: Friday, June 13th (for Competitive dancers only)
- Recreational Classes Perform: Saturday, June 14th
- Location: Oak Creek Performing Arts Center
- Tickets: On sale 5/12 at 1pm
Spring Dance Showcase Ticket Sale Days: Tickets will go on sale on Monday, May 12th at 1pm (central time). To purchase visit https://www.danceticketing.com/29869/. ***Families who participated in priority registration in May 2024 will get to purchase tickets one week earlier. Please check your email from 4/30 with instructions and priority codes.
Click HERE for full details, including the Showcase Schedule & Performance Order Index.
*Scroll down to Showcase Schedule & Performance Order Index.
Sibling Ticket Offer
Have siblings performing in different showcases? We understand how tricky that can be. APA will provide 4 free tickets to your second show (a $52 credit applied to your APA account for future tuition).
To receive your credit:
- Email us your ticketing receipt in May and include both siblings’ showcase times.
- Please note: Due to scheduling with over 700 dancers, we prioritize family accommodations based on current session registration dates, studio needs, and ensuring a well-balanced show lineup.
Showcase Costumes
- Dancers will use the same costume from the Winter Showcase.
- If you purchased your costume in February or later, some costumes have a ship date of mid to end May. You can always check the status of your costume if you want to know the exact ship date. Please have your student try on their costume immediately. Please remember these are not custom fit costumes.
- Switched classes? If the new class uses a different costume, a new one will need to be purchased.
Showcase Routines
- Classes are currently working on their new Showcase routines while still practicing technique, across-the-floor combinations, jumps, and turns.
- Not participating in the Showcase? Your dancer will still learn the routine and be placed strategically to avoid any formation gaps.
- Recitals are coming soon! If your dancer has missed several classes, please be sure they are practicing at home. If a student is not fully prepared, teachers may recommend they not participate to ensure the best experience for the class.
- Spring Showcase Music: Want to practice your routines at home? Click HERE and find your dancers’ music listed under their teachers’ name.
Dress Rehearsals at OC APA – 9160 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Oak Creek
Each class will have a scheduled time block for rehearsal and pictures between June 10th–12th.
Please note: This time will be different from your dancer’s regular class schedule, as we need to coordinate with the photographer and accommodate all classes in one location. Arrive 15 minutes early to your assigned start time.
All students should come to the APA Oak Creek location in full costume with hair and makeup done. This allows teachers to check for any costume or shoe issues before the performance.
Rehearsal and picture times are listed on our Showcase Index next to your dancer’s showcase time — visit our website for details.
Students will rehearse their routine a few times, then head directly to another studio room for professional photos with School & Sports Pictures. Plan for the entire process to take 20–35 minutes from your arrival time.
Please note: This is a closed dress rehearsal. To help keep the building clear and ensure a smooth flow, parents will not be allowed inside during rehearsals and pictures. While we love welcoming our families into the building, too much foot traffic can overwhelm our younger students and create unnecessary distractions. We’ve found that having parents wait outside is the best way to support a calm and organized environment for everyone.
How will our June 14th Performances Work?
We are excited for our upcoming performances on Saturday, June 14th at the Oak Creek Performing Arts and Education Center. There will be four showtimes that day: 9:00am, 11:45am, 2:30pm, and 5:15pm.
Each class will be assigned to one specific show time.
Arrival:
Students should arrive 30 minutes prior to their assigned showcase time. Parents will drop dancers off at the designated backstage check-in area — parents do not stay backstage. Our staff will be available to direct you to the drop-off location, and we’ll also provide visual guides and maps as the date approaches to help make this process smooth.
Performance Details:
Each show will run approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes with a short intermission.
Classes with students ages 4 and under will perform before intermission. If you feel your child is too young to stay for the entire show, you are welcome to take them home at intermission.
Backstage Volunteers:
We will offer a parent volunteer sign-up for anyone interested in chaperoning younger students backstage. Volunteers do not need to purchase a ticket and will be able to watch their child’s performance from the side stage. Volunteers must remain backstage for the entire show, and siblings who are not performing are not allowed backstage.
A detailed volunteer email will be sent the week of the showcase.
Sign up to volunteer HERE!
For more details on costumes and Spring performances, visit: Spring Dance Performances
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We can’t wait to see your dancers shine on stage!
Important Reminders:
Text Messaging:
You can text APA at (414) 441-4629 if you have any questions and we’ll get back to you asap!
License Plate Winner:
Congrats to license plate 828-VEM. One of our staff members spotted your APA window sticker while driving! Please contact the front desk so we know who you are and you will receive a $50 tuition credit. To participate, grab a FREE APA window sticker at the desk!
Member Accounts:
You can see what your account has been charged, enroll in classes, etc. by going to our Member Log-In section on our website www.academywi.com or click HERE. Every family has their own account. Your username is the email address you gave us. If you need to update your email address, please contact us.
Facebook & Instagram: Interact with APA on social media!
We have fun contests, photos from classes, and more on both our Facebook and Instagram pages. Click here to join us on Facebook and here to follow us on Instagram!
Referral Program:
Share us with a friend!
When a new family registers for SUMMER and mentions your name, you will EACH receive a $50 tuition credit if a new student signs up for 8-weeks of summer classes. If a new student only registers for a 4-week session, each person receives $25 tuition credit. The credit will be automatically put into your APA account after the new family has completed their summer session.
When a new family registers for a School Year class and mentions your name, you will EACH receive a $50 tuition credit. The credit will be automatically put into your APA account after the new family has paid for 2 months of enrollment.
There is no limit to the number of families you can refer to APA!
See You On The Stage
