3400 ROGERS AVE. SUITE #128 | FORT SMITH, AR 72903 | 479-783-7748

Hot Shoe Newsletter

Fabulous fall greetings from Grayce DeWitt Dance Studio!

November 20th – 24th
GDDS is closed for Thanksgiving Break

December 1st
Recital costume balance due-keep reading for additional details and options. Balance invoices will be delivered by email on Sunday, November 26th.

December 9th
Hip Hop Holiday Workshop with Barry YoungBlood. A Fort Smith native and creative director of Hollywood Dance Jamz, Barry YoungBlood will hold his annual Hip Hop Holiday Workshop on Saturday, December 9th. The class fee for the workshop is due upon registration.

• Mini 10:30-11:30 (age 6 to 9) $25.00

• Intermediate 11:45-1:15 (age 10-12) $30.00

• Advanced 1:30 to 3:00 (age 13 and up) $30.00

Register online or in the studio beginning Monday, November 13th. If you register online your payment will be charged to your credit card on file. Space during these workshops is limited. Studio discounts do not apply to this workshop and there are no refunds.

Grayce DeWitt Dance Studio will be participating in the Fort Smith Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 9th at 3:00pm. Stay tuned for more details if you’d like to ride on our float.

December 11th – 14th
Holiday Spirit Week at GDDS

Monday-Lights, Camera, Tinsel! Dress like your favorite holiday character, song or toy.

Tuesday-Wacky Winter Wonderland! Wear your gloves, scarves, warm hats and socks and join us for a snow dance!

Wednesday-Time for a Long Winter’s Nap-Cozy up in your favorite holiday pajamas!

Thursday-Holiday Cheermeister! Wear all things red, white and green.

December 20th – January 4th
GDDS closed for winter break. All classes will resume on Monday, January 8th.

Recital Performance Costumes
Pictures of costumes will be emailed to you in November. In addition, a studio statement with the costume cost will be emailed to you. THIS STATEMENT IS NOT A BILL. It is for information purposes only. Your costume balance will be automatically charged to your credit card or if you have signed up for ACH online banking, the balance will be drafted from your checking account. Your costume will include: Accessories, one pair of tights and an official recital T-shirt.

-Preschool Stars and Creative Movement classes will require ONE costume

-Combination ballet, tap and jazz classes will require TWO costumes

-Musical Theatre will require ONE costume

-Hip Hop will require ONE costume

-Lyrical/Contemporary will require ONE costume

-Pointe will require ONE costume

-Acro will require ONE costume

-Cheer/Pom will require ONE costume

Families with multiple dancers OR dancers with three or more costumes
If you have more than one dancer enrolled in the studio OR if you are required to purchase 3 or more costumes you may divide your final payment and pay in 50% increments or delay your payment to later in the month. If dividing your payment, one half is paid on December 1st and the balance on December 15th. If delaying your payment, it is due on December 15th. Costumes will be ordered before the winter break. Grayce DeWitt Dance Studio cannot order a costume for any student with an outstanding costume balance.

The recital week schedule is posted below. See the attachment for the recital class schedule. There is one page for Thursday performances and one page for Friday performances. We make every effort to prioritize convenience for families with multiple dancers and dancers enrolled in multiple classes. If your dancer is scheduled to perform at the Thursday and Friday show and you are unable to commit to this schedule, please contact Mrs. Rebecca for possible solutions.

Sunday, May 19th: Technical Rehearsal (all students) Time TBD

Monday, May 20th: Dress Rehearsal for Thursday show 6:00pm

Tuesday, May 21st: Dress Rehearsal for Friday show 6:00pm

Wednesday, May 22nd: No recital activities

Thursday, May 23rd: Recital at 6:30pm

Friday, May 24th: Recital at 6:30pm

All recital events will take place at the Skokos Performing Arts Center (formerly Alma Performing Arts Center). Ticket sales will be announced at a later date.

Recital VIPS
With the help of many very talented backstage stars, dancers can amazingly prepare for each recital dance in no time! If you enjoy working with children and share the love of dance, please sign up to volunteer backstage at one of our spring recitals. You must be willing to volunteer at dress rehearsal and the show. In return for your kindness, you will receive 3 FREE front of house tickets for the evening your dancer performs! Backstage Volunteer Sign Up

Friendly reminders and opportunities

GDDS Star Shop
Limited quantities of items such as tights, leotards, skirts, bows and more are available in our Star Shop at GDDS. They make the perfect holiday gift! We’ve recently received a new line of dancewear featuring leotards and tutus with fun prints and colors. We also have gift certificates available for tuition and dance merchandise. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase from the Star Shop. Items range in price from $0.25 to $1.50. In addition, revamp your dance wardrobe and represent Grayce DeWitt Dance Studio and DANCE est Joie, Inc. with new merchandise. Search the online store.

Sign your dancer up for their 5, 10, 15 year award or graduating senior recognition. This sign up sheet will be available through April 4th, 2024. Sign Up Sheet

Please label your dancer’s shoes and personal belongings. GDDS is not responsible for any lost or stolen property.

Dancers in any level hip hop class may wear hip hop boots, jazz sneakers or tan jazz shoes in class. NO tennis shoes or street shoes that have been worn outside are allowed! Street shoes track in dirt, rocks, glass shards and more. Some of our class styles allow dancers to be barefoot. Please recognize that these particles can be very hazardous to all of our dancers!

GDDS is a nut free dance school. With the increase in consumption of sweets and treats that often occurs during the holidays, please do not send your dancer to class with snacks containing nuts. This has been a dance school policy since 2018.