The annual spring concert is a performing opportunity open to dancers in Pre-Ballet through Level 2 who maintain consistent attendance in their weekly classes. Dancers in levels 3-5 may perform in the concert as members of the Youth Ballet Ensemble. 

Spring Concert 2026: The Wizard of Oz

Each year, the UI Youth Ballet and Community Dance School’s spring concert reflects the shared efforts of students, faculty, and staff across our program. This season’s production of the Wizard of Oz brings the beloved cinematic tale to life through new choreography set to live piano, featuring a fresh arrangement of the film’s iconic score by Douglas Baker. Audiences will follow Dorothy’s journey through Oz as she meets unforgettable friends and finds her way back home. The evening also features new choreography by Associate Professor of Instruction Kristin Marrs and a restaging of the Romantic era ballet Pas de Quatre.

Unlike a traditional recital, the spring concert offers a cohesive theatrical experience—one in which the entire school contributes to the arc of a larger story. This expanded approach has taken shape under the guidance of Juliet Remmers, Artistic Associate, whose leadership continues to elevate the concert’s continuity, purpose, and interconnection across levels and pieces. Her close collaboration with Douglas Baker, Lead Accompanist for our school, has shaped the musical arc of the performance. Through this process, student performers perform dances shaped to match their level of development as they progress from Pre-Ballet through upper-level Ensemble.

Required Dates

Weekly Rehearsals: January 20-April 18

*See rehearsal times by level on the class schedule page.

Full Cast Rehearsals (Saturdays 1:30-3:30 PM): April 11 & 18, 2026   

Production Week Rehearsals at Space Place Theater (Sunday-Wednesday): April 19-22, 2026

  • Sunday, April 19 - rehearsal times vary by group

  • Tuesday, April 21 - (Pre-B - 2B dancers 5:30-8:00 PM)

  • Wednesday, April 22 - (Pre-B - 2B 5:45-7:45 PM)

Performances: 

  • Friday, April 24 at 7:00 PM (Pre-B - 2B, 6:20 PM call time)

  • Saturday, April 25 at 2:00 PM (Pre-B - 2B, 1:20 PM call time)

  • Saturday, April 25 at 7:00 PM (Pre-B - 2B, 6:20 PM call time)

*All dancers perform during each showtime.

Spring Concert Registration

Each annual spring concert provides a window into dancers' progression as they develop skills and artistry from Pre-Ballet at age 6 through upper-level Ensemble and beyond. Essential to their dance education, student performers are immersed in the rehearsal environment and production elements of a cohesive theatrical dance performance. 

To keep this performance opportunity available to as many students as possible, UIYB aims to keep concert enrollment costs low. For this reason, tickets to attend the performance are not covered by the spring concert fee. Additionally, upon registering, participating families choose to 1) volunteer an adult's time to help with the show or 2) help fund a university employee during production week. You can help us continue to offer this performance opportunity at a low cost by:

  • Telling your friends and family about the Spring Concert
  • Purchasing tickets through Hancher's Box Office
  • UIYB Donation through the Dance Department Enrichment Fund
  • Enrolling in UI Youth Ballet and Community Dance School classes

Sign-up for the Spring Concert opens at the beginning of the spring semester each year.

Auditions

Students who wish to participate in the spring concert attend an audition early in the spring semester. Audition day includes a choreography session with a teacher and costume measurements. Spring concert enrollment must be completed on or before audition day. 

Rehearsals

At the UI Youth Ballet, all rehearsals are separate from technique classes. Keeping performance activities separate allows us to focus on providing the highest level of technical instruction during class time. Weekly rehearsals are scheduled following class time. 

Class Attendance Policy

UI Youth Ballet holds performing students to high expectations for weekly class attendance. For participation in UI Youth Ballet and Community Dance School Spring Concert, students must be in regular, long-term attendance at their level's required number of weekly technique classes through the UI Youth Ballet. 

LevelMinimum Required Weekly Classes for Performance Eligibility 
Pre-Ballet1
Level 1A1
Level 1B1
Level 2A2
Level 2B2

Students who take multiple classes each week may rehearse and perform with multiple groups.

If unforeseen circumstances prevent a student from keeping a class, rehearsal, or performance commitment, contact Dnc-CommunityDance@uiowa.edu immediately.

Family Volunteers

Family volunteers are critical to the success of a safe and rewarding concert. One adult from each family assists students during select dress rehearsals and performances or helps with pre-concert tasks. Volunteers may be asked to assist with costume construction, decoration, cleaning, and transportation, or other tasks. 

Backstage family volunteers attend an informative meeting and then watch their dancers in Dress Rehearsal 1 from the audience. When registering for the concert, volunteers select ways and times to help.

Families who prefer the convenience of not volunteering may instead opt to help by financing the hire of a university employee. 

Costumes 

Costumes for the concert are provided by the program and returned once all performances have been completed. Dancers are responsible for taking care of the costumes while wearing them. The cost of costume use and cleaning is covered by concert enrollment fees and community contributions to the youth costume budget. 

Dance undergarments, tights, shoes, and hair styling supplies are supplied by performers’ families. Required color and style are specified by staff each year.