• Themes make a dance recital memorable.dance shoes image by Richard J Thompson from Fotolia.com
  
  A dance recital allows students to demonstrate skills learned in class. A theme helps to tie the program together. There are myriad options to choose from when selecting a theme. Choices include setting the program around music choices, or themes such as months of the year.
  
  

Calendar Theme

• Assign one or two dancer numbers to each month of the year and choose a song to represent the period. Songs can focus on activities that take place during that month or the seasons in which the months fall. July, for example, could focus on the Fourth of July and use patriotic music.
  
  

Movies Theme

• This theme focuses on selecting music used in movies. This is a good choice for dance schools that showcase a variety of dance types, as there are numerous styles of music from which to choose. Decorations can include a faux movie camera and film strips made out of black construction paper.
  
  

Broadway Show Tunes

• This is a fun theme that can easily accommodate different styles of dance. The costumes can match those in the original musicals. This theme also lends itself well to including banter between dance numbers.
  
  

Disney Movie Theme

• This theme works best for younger dance students. The variety of songs in Disney movies allow for performances of many dance types. The girls can dress as princesses, while the emcee can also be a Disney character, such as the Fairy Godmother from "Cinderella."
  
  

Music Through the Ages

• This theme can use one or two songs popular in each decade for the past 100 years, or any period that fits your school's size. Costumes should represent the decades selected. Programs provided to the audience can include a short history about each decade's music and dance type.
  
  

Times of the Day

• This dance theme focuses on activities that people do throughout the day. Activities could include breakfast, classroom time, recess and bedtime. This programs works better for a smaller dance school, as there is a limit to activities that can be utilized for a dance program.
  
  

Everybody Dance Now

• Use the song "Everybody Dance Now" as the finale number. This allows for everyone in all numbers to perform together. Decorations for the stage can be black silhouettes of dancers in a variety of positions.