Défilé

What is Défilé?

The French word “défilé” translates in English to a “procession or show.” This is Ashley Ballet Arts Academy’s annual semi-formal end-of-the-school-year showcase. Although our motif may alter from year to year, we maintain a tradition of hosting Défilé not as a full-length ballet production with extravagant costumes, but rather as an intimate performance where our students can demonstrate the skills and progress they have gained during the school year.

About Défilé

Though highly recommended, participation is not mandatory. Learning choreography is a fun and essential part of dance training, so even if students choose not to participate in Défilé, they will still learn the choreography during class time. The attached Participation Form is due by Saturday, January 17, 2026 whether or not your dancer will participate.

Each class level has a syllabus which students progress through from September to May. Beginning in February, instructors start stringing together skills from the syllabus and set them to music to create a choreographed “piece” which the students will perform at Défilé. This enables us to make technique the forefront of our classes, yet also give the dancers experience learning and performing choreography — another valuable element of their training. Due to the nature of the class work, pre-pointe, pointe prep, Acro and Mind/Body classes will not have a performance piece.

Photography

Steve Lucas Photography will be taking in-studio photos of each class and individual shots of each dancer during your normal class time, Feb 5-10, 2023. Photos may be purchased directly through Steve Lucas Photography; you are not required to purchase any photos. SLP will email you ordering information approximately 2 weeks after the photo shoot. For questions, please contact: info@lucasphoto.com, (952) 949-0578.

Videography

We have arranged for a professional video company to produce a DVD of the performances. Each dancer who participates in Défilé will receive a DVD of the performances (Show #1 and Show #2) which will be available for pickup at ABAA approximately 6-8 weeks after the performance. This is included in your participation fee.

Défilé participants are not required to purchase a costume. Students wear their class uniform and/or loaner items for the performance.

Accessories and Loaner Items:

Pre-Ballet: loaner tutu & hair accessory
Junior & Senior Ballet: loaner Ballet dress & hair accessory
Junior & Senior Modern/Jazz: loaner hair accessory
Pointe: loaner headpiece, tulle cummerbund and/or costume pieces
Unreturned items are subject to replacement fee

Hair & Makeup

Female dancers wear hair in a high bun, no part, no bangs. Please, no bun forms or scrunchies.
Male dancers wear hair neat.
All dancers wear light stage makeup.

Don't forget to bring or wear your tights, shoes, nude leotard (if applicable), and extra hair pins, hairspray, lipstick, etc.!

Tickets

Purchase Your Tickets

Online ticket sales will begin on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

Ticket availability is first come first serve, so please do not delay your order.
Seating will be assigned.
Ticket pricing: $20. Reduced price of $15 for seniors (ages 65 and older) and children (ages 12 and under).

Virtual Tickets

Virtual tickets for a livestream of the entire day of performances will be available for $30 per household.

Information Packet & Participation Form

Défilé Information Packet

An example of our Défilé information from the 2025 school year is available online on this page (Tip: bookmark or save this page for easy access during the performance week), or via our "Défilé Information Packet" (PDF above).

Participation forms are due by Saturday, February 10, 2026 whether or not your dancer will participate in Défilé. Participation forms may be submitted in person, or via email (PDF; please no JPG, PNG, etc.). Paper participation forms are available at the front desk; feel free to stop by with any questions, and fill out your form in person.

Participation Fees

Participation fees are listed per dancer. This fee covers the cost of theatre rehearsal & performance time, performance DVD, and costume/accessories. A 5% processing fee applies to card transactions.

Pre-Ballet Participation Fee: Included with Session 2 Tuition
Junior Level 1-5 Participation Fee: $55
Junior Level 6 & Senior Level Participation Fee: $80