Rebecca Wildner
Elise Meiners & Jenae Plaisance
Leta Frisch
Leta Frisch
OZ AND THE SILVER SCREEN
SECOND HALF
A BIG THANK YOU FROM OWNER/DIRECTOR MARTY ROBERTS
And just like that… here we are again! Every year, as we reach the end of our season with the Spring Show, I find myself in awe that it’s that time again Time truly marches on and this year, we celebrate forty-one years of dancing, dreaming, growing, and shaping young lives together What a gift it has been to continue our mission for over four decades!
For 41 years, we’ve had the joy of watching your children step into our studios and grow not just as dancers, but as people We’ve seen friendships form, confidence bloom, and values like perseverance, kindness, and teamwork take root Every plié, shuffle-ball-change, coffee grinder, and cartwheel is more than just a step, it’s a building block in a journey that reaches far beyond our studio walls.
We are especially proud of our graduating seniors, who are leaving with both strong hearts and strong technique! Congratulations to Ashley Fransson, Orli Kalman, Priyanka Thiagarajan, and Brielle Weedman, you’ve each left your mark on our studio and our hearts. Though the joyful chaos of Backstage will miss you, we know your next adventures will be nothing short of extraordinary. The world is your stage, remember to dance boldly, live fully, and always keep shining!
A heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to so many who make this magic possible:
To my incredible faculty – Leta Anderegg-Frisch, Kelly Bahr, Lauren Chenoweth, Tomoko Chun, Madison Duffy, Rhonda George, Shandie Hensley, Riley Howe, Alyssa Lunardi, Chisako Maeda, Elise Meiners, Maddie Miller, Tani Ohashi, Jenae Plaisance, Bailey Roberts, Kellsie Steele and Rebecca Wildner. Your passion and dedication inspire me daily. The energy, love, and expertise you bring into the classroom change lives in the most powerful ways
To my administrative team at Backstage and Stage Left – Mariah Abram, Isabelle Mazza, Katelin Ovsak, Ann Skelley, and Tara Waller Thank you for being the calm in the storm From handling surprises to keeping our days running smoothly, your behind-the-scenes work is nothing short of heroic
To our amazing team parent volunteers – we truly couldn’t do this without you! From tying shoes to running backstage to helping with everything in between, you are the heartbeat of show day Thank you for your time, your energy, and your love for our dancers.
To our parents and families – thank you for your trust, your encouragement, and your belief in what we do. You’ve allowed us to be part of your child’s growth and development, and that is something we cherish! Your support fuels our mission and helps shape the dancers and leaders of tomorrow.
And finally, to everyone here today celebrating these young artists - thank you! Your presence, your applause, your support means the world to them and to us.
Here’s to 41 years of dancing, dreaming, and doing it all again next season!
ASHLEY FRANSSON
KENTRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
Years at Backstage3 years at Backstage
Plans After GraduationPlan to attend UW Seattle and major in French with a minor in English
Favorite BDS MemoryBecoming a TA and then watching the classes I assist in the Spring Show.
Favorite Hobby Outside of Danceutside of dance I love baking and drawing!
Favorite SongAny song by ABBA!
ORLI KALMAN
BELLEVUE HIGH SCHOOL
Years at Backstage -
9 years at Backstage / 5 years on team
Plans After GraduationAttending U Wisconsin, Madison in the Honors Program studying communications and international relations
Favorite BDS MemoryGoing to Menchie's during breaks in Spring Shows with Team friends!
Favorite Hobby Outside of DanceTravel!
Favorite SongSupercut by Lorde' - it's my psych song and I play it anytime I want to get in a great mood!
PRIYANKA THIAGARAJAN
MERCER ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL
Years at Backstage -
7 years at Backstage / 6 years on team
Plans After GraduationAttending Purdue University College of Engineering
Favorite BDS MemoryGetting Dutch Bros coffee at Spring Shows!
Favorite Hobby Outside of DanceDrawing and painting.
Favorite SongHow Soon is Now by The Smiths because I like the instrumentals.
BRIELLE WEEDMAN
BELLEVUE CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
Years at Backstage -
5 years at Backstage / 3 years on team
Plans After GraduationAfter graduation I will be attending Colorado Christian University, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Dance!
Favorite BDS Memory -
My favorite backstage memory is the last convention dance we did at Velocity this season. It was a really fun hip hop combo and Pri, Orli, and I had so much fun with it. After the class we went and told the teacher thank you for such a fun last convention combo and it was really sweet.
Favorite Hobby Outside of Dance -
My favorite hobbies outside of dance are playing volleyball and snow skiing.
Favorite Song -
My favorite song is The Truth by Megan Woods because it is a very affirming song of who I am as a child of God. It reminds me that I don’t need to ever doubt my worth as a person because God made me perfectly how he wants me to be.
DANCER OF THE MONTH
2024-2025
CHARLOTTE
Charlotteisenrolledin Ballet/Tapandwas nominatedbyherteacher, MissKelly.MissKelly appreciatesthatCharlotte alwayscomestoclass happyandeagertolearn.
DARYN
Darynwasnominatedby herHipHopBasics2 teacher,MissKellsie Daryn isgreatatdemonstratingin class,isagoodlistenerwith apositiveattitude andshe isalwayshelpfulandkind
LEANN
LeannisinMissShandie’s Pre-HipHopclassandwas nominatedforconsistently followingdirectionsand havingapositiveattitude Miss Shandiealsoappreciatesthat Leannisalwayssmiling!
JULIET
JulietisinMissKelly’s Ballet/Tapclass.MissKelly saysthatJulietisahard workerinclassandalsoa goodlistener.Greatwork, Juliet,forbeingsuchagood rolemodelforyourpeers!
AILLIE
MissShandienominatedher student,Aillie,forbeingsuch anexceptionalstudentin BroadwayBound.Shesays Aillieisalwaysfocusedand workshard,eagerlyfollowing andapplyingdirections.
EllaisenrolledinPre-Hip HopandPre-Balletclasses atBackstage.Herteacher, MissShandie,nominated Ellaforalwaysworkinghard andaskinggreatquestions inclass!
JACEY
JaceyisinMissChisako’s HipHop/FlipFlopclass. MissChisakosaysthat Jaceyhasamazingfocusin class.Sheissuchagood studentandclassmateand isagifttohaveintheclass.
ANAIS
Anaiswasnominated by herHip Hop4 teacher, MissMaddie.Maddiehas beensoimpressed by Anais’consistently bright personalityandher amazingisolations!
JOSEPHINE
Josephinewas nominatedbyherBallet3 teacher,MissTomoko Tomokosaysthat Josephinealwaystriesher bestinclassandisagood listener
ALAN
Alan is in Miss Alyssa’sHip Hop 4andMissRhonda’s Ballet 4class at Backstage. MissRhonda,saysthat Alan isawesome andalways works hard. Shealsonotesthathe hasgorgeousballet feet!
BREA
Breaisenrolledin Contemporary 1withMiss Kellsie andHipHop2with MissShandie.MissKellsie says Breaispositive,eagertolearn andimprove,and helpfulto others in class.
KAIBRIE
Kaibriewasnominatedby MissRhonda,herBallet1 teacher.MissRhonda says thatKaibrie is awonderful studentwhoalways tries herbest.Sheisfriendly, helpful,and alwayson task.
EDIE
Edie isamember of our SignatureTeam andwas nominatedby Miss Kelly. Kellysays that Edie always goesabove and beyondand appreciates her consistent hardwork!
SOPHIE
Sophieisamemberofour SignatureTeamandwas nominatedbyMissAlyssa Alyssanotesthatherhiphop terminologyisfantasticand thatshehasdoneanexcellent joblearningnewgrooves!
ZOE
Zoeisamemberofour
STARS102Redteam Shewas nominatedbyMissKellsie,who saysthatZoeisagreatleader! ShealsoappreciatesthatZoeis positive,focused,practicesher danceandishelpfultoothers
Avaisamemberofour
SignatureTeamatBackstage
ShewasnominatedbyMiss Alyssa forherspectacular performanceandfacial expressionsduringtap rehearsal
DAVID
David isamemberof our SignatureTeamand was nominatedbyMissMarty. MartysaysDavid has agreat attitude,is a hard worker, and isproudofhim for setting suchagood example.
LEENA QUINCY
Leena is enrolledinJazz 3and Ballet 4classesatBackstage. MissRhondasaysshe isa wonderfulstudent!Leena is alwayspoliteandfriendlyto everyone,she isengagedin classandalways triesherbest.
CHARLIE
Charliewasnominatedby MissKellsie,herHipHop2-3 teacher MissKellsiesaysthat Charlieworkshard,isagood listener,isconstantly improvingand,most importantly,sheiskind!
JORDAN
Jordanis a memberof our SignatureTeam. Her Dancer Developmentteacher, Miss Rhonda,nominated Jordan for alwayscheering onher team!
Jordanis also an excellent performer and a hard worker.
REGISTER FOR SUMMER!
6 WEEKS OF CLASSES AND THEMED CAMPS
Tuesday-Thursday / 9:00a to 12:00p / Ages 3-6
JULY 8-10: PRINCESS BALLET
Join us for a magical Princess Ballet Camp, where dancers can explore the enchanting world of ballet!
JULY 22-24: TROLLS ROCK HIP HOP
Get ready to rock and roll at our Trolls Rock Hip Hop Camp for kids!
JULY 29-31: FAIRY BALLET
Step into a world of magic and grace at our Fairy Ballet Camp!
$200/week (non-refundable deposit of $50 due upon registration)
Monday-Friday / 9:00a to 5:00p for 2-in-1 / Ages 6-11
Monday-Friday / 9:00a to 1:00p for 1/2 Day / Ages 6-11 y camp) (non-refundable deposit of $75 due upon registration) s: y camp) (non-refundable deposit of $50 due upon registration)
JUNE 24-27: WICKED
Unleash your inner witch or wizard at our Wicked-themed camp!
(*NOTE: this is a 4-day camp)
JULY 14-18: SWIFTIE SUMMER
Get ready to shake it off at Swiftie Summer the ultimate camp!
AUGUST 4-8: ZOMBIES, WEREWOLVES & MORE!
Get ready for a spooky and thrilling week of dance at our Zombies, Werewolves & More camp!
