J-DAPA

06/01/2026

🏳️‍🌈 J-DAPA is proud to be a safe, inclusive space where all are welcome and preferred names and pronouns are respected. We stand with our performers and staff who are members of the LGBTQ+ community by maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for bullying and homophobia or transphobia of any kind. We recognize the importance of the performing arts as an outlet for self-expression and discovery and strive to provide a space where everyone can be their authentic selves. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

05/31/2026

☀️ SUMMER CLASSES ☀️
We’re just a few weeks away from the end of another incredible season, but you won’t have to wait long to start dancing again! Our summer dance intensives run from July 7 to 30, and registration opens on June 8 🏖️🏖️ These classes are a great way to make sure you don’t fall behind during the summer break and to try out a new style of dance - special discounted pricing is available for students taking 5 or more classes!

📲: J-DAPA.org/Classes for all the details!

05/30/2026

Spring Picture Day is 1 WEEK AWAY! All classes - including voice and acting - will have group photos taken, with optional solo, small group, and headshot sessions!

Reserve your spot: J-DAPA.org/Picture-Day

We're so excited for the return of Spring Picture Day on Saturday, June 6th - all dance classes and costumes will be photographed!! Make sure to RSVP and book solo and group sessions in advance 🌸🌸🌸 Prints and digital downloads plus a J-DAPA yearbook will be available for purchase!

📲: J-DAPA.org/Picture-Day

05/27/2026

It’s time to get costumes ready for picture day and our recital 🤭🤭🤭 Some of our students even jumped in to help out! We’re counting down the days!

05/16/2026

We're so excited for the return of Spring Picture Day on Saturday, June 6th - all dance classes and costumes will be photographed!! Make sure to RSVP and book solo and group sessions in advance 🌸🌸🌸 Prints and digital downloads plus a J-DAPA yearbook will be available for purchase!

📲: J-DAPA.org/Picture-Day

05/14/2026

It’s time to introduce our next camp instructor ☺️🏖️ Tessa Bellotti is an elementary music teacher based in Rhode Island. She graduated from RIC in 2024 and has been teaching privately and in public schools since. She loves theater and performing; she was a part of the J-DAPA Cabaret last summer and looks forward to performing more with the company! Tessa looks forward to teaching the voice portion at both camps this summer, where students will learn how to work together as an ensemble, work on vocal technique, and have tons of fun!

Registration for both camp sessions (July 6-10 and 27-31) is NOW OPEN - visit J-DAPA.org/Camp to sign up! ☀️

05/11/2026

Happy Mother’s Day from everyone at J-DAPA 💕🥹

05/08/2026

It’s time to introduce our next camp instructor 🤭 During our events, Matt can often be found in the tech booth, making sure everything runs smoothly and operating either the sound or lighting console (and sometimes both!). He’s been involved with J-DAPA since 2015 and has taken the stage many times in addition to his backstage work; he also co-directed “Puffs” last summer and helps to manage our website and social media accounts!

When he’s not at the J-DAPA studio, you can find Matt working as a web developer by day and a freelance lighting designer after work hours! His work has been seen across Rhode Island, ranging from school and community theater to the Newport Dance Festival, and has earned recognition from the Ocean State Star Awards and Broadway World Rhode Island 🤩 He loves using lighting to tell stories and is super excited to be teaching a session all about the backstage aspects of putting on a show!

🏖 As a reminder, our camps run July 6-10 and 27-31 from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM - learn more and register at J-DAPA.org/Camp!

05/04/2026

We’d like to extend a huge congratulations to longtime J-DAPA performer Cady Santo, who is a 2026 JIMMY AWARD NOMINEE 🤩🤩🤩 We have been lucky enough to work with her in several of our musicals and fundraiser performances dating all the way back to 2018 and we couldn’t be prouder! She has been selected as one of two high school performers from Rhode Island to travel to NYC and perform on a Broadway stage with fellow nominees from across the country! Break legs, Cady!! 💕🎶🥹

04/30/2026

Summer is just around the corner 🏖️☀️ and we’re super excited to start introducing this year’s camp instructors! If you’ve attended any of our recitals, you probably recognize Zoe - she’s been a dancer here for 11 years and has worked as an assistant teacher since 2022 🤩 She has also taken the J-DAPA stage in “Matilda” and “Elf JR” along with countless hours spent volunteering backstage and at front-of-house!

Outside J-DAPA, Zoe performs with her high school chorus and is a producer for the school news club, where she works with students to help them feel comfortable on camera. Her session is “Theater Communication” - focused on building stage presence and confidence even when you’re NOT playing a character!

We can't wait to introduce the rest of our instructors and sessions, so stay tuned! Our summer camp runs July 6-10 and 27-31 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM (2 sessions) - learn more and register at J-DAPA.org/Camp!