Bates Dance Studios has three (3) locations throughout the state of Kansas. Our flagship studio is in Manhattan and we currently have studios in Junction City and Great Bend. We strive to provide the opportunity and environment for our students to learn, develop and perform relevant dance skills and techniques.

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Meet Hannah, her Dad is deployed to Iraq and she is wondering whether he'll be home for Christmas. Hannah thinks about her Dad all the time and she imagines putting on a show for him in Iraq with dancing and singing. This is her story a salute to her Dad and to military families everywhere.

Welcome to our brand new Christmas spectacular written especially for us by Deanna DeHart (see associated biographic sketch) and featuring more than 75 dancers and singers (Hannah's friends). The cast is a talented group of both youthful and adult performers who bring you a joyful musical that celebrates the love of family and the unbounded exuberance of young people. It is a celebration of the Christmas season and a salute to our troops and especially their families who cannot be together for Christmas. We have many students at Bates Dance Studios with stories just like Hannah's so that this musical is very real to us.

So we are most proud and honored to perform this wonderful new Christmas musical as a tribute to those to whom we owe so much and who we want to recognize and thank. It is a heart-warming story and one that you will long remember. Please join us in McCain Auditorium on the Kansas State University campus for the premier performance of "A Christmas Wish." Don't forget, that's December 19th at 7:00 pm and tickets are now available by calling the BDS studio.

Deanna DeHart

Writer and co-choreographer of "A Christmas Wish", Deanna DeHart, is an accomplished choreographer and directer. Read more about her or see her in action with the students.

Gifts for you to enjoy

See candid photos taken during rehearsal with Deanna last year on September 28th and 29th, 2007. Read about the teachers who bring the show to life. Have a question or comment? Send us a message.

Tickets are available to purchase. Contact Info

Upcoming Events

Great Bend Recital
Friday April 16
Barton County Community College
Great Bend Recital
Saturday April 17
Barton County Community College
Manhattan Recital
Friday May 7, 7:00 pm
Manhattan Recital
Saturday May 8, 7:00 pm
Junction City Recital
Saturday May 22, 7:00 pm
Opera House