Fifty years of movement, mentorship, and community

Fifty years later, Stage Door continues to educate dancers. The shoes still hit the floor and the legacy that James and Diane Giattino built from nothing continues to shape the lives of dancers from 12 months old to 90 years young with every ounce of the original love intact.

Stage Door’s golden anniversary has been anything but quiet. The celebration began on Jan. 31 with an elegant sit-down dinner held at the very church where it all started. It was a meaningful homecoming honoring the founders, longtime teachers, and alumni who have shaped the studio across five decades.

On March 7, the studio opened its doors to the broader community for “Dancing Through the Decades,” a free public event that brought neighbors, families, and former students together to celebrate 50 years of movement, mentorship, and memory. The energy in the room was electric and displayed just how deeply Stage Door has woven itself into the fabric of this community.

The capstone of the anniversary year will be Stage Door’s annual recital, traditionally staged at the prestigious Staller Center for the Arts at Stony Brook University on June 6 and 7. The theme? “The Best Show Ever.”

“That phrase was something my mother, Diane, would say with the dancers at the end of every single recital,” said studio owner Mary Giattino. “So, it was only fitting to make it the theme of our 50th anniversary shows.”

Stage Door has just launched its 50th anniversary summer dance schedule, and registration is now open. Free trial classes are available for anyone who wants to experience the magic firsthand—whether you’re a lifelong dancer or stepping onto the floor for the very first time.

At Stage Door, sharing movement with the community has always been the mission. Instructors, many of whom grew up as Stage Door dancers, work with students from as young as 12 months to adults, creating a multigenerational connection within families.

“Reaching 50 years is about more than longevity,” said Giattino. “It’s about the families who trust us, the students who grew up here, and the community that has supported us every step of the way.”

Nearly 15 years ago, Mary Giattino and her late husband, Rick Styles, took over the family business as James and Diane stepped into retirement. Mary, a Long Island native and former Radio City Rockette and Broadway dancer, brought both a performer’s experience and a business leader’s vision to the role. Under her stewardship, Stage Door has grown into a thriving performing arts school offering recreational and competitive programming for dancers of all ages and abilities.

The timing of that new facility, however, tested the studio’s resilience: it opened just one week before COVID-19 shutdowns halted in-person classes. Stage Door closed its doors and held classes over Zoom in 2020 and reopened for in-person classes in 2021, returning stronger than ever.

James and Diane Giattino founded Stage Door in 1976 with little more than dedication and a passion for dance. What began in a Bellport church basement grew steadily through three additional locations across Patchogue before finding its permanent home at 127 Sunrise Highway, a modern, state-of-the-art facility built to serve generations to come.

From a church basement to a state-of-the-art studio

Picture a church basement in Bellport, N.Y. A handful of children in dance shoes. Two passionate teachers with a vision and the quiet belief that movement can change a life.

That was 1976, the beginning of Stage Door School of Dance.

Fifty years ago, two people believed that dance and movement could build community, confidence, and connection. They were right. The doors at 127 Sunrise Highway in Patchogue are open, awaiting the next dancer to walk in and become part of the legacy.

Join the legacy this summer

For class schedules, free trial registration, and more information, visit www.stagedoordancer.com or stop by 127 Sunrise Highway, Patchogue, NY.