The recital is called Toybox Treasures and the tiniest members of Bermuda Dance Academy are especially thrilled to be able to share it with the public.

The troupe will take the stage tomorrow for two shows in the cafetorium at The Berkeley Institute.

“This is our first recital that we've had since [the pandemic] that doesn't have any restrictions; we haven’t had any restrictions for the year. It's been great to be able to get back into the swing of life and art and we're just looking to put on a great show,” said Bermuda Dance Academy owner and director Nikia Manders.

“The kids are very excited. Being inside for so long and then finally being able to do this – I think that some of the younger ones are kind of in shock that they can invite people to watch them. They’re just not really used to it. A child that was three [at the start of the pandemic] is now six. So their whole experience of life has kind of changed and it's great to get back into it.”

On offer is “a magical toy adventure” that starts when people enter the lobby and continues through to the end of the show.

Although the dancers only started working on choreographed pieces about three months ago, the skills behind them have been a year in the making through the hip-hop, ballet and pointe, jazz, modern, acrobatics and tap classes taught by Ms Manders, Ashley Smith, Sierra Spencer, Shawnae Brangman and Coral Wadell.

Together, the teachers work to accomplish Bermuda Dance Academy’s mission of creating “a fun, positive and nurturing environment for all ages”.

“We believe the arts enrich, inspire and transform lives. Dance is used as a tool to empower students, build self-esteem, discipline, creativity and self-confidence. The local and global community [are used as outlets] to build relationships and share a cultural awareness for dance and the performing arts,” the company’s website reads.

Sixty-five students aged three and up will perform in Toybox Treasures.

“We also have some of our older students who have graduated from high school and returned [for the show]. We were also in the Bermuda Day Parade and one of those dances will be a part of our finale,” Ms Manders said.

The thrill for many will be seeing their favourite toys “come to life”.

“All the dances are based on different toys. The lobby will also be set up as if you're entering a toy box – we have Barbies, we have trains, we have rubber duckies. I don't want to give it all away but in the lobby we will have different photo ops, oversized toys that people can interact with and take pictures with and feel like they're in a toy store,” Ms Manders said.

“And also through the recital, the audience will feel like they’re in a toybox. So there's lots to experience not just onstage but also as the audience enters.”

The idea was to make the lobby “very toy-friendly”. Ms Manders is pleased with what the Bermuda Dance Academy team has accomplished in partnership with Creative Intentions for the eighth annual recital.

“We’re really excited to be coming back and being able to have a full year of practising and training for the recital. And it's wonderful to see that so many people are excited about the arts. We have a lot of new students that are coming and there will be dancing for their first time. And some of our older students have come back and are participating in the recital.

“It's really great to feel kind of normal again and to get to kind of a normal space and showcase our talent. It's very child-friendly. We try to make it about the whole experience and not just the performers on stage; we try to make it a family experience.

• Toybox Treasures takes place at The Berkeley Institute cafetorium at 2pm and 7pm tomorrow. Tickets are available on ptix.bm. General admission is $30, patrons $60. For more information: bermudadanceacademy@gmail.com, 799-7760, bermudadanceacademy.com