Earlier this month, I had the joy of photographing 13 of my 19 dance ambassadors at the historic State Theatre in Easton, PA. With everyone’s packed schedules, I know getting all 19 of us together at once is nearly impossible — so having 13 in one place felt like a gift. And what a session it turned out to be.

This year’s visit gave us the chance to explore areas of the theatre we hadn’t photographed in before, and it added a fresh layer of creativity to the ambassador experience. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing individual posts featuring each ambassador who attended, but I wanted to start with a look at some of the standout moments that made this year’s session special.

A Glimpse Behind the Curtain — The Dressing Rooms

One of the biggest highlights was taking the ambassadors into the dressing rooms. These are the spaces where performers prepare before stepping onto the State Theatre stage — a place filled with signatures, memories, and the energy of countless shows. Watching the ambassadors take it all in, and then create portraits in that environment, was a moment of connection between their own artistic journeys and the legacy of the theatre.

The Ghost Light

Every theatre has a ghost light — a single lamp that stays lit when the stage is dark. It’s a tradition, a superstition, and a symbol all at once. This year, Elijah and Makenley weren’t able to stay for the next section (lobby), so we used the ghost light as their creative space. The results were dramatic, moody, and unlike anything we’ve done in past ambassador years.

The Lobby Assignment — Finding Their Own Space

We finished in the lobby, which is just as stunning as the main theater. I gave each ambassador who stayed until the end a simple assignment: Find a place — anywhere on either floor — that speaks to you.

From ornate mirrors to tucked‑away corners, from staircases to architectural details, each dancer chose a spot that matched their personality and style. The variety was incredible, and the portraits we created there are some of my favorites from the entire session.

A Dabour Photography Ambassador Exclusive

This annual visit to the State Theatre of the Arts is something only my dance ambassadors get to experience, and every year it becomes more meaningful. 2026 brought new spaces, new ideas, and new memories — and I can’t wait to share each ambassador’s story in the posts to come.