Our Story

“Every year, countless costumes are worn once or twice before being discarded, contributing to the growing problem of textile waste. We saw this as an opportunity to make a difference. We envisioned a way to give these beautiful, gently used costumes a second life, allowing other dancers to benefit from them while also reducing the environmental footprint of the dance community.”

Second Act Dance was founded by Ellie D’Amico and Marabella Alfano, two passionate dancers who have been immersed in the dance world since the age of 3. Over the years, they have accumulated an overwhelming amount of dance costumes, a common experience for many young dancers. However, as they grew older, Ellie and Mara began to recognize the environmental impact of fast fashion and how the dance costume industry was a particularly glaring example of such wasteful and harmful practices.

Second Act Dance was born out of this vision. By collecting and redistributing gently used dancewear, Ellie and Mara aim to not only help families who struggle with the rising costs of dance but also raise awareness about the harmful effects of fast fashion. Through their efforts, they hope to inspire a more sustainable approach to dancewear and provide every young dancer with the opportunity to pursue their passion without financial or environmental barriers.