SPA-Ballet Company
NEW FALL 2011 - Ballet Co. is FREE*
*you must be a registered student at SPA. If you wish to participate but are not enrolled at SPA there is a $40.00 fee per month.
Rules and Regulations
The Ballet Company is a pre-professional ballet company that is a separate entity of the Studio for the Performing Arts. It’s mission is to present our ballet performances at a professional level. In order to accomplish this mandate, it is critical that company members understand just what is required of dancers in a professional atmosphere. Dancers must approach their preparation and execution of rehearsals and performances with an attitude that reflects qualities of hard work, dedication, and punctuality, and respect for the choreographer, the choreography, other dancers, and the overall good of SPA-BC.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE COMPANY IS ASSEMBLED EACH FALL, A SCHEDULE WILL BE DEVELOPED AND THE SCHEDULE WILL BE MANDATORY. A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THE COMPANY CLASSES WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY MORNINGS. SPA-BC SUFFERS IF WE DO NOT MEET AS A COMPANY ON A CONSISTENT BASIS. BE CERTAIN TO ARRANGE YOUR SCHEDULES TO ACCOMMODATE COMPANY CLASS. NOTE: The dance faculty of SPA will report to the company director issues of absentee and issues in technique classes. Action will be taken at that point to place that dancer on “probation” from the company and may result in recasting for upcoming performances. SPA-BC is expected to serve as a MODEL student in their weekly dance classes. Here are other guidelines concerning your responsibilities to the company and to yourself as a dancer that must be followed for the successful operation of SPA-BC and your continued participation.
Technique
Dancers must be committed to developing their technical abilities to their fullest, and maintaining that level.
Company Levels I, II & III
Level I
Company members will be required to take one ballet class per week
Attend all scheduled company classes/rehearsals/workshops
Attend the SPA summer intensive.
Level II
Company members will be required to take one ballet class per week
One pointe class for strengthening (pointe shoe only when determined by instructor)
Attend all scheduled company classes/rehearsals/workshops
Attend the SPA summer intensive
Level III
Company members will be required to take one ballet class per week
One pointe class
Attend all scheduled company classes/rehearsals/workshops
Attend the SPA summer intensive
Rehearsal
Attendance at rehearsals is mandatory. No exceptions. If you are sick, get a note form the doctor. If you have an emergency, notify the company director or the choreographer BEFORE the rehearsal, not after. Choreographers will make the effort to be understanding in accommodating schedules, but the ultimate responsibility for attendance lies with each dancer. If you cannot commit totally to the rehearsal schedule, you cannot be a company member. Schedules will be discussed and posted in advance, and it is your responsibility to know when and where you are having rehearsal.
You must have the desire to dance in the performance of SPA-BC. If you have one unexcused absence, the choreographer has the option of removing you form the piece. If this happens repeatedly, you will be dismissed from the company and not be permitted to return in the company’s fiscal year, if allowed back in the company the following year you will be placed on a probationary period. All pieces will be assigned understudies if a dancer should need to be replaced for any reason.
Professionalism
As a company member you should display a professional working attitude towards rehearsal, preparations for performances, and to all other dancers. Group energy must be maintained – a positive atmosphere promotes growth. SPA-BC is a family. It is fully expected that each individual within the company contributes to the group as a whole.
Final casting and programmatic decisions will be made in the best interest of the company by the Artistic Director, SPA-BC should be viewed as a pre-professional experience for all those participating. The company is not an extra-curricular activity. It is due to this mission that high standards of performance must be prioritized.
Rehearsal: Arrive at least 15 minutes early to sufficiently warm up, have the proper attire requested by the choreographer, and work quietly and efficiently. Dancers not giving this level of commitment will be dismissed. Concentrate on the choreography, and do not talk with other dancers during rehearsal unless it is specifically about the piece. Devote your energies to the rehearsal. Be open to suggestions, criticism, and change. Do not rehearse other work during a specific choreographer’s rehearsal – this is rude and clearly shows lack of respect.
Preparation: Maintain a physical appearance that reflect your commitment to dance as a performance art. Hair securely fasten away from the face, dance attire that reflects a respect for the art form, and your mind in the mode of concentration and work. Approach your rehearsal as you would a job. You are a tool in the hands of the choreographer, so be open and ready to be molded. Maintain a well conditioned, clean body.
Other Dancers: Avoid personal conflict with other dancers, avoid cliques, make every effort to get to know all company members. Be concerned with your role, and let the choreographer worry about other dancers. Be concerned with your own abilities, and do not criticize others – help them! Above all, maintain the primary goal working for the best possible presentation of the company, first and foremost. This will happen if each dancer works to his or her potential. Principle company members will be expected to serve as Mentors to younger company members. We want all SPA-BC dancers to find satisfaction and joy in their work with the company however this is not a “recreational experience”. In other words, we urge all dancers to treat the rehearsal/class/performance process as professionally as possible and to demonstrate respect towards the process, towards other dancers, towards the dance faculty, and towards support staff that provides our production needs.
Understudies: Understudies for SPA-BC are chosen based upon a belief that exposure and experience provides a training ground to develop to a higher level. Understudies are in no way guaranteed a performance opportunity but are encouraged to commit fully with the realization that they may be cast in the future based upon the experience gained as an understudy. Dancers designated as understudies should make every effort to work to the side or back of the rehearsal space yet should work as fully as possible. Each choreographer’s interaction style with understudies will vary.
Probationary: Dancer placed on probation after one month are given a second month to improve their work ethic, commitment, technical ability, and/or other issues addressed by the Artistic Director and/or dance faculty. If it is determined after the month period of probation that a dancer has not made the necessary improvements requested, she or he will not be considered for further company membership that fiscal year.
SPA-Ballet Company Financial Obligations
Contribution to Fundraising: As a member of the ballet company you are expected to commit to five fundraising events per year, all proceeds will be put into a general fund. It is essential that SPA-BC, continue to work to provide additional opportunities for it’s dancers. Simply put, your willingness to volunteer in this capacity is MANDATORY.
Tickets: Each company member will be required to sell 10 tickets for each ballet. (Unless it is a regional tour). Because of the high cost of putting on productions, auditorium rental, lighting, sound, scenery, and insurance, ticket sales are mandatory. The ticket money of $100.00 is due two weeks prior to the first night of the performance. There are no complementary tickets.
Costume Fees: Will be determined by parts and you will be notified if you will be renting or buying the costume once the parts have been determined. Participants will be charged for any additional headpieces or accessories. This cost cannot be pre-determined until the production is underway. You will be given a costume fee due date once the final costs are determined.
Volunteer Hours: Each company member is required to volunteer a minimal of 10 hours towards assisting with props, backdrops, and costuming per production.
Public Relations: I hereby willingly grant full permission to The Studio for the Performing Arts, Inc. to use, reproduce, publish, and exhibit my name, image, and/or likeness in the production of still photographs and videos in connection with public service, public relations, education, and/or advertising activities. I understand that I will not be paid for the use of my name, image or likeness.