Choreographers' Workshop at YPAS is designed to allow budding choreographers to work on the creation of an original dance, after-school over a period of 2-4 weeks. Participating students benefit from the support of an experienced faculty mentor who will work with the student from the first rehearsal to the last, offering feedback, suggestions and ideas while at the same time allowing the student freedom to make their own choices and express their own artistic vision. Workshops provide total support for rehearsal time, studio space and even performance opportunities, so all the choreographer has to worry about is their dance.
After-school student choreography is an important extension of the YPAS Dance curriculum. It encourages students to stretch themselves creatively as well as to build character traits such as organization, leadership and confidence. All dance majors are strongly encouraged to participate in Choreographer's' Workshop as a dancer and as a choreographer at least once in their tenure at YPAS.
Note that many dance majors have never choreographed before coming to YPAS and often characterize themselves as "having no ideas" or "not being creative", however these same students are able to create amazing dances through the Choreographers' Workshop system at YPAS Dance. Students who begin choreographing in their freshman or sophomore years are often creating regionally and nationally award winning dances by the time they are seniors (or even earlier). The YPAS Choreographers' Workshop system has proven year after year to be a very effective method for igniting the unique creativity within all students.
After-school student choreography is an important extension of the YPAS Dance curriculum. It encourages students to stretch themselves creatively as well as to build character traits such as organization, leadership and confidence. All dance majors are strongly encouraged to participate in Choreographer's' Workshop as a dancer and as a choreographer at least once in their tenure at YPAS.
Note that many dance majors have never choreographed before coming to YPAS and often characterize themselves as "having no ideas" or "not being creative", however these same students are able to create amazing dances through the Choreographers' Workshop system at YPAS Dance. Students who begin choreographing in their freshman or sophomore years are often creating regionally and nationally award winning dances by the time they are seniors (or even earlier). The YPAS Choreographers' Workshop system has proven year after year to be a very effective method for igniting the unique creativity within all students.
The 19-20 Choreographers' Workshop will include:
- Audition Day & Choreographers' Meeting for Round 1 and Round 2: Meets after-school on the first Friday. The first hour is dedicated to an audition where choreographers may view potential dancers for their work. The second hour is dedicated to a information and casting meeting where rules/guidelines for studio space usage are covered as well as casting decisions will be negotiated. Attendance at the audition is REQUIRED.
- Round 1 Rehearsals for YCS: The first round of the rehearsals runs from the second week of school through mid-September. Choreographers in Round 1 are required to enter their dances into the Young Choreographers' Showcase. In addition they will have dances completed in time to enter PTSA Reflections competition and/or Festival adjudication, if they so choose. For more info see performing opportunities. Total rehearsal hours for Round 1 are approx. 8hrs over about 4 weeks.
- Round 2 Rehearsals for YCS: The second round of rehearsals runs from mid-September through early October. Choreographers in this session are create dances in a special 2-week intensive format. Choreographers in Round 1 are required to enter their dances into the Young Choreographers' Showcase. In addition they will have dances completed in time to enter in the Festival adjudication, if they so choose. Total rehearsal hours for Round 2 are approx. 8hrs over 2 weeks. Round 2 is best suited for focused experienced choreographers with a clear vision or those creating solos and duets.
- Round 3 Rehearsals for Spring Informance: The final round of rehearsals runs from late March through mid-April. It should be noted that Spring Break is in the middle of this round. Round 3 is a more relaxed session and a great opportunity for choreographers interested in making small dances or experimenting with dances for the next school year. There is no audition day for Round 3. Instead choreographers' recruit their own dancers. Round 3 dances are required to be shown informally in the YPAS Dance Spring Informance. Total rehearsal hours for Round 3 are approx. 6hrs.
Important Dates for the 2019-20 school year:
Each choreographer is responsible for carefully looking at the schedule below when choosing a rehearsal slot. Due to inservice days, faculty rehearsals, holidays, etc... some slots may have more rehearsal days than others. Choose carefully because extra rehearsal time cannot be added.
- Aug. 13 Sign-ups for Student Choreography Round 1 and 2 opens online at 12noon.
- Aug. 16 Dancer Auditions for Round 1 and 2, 2:30-3:30p, Annex II
- Aug. 16 Choreographers' Meeting (choreographers only), 3:30-4:30p, Annex II
- Aug. 20-Sept. 12 Round 1 Rehearsals, Various studios (see specifics below)
- Sept. 13 Tentative Videotaping for PTSA Reflections competition, 205, 2:30-?
- Sept 17-Oct. 3 Round 2 Rehearsals, Various studios (see specifics below)
- Date TBD Videotaping for Festival adjudication, Location TBD.
- Oct. 9th Young Choreographers' Showcase Technical Rehearsal 2:30-5:30p, Experimental Theatre
- Oct 10th Young Choreographers' Showcase Dress Rehearsal, Experimental Theatre
- Oct 11th Young Choreographers' Showcase Matinee Performance, 2nd block, Experimental Theatre
- Oct 11th Young Choreographers' Showcase Evening Performance 7pm (6p call), Experimental Theatre
- March 5-6 or 12-13 New Works Performances (by invitation only)
- March TBD -April TBD Round 3 Rehearsals, Various studios.
- April 19th Spring Informance, Mainstage
Each choreographer is responsible for carefully looking at the schedule below when choosing a rehearsal slot. Due to inservice days, faculty rehearsals, holidays, etc... some slots may have more rehearsal days than others. Choose carefully because extra rehearsal time cannot be added.
Student Choreography Rehearsal Schedules Fall 2019 |
Who: Any dance major may participate in Choreographers' Workshop but enrollment is limited so that each student will receive adequate attention and rehearsal space. Students may participate in both the Fall and Spring, however priority in the Spring is given to those who did not have a chance in the Fall.
Why: Only dances created and rehearsed at YPAS may be performed at a YPAS Dance performing opportunity.
How: Interested students register online. See the green button in the upper right corner. Sign up dates are announced in advance on YPAS Dance News as well as in classes. Typically, Workshop 1 and 2 begin accepting reservations on the week before the first day of school. Students may sign up for one or the other workshop but not both. Students select their rehearsal day, time and studio.
- Students may create only 1 dance per round.
- Student dances may not exceed 6 mins.
- All music selections and costumes must be school-appropriate.
- All dances presented at the YCS will be considered for New Works and must accept if invited to perform.
- In order to insure dancers are not overloaded, no dancer may perform in more than 2 dances in the Young Choreographers' Showcase.