There are many benefits to being a performer for one of the in the Choreographers' Workshop performances The first is fun and unique performing opportunities. Student-created dances offer a wide range of movement styles and approaches to choreography often not available in faculty created dances. Student dances also tend to have smaller casts which means as a performer you are more likely to have a featured role. Freshman in particular are strongly encouraged to participate because it is an opportunity to showcase their performing skills and work ethic to the dance faculty and entire department. In addition, students who think they may be interested in being a choreographer in a future workshop often use being a performer as a way of getting an inside look at the process before attempting it themselves. And finally, performing in student choreography can be used as service hours toward induction in the NHSDA.
There are excellent performing opportunities for dancers who participate in student choreography. See performing opportunities for more details about each of the performances below. All dancers should carefully review the dates and times of all performances BEFORE they commit to dance for a choreographer. Note that choreographers are required to tell their dancers which performances they will be needed for BEFORE the dancer commits.
- Young Choreographers' Showcase or YCS is the main performance outlet for student choreography. The 2019 YCS includes both a matinee and an evening performance (open to the public) in the second week of October. The YCS showcases all the dances created in Round 1 and Round 2 of rehearsals. So if you are cast for a Round 1 or a Round 2 dance, you will be performing in the YCS. Additionally, a few of the best dances performed at the YCS are selected to be performed in the YPAS New Works Festival in March.
- PTSA Reflections competition is an optional performance for Round 1 dances only. If your choreographer decides to enter the Reflections competition you will perform their dance for a recording (no audience). The recording is then submitted to the PTSA for judging and winners are selected. The 2019 Reflections videotaping session is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 12, 2019 after-school.
- Festival Adjudication is another optional performance for Round 1 or Round 2 dances. Choreographers may only enter the adjudication if they and all their dancers will be attending the Festival. If that is the case, the dance will be performed for a recording (no audience) and submitted to the Festival for judging. If selected, the dance will be performed at the Festival. The 2020 Festival location has not yet been announced. The 2020 Festival videotaping session date is TBD.
- Spring Informance in April is the performance outlet for dances created in Round 3. In addition to student choreography, class work from each dance major class will also be performed.
Rehearsal periods for the Choreographers' Workshop are called Rounds. There are 3 rounds scheduled for the 19-20 school year. Each round lasts about 2-4 weeks and student choreographers sign up for one of the rounds. So when you commit to dance for a student choreographer, you are committing to about 2-4 weeks of rehearsals plus the performance for their piece.
Rehearsals are always scheduled after-school. Most rehearsals are held either 1hr twice a week on Tuesdays/Thursdays, or 2hrs once a week on Wednesdays. Student choreography rehearsals do not conflict with after-school pointe & partnering classes. You will be able to state your availability for rehearsal when you sign up. If you have any conflicts you will be able to state those as well when you sign up. Choreographers will select dancers whose availability fits their needs. Typically the more open availability you have the more you will be sought after by student choreographers. However, it is important to think about the time you can commit to after-school activities and find a balance with academics, sleep and recreation.
Minimum Commitment
Round 1: Rehearsals August-September. Performance in mid October and possibly another performance in March if dance is invited.
Round 2: Rehearsals September-October. Performance in mid October and possibly another performance in March if dance is invited.
Round 3: Rehearsals March-April, Performance April.
As a performer you may participate in multiple rounds as long as you do not exceed 3 dances for any performance. For example, you may perform up to 3 dances by 3 different choreographers in the Young Choreographers' Showcase regardless of whether the dances were created in Round 1, Round 2 or a both. When you sign up you will have the opportunity to state whether you open to being cast for 1, 2 or up to 3 dances.
Rehearsals are always scheduled after-school. Most rehearsals are held either 1hr twice a week on Tuesdays/Thursdays, or 2hrs once a week on Wednesdays. Student choreography rehearsals do not conflict with after-school pointe & partnering classes. You will be able to state your availability for rehearsal when you sign up. If you have any conflicts you will be able to state those as well when you sign up. Choreographers will select dancers whose availability fits their needs. Typically the more open availability you have the more you will be sought after by student choreographers. However, it is important to think about the time you can commit to after-school activities and find a balance with academics, sleep and recreation.
Minimum Commitment
Round 1: Rehearsals August-September. Performance in mid October and possibly another performance in March if dance is invited.
Round 2: Rehearsals September-October. Performance in mid October and possibly another performance in March if dance is invited.
Round 3: Rehearsals March-April, Performance April.
As a performer you may participate in multiple rounds as long as you do not exceed 3 dances for any performance. For example, you may perform up to 3 dances by 3 different choreographers in the Young Choreographers' Showcase regardless of whether the dances were created in Round 1, Round 2 or a both. When you sign up you will have the opportunity to state whether you open to being cast for 1, 2 or up to 3 dances.
Dancers can sign up to be a performer in the Choreographers' Workshop online. See the green button above in the upper right corner. Sign ups are also accepted at the door but prior sign up is greatly appreciated. Sign ups ask dancers to indicate their availability including which days/times they can and cannot rehearse. As well as whether they are interested in being cast for 1 or 2 or 3 dances.
For Rounds 1 & 2 there is a combined audition that takes place on the 1st Friday of school. The main purpose of the audition is to allow student choreographers to become familiar with who is interested in being a performer. Many dancers are often needed and many who audition (and provide open availability) are typically selected for at least one dance. Dancers are expected to accept the dances for which they are cast that fall within their stated availability.
There is no audition for Round 3. Instead dancers can sign up on a list stating their availability and interest. Student choreographers are given the list and contact dancers directly if they would like to work with them.
For Rounds 1 & 2 there is a combined audition that takes place on the 1st Friday of school. The main purpose of the audition is to allow student choreographers to become familiar with who is interested in being a performer. Many dancers are often needed and many who audition (and provide open availability) are typically selected for at least one dance. Dancers are expected to accept the dances for which they are cast that fall within their stated availability.
There is no audition for Round 3. Instead dancers can sign up on a list stating their availability and interest. Student choreographers are given the list and contact dancers directly if they would like to work with them.