Why Audition for Company?

Company membership is a great learning experience and it’s fun! We learn how to operate as a team, how to be a leader, and how to be a representative for our community. We build confidence and become better performers. We learn important life skills, such as : time management, responsibility, and accountability. Most importantly, we nurture individual growth, build lifelong memories and friendships, and we get to do what we love - DANCE! 

When and What is the Audition Process?

For the 2021-2022 season, the last week of July’s intensive is required to audition. That week, students auditioning will be observed in their classes, and will demonstrate combos learned that week as part of the audition.

What Influences our Decision to Accept a Dancer into Company?

⁃A true love and passion for dance 

⁃Versatility (familiarity with multiple styles of dance)

⁃Openness and Willingness to try unfamiliar movement ideas

⁃Work ethic: must work hard in classes and rehearsals

⁃Technique: willingness to take and apply corrections appropriate for age, class level, and experience.

⁃Self Determination: if stuck on a skill or combo, company dancers use all resources available to them to overcome challenges 

⁃Positive attitude and respect shown to all classmates, company members, teachers, parents, etc. 

⁃Returning company members: we look at your work, progress, and attitude from the previous season as well, when you audition for company for the next season.

If My Dancer Makes Company What is Required?

Company membership is a significant time and financial commitment.

Time

⁃Choreography intensive 1st week of august. 

⁃10 month commitment August thru May

⁃Required Classes: At a minimum, ballet, jazz, and 2 elective classes are required for company members. If in level 4 or 5 ballet, the dancer must take both level 4 or level 5 ballet classes offered each week. It’s always recommended to take more classes that feed your dancers desire to progress in dance, however any additional classes outside of the above, are optional. **electives: tap, contemporary, Acro, yoga, musical theater **pointe and production classes are not considered electives for company members

⁃Rehearsal availability- Rehearsals are on most Saturdays anywhere from 9am-5pm, depending on casting and other opportunities that company or the studio partakes in. The more dances a dancer is cast in, the longer the rehearsal day.

⁃Community Performances: We are ambassadors in our community and we will partake in 2-3 community over the course of the season. 

Finances

We take as many competition/company fees as we can and to form a grande total for the season. Then, we divide that total into 10 month increments called the Company Payment Plan. Company Payment Plans include competition fees, convention fees, rehearsal fees, coaches fees, and media fees.  Company Payment Plans begin in August and conclude in May.

Note: that each dancers payment plan will differ depending on additional dances such as solos, duets, trios. 

Company payment plans do not include: monthly tuition for classes, audition intensive fee, choreography intensive fee, choreography fees for solos/duets/trios, company photoshoot, competition costume fees, annual registration fee, spring recital fee, nor spring recital costume fees. 

To receive an outline of the fees to expect within the Company Payment Plan, please email our studio at studiob@sbdc.co.

All company members will receive their finalized Company Payment Plan contract the day after auditions, when casting is announced.

Fundraising

Whenever possible, we will offer fundraising opportunities! These opportunities are optional, but they can help offset the cost of tuition, costumes, competition fees, etc. Once a fundraiser is completed – you will receive credit immediately to your account. We are always looking for new fundraisers so please feel free to share your ideas!

Other Important Company Policies

⁃Minimum Dances for competition: 2-3 group dances depending on casting *** Solos/duets/trios are by invitation only! They are not required for company membership. A dancer can be invited to do a solo/duet/trio but you always have the right to decline that invitation!! Also, just because a dancer performed a solo/duet/trio in company in the past, does not mean the dancer will be receiving the same invitation every season.

⁃Competitions: We participate in 3-5 competitions every season. Once the competitions we are attending are set, block out all of the dates for the competitions - as well as planning travel time. A schedule will be provided for each competition, usually the week prior to the competition. Plan for your dancer to be there all the days. You are welcome to send the dancer without the parent - we can chaperone for an additional fee that includes food/travel/hotel.

-Minimal Absences : Consistent attendance in both classes and rehearsals is a must! Dance commitments are a priority if your dancer is accepted into company. Company members are allotted only 3 absences a semester/a total of 6 per season. Absences apply to a day of classes,  or a day of rehearsals. In extraneous circumstances, it can be extended to a full week, on a case by case basis.  

**In the event that a company member is absent, making up a class(es) is highly encouraged! In addition, company members are still responsible for material covered during a missed rehearsal. It is the dancer’s responsibility to review any and all videos and notes from the rehearsal.

If there are dates your company member will be unavailable and know about at auditions, please - email it as soon as your dancer passes the audition. It is much easier to work around things in advance, rather than when we are in the middle of the season. 

Dancers cannot miss the 2 company rehearsals company leading up to a competition. Generally, these 2 rehearsals are the Saturday and following Thursday prior to the competition. Dancers must be present, dancing full out and at full capacity, or they will have to sit out of the upcoming competition. No exceptions. 

Note: illness and injuries do come up. However, if it’s not contagious- dancers are expected to sit in on their classes and rehearsals to take notes. A doctors note is required. In the case of injury, a full on plan for recovery, listing limitations, recommended rehabilitation exercises, as well as a timeline for full recovery.  must be provided. This is so we can keep your dancer safe in classes and rehearsals and help get them back to dancing! 

-Don’t sign up for more than you can chew in terms of time and financial commitment! ***Annual registration fee, Competition fees, choreography fees, recital fees, costume fees, tuition, and anything included in the Company Payment Plan are NON-REFUNDABLE! In the event that something changes in terms of competitions, we always provide an alternative.

-If a company member resigns or is dismissed from company before the season is over, the remaining amount of the Company Payment Plan is due in full, upon receipt of your written resignation or dismissal letter. It affects all dancers, coaches and choreographers when a company member resigns or fails to uphold their commitment to company before the season is over. In addition, if you resign or are dismissed from company prior to the end of season, you will not be accepted into company the following season. 

Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct is our dancer/parent contract that outlines our expectations for company dancers and their parents. Company members are expected to set the example for our other students! They are expected to uphold a climate of positivity both in class and everywhere we go. The Code of Conduct will be discussed and sent home during audition week and must be signed by dancer and parent in order to accept the invitation into company. View a copy of our Code of Conduct under the Company page - Code of Conduct.

Communication

Staying connected is imperative to receiving the most up to date information! Parent phone number and email (an email that is checked daily) is required. In addition, company members and at least one of their parents, are required to use our Studio B Dance Company group on the Band App. Band App is the primary method of sending out videos, pictures, documents, and other important updates to company members and parents. Upon acceptance into company, an invitation to our Band App group will be sent via text to both the dancer and the parent.