1 MéLANGE & REPERTORY DANCE COMPANIES Procedures & Policies
2 Table of Contents Letter 3 Information..4 Policies 4 Expectations & Responsibilities.6 Authorization Page..8 Photo Release...9
3 Dear Parent/Guardian & Student, Congratulations! Your student has been cast in either the Stevenson High School Mélange or Repertory Dance Company. This full year commitment requires extreme dedication. This packet includes all of the information and policies of both dance companies. Please review this information with your son/daughter and complete the last two pages of this packet. We ask that you and your son/daughter sign the authorization sheet (second to last sheet of the packet) indicating that you both have read and can commit to the expectations as listed in this packet of information. The Dance Profile and Photo Release will also need to be completed. Please keep the rest of this packet for your reference throughout the year. You may also find a copy of this on the Stevenson High School Repertory and Mélange webpages. Thank you for your time in reading this packet. We are very excited for this upcoming year. Mélange & Repertory Dance Companies promises to be an outstanding experience for you child. Sincerely, Dana Fry Radmila Olshansky Repertory Director Mélange Director danfry@d125.org rolshansky@d125.org 847-415-4779 847-415-4781
4 Information Goal/Purpose To enrich a dancer s artistic integrity, creativity, versatility, performance quality, and movement vocabulary in a vigorous and disciplined setting. Members of both dance companies will choreograph, teach, and perform dances enhancing their wellrounded dance education. Both Dance Companies consists of freshmen through senior dancers who perform in all Stevenson Dance productions. Rehearsal Schedule Both Dance Companies are a full year commitment. Rehearsal days and times for Repertory are Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 3:45-7:00. Rehearsal days and times for Mélange are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:45-7:00. You cannot be in another after school activity that conflicts with these rehearsal days and times. Please arrange your schedule and activities accordingly (work, studio classes, clubs, doctor/dentist/orthodontist appointment, vacations, and college visits). Also, please make arrangements to be available the entire 2 weeks prior to the dance production (will be addressed later in this packet). Failure to attend a technical rehearsal will jeopardize your position in the company. Policies Attendance You are required to attend all dance rehearsals. If for some reason you cannot be at rehearsal, both the DANCER and the parent/guardian are responsible for notifying the director regarding an absence prior to rehearsal of the conflicting date. Only a call or email from your parents will be considered as an excused absence. This call must be made before rehearsal. Failure to call regarding this unavoidable absence will jeopardize your position in the company.
5 Students will NOT be able to rehearse afterschool if they were absent during the school day or did not dance in their Stevenson Dance class. If you are at school and find yourself suffering from a minor illness or injury and are not able to dance at rehearsal, please do not go home. You must attend rehearsal and observe. Tardiness Dancers must be on the dance floor at the beginning of each and every rehearsal. You will be considered tardy if you are in the hall or in the dressing rooms when rehearsal begins. Failure to comply with this policy will jeopardize your position in the company. Dress Code All dancers are expected to change and wear clothing in which they can move freely. You are expected to give 100% in each and every rehearsal; therefore, you need to dress accordingly. Jeans will not be permitted. Hair must be pulled back, away from the face. Jewelry is not acceptable unless it is part of a costume. Absolutely no gum chewing during rehearsal. Failure to comply with any of the above dress policies will seriously affect your position in the company. Costumes You are required to give a $45.00 costume deposit at the beginning of the season. This deposit will be due on September 12. The deposit will be returned in full once all costumes are returned. Please make the checks out to: Stevenson High School for $45.00, please include Repertory costume deposit or Mélange costume deposit on the check. Designated Work Space All dance rehearsals will be held in the Dance Studio 2010 and 2112. A weekly schedule of individual rehearsal times will be posted on a bulletin board outside of the dance office and/or on the company facebook page. If you have any free time between rehearsals, you may work on homework, projects, etc.
6 Expectations & Responsibilities Personal Qualities and Etiquette Maturity and respect are key issues in a dance company. You are expected to respect your peers and your Director. You are expected to come to rehearsals prepared and focused. You serve as a role model to other dancers in Mélange, Repertory, and the entire Dance Department. Your goal is to contribute to the success of the company, regardless of the size of your role. Your Director will constantly evaluate your ability to work with others in the company. In order to eliminate distractions, company rehearsals will be closed rehearsals. Only other company members can observe each other rehearse. Responsibilities Adhere to the above requirements Arrange transportation to and from rehearsal Contribute choreography Assist in promoting the Company throughout the school Practice choreography at home and be prepared to add on at the next rehearsal Serve as a role model for Stevenson High School Maintain a positive attitude Maintain a strong work ethic Throughout the course of the year you will be working on your technique, artistry, creativity, and performance quality. You should be extremely reliable, punctual, and considerate. You must have terrific stamina. You should enjoy working hard and should not be afraid of a challenge.
7 Choreography Responsibilities Each dancer is required to audition choreography at least once in the year. Students must first have their music approved by the director they will send their music via email to their director to be approved. The dancer will have to follow the directions on the Concert & Co Curricular Choreography Requirements paper that will be emailed to the dancers at the beginning of the summer. Parent Expectations Parents/Guardians are expected to volunteer for at least one dance event throughout the year. More information will be distributed about this so parents can volunteer for various dance events. Tech & Dress Rehearsals Attendance is extremely important! Dancers are expected to be present during the entire week of technical rehearsals and for the performances. Tech week is long and there will be down time but it is important that dancers are in attendance, to light and block pieces on stage. Even if a dancer is sick, it helps if they are present to observe and walk through their spacing so that they are familiar with their placement and possible changes that may need to be made. If a dancer is not present during the technical rehearsal for a piece they are performing in, THEY WILL NOT PERFORM IN THE PIECE. If a dancer is not present for a piece they have choreographed, THE ENTIRE PIECE WILL BE PULLED FROM THE SHOW. ALL OF THE TECH/DRESS REHEARSAL DATES BELOW REQUIRE AVAILABILITY FROM 3:45-10:00 PM SHOW CALL IS 6PM FRI & SAT AND 12:30 ON SUN Tech & Dress Rehearsal Dates: Winter Concert: Tech & Dress Rehearsals- November 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 29 Show-November 30, December 1 and 2 Spring Concert: Tech & Dress Rehearsals-April 22, 23, 24,25 Show-April 26, 27, 28
8 Authorization Page As A Company Dancer. 1. I will do my best to maintain a positive attitude and strong work ethic. I will treat all company members and directors with respect and kindness. 2. I will not eat or chew gum while I m rehearsing. 3. I understand that excessive tardiness to my scheduled rehearsals will jeopardize my casting in pieces. The directors will have the right to remove me from sections of, or complete pieces if necessary. 4. I understand that excessive absences from my scheduled rehearsals will jeopardize my performing opportunities as well as my place in this company. The director will have the right to remove me from pieces and if necessary, the Dance Company. 5. I understand that if I become ineligible to participate in rehearsals (failing two or more classes at the time of eligibility) it will jeopardize my place in a piece and/or the company. I have read and agree to the above five statements. Student s signature Parent s signature Date I have read and agree with the policies and procedures (that are stated in this packet) and will give my full year commitment to my company. I have shown a copy of the policies to my parents and they too are in agreement with the conditions and consequences. I understand that I am responsible for all of the information indicated in this packet and will be present at all the indicated rehearsals. Student s signature Parent s signature Date Printed Student Name
9 Photo Release I understand that this letter is to inform me that my student s picture MAY appear on Dance show posters and/or dance website or any dance promotion. (Pictures will not be used for any other purposes.) Students First and Last Name Student ID # Dance Company Parent Signature Date