COMPANY HANDBOOK 2014-15 This handbook contains info regarding: Company Policies- dress code, attendance, etc Competition & Performance Guide Solo Duo Trio Guidelines Please note that information in this handbook is for both ballet and jazz company members; however, there may be additional guidelines for Ballet Company members. Please see Candice for that information.
COMPANY POLICIES In order to audition, all dancers must register for class ($35/person-$50/family) & pay a $100 deposit. This deposit will apply to your balance due when you sign contracts. Tuition for company is an annual price divided into 12 payments June-May. Tuition does not include company fees or competition/ convention fees. Tuition cannot be discounted due to missed classes. Company fees and competition fees are due monthly as stated on your financial contract. There are no refunds available. Company members will be required to attend the entire class schedule for their company. Company must be your first priority. If an attendance problem arises, it is up to the discretion of The Pointe to take the dancer out of one or more company dances with no refund given for costs involved. All absences should be approved in writing 30 days in advance with your company director and monthly attendance checks will be done. In addition, it is important that you also do not leave class early. Company members must attend the practice before the performance in order to perform and must attend the entire week of rehearsal classes the week of a competition. Please do not plan long vacations or trips during our competition season (Mid-January through Mid-May.) Competitions are absolutely mandatory and we have to expect 100% attendance. For those who do not attend, there is a $50 per routine re-spacing fee. Company members will not be allowed to participate in any other dance company. School dance company will be allowed as long as schedules permit. Team sports will not be allowed for any company member who takes over 10 hours/week. Your Pointe company should be your first priority when scheduling conflicts arise. All company members are required to take summer classes June-August. Summer technique classes for company begin June 9 and end July 31. We allow flexibility with trips, vacations, etc during this time although there are not discounts on tuition. We will be closed July 4, 24. Pointe Break 2014 is August 4-9. Pointe Break (special workshop classes held at The Pointe) is for all company members. The cost for Pointe Break is required even if you will not be able to attend all the classes. An exact schedule will be available 1-2 weeks prior. Choreography Week is required and will be August 18-28. An exact schedule will be available 1-2 weeks prior. Plan on all day Saturday the 23 rd Extra rehearsals (Super Saturday) will be scheduled December-March as needed (for those in companies over 5 hours) and are typically the 2 nd Saturday of each month. Attendance at Super Saturday rehearsals are required, please plan vacations and events accordingly. Bootcamp is just before the 1 st competition sometime in Jan-Feb and is for company members over 5 hours. Bootcamp runs for a full week including either the Saturday before or just after the week of classes. Attendance is mandatory. All company members will dance at our Benefit Concert (Nov 21,) Company Showcase (May 6) and Recital (May 30.) All company members will participate in our Ballet Showcase, May 30. Company members should remain physically fit. Good fitness and eating habit are important since dance is a visual art. Company members must also not have any unnatural hair colors or hair that is too short to be worn as the rest of the company for performances. Company members are not allowed any tattoos that show or piercings besides earrings. Communication is sent via email and posted on the studio website. It is company member s responsibility to be current on all events and stay in communication with your company director. All company members and their parents are required to have proper sportsmanship and show kindness and support to Pointe dancers. All company members are expected to mentor younger dancers and provide assistance when needed. Company members agree to have a positive attitude in class and should be courteous to teachers and fellow students. They are expected to work to their full potential, apply corrections and be an example to those around them. Company members should follow The Pointe s dress code as stated below. All older dancers should wear proper undergarments (thongs) with their hot shorts, leotards and costumes as well as supportive bras when needed. For those competing solo/duo/trios, The Pointe prefers that you do not show your stomachs, but requires that all costumes are tasteful and appropriate. The same is required of convention attire. You may not show stomachs in any Pointe Concert. ~Ballet: Girls: Chocolate Brown leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers no underwear or regular bras, sport bras only in neutral colors. Hair in bun securely fastened to head, no whispies. Boys: Solid colored T-shirt or tank top, black shorts or black tight pants, black socks, black ballet slippers, dance belt when appropriate. If wearing shorts form fitting bike shorts must we worn. ~Jazz and Tap: Any dancewear that is fitted and modest-no half tops/bare midriffs. No baggy clothing will be permitted. Hot shorts or tight jazz pants with a fitted tank/cami top is preferred. Tan gore boots or foot undeez for jazz, tap shoes for tap. Hair should be securely in a ponytail or bun away from your face. ~Funk/Hip Hop: Loose clothing to facilitate movement and tennis shoes. Company members who are interested in doing a solo/duo/trio should let your company director know. It will be your responsibility to find a choreographer and set up time to learn and rehearse your piece as well as find your own costume. All soloists will be required a minimum of 4 cleaning sessions with an approved teacher once the choreography has been learned, then will need to pass off their piece to a Pointe director. The Pointe cannot guarantee that you will be able to perform your solo at every competition since some competitions put limits on that we can bring. Competitions/Conventions: Do not ever leave without checking with your company director. It is very important that you get approval before you leave and what time you should return. Competitions can sometimes run early or late. All dancers are expected to stay for awards and you must wear your warmups. If awards are right after your dance, please wear your warmup jacket over your costume. If you do not have on your warmup jacket, you will not be allowed to sit with your team for awards. During awards, Pointe dancers are expected to be polite and respectful of other dancers and should always cheer for everyone! Dancers should rotate who goes up to get the award. Younger dancers should check with their company director for who will pick up awards. For concerns regarding a competition, please speak with your company director and do not approach competition staff. There are times when you may have to miss school or leave school early depending on the schedule. This also means that you may have to get your child out of school early to do their hair and makeup and arrive on time. Please make sure that after awards you stay for a company picture onstage and do not leave until your company director excuses you. ODP Company Members: Need to be available for the following Odyssey Shows: Thriller (entire month of October,) Redux Nut-cracker (December,) and Spring Show (February/March) and agree to the upmost professionalism throughout each show. ODP members will also help daily with light cleaning duties around the studio and will assist at least 1 class per week.
Solo Duo Trio Guidelines for Pointe Company Members We encourage all company members to do a solo, duo, or trio as it is a great opportunity to improve and gain more performing experience. Below are a few guidelines to help you. You will need to hire your own choreographer. We prefer choreographers who are current Pointe faculty or have worked with The Pointe in the past. If you would like to use an outside choreographer, please preapprove with either Jessica or Tiffany. You will work with that choreographer on style and music. In order to use studio space at The Pointe, you will need to set up time with the studio. You should email schedulethepointe@gmail.com to set up a time. Studio space is $10/hour for a small room or $15/hour for a large room (Studio 1 or 6.) All choreography needs to be completed by December 31 st. All those doing a solo, duo or trio will need to audition their piece in January for Pointe directors where feedback will be given along with recommendations for which competitions would be best to compete. We do expect all company members to uphold to the Pointe quality with their pieces and those who are not ready to represent the Pointe will not be allowed to compete. We will invite the pieces we feel best represent the Pointe in all levels (Mini, Jr, Teen, Sr) to compete at our top conventions such as Jump, Nuvo and 24-7 since these conventions/competitions place limits on the number of pieces we can bring. There will be a $10 fee required to audition and all pieces must audition in order to compete. Those pieces which are not ready after auditioning will not be allowed to compete and refunds are not given. Music should be pre- approved with Jessica (thepointe.jessica@gmail.com) before beginning your piece. This is the best way to eliminate duplicates. Costumes should also be pre- approved with either Jessica or Tiffany. All music/costumes must be tasteful and age appropriate. Please follow The Pointe s dress code in choosing your costumes as stated in your Company Policies. A minimum of six 1 hour cleaning sessions with either your choreographer or a Pointe faculty member is required for all those doing a solo/duo/trio so that you have proper cleaning of your piece. It is also recommended that you spend at least 1 hour with a ballet instructor in order to ensure proper ballet technique is achieved in your piece. Weekly practice on your own will also be very important and necessary to become adequately prepared to compete. In order to compete, you must register by filling out a Solo/Duo/Trio registration form and pay (cashier s check or money order, payable to the competition) on or before the due date. The Pointe will send out due dates; however, it will be your responsibility to get your registration/payment to the studio on time. Those who miss deadlines WILL NOT be registered. It takes a great deal of time to register info and thus late registrations will not be accepted. Note: Ballet solos must follow the above guidelines; however all choreography, music and costuming should be preapproved through Candice.
THE POINTE ACADEMY PERFORMANCE AND COMPETITION GUIDE AND INFORMATION Competition Information 1. Competitions are typically held on a Friday and Saturday. Larger competitions will also sometimes be held on a Thursday. In most cases solo/duo/trios are held on Friday (sometimes Thursday) and groups on Saturday however this is not always the case and you should always be available both days. 2. We send out information for competition including details on arrival time as soon as we receive it from the competition company (usually 1 week prior.) Arrival times are very important. Competition can be a stressful time and we always allow plenty of time just in case. 3. Please be sure to pack items ahead of time and use your costume checklists to make sure you have every item you need. If you do not have your costume and/or correct accessories and shoes you will not dance. 4. Some competitions do charge admission so please be prepared to pay if needed. The dancers typically will not need to pay. 5. Bring water and snacks, but please be sure to clean up! 6. Do not ever leave without checking with your company director. Sometimes there are large breaks in between numbers. It is very important that you find out if it is ok to leave and if so what time you should return. Competitions can sometimes run early or late. 7. All dancers are expected to stay for awards. You must wear your warmups! If awards are right after your dance, please wear your warmup jacket over your costume. If you do not have on your warmup jacket, you will not be allowed to sit with your team for awards. During awards, Pointe dancers are expected to be polite and respectful of other dancers and should always cheer for everyone! Dancers should rotate who goes up to get the award. Younger dancers should check with their company director for who will pick up awards. 8. For concerns regarding a competition, please speak with your company director and do not approach competition staff. 9. There are times when you may have to miss school or leave school early depending on the schedule. This also means that you may have to get your child out of school early to do their hair and makeup and arrive on time. 10. If you are doing a SOLO- DUO- TRIO Watch your email for due dates for competition entry fees. All fees will be due with either a cashier s check or money order made out directly to the competition company. Also, you may need to turn in your own music to the competition company. Please check with a director. Always keep a back up with you. 11. You must arrive on time. Arriving late creates stress on your director, team and other parents. Plan ahead for traffic and other variables. 12. 100% attendance is required at competition even if you are ill. Refunds are never available. Convention Information 1. Conventions are workshops where top industry professionals come to an area hotel or convention center and teach classes. There are typically classes in jazz, contemporary, lyrical, tap, ballet and hip hop. Conventions are a great way to gain access to the latest dance styles and trends. Typically class sizes are large and dancers will find they need to fight their way to be in the front. We do our part to prepare our dancers for conventions in class. 2. For dancers on Elite and Touring companies we will attend 1-3 conventions as a studio, however you are always welcome to attend other conventions on your own. 3. Conventions are Friday and Saturday, sometimes Thursday and will run all day and typically go late. For those in younger divisions typically under age 8 the will be slightly shorter. For those approximately ages 9 & up, plan on dancers taking classes from 2 or 3pm on Friday until up to 11pm that evening. Then Saturday an early morning and classes running until late Saturday night. Each convention schedule is slightly different and we will send details when we receive them. 4. Directors will be at the convention, but are not there to watch your children, as they will be in and out of classes. Parents may need to stay if they feel like their child needs extra supervision. All dancers need to be with a buddy at all times. 5. Dancers should wear fitted dance attire with their hair in a bun for convention. They should also wear their Pointe jacket in between classes. Dancers need all shoes including: ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop sneakers. 6. We will most likely also compete some of our pieces at convention. See competition info above. 7. You must arrive on time. Arriving late creates stress on your director, team and other parents. Plan ahead for traffic and other variables. 8. Refunds for convention are not available. Performance Information 1. We do several performances at local auditoriums. Detailed show info will be sent approximately 1 to 2 weeks prior to the show. 2. We also perform at local athletic events. Please be prepared to pay admission to these events although dancers will not need to pay. 3. Please always be early. Being late creates unnecessary stress on you as well as your director and team mates. 4. Please be sure to pack items ahead of time and use your costume checklists to make sure you have every item you need. If you do not have your costume and/or correct accessories and shoes you will not dance.
Tips and Guidelines for Underwear to wear with Company Costumes for Ladies 1. No full bottom panties should ever be worn under a costume. If you are wearing tights, your tights serve as underwear although you may wear a flesh colored thong if you would like. 2. For our older dancers if you are not wearing tights with a costume, you must wear some type of underwear. There are 2 options: a. Wear a flesh colored thong or b. Wear tan seamless hot shorts this will only work if the costume has hot shorts. For unitard or pants, you will need to wear a thong or long tan tights that do not show. The below link is an option for seamless hot shorts: http://www.target.com/s/seamless+shorts?ref=tgt_adv_xs000000&afid=google&cpng=womens&adgroup=apparel_c9+b y+champion&lnm=seamless%20shorts&mt=broad&lid=22p15635131&kid=537ef45c- 1b50- cf48- a2b2-000013c27403 3. For dancers who need a bra, we suggest a stick on bra. This bra from Walmart is great! http://www.walmart.com/ip/lingerie- Solutions- Backless- Strapless- Silicone- Adhesive- Bra/7678784 4. If you just need a little bit of coverage you may wear a flesh colored bra. You just may not have any straps showing even if they are clear or tan colored. You may sew in a bra or bra cups if you would like. Bra cups and sew in bras may be purchased from Jo Ann Fabrics. 5. Please do not wear a tan leotard with company costumes unless it does not show or you have been instructed by your company director to wear a tan leotard. Ballet Costumes: All ballet costumes, which are rented from The Pointe, must be worn with a tan leotard. Ballet costumes are typically rented for ages 9 and up.