Student Dance Company 2010-2011

The Arts Mentorship Program (AMP) runs 5 Student Dance Companies, providing pre-professional experience for serious dancers ages 9-20 years old. Students must participate in a rigorous month-long audition process (applications, dancing, oral/written interviews) to enter one of five dance companies (Impact, Vibe, Impulse, Axis and Axis Pro) which combined include 40 dancers. Company dancers are trained in ballet and jazz technique, choreography, and have opportunities to attend Master Classes, travel to conventions, and perform at local events.

Through AMP’s partnership with Santa Barbara Dance Arts, company dancers receive their formal dance training through a broad and rigorous curriculum offered by Dance Arts faculty. Company members are also trained in mentorship and philanthropy. Dancers serve as dance company captains, big sisters to younger dancers, and teaching assistants. Company dancers also learn about the business of running and sustaining dance programs at a local level. Our companies have their own annual show at Center Stage Theatre called Configuration in which the company members perform their repertory and are taught to choreograph and assist in production, lighting, and costuming. Year after year, Company members insist this is their favorite weekend of the year and in 2010 we sold out 4 shows! Collaborating with Santa Barbara Dance Arts has allowed AMP to host its second annual Student Choreography Showcase directly in a dance studio. This show was completely directed and produced by the Axis and Axis Pro Dance Companies with the assistance of the other three companies. These young philanthropists raised over $5000 for the Arts Mentorship Program scholarship and company programs.

AMP’s Student Dance Companies also have unique opportunities to perform and travel. The dancers attend The PULSE Convention in Las Vegas with So You Think You Can Dance and America’s Best Dance Crew professionals. In 2010, Axis Dance Company received the great honor of being the Faculty Favorite and was invited to perform in NYC and LA. The Dance Companies also perform at local events including: SBCC Football Game Halftime, UCSB Gaucho Basketball Halftime, The Lemon Festival, Earth Day, MUS Carnival, Crane School, SB International Film Festival, Dance Alliance Teen Choreographers Showcase, and the Santa Barbara Dance Alliance’s BASSH, and Santa Barbara Dance Day. For Student Dance Company requirements, application, calendars, and information, please click on the links.

Audition 2010 Specific Info (Read on for Audition Description/Basics)

• The date for the 10/11 audition is September 10th and 11th .
  
• In preparation for the audition and the start of classes (September 20th) we offer an audition prep/mini session.
• Click here to download the revised AUDITION PREP and AUDITION SIGN UP SHEET. Due by August 14th!
  
• 2010-2011 COMPANY AUDITION PACKET - Must be completed and brought to auditions. THIS IS REQUIRED!! Click HERE to download
  
• Axis Pro Supplemental Packet - Click HERE to download
  
• Click here for the 10-11 Company Calendar
  
• Pre audition private consultations are available and recommended. $50 per hour and $85 per hour. Contact info@ampsb.org to schedule. It is best to set these before summer or early summer so your dancer has time to work on the feedback from the directors.

Requirements to Audition

In order to audition dancers must be: at least 9 years old, be able to execute a double pirouette, double chaine, grande jete , and have a THOROUGH review of calendar (above) and understanding of time & commitment. Once a dancer is in company they will sign a contract and be held accountable for their attendance in required classes and their behavior. Please ask the directors if you would like to see a sample contract. We generally accept 32 ­ 42 dancers depending on ability, age, size, and how many dancers audition.

We encourage ALL interested dancers to audition even if it is for the EXPERIENCE! It takes pressure off of future audition year.

Company Requirements and Cost

NOTE: In 2011-2012 season, placement will be made in the FALL as opposed to the SPRING. The first week of classes will be an audition. All dancers must come to their 2009/10 classes the first week or two to be assessed. Therefore training throughout the summer will affect your dancer’s placement.

Axis Senior Dance Company
Company Class – Tuesdays 7:00 – 8:30
Jazz 2x week, Ballet 2x per week (First class is an audition) and one additional class.

Axis Professional Dance Company
Jazz 2x week, Ballet 2x per week, and rehearsals TBD by company
PLUS flexible choices for college bound and University dancers to meet extra requirements (see Axis PRO supplemental packet for rehearsals and details)

Impulse, Vibe & Impact
Company Class – Friday 5:15 – 6:45pm Jazz class 2x per week, and Ballet 2x per week.

Payment

Checks are due at orientation along with a deposit for Convention. Please make them payable to the Arts Mentorship Program. There are TWO need based scholarships available for company this year because of the Student Choreography Showcase fundraiser in 2010. Axis made this a priority as a part of their philanthropy. Due to the generous support of private donors and grants there are limited scholarship funds available via AMP. To apply for a scholarship visit www.ampsb.org to download an application There are no scholarships available for convention.

A Word From the Directors About Auditions ...

Auditions are not an easy process, however they are a fact of life in the performing arts. Our company used to exist without auditions, however it became clear that so many young dancers wanted to be a part of the experience we needed to open it up to new faces and feet each year; plus existing company members will not lose motivation to constantly improve their dancing!

The process itself is based on a system of points that is assigned throughout the audition in areas of performance, technique, and ability to pick up material. In certain exercises points are assigned for creativity, behavior, and ability to follow directions. The end result is based on point totals. Then last year's company members are given an extra consideration based on their performance, attitudes, and improvements based on the previous year.

No matter what the outcome, auditions can be a very difficult but rewarding process. We hope dancers walk away from the experience challenged, aware of their strengths and areas that need improvement, and prepared for future auditions in their life. Local ballet companies, school dance and cheer teams, and all national college dance programs require auditions and we are confident this will make them better prepared for their future dance career! We know it will be bright.

After auditions are over, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns or would like to schedule a review with Steven and Alana.

Pre audition consultations are available and recommended. $50 per hour and $85 per hour. Contact alana@sbdancearts.com to schedule. It is best to set these before summer or early summer so your dancer has time to work on the feedback from the directors.

Audition Components

Warm ups, orientation/meetings & breaks/lunch will be given throughout the audition process

Auditions will be judged on a point system based on: technique, performance skills, behavior/attitude, ability to pick up new material and interviews/packets will be rated on a point system as well. Final results are determined by point totals over the entire audition experience.

Note: Company members from previous year will have a set of bonus points based on their performance and behavior the prior year. (This can be a plus or minus factor.)

AUDITION DAY 1
Audition Packet (SEE ABOVE)- Must be submitted at the beginning of the audition. STUDENTS WITHOUT PACKET WILL HAVE POINT DEDUCTIONS!
Learn X Flr and combinations -Will be evaluated on ability to pick up new material, performance, and showmanship (20% - 30% of audition points)

AUDITION DAY 2
X-Floor - Technique, Improv, & Choreography
Combinations - run pieces/combinations learned on DAY 1 - focus on showmanship & performance
Interviews - group interviews

Contract and Points

At the orientation, company members and parents sign a contract for the year. We use points to track attendance, and behavior and maintain accountability to thier team and help re-enforce responsibility.
GUIDELINES - ALL COMPANY MEMBERS START WITH 100 POINTS

1. All attendance points apply to COMPANY CLASS, TECHNIQUE CLASS, and BALLET/LYRICAL CLASS for the ENTIRE YEAR!
2. -10 points per absence & -5 points per tardy (No points are given for illness, religious holiday or MANDATORY school events. )  
3. All behavior points apply to ANY DANCE ARTS class, Performance, event!
4. 4. If any company member gets -80 points, they are put on warning (parents and student will be notified).
5. If any company member gets -100 points, they will expelled from the company and replaced by an alternate.
6. Company members that are expelled MAY audition the following year.
7. Any infractions (including expulsions) will be taken into consideration for auditions the following year.

Giving Back and Company Sisters

This year we are asking that our company members ‘give back’ to the Arts Mentorship Program by volunteering for various events throughout the year. This last year, we added our Sisters program where each of our Company members was assigned a Sister. This helped newer company members be paired with our seasoned veterans and feel welcomed into the program.

Compare and Contrast: Company vs. Dance Team (Emeralds etc) or OTHER Activities

At some point all young people must start to make choices as they become more committed to their various after-school activities. We do not necessarily ascribe to that philosophy and encourage our dancers to be well-rounded and involved with activities outside of dance. We do say this with an ounce of caution as we do not like to see dancers over-extended or under committed as this is about the Company/team not just the individual. When deciding if Company is right for you, please look at our Calendar and be realistic about your ability to commit to all necessary dates. We do mean mandatory when it is stated and the spirit of the group requires all members to participate when called upon.

Our program is VERY different than school dance teams. Our mission and focus are fundamentally different along with the cost and commitment. Both are great programs, but one may suit your young dancer better than another. OR, you may opt to do both! Please feel free to contact us if you have questions. We also have several mothers who have had daughters do both programs and that can offer some insight. Unfortunately, Markettes/Cheer is not complimentary with our program at this time.