Company 2008-09

CenterStage Academyof the Performing Arts is highly dedicated to giving its students every opportunity to improve and excel as performers. For this reason, we offer a competitive dance and performance company for highly motivated and dedicated dancers 4th grade and up! Company dancers get the chance to learn awesome routines, gain even more class time improving their technical ability, and compete and perform with some of the best dancers in the Midwest! The goals of our team are to provide dancers with opportunities beyond the four walls of our studio, to inspire, to motivate, to challenge, and to enrich them in every way we can. We pride our team on not only on excellent technical level, but fun and exciting routines that maintain wholesome values.


Company Intensive

New and returning students are required to attend the Company Intensive August 7, 8, 11, and 12 and the Company audition on August 13. These classes will give students the chance get back into the swing of the things after a long break! Dancers will get the chance to brush up on technique in jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical/modern, and hip hop. They will also learn the audition combinations and go through a mock audition to help ease their nerves! Most importantly, it gives all dancers the opportunity to see what it's like to be involved in Company! Any conflicts with these dates need to be discussed with the Company Director.
Placement Structure

Students are chosen for routines based on skill level. All dancers who attend the audition will be placed in at least one large group or line routine. Dancers are chosen for these routines first, and then placed in small groups at the choreographer's discretion. Parents and students should make the decision together of how many routines they would like to participate in based on financial/time commitment and desire. You will be asked to note this on the audition form. It is highly recommendedthat dancers participate in a minimum of 2 routines. This gives students a chance to really get the most out the team experience and get involved!


Time Commitment and Attendance

A strong commitment to dance, their achievement, and the team is a key part of a Company dancer's mindset. Company dancers are required to participate from August 2008 through July 2009. All students and parents will be required to sign an agreement stating their intention of fulfilling this commitment. Students must be enrolled in the appropriate levels of jazz, tap, ballet, and leaps and turns throughout the year and show exemplary attendance in these classes. Absences in regular weekly classes must be made up in a comparable class approved by the teacher. Attendance at ALL company rehearsals is expected. Students will be allowed 2 absences from these rehearsals, but are expected to be in attendance the 2 weeks prior to any competition. Company will attend 3 weekend competitions, hold regular weekend rehearsals (usually on Sundays). Also, throughout the year, Center Stage receives invitations to perform at various community events. It
is important that we accept the invitations. Company will be asked to perform at some of these events. It gives us a chance to show our community what we've got, gives us extra performance time to help prepare for competitions, and allows dancers to build character by giving back! Please be aware of this when making the decision if Company is right for you!

Financial Commitment

Being a Company dancer does require a certain amount of financial commitment. In order to keep things as simple as possible, company costs will be as follows:

$20 administrative fee per dancer per year
$120 Company intensive fee
$250 per dancer per routine

Company fee's will be divided into 5 equal payments drafted in September, October, November, January, and February. If you like, a one-time upfront payment of these fee's may also be made. This includes coach's fees, costume including tights, leaps and turns class tuition, and competition fees for 3 regional competitions. Fees for nationals will be determined at a later date. We cannot include these fees in the base fee since we are unaware of our qualification for nationals. Also, remember that your costume will not include shoes and there may additional cost if a specific shoe is required for a routine. To help offset the cost, we will offer a variety of fundraising opportunities throughout the season. Please consult the fundraising section of this handbook for more information.


Fundraising

We want to make fundraisers a bigger part of our focus in the coming season. We strive to keep Company as affordable as possible and help with that we are dedicated to offering many unique fundraising opportunities to our dancers! In order to get a head start on the busy year ahead, we will be offering several fundraisers over the summer and will continue to fundraise all year long. Fundraising is most certainly optional, but is definitely encouraged! Some fundraisers to watch for may include:

Garage sales
Fall bread sale
CSA nights at local restaurants
Local business sponsorships
Pizza kit sales
Raffles
Scratch cards
Parent’s night out
Magazine Sales
And more!

We are always looking for new fundraisers! If you have an idea that you think would make a great fundraiser for Company, let us know!


Save the Date

Here is a brief list of some dates to plan for. Of course, this is a VERY tentative schedule to demonstrate the time commitment necessary. A more detailed schedule will be issued as dates become available. Also, be aware that our rehearsals are usually held on Sundays (most every weekend during the fall and early spring unless noted below as a break).

August 7-13 Company Intensive and Audition
August Possible Pizza Kit Sale Launch
August 23 Company Garage Sale
September 7 Rehearsals begin
October 12 Possible Showbiz Convention
October 20 Possibel Bread Sale Launch
November 30 Thanksgiving break
December 21 Christmas break
January 4 Rehearsals resume
January 31 Company Lock-in
February 13-15 Starpower Competition*
March 13-15 Showbiz or Nexstar Competitions*
March 20-22 Showstopper Competition*
April 16-19 Talent on Parade Competition*
May 17 OR 24 Brush up Rehearsal for Recital
May 29-30 Recital

* indicates possible competitions, we will chose 3 of these.


Pre-Company is a brand new program for dancers entering kindergarten through 3rd grades. This program is designed to give our younger dancers a chance to improve and perform outside of the yearly recital. Pre-Company dancers will take an hour long once a week, focusing on technique and learning 1 routine that they will compete at one or two dance competition in the Spring. They may also be asked to dance at various community events throughout the year. No previous dance experience is necessary to participate, just a love for dance and a desire to work hard and be their very best! Students must be enrolled in a combo OR ballet class throughout the year. Pre-Company costs will include regular monthly tuition for the additional 1 hour class, $60 costume fee, tights and shoes, and competition fees of $30-35 per competition. Class day and time will be announced shortly, so check back often. Depending on the number of interested students, a second class
may be added to accommodate different ages and levels. Any questions or if you are interested in participating, please e-mail Kristen Kemp at kdrice13@yahoo.com. Thank you!

Frequently Asked Questions

I have only been dancing for one year, can I still join company?

Absolutely! We have a place for dancers of all skill levels and dancers are placed appropriately in routines based on their skill level. If you are ready to dedicate yourself and motivated to succeed then we would love to have you on our team!

I am not currently enrolled in all the required classes, am I still eligible?

Yes, but you must register for all required classes for next fall and continue in those classes throughout the entire year.

Are Company members required to purchase warm-ups?

No, but over the last several years most members have elected to do so. Warm-ups help us look and feel like team! We will be keeping the same style warm-ups as last year and the cost usually runs between $65-75.

Where are the competitions held?

The regional competitions we attend are located at various venues in Kansas City and Overland Park.

How will I be able to stay informed about company events, rehearsals, etc.?

E-mail will be our primary means of communication. It will be important that you check it daily to stay up to date on the latest news. We will, however, post reminders at the studio and send home handouts when necessary.