About the Company

The Rachel Park Dance Company is a performing troupe comprised of students from the Rachel Park Dance Center.  The Company has performed at local nursing homes and rehabilitation centers as well as at our annual Spring Festival.  The Company has also competed at the regional & national level at competitions such as Starquest, On Stage America, Ticket to Broadway, Dance Ovations and International Dance Challenge bringing home platinum, gold, silver and  special awards, as well as  overall high score awards.  Membership in the Rachel Park Dance Company is upon recommendation of students’ instructor(s) and the Artistic Director.   Students must possess the following qualities in order for recommendation :  ABILITY, COMMITMENT, POSITIVE ATTITUDE, MATURITY, RESPONSIBILITY, FOCUS, DETERMINATION and GOOD CLASS ATTENDANCE.

 Class Requirements

Company members  are required   to enroll in :   2 Ballet classes/wk, 1 Jazz class/wk, 1 Modern class/wk, 1 Tap class/wk and 1 Stretch class/wk.  Hip Hop class is optional.   In order to be chosen for any Hip Hop  choreography Company members must be enrolled in a Hip Hop class.  Company members are encouraged to enroll  in the Advanced Dance Studies Program (ADSP) to allow for Unlimited Classes at a very affordable rate.

 Rehearsals & Choreography

Company members learn proper technique & recital routine during their regularly scheduled class times.                                                                            

Company choreography rehearsals are scheduled at times other than their regular classes in order to focus solely on company choreography.  Company members are not necessarily chosen for all company choreography.  There is a rehearsal fee for each individual piece of choreography in which a member dances.  A separate costume is needed for each piece of choreography. Company rehearsal schedules are posted on the Company bulletin board located in the Dance Center lobby.  Schedules are also  posted in each studio.  During school vacation weeks additional rehearsals are often necessaryand are mandatory.    Additional mandatory rehearsals  are often  needed as each performance and competition date approaches. 

* Most Company choreography is not included in our June recital program.  However, occasionally certain Company choreography is chosen for the June recital  by the Artistic Director.

 Class and Rehearsal Attire

Company members are  required to have a black camisole leotard, pink convertible tights, black convertible or footless tights ,  pink split sole leather  ballet shoes,  black pull-on jazz booties and black Giordano or Bloch tap oxfords.

Additional tights and/or shoes are often needed for certain choreography (fishnets, tan/black/pink footed, footless or stirrup tights,character shoes, pedinis, foot thongs, etc.)  All members must purchase a flesh colored camisole leotard to wear under costumes. 

 Performance

The Company performs each Spring at local nursing homes and rehabilitation centers as well as at the Rachel Park Dance Center’s annual Spring Festival (a showcase of student choreography)

The Company  also attends three regional  dance competitions each year during the spring.  The Company also works toward attending one national competition during the summer. 

* Attendance at all performances and competitions is MANDATORY.

 Attendance

Dance Company members are expected to maintain regular attendance at all technique classes and Company rehearsals.    Any member missing  technique classes or rehearsals runs the risk of being removed from the Company.  Exceptions are not  made for family vacations, birthday parties, and/or school activities.   These events should be scheduled at times other than those scheduled for Dance Company classes and rehearsals.  Members are expected to honor their commitment to everyone involved in the Dance Company.   The Dance Company is expected to work as a team; therefore the attendance policy must be srongly enforced. 

*In the case of prolonged illness/injury or emergency the Artistic Director will carefully evaluate the situation

 Workshops / Master Classes

Dance Company members are expected to attend workshops and master classes throughout the year to supplement and enhance their regular training at the Rachel Park Dance Center.  Dance Company members are expected to open themselves up to new opportunities and diverse dance styles in order to allow themselves to become well-rounded dancers.

 Employment

Dance Company members are encouraged to apply for assistant instructor positions at the Rachel Park Dance Center.  Members interested in applying should speak with the Artistic Director.  Assistant instructors are expected to attend  a meeting with the Artistic Director early in the year to discuss assistant instructor responsibilities and curriculum plans.  Assistants are also expected to attend several meetings with the Artistic Director throughout the year to assess their performance and discuss anything of importance in regard to their position. 

 Please Note :

Prospective members are STRONGLY encouraged to thoughtfully consider the above and determine whether there will be any conflicts of interest.