The Rachel Park Dance Company

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 throughout the community at nursing homes and rehabilitation centers as well as at our annual Spring Festival. The Company has also performed to help raise money for several cancer benefits and area women’s shelters as well as at the Henry B. Burkland Elementary School in Middleboro. They have competed at competitions such as Starquest, On Stage America, Ticket to Broadway, Dance Ovations, American Dance Awards, Showstoppers and International Dance Challenge bringing home platinum, gold, silver and special awards, as well as overall high score awards.. Several Dance Company members have gone on to college to major in dance, earning degrees in the arts and some have even returned to the Dance Center to teach and choreograph.

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: TECHNICAL ABILITY, COMMITMENT, POSITIVE ATTITUDE, MATURITY, RESPONSIBILITY, FOCUS, DETERMINATION AND GOOD CLASS ATTENDANCE.

RPDCKids

RPDCKids is a performing troupe comprised of younger students from the Rachel Park Dance Center which serves as the preliminary training ground for the Rachel Park Dance Company.

Class Requirements

Company members are required to enroll in the required technique classes. Please speak with Rachel Park for further information. Company members must attend at least one week of summer classes at the Dance Center and are encouraged to enroll in the Advanced Dance Studies Program (ADSP) to allow for Unlimited Classes at a very affordable rate.

Choreography Rehearsals

Company members learn proper technique and a recital piece during their regularly scheduled class times.

Company choreography rehearsals are scheduled at times other than their regular classes in order to focus s

olely on company choreography. Company members are only chosen for choreography in the styles of dance in which they study during the week. There is a special choreography fee for each individual piece of choreography in which a member dances. A separate costume is needed for each piece of choreography. Company rehearsals 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 necessary and are mandatory. Additional mandatory rehearsals are often needed as each performance and competition date approaches.

*Certain company choreography may be chosen by the Artistic Director for the June recital.

Class and Rehearsal Attire

Company members are required to follow the Dance Center dress code for their regularly scheduled classes. For special choreography rehearsals dancers are required to wear a black tank or camisole leotard and pink convertible tights. Members are required to purchase a Dance Company jacket and special pants that they will wear to all performances and competitions as well as to and from all special choreography rehearsals.

Additional tights and/or shoes are often needed for certain choreography. All members must purchase a flesh colored camisole leotard to wear under all costumes.

Performance

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

The Company also attends two or three dance competitions during the Spring and often 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 choreography rehearsals. Any member missing 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 strictly enforce

*In the case of prolonged illness or emergency the Artistic Director will carefully evaluate the situation. If a member is injured, he/she is required to observe class & rehearsals.

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 encouraged 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. Applicants must be at least 13 years of age. Members interested in applying should speak with the Rachel Park. Assistant instructors are expected to attend a meeting early in the year to discuss assistant instructor responsibilities and requirements. Assistants are also expected to attend all other meetings during 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.