2024/2025 Dance Season
Group auditions for the 2024/2025 Dance Company are closed, but auditions may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. To learn more or discuss your options, contact Heather Dennen, Director of Dance, at hdennen@bw.edu or (216) 372-8062.
Please check back for updated information regarding next year's company or sign up for our mailing list to be notified when group auditions re-open.
The Community Arts School Dance Company
The BW CAS Dance Company is a comprehensive dance program for serious dancers and students looking to build their technical skills. Our goal is to give students the highest quality education in multiple dance genres and create the most well-rounded dancer possible. Dance Company works as a bridge to the dance industry, preparing dedicated students to reach their fullest potential. Participants can expect small class settings, personalized critiques, and focused instruction.
The Dance Company works as a team training focused on building lifelong friendships in a non-competitive environment. Personalized curriculum tracks allow company members to focus on their individual goals and aspirations. With the support of an exemplary faculty, company dancers receive the well-rounded training required of marketable dancers.
Contact Heather Dennen, Director of Dance, at hdennen@bw.edu or (216) 372-8062 to learn more or with any questions.
The Dance Company curriculum is specifically designed to be well rounded and comprehensive. The curriculum mirrors the ever-evolving scope of the dance world and empowers our dancers to be relevant, knowledgeable, and employable in the current dance landscape.
We train dancers on and beyond the dance floor. Company dancers set personal goals and are assisted in taking the steps needed to achieve these goals. Anatomy and kinesiology are studied throughout our classes, so students are educated in proper technique, injury prevention, and recovery methods to keep them dancing for many years to come.
Expert faculty guide Dance Company students using their own blend of professional, yet relatable, experience. Dance Company faculty focus on the dancer as a whole artist and place emphasis on the mindset, confidence, work ethic, and joy of each individual dancer.
The Company schedule will include weekly classes in the following genres:
- Acro
- Ballet
- Contemporary
- Jazz
- Musical Theatre Dance
The schedule will also include weekly classes in the following specialty genres:
- Dynamic Technique: Technical approach to muscle memory to improve understanding of core stability, weight placement, and alignment for increased flexibility, strength, and technique in dancers
- Jumps, Leaps, and Turns: Technical skills and tricks needed across multiple genres
- Commercial Dance: Dance artistry and stylization found in movies, music videos and TV (eligible tracks only)
In addition to these weekly classes, Dance Company will have master classes scheduled throughout the year. Each master class will have a specific focus designed to help our students grow in their knowledge of dance technique, audition preparation, vocals, acting, health and wellness, and more!
As part of Dance Company, each student will receive two (2) half-hour meetings with a dance faculty advisor to help set goals, construct a personalized training plan, and address any questions or concerns.
Team bonding events designed to build relationships and friendships within the company will be scheduled throughout the season. Specific effort is made for the Dance Company to create a team-oriented culture and we have a lot of fun along the way!
The Baldwin Wallace Community Arts School is committed to providing Dance Company with meaningful performance opportunities throughout the season. These performances will be specifically designed to let the dancers push the boundaries of their artistry, have first-hand experience in a professional performance environment, and give the dancers unique opportunities they could not have anywhere else.
Performance rehearsals will be added to the dancer’s weekly class schedule. The days and times of these additional rehearsals will be communicated prior to the first rehearsal to allow families to plan accordingly. All Dance Company members will be invited to a minimum of three performance opportunities during the season.
In addition to the performances, select Dance Company dancers will have the opportunity to collaborate with Baldwin Wallace University on additional performance(s) during the season. These dancers will be part of a Dance Company Performance Ensemble. The dancers who work as a part of this Ensemble can expect an additional 2 – 5 performances per year.
If your dancer is interested in performing in additional performance opportunities, they will be able to state their interest during their audition sign-up. This performance troupe requires additional rehearsal commitments. A decision to not participate in the Performance Ensemble does not affect Dance Company eligibility. Performance eligibility is at the sole discretion of the Director of Dance.
The Dance Company is for any student focused on advancing and honing their technical skillset with a strong commitment to their personal dance education. Dance Company is designed to benefit students pursuing professional dance careers, but it is not limited to students who want to dance professionally. Dance and dedication to a training company provides many benefits outside of dance technique including work ethic, increased confidence, time management, teamwork, sportsmanship, and much more. Dance Company is also rewarding and fun. The Dance Company faculty dedicate themselves to ensuring that any student coming through the program will have both the dance technique and the personal knowledge to be successful at anything they wish to pursue in the future.
Any student age 7 - 18 may audition for the Dance Company. Upon acceptance into the Dance Company, each student will receive their own individual track designed to provide the best opportunity for development and growth.
NOTE: Company selection and placement will be at the sole discretion of the Director of Dance.
Do you have a dancer between the ages of 6 - 10 with limited experience who is interested in exploring multiple dance genres and performances in a fun way with less commitment? See the BW CAS Petite Dance Company, which provides young dancers with an exciting stepping stone into the company track without the full time and financial requirements of being a Dance Company member.
The Dance Company is divided into skill-appropriate tracks. Individual students will be placed into classes that are best suited for their individual goals and their individual skill level within each genre. Each genre and class will be evaluated separately to create a tailored experience that is best for each dancer. While all Dance Company classes are specifically for Dance Company, students may not take every class with the same company dancers. This customization allows dancers to work at a level that is most beneficial to their current needs and skill set.
Dancers can expect to take between six (6) and twelve (12) hours of technique classes per week. Class volume will be decided on track placement. Placement is at the sole discretion of the Director of Dance.
Please note that rehearsals for all shows will be in addition to this base of technique classes.
All company members will receive their own personalized schedule after audition placement. Each dancer’s unique schedule will be based on their own goals and their current level in each individual genre. Dancers will be scheduled for class within the time frames listed below based on their individual track assignments. Dancers will not be scheduled for every listed time.
DAYTIMES
| Monday | 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. |
| Saturday | 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. |
Exact times subject to change.
* Please note that ALL performance rehearsal times will be in addition to these scheduled class times.
NEW for the 2024-2025 season!
In addition to dancer’s weekly assigned tracks Dance Company Dancers will have the option to add on Tap and Choreography Composition classes.
Tap:
Weekly 45 min tap class. Day and time determined by current tap level. Dance Company dancers can add this class to their schedule for the reduced rate of $235.00.
Choreography Composition:
Monthly 90 min class with a capstone project of student choreography performed in recital. Dancers will learn the intricacies of creating choreography and bringing their visions to life. Company dancers can add this track to their schedule for $185.00.
The Dance Company dancers will be eligible to participate in travel opportunities during the 2024/2025 season. Participation in these travel events in highly encouraged, but not mandatory. Decisions to not participate in travel opportunities will not affect Dance Company placement.
CONVENTION: Dance conventions are a wonderful way for dancers to experience multiple instructors, dance genres, and other dancers in one action-packed fun weekend. CAS dancers will attend three conventions (within reasonable driving distance of CAS). The conventions and dates of these conventions will be announced prior to the beginning of the season.
EDUCATIONAL TRIP EXPERIENCE: Dance Company dancers will travel to attend educational workshops and experiences that are unique to the travel destination. This travel opportunity allows dancers to experience different aspects of dance, perform in exciting locations, and experience unique dance encounters.
Full information about the 2025 Dance Company trip including destination, timeline, rehearsal requirements, cost, packages etc. will be available in early June so interested families can budget and plan accordingly. Early in the 24/25 season we will have an informal meeting to discuss all travel options.
*Please note that all travel opportunities and fees associated with travel are in addition to the Dance Company season tuition.
Tuition includes:
- All dance classes, choreography, and rehearsal instruction
- Master classes scheduled throughout the year
- Two ½ hour meetings with a faculty advisor
- Exclusive Dance Company performance opportunities
- Team bonding activities
| 6-7 classes/week | 8-9 classes/week | 10+ classes/week | |
| Monthly Payment (Aug-May) |
$198.00 | $212.00 | 250.00 |
| Full Season Cost | $1,990.00 | $2,225.00 | $2,600.00 |
Notes:
- Tuition can be paid in full up front or can be paid on a variety of customizable payment plans. There is no additional cost for a payment plan.
- In addition, all CAS students pay a $25 registration fee and a $95.00 recital fee each year.
- The Baldwin Wallace Community Arts School remains committed to providing families with the opportunity to apply for and receive financial aid. Financial aid applications will be available in late summer. Financial aid awards have no effect on a student’s placement or acceptance into the Dance Company.
Auditions for the 2024/2025 Dance Company will take place on August 3, 2024. Audition registration opens on April 4, 2024 and closes on August 2, 2024.
All auditioning dancers will be assigned a 20 min audition time slot within the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Exact audition times will be assigned at random and will be distributed one week prior to audition date.
Dancers auditioning for Dance Company placement must:
- Come to auditions with hair slicked back from face and should wear form fitting, appropriate, dance attire.
- Learn a short combination provided by CAS.
- Prepare a 60 second solo in their favorite dance style to present at auditions.
- Provide their own music for this solo and bring their music on an MP3 compatible device.
- Be prepared to answer questions about themselves, their dance training, and future dance plans.
- Be prepared to demonstrate dance technique in various genres.
Dancers can choose between either of the following audition combos. Dancers only need to learn and execute one combo. Dancers should choose the combo that shows their abilities and artistry in the best way. We want to see YOU, your personality, and your best skills! Remember, we are not looking for perfection! We are looking for potential and true artistic interpretation.
Option 1:
Option 2: