How to get into a dance company
How To Get Into A Dance Agency
How can working with a dance agency be helpful for you? And how do you get into a dance agency?
As flashy and glamorous as the life of a professional dancer may look, dance work is still work – hard work.
Years of training and long hours aside, a big part of being a professional dancer is finding this work itself.
Dance agencies exist to guide dancers through their professional careers. Yet many dancers still find the process of getting into a dance agency somewhat of a mystery.
Especially those who come from a collegiate / community background with not much experience in the industry.
We chatted with our “signed” dancers Denzel and Bianca, along with Bloc Talent Agency assistant Havi, to break it all down.
What is a dance agency?
Dance and talent agencies are companies that help artists (actors, dancers, models, etc.) find professional work.
They connect dancers with jobs like commercials, music videos, tours, roles for TV shows and movies, and more.
While it is possible to find dance jobs without being represented by an agency – if you have the right connections – dance agencies help you find the best-fitting opportunities.
You’ll also get to know other dancers in your agency that have similar aspirations, and talk to agents with years of dance work experience.
You might feel intimidated going to auditions without any friends or jump into this career without a support system.
You can get that “community” or “family” feeling through a dance agency. Not to mention, being signed with a dance agency adds a little umph to your dance resume.
Would you rather get open-heart surgery from “Jessie Ma” or “Jessie Ma, M.D.”?
How do you find a dance agency?
If you know a dancer in your area who is signed with an agency, then ask them about their experience and suggestions.
Word of mouth and personal accounts are very important!
My friends were getting signed by different agencies and let me know when theirs were having auditions.
– Bianca Vallar
And look up those dance agencies online – you will find a section on their website where you can submit for representation, or find out the up coming audition dates.
If not, you can click on their “Contact” section and email the agency to ask when and how to audition.
A few major agencies in Los Angeles are Bloc, MSA, Clear Talent Group, Go2Talent.
Finding the one right for you is a process.
At first, I didn’t have a specific agency I was more focused on. I just wanted to see what the audition process was like and if I could even keep up. But when I started to get a bit more knowledge on the specific agencies and what they had to offer I realized I really wanted to be part of Bloc.
– Bianca Vallar
How do you audition for a dance agency?
To get signed with a dance agency, you need to audition, have an interview, or submit your dance resume and reel – or do some combination of those.
The process varies depending on the dance agency.
Some auditions are split up by style –
For Clear, there was a freestyle part (which was optional, mainly for the bboys, poppers, krumpers, etc.) There was also a Jazz/Contemporary call and a Hip Hop round. You can choose to go to just 1 or all 3; but the more styles you show them the more they know they can utilize you.
– Denzel
Bloc hosts an open audition once every year, with a hip hop portion and a technical portion. We also have a submissions tab on our website. Sometimes agents find dancers at events they attend.
– Havi
Learn from each audition
Bianca took each audition as a learning experience:
I went into my first one and completely failed. After auditioning for a few dance roles at Disney I was used to auditioning, but auditions in LA are way different. I felt like I was wearing the wrong outfit and my headshot was too amateur. Even though I was comfortable with the combo, the LA energy was so different from what I was used to.Through that first audition, I realized how much I needed to prepare to have a successful audition so I wouldn’t feel so lost. I took a lot more classes in North Hollywood to better acquaint myself with the “industry” style, met with friends who were already signed and picked their brain on everything I could learn about the industry and agencies, got new headshots that looked more professional, and even met with a good friend who gave me style tips so I knew what to wear. The prep and new knowledge allowed me to be more comfortable with each audition.There are so many dancers who audition for Bloc, which makes it even more difficult to stand out. Bloc mentioned on their audition flyer that it was gonna be a heels audition for girls. So I knew that the audition was going to be a bit more body conscious and I’d have to focus on my “look." I made sure I felt really confident in my outfit, did my makeup and hair like I was about to do a performance, and took a lot of heels classes to practice.
If you prep well beforehand you'll feel confident going into the audition. Then all you have to do is let your dancing speak for itself.
– Bianca
What is it like working with a dance agency?
Considering how much work it takes to get into a dance agency, there must be a lot of benefits to being represented.
Once signed, they'll notify you of auditions for jobs (some of them exclusive to your agency) or offer specific work if a casting director or choreographer finds you through the agency, based on your photos, resume, and reel.
Some choreographers trust a specific agency with their work or book you directly through your agency because they're known for having reliable dancers. And your agents take care of a lot of the logistical parts of dance work – like getting you your check or submitting you for gigs.
– Denzel
They're also very helpful when handling contracts and legal paperwork, making sure you get paid correctly, and your ensuring that your basic rights as a dancer are met.Unfortunately, sometimes people don't view dancers in the industry highly. So a lot of companies will try to rip us off because they don’t understand the work that it takes to be a professional dancer – resulting in horrible working conditions and underpaid dancers. Agents make sure that doesn’t happen and that we're treated fairly.
– Bianca
How often do you get auditions through a dance agency?
The frequency of auditions can vary, but you’ll have access to many more opportunities through a dance agency than if you were not signed.
Denzel used to be invited to 2-3 auditions a week, and go to all the ones he was interested in. Other times, he says, he’ll only get an offer every other week.
Auditions vary week to week. Some months I'll be very busy and go to around 4-6 auditions a week. And some months are slow and I may only get one audition every two weeks. Those are bad months, haha. Your lifestyle will be very unpredictable – it is not a career for people who value stability.
– Bianca
Advice for working with a dance agency
Do your research
Find out everything you can about all the different agencies, the kind of jobs you want to book, and which choreographers are working on those jobs. And take class from all working choreographers, their assistants, or other dancers that constantly work in this industry so you can train and make those connections.
– Havi
Look the part
Your audition for the agency will reflect how seriously you’ll take auditions for gigs. Dress comfortably in something that reflects your style. You’ll be in a sea of other dancers; you want your dancing and your look to make a statement. I look young so I get sent on young roles – so I go with the young youthful hip look. Finding your look is a huge thing!
– Denzel
Show that you’re a star
Don’t hide in the back during the audition – no matter how much you’re killin’ it, it’ll be hard for anyone to see you!And FREESTYLE! This is your chance to showcase your unique skills and style.Practice freestyling because you’ll have to freestyle in most every audition – sometimes before the combo or after, or both.
– Denzel
Train in everything!
You never know what’ll be asked of you in an agency call, so take classes in all styles – especially those outside of your comfort zone.
The more you learn, the more versatile you will be, and the less you’ll be phased by whatever an audition throws at you.
LA dancers! Take classes at these Top Dance Studios In Los Angeles You Need To Be Training At
Don’t let rejection phase you
A lot of "no"s will come before getting a "yes." And once the "yes" does come, that doesn't mean you'll book every job you audition for.
– Havi
You won't always get the job you audition for. It may take you years. You'll constantly be faced with people criticizing the way you dance, the way you look, and they will make you feel inferior.Learn to be okay with rejection and allow the negativity to roll off your shoulders so you can continue to move forward. Don't go into this career if you cannot take rejection and criticism well.
– Bianca
Don’t do it for the money
It can be very rewarding to know you get to make money off of the thing you love the most. Although, dancers do not typically get paid that much. Also dancers can sometimes get so caught up in trying to book the job in order to get the money (because most of us are starving artists and super broke) that they lose the fun and love for dance because they're too focused on trying to get paid. You don’t know when you are going to book another job or when the next paycheck is going to come.
– Bianca
Work with your agent
But the agency can’t do everything for you. As Lindholm, co-owner of Go 2 Talent Agency says in this article by Dance Spirit,
I firmly believe it’s 50/50 teamwork. It’s our job to get you in front of people while making sure you’re protected and paid on time.It’s your job to work hard, meet as many people as you can and build a reputation for being professional.
Bianca agrees –
Having an agent is a business relationship. As much as they help you, you have to help them as well. You only get what you put into it. If you want to do lots of dance jobs, then that means doing as much as you can to be the top bookable dancer. So when your agent gives you an audition, you're fully ready and can make people want to hire you.
Know yourself.
Dig deep down, and ask yourself – Are willing to completely dedicate yourself to your dance career? Are you willing to make this your full time job? Like a job, will you dedicate 8 hours a day to your craft?Being represented by an agent and pursuing a full time dance career in the industry isn't easy and results don’t come right away.You have to be patient, work hard, and accept that things take time.But if this is what you are meant to do, then keep doing it.
– Bianca
It's rewarding, yet extremely difficult to pursue dance as a professional career. It’s a good thing dancers have agencies to help!
We hope this helped give you more insight on how to get into and work with a dance agency!
Comment below with any questions you still have, or share your experience of working with a dance agency!
About the dancersDenzel started dancing when he was just 5 years old, learning dance moves off of music videos on MTV. He started dancing on his church’s Hip Hop praise team in elementary school, where he fell in love with performing. Denzel was signed for acting when he was 6, but didn’t go to a dance agency audition until he was 18! He is represented by Clear Talent Group and has alongside several major artists.
Havi transitioned from competitive gymnastics to dance when she was 11. She trained in jazz, tap, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, and ballet and pointe, continuing her studio training, as she attended dance conventions and danced on her high school dance team.
When she entered college, she realize she actually did not want to be a dance major, but danced on Common Ground for 4 years.
Bianca learned cultural dances (Polynesian, Filipino, Bollywood) at a young age, later joining Breakthrough, her first junior team at Studio 429. She took classes, taught, and directed at the studio as she she became one of the original members of Choreo Cookies, where she danced on the team for over 9 years. Bianca moved to LA to pursue dance, and got a job at Disneyland and later joined Bloc Talent Agency and has been dancing professionally, full-time, since.
How to Make a Living Dancing: Seven Opportunities for Young Dancers
by Lucie Le May
As a newly graduated dancer, the ultimate goal is to find a contract as quickly as possible. After seven or eight years spent training, the expectations can be really high. Oftentimes, you aim to get a job with your dream company. However, starting life in a dance company can be a completely new learning process.
Switching from long days of technical classes, to a routine of morning training, rehearsals and shows could be destabilizing. Moreover, you are not necessarily advantaged as a young dancer while entering the market. The reality is, the dance field is a competitive sector, in which employers would rather offer jobs to experienced dancers. But how do you gain this experience if you are not given a chance to start somewhere? It is an incredibly vicious cycle, especially as you haven’t built much of a network yet and aren’t sure what kind of working environment will suit you.
Luckily, some job opportunities are specifically addressing young dancers early in their careers.Those places are not always well-known as they aren’t big institutions, and sometimes take place in unexpected environments. Although they are not of the same prestige as a world renowned contemporary or ballet company, these opportunities are specifically suited for young artists. They may end up being exactly what you need as you begin your career by giving you an opportunity to perform, a decent salary and amazing life experiences.
Indeed, it is also important to look for the place that will make you happy and fulfilled.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of working places that could provide you with inspiring experiences and perspectives.
The Peacock Theater, Copenhagen
1-Tivoli Ballet Theater
Based in Copenhagen, this theater is one of a kind. Located in the Tivoli Gardens amusement Park, the Peacock Theater dates back to 1874. Back in the days, it used to be only a pantomime Theater, delivering the story of Harlequin and Columbine. Now every summer it’s home to the company that performs ballet and modern dance work, while still keeping the pantomime tradition alive. From April to September, the 20 dancers of the company perform every night, six days a week, for a non-paying audience seated outside in the garden.
It could be a great job to get as a young dancer as you would quickly improve your performing skills by being on stage every day. Furthermore, you would get familiar with a unique repertoire by discovering the pantomime tradition.
If you are not a born actor, you would for sure become one working at the Pantomime Theater. Copenhagen is also a fun city, and Tivoli a magical place!
To learn more about Tivoli Ballet Theater: http://www.tivoligardens.com/en/kultur+og+program/tivoli+ballet+teater
2-Dantzaz Konpainia*¹
Dantzaz is an association aiming to develop contemporary dance in its region. The company is resident at DANTZAGUNEA, a dance house owned by the province. That’s a unique space that has been thought as a meeting point for choreographers, dancers and other professionals of the dance production world (including costume and light designers, production managers…). The philosophy of the place is «learning by doing», and at Dantzaz, everyone get the tools to try, learn and improve. More than a dance company, it is a place that creates opportunities and a center for choreographic creation.
The 12 dancers of the company have different backgrounds, from ballet and contemporary dance to traditional basque dance: Dantzaz looks for diverse kinds of movers.
Dantzaz has a repertory of performance work created just for the company which they tour internationally.
To learn more about Dantzaz Konpainia : http://www.dantzaz.net/english/international-choreographical-creation-centre
3-Black Box Dance Company
Black Box Dance company is designed specifically for young dancers at the beginning of their career, since that is what artistic director Marie Brolin-Tani is interested in. Located in the city of Holstebro in Denmark, the company is composed of 8 european dancers. They get a chance to rehearse and perform all kind of pieces: repertoire, but also creations. They perform at home in the Black Box Theater, but that’s not all: the company is touring nationally and internationally. Their work is also devoted to promote dance in the surroundings, with a special focus on “making the commercial more artistic”*².
One of the unusual aspect of this company is that all dancers live together, which might be a great (but challenging!) experience.
About Black Box Dance Company: http://www.black-box-theatre-and-dance.dk/about-black-box-dance-company/
View from the Regent Seven Seas Cruise
4-Perform on a cruise ship, and travel the world
Some cruise ship companies (Mein Schiff Fleet, Princess, or Celebrity, to cite a few) are regularly looking for dancers to perform on board. That could be a great opportunity for a newly graduated dancer to save some money and see the world, while gaining performance experience. For those who are freelancing, that can also be a cool way to make a good use of the time in between two contracts.
There is a wide variety of shows that can be performed on a cruise ship, from full-length Musical Theatre, to Ballet, Latin-Dance, disco shows… Which also give a chance for dancers with different backgrounds to apply for an audition.
The length of the contracts usually varies from 3 to 6 months, so while it is not considered a long-term job, it is an amazing life and social experience.
« I learned a lot working on a ship, about how to conduct myself on a professional contract and production show, but mainly about myself. It was a great life lesson and eye-opener ».
Lauren O’Sullivan, who worked on Regent Seven Seas Cruises for six months.
About cruise ship contracts: http://www.jeanannryanproductions.com
http://wendaway.com/cruise-ship-dancer-auditions-a-list/
5-IT DANSA
IT Dansa is the postgraduate course of the « Institut del teatre » in Barcelona. Although it’s not a professional company, I think It Dansa is worth being featured here.
Indeed, with artistic director Catherine Allard (NDT and Nacho Duato former dancer), the 16 young dancers of IT Dansa are given the opportunity to perform an amazing repertoire: Jiri Kylian, Ohad Naharin, Nacho Duato, Alexander Ekman… Throughout their two years of training, they get a scholarship to support their dancing and perform in various venues and festivals.
About IT Dansa: http://www.
institutdelteatre.cat/ca/thm28/graduats.htm
6-Club Guy and Roni’s “Poetic Disasters Club”
Only a few years old, The Poetic Disasters Club is the young company of the already established, “Club Guy and Roni” in Groningen. It was created in the context of cutting of arts funding in the Netherlands: It is a new home for upcoming artists.
Guy Weizman and Roni Haver’s work is interdisciplinary: they work with actors, musicians and are influenced by pop culture. But it doesn’t take away the focus on precision and quality of movement: “We usually have people who are both theatrical and technically strong. Luckily we have a couple of awesome academies in the Netherlands that encourage this kind of talent”.
Guy Weizman, artistic leader and choreographer.
To learn more about Club Guy and Roni: http://www.clubguyandroni.nl/en/pdc/#slide-1
7-Bundes Jugend Ballett
John Neumeier being its general director, Bundes Jugend Ballett (National Youth company) benefits from having Ballettzentrum Hamburg as a working space.
The company is composed of eight handpicked young dancers. For two years, they mainly rehearse and perform pieces from young choreographers. They work with experienced ballet masters and get amazing training and coaching.
But BJB is not only about developing potential: it goes together with a deeper understanding of what movement does, which impact it has on our society. Having this in mind, the dancers go and defend their repertoire in prisons, retirement homes, schoolyards. They need to be especially committed and versatile: on tour, they are dancers, but they also have to be scene and light designers.
About Bundes Jugend Ballett: http://www.bundesjugendballett.de/e/index.html
—
*Sources:
1-Informations about Dantzaz Konpainia got from general manager Fernando Saenz de Ugarte and artistic director Adriana Pous.
2- http://www.black-box-theatre-and-dance.dk/about-black-box-dance-company/artistic-director/
Thank you to Fernando Saenz Ugarte, Henrik Lyding and Lauren O’ Sullivan for providing the pictures.
- Author
- Recent Posts
Lucie Le May
Ballet dancer at Tivoli Ballet Theater
Dancing in Copenhagen and exploring the Scandinavian capital.
World traveller, deep thinker, writer. Interested in philosophy and social sciences.
Latest posts by Lucie Le May (see all)
TSEKH CONTEMPORARY DANCE CENTER :: Events in TSEKH
SEASON 2017 - 2018
Archive: 2015-2016
Archive 2017: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Archive 2018: January February March April May
_________ May ____________
July 29 - August 6 — Workshop "Dance" at the Summer School 2018 / base "Volga", Dubna
| Details: Summer School, Facebook, Vkontakte | SUMMER SCHOOL DANCE WORKSHOP is a non-profit, interdisciplinary project that brings together professional dancers and creatives who want to explore different dance concepts and move in depth. How to get / What to take / Cost |
June 29 - July 01 — Alexandra Konnikova / "Action" / open laboratory
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | The laboratory is one of the activities of the Action project, which choreographer Alexandra Konnikova has been implementing since 2014. This format allows you to share unique exercises and tools that can be applied to different types of artwork and open up new members to join the project team. June 29 - July 1 // 3 lessons / 13:00 Fri 19:00 - 22:00 / Sat - Sun 12:00 - 17:00 Cost: 4500 r. Registration |
June 24 / 19:00 - 22:00 — Analysis of contemporary dance works / video review and discussion
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | Open monthly meetings for joint viewing of video documentation of works in the field of contemporary dance and their analytical analysis, initiated and moderated by Alexandra Dolgova. The fourth in a series of views will be the series "Distinguished Pieces" - 34 short performances by the Spanish dance artist and choreographer La Ribot, created between 1993 and 2000. June 24 // 19:00-22:00 Registration |
June 23 - 28 — Alexey Kokhanov / Voice-Body-Space / laboratory
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | The laboratory aims to explore the relationship of voice and body, sound and space, and is suitable for anyone involved in dance or voice, regardless of the level of musical training. June 23 - 28 // 4 lessons of 4 hours // June 28, 21:00 - 22:00 - demonstration of laboratory results in SHOP Cost: / 4500 r - when registering before June 15, / 5000 r - when registering after June 15, Registration |
June 17 / 19:00 - 22:00 — TSEKH x 6 Moscow International Biennale for Young Art / WHHH
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | As part of the 6th Moscow International Biennale for Young Art, the moderators will draw analogies between the development of contemporary dance and the artistic community in Moscow, as well as touch upon the development of self-organization and professionalization within the field of contemporary dance. June 17 // 19:00-22:00 |
June 16 / 17:00 - 22:00 — Ekaterina Chadina / BIDE experience / practical exchange
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | One day of exchange of research experience in the field of dance and performance with dance artist Katya Chadina, based on her participation in the Barcelona International Dance Exchange (BIDE) in April 2018. June 16 // 17:00-22:00 // 5:00 Cost: / 700 r - for all those who are interested outside the artistic field / 500 r - for practitioners and researchers of contemporary dance and performance Registration |
June 2 - 3 — Daria Plokhova / Sticky Space / composition laboratory
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | Laboratory for the composition of dance and the transformation of space by movement AND I. Vaganova and co-founder of the dance cooperative Isadorino gore Daria Plokhova. On May 29 at 20:00 in the Republic* GUM there will be a lecture Condemnation of dance / Judgment about dance. 2 lessons of 4 hours // June 2 and 3 // 18:00-22:00 Cost: 3000 r. Registration |
May 28 - June 13 — Alexandra Rudik / contemporary ballet / intensive
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | Appeal to the holistic concept of the body and its experience in the present moment through the practice of ballet exercise with Alexandra Rudik, ballet dancer, choreographer and highly experienced teacher of contemporary ballet at the regular school. May 28 - June 13 // 6 lessons of 1.5 hours on Mondays and Wednesdays // 19.30 - 21.00 Cost: // regular school membership: 1 lesson - 900 r / 4 lessons - 2800 r. // when paying for the full module / 6 lessons - 3000 r Registration |
May 26 - 27 — Laboratory of Total Misunderstanding / Taras Burnashev, Lyuba Strizhak
| 0023 | The study of the process of transition between two non-existent states, from total misunderstanding to complete mutual understanding, through awareness of oneself and one's manifestations in relationships with others. May 26 and 27: / Saturday, May 26 / 16:00 - 20:00 / Sunday, May 27 / 16:00 – 19:00 Cost: 2000 r / 7 h Registration |
May 25 - 27 - Michele Rizzo (ImPulsTanz) / Higher / techno-trance practice
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | Experiments with space, own perception and interaction within the group through the practice of club dances under techno-trance - with performer, choreographer, visual artist and teacher of SNDO and ImPulsTanz Mikel Rizzo. // 3 lessons of 3 hours: May 25, 26, 27 / 19:00 - 22:00 Cost: / 3000 r - when registering before May 18, / 4000 r - when registering before May 24, / 4500 r - if paid on May 25, on the day of the class Registration |
May 20 / 12:00 - 13:30 — Contact Improvisation for the whole family / Ekaterina Vdovichenko
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | Dance improvisation for families with children from 4 to 9 years old with Ekaterina Vdovichenko. A research laboratory where the child and parents are in a joint search and equal dialogue - through movement and dance. Cost: 500 rubles for every member of the family. Registration |
May 19 / 18:00 - 21:00 — Night of Museums in the TsEKh / exhibition, shows and Dance Family Day
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | This year, under the auspices of the Night of Museums, TSEKH will combine laboratory demonstrations, an exhibition based on the results of collaborations with Rodchenko Art School and the British Higher School of Design, as well as another session of Dance Family Day, a dance and movement project for the whole family. Registration |
May 19 / 16:00 - 18:00 — Dance Family Day in TsEKH / for families with children from 4 to 12 years old
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | Dance Family Day* at the Center for Contemporary Dance TSEKH is a family dance and movement project for children and their parents. At this meeting, we invite parents and children to learn new family languages of communication through creative play, creative movement and dance. Cost: / family up to 3 people — 1700 rub / family of more than 3 people — 2200 r Registration |
May 13 / 13:40 - 18:15 — Workshop "Dance" at the Summer School Festival in Museon
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | This year the Summer Dance School TSEKH will not take place. However, we are opening the workshop "Dance" on the basis of the scientific and educational project Summer School - an annual event of an interdisciplinary social and educational orientation, which has been held in the format of a field educational camp since 2004. Read more: Workshop "Dance" at the Summer School 2018 / base "Volga", Dubna // 29July - 6 August. Venue: Muzeon Arts Park (Krymsky Val, property 2, metro station Oktyabrskaya/Park Kultury).  Registration |
May 12 / 16:30 - 18:30 — Rhizoma: from contemplation of the concept to fluidity practices / lecture
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | An open lecture by the philosopher Alexander Montlevich on the rhizome as a concept, the concept of rhizomaticity and the practices emanating from it within the framework of the project Chizhikov x Chadina / Rizoma / laboratory of movement and text // 11 - 19May The lecture will take place in the lobby of the TSEKH on May 12 // 16:30 - 18:30 Admission is free, by registration. Registration |
May 11 - 19 — Chizhikova x Chadina / Rizoma / Movement and Text Laboratory
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | A joint laboratory of two choreographers and dance artists that combines the practice of dance and the principles of dance dramaturgy under the concept of "rhizome" - the idea of confusion, interconnectedness and non-linearity of being. Schedule // 5 lessons of 3 hours: |
May 7 / 19:00 - 20:30 — Alpo Aaltokoski (Finland) / Contemporary Dance technique / workshop
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | A class according to the author's method from a highly experienced Finnish choreographer and dancer, the founder of the dance company Alpo Aaltokoski Company, who is visiting Moscow. Communication language - Finnish, with consecutive translation. Cost: 1000 r / possible discount for professionals Registration |
_________ April ____________
April 28-29 – Titu Casal (Germany/Brazil) / Capoeira Angola for dancers
| Details: Facebook, 90 7konte3 | Playing with music, your own body and the body of a partner using the basic principles of Brazilian martial art as an example - for dancers of any style without restrictions on possibilities. April 28 and 29 // 19:00 - 22:00 // 6 a.m. Cost: 4000 r / when registering before April 15, 4500 r / when registering before April 22, 5000 r / when registering before April 28 and on the day of the class Registration |
April 22 — Analysis of contemporary dance works / video review and discussion
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | Open monthly meetings for joint viewing of video documentation of works in the field of contemporary dance and their analytical analysis, initiated and moderated by Alexandra Dolgova, a graduate of the Belgian P.A.R.T.S. (Performing Arts and Research Training Studios). The third in the cycle will be two works by Mette Edvartsen, a Norwegian choreographer based in Belgium - "Private collections" (2002) and "Time will show" (2004), focused on working with space and objects in it. Registration |
April 21 — Dance Family Day in the TSEH / for the little ones
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | Dance Family Day* at the Center for Contemporary Dance TSEKH is a family dance and movement project for children and their parents. April 21 / 16:30-18:00 / "Wings, legs and tails" // for families with children from 0 to 4 years old. Registration |
April 17-27 – Alik Khristoforidi / Street dance laboratory
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | Acquaintance with the philosophy of street dance on the example of hip-hop and house techniques for dancers of any style and level of training from the pioneer of street culture in Russia. April 17, 20, 24 and 27 / 4 lessons of 1.5 h / Tue and Fri, 20:30 - 22:00 Cost: 2000 r per course / one visit is possible Registration |
April 13-14 — Maria Plotnikova / release + partnering / author's course
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | Gentle disclosure of the potentials of the body and emotional living of movement through the release technique and the basics of partnering, as well as somatic practices and exercises according to the methods of Laban and Foresight. / Friday, April 13 / 19:00 - 22:00 / Saturday, April 14 / 16:00 – 19:00 Cost: 3000 r. Registration |
April 7, 17:00-19:00 — Alik Khristoforidi / Talk about modern and street dance
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | Talk about the development and potential of dialogue between two cultures (contemporary dance and street dance), about dance as a medium and an impulse to action, about the purpose of a dancer and music, about the line between craftsmanship and humanity, as well as about such concepts as "flow", "skill ', 'experience', 'mastery', 'zeroing', 'ignorance', 'acceptance', 'refusal', 'permeability' and 'interest'. Open meeting with the pioneer of hip-hop culture in Moscow on the eve of his course Alik Khristoforidi / Street dance laboratory // April 17 - 27 // 20.30 - 22.00 Registration |
April 7, 16.
30 — Dance Family Day in TsEKH / for families with children from 4 to 12 years old | Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | Dance for the whole family - together with the hosts Tatyana Fateeva and Alexandra Naletova. In this lesson, we will prepare for Cosmonautics Day and go on a space journey! Through creative play, movement, dance, work with postures, gestures, we explore the principles of movement that modern dance uses: work with motor sensitivity and awareness, freedom of manifestation and individual expressiveness. Registration |
April 1 - Imposture Lab / one-day performance project
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | Immersion in the experience of imposture with the help of bodily, mental and communicative practices as part of an art project by young choreographers and performers Dmitry Volkov, Vik Laschenov, Tatyana Kovalevich and Vera Shelkina. Registration |
_________ March ____________
March 30-31 — Social dance / Olga Tsvetkova and Nika Parkhomovskaya / workshop
| Details: Facebook, Vkontakte | A two-day seminar on social dance, combining a lecture by theater expert Nika Parkhomovskaya and movement classes from choreographer Olga Tsvetkova. Performers of classical and modern dance, performers, as well as non-professionals - aged 16 to 70 are invited to participate. March 30 / 19:00-22:00 March 31 / 16:00-22:00 Registration |
March 18, 19:30 — Actual Deception Laboratory / Mariam Nagaichuk
| | Dance performance laboratoryx followed by a show, in the course of which lies are explored as a mechanism of play and defense, a stimulator of images and proposed circumstances.  6 days x 3 hours // March 18 - April 22 |
March 18, 19:00 - Analysis of contemporary dance works / video review and discussion
| Details: Facebook | The performance of the Danish choreographer and dancer Mette Ingvartsen "The Artificial Nature Project" was chosen as the second work in the cycle of regular meetings, where she considers scenography not as a service element, but as an independent unit capable of creating choreography and thereby replacing the dancer's body as a medium. Registration |
March 18, 12:00 - Contact Improvisation for
Miguel opened a dance school in Moscow - Comedy Club Production News
The other day in the center of Moscow, the creators of the show "Dances" on TNT opened a new dance school "PRODANCES", in which star participants of the famous program will also teach.
At the presentation, the guests were met by the ideological inspirer and creative director of the school, production director Miguel, and one of the honored guests of the opening was his girlfriend and colleague from Star Factory 5, Yulianna Karaulova. Especially for HELLO.RU, Miguel spoke about the school and why this project is so important for everyone who is fond of dancing.
Miguel and Yulianna Karaulova at the opening of the PRODANCE school
Miguel, how and who came up with the idea to create a school within the framework of the project " DANCES " ?
For a long time I dreamed of my own dance school, but I was afraid to bring the idea to life. Still, teaching others is a very big responsibility. But in the end, everything coincided: the show "DANCES" on TNT gained incredible popularity, the audience's interest in dancing grew a lot, and together with the producers of Comedy Club Production and TNT, we realized that the time had come.
For the last six months, I literally lived on this project: I spent all my free time from filming at the construction site, took part in the development of design, controlled almost everything - from the choice of flooring to the class schedule.
Miguel at his dance school "PRODANCES"
You made an unusual presentation of the school. How long have you been preparing?
Just a week! In fact, I really wanted this presentation to be unusual, for it to be a show - the kind that we put on every Saturday on the air. In addition, the school is a kind of home for us, it is my rehearsal base. Therefore, at the very beginning, Artur Dzhanibekyan and I (CEO of the Gazprom-Media Holding Entertainment TV Group and founder of the Comedy Club. - Ed.) and Igor Mishin (CEO of the TNT channel. - Ed.) solemnly cut the tape, then we were in a special Laysan Utyasheva congratulated me in a video message, and then I, as a hospitable host, gave a tour of the school and the halls.
In each hall, we came up with the idea to show a dance number from professional dancers and graduates of the first season of the show "DANCES": Pena, Mikhail Evgrafov, Vitaliy Savchenko and others. Then there was a small press conference where Artur Dzhanibekyan and I talked about our project. In the final there was a dance number from the team of choreographer Dmitry Cherkozyanov, who, by the way, will be one of the teachers of the school. I think it turned out great, we gave the school a great start.
Artur Dzhanibekyan and Miguel cut the ribbon at the opening of the "PRODANCE" school
Video message from Laysan Utyasheva
Miguel leads a tour of the halls
Now there are really many dance schools and studios. What is your uniqueness?
In fact, "PRODANCES" is not just a school, it is a base with professional equipment that meets the latest trends in the dance industry.
I note that our school is by far the largest in Moscow: an area of about 1500 m², the school premises have 7 halls, the area of \u200b\u200bthe largest of them is 270 m². We can also boast of professional flooring in the halls, which has perfect grip and glide thanks to a special wooden underlay system. In Russia, such coverage is used mainly at large concert venues. In addition, a special lighting system and air conditioning and ventilation systems have been developed in dance classes.
We tried to think through everything to the smallest detail, in our school everything is aimed at a comfortable stay of students: a large number of showers and changing rooms, a keyless access system to lockers, a lounge area. But the main thing is a unique team of professional choreographers and teachers, which we managed to gather under one roof of the school. In addition, the school provides a program of functional highly effective training in the international LES MILLS format. This is very cool, because now this program is available to customers of such premium clubs as, for example, World Class.
Dance hall at the school "PRODANCES"
Dance performance at the opening of the school "PRODANCES"
And who will teach at the school and what areas of dance are you going to teach?
We plan to teach all areas of dance: contemporary, modern, jazz-funk, classical, hip-hop, dancehall, vogue, pole dance and so on. And among the teachers there is a stellar cast of choreographers and participants in the "DANCES" project on TNT: Alexey Karpenko, Katya Reshetnikova, Dima Cherkozyanov, Lesha "Kalmyk" Shalburov, Yulia Kashkina, Vova Gudym, Natasha Tkachuk, Evgeny Gorenyatenko, Pena and Ilshat. In addition, we plan to hold exclusive master classes from all participants and even mentors of the show and we will involve Western choreographers working with world stars.
Press conference at the opening of the school "PRODANCES"
Tell me honestly, who can afford this school? Because, judging by your stories, you have set a very high professional standard.
Yes it is. And it is professionals who should teach dancing. But we opened a school not only for those "who drive Rolls-Royces", but for everyone, regardless of the size of their income. In general, our school is a large socially significant project. We want to give you the opportunity to learn how to dance at a technically equipped dance base in a team of top-class professionals at average market prices. Thus, the school is accessible to the middle class audience. And one more thing: the founders of the school, as well as everyone who is involved in the work process, promote a healthy and proper lifestyle and are themselves vivid examples of it. Therefore, for parents of teenagers, the problem of pastime of their children disappears. And I think that this is an important component of this project.
Miguel at his dance school "PRODANCES"
Do you plan to open more schools? For example, in the regions.
