Summer is coming! Have you decided what type of training you will be doing? Summertime is a great time to take advantage of all the different summer dance intensive programs that go on. As a guy, you have a lot more opportunities than you would expect.
What is an intensive?
Summer dance intensives are a great way to fit in a lot of training in a relatively small time period. They are also a great way to visit new studios or meet new dancers. Intensives are usually put on by professional ballet companies, college dance programs, or dance studios.
Summer intensives are often weeks long, and participants typically dance a full day, from morning to evening. Some intensives resemble a camp, with 5 or 6 days of dance a week, and lodging for dancers from out of town. A lot of these programs take place at colleges, where dancers are put up in the dorms. If you are thinking of going to college for dance, this can be a great way to explore your options.
How to find Dance Intensives
If there is a particular company or program that you are interested in, check their website for auditions in your area. Larger companies will often tour auditions and host them at professional companies around the country. Here is an example of ABT’s audition tour schedule: ABT’s Summer Program Audition Tour
If you can’t make it to an audition, check if they accept audition tapes, and ask your dance teacher for help recording your audition tape. For the larger companies, summer auditions happen pretty early in the year and you have to think far in advance to meet deadlines.
If you have missed the deadlines, it is worth checking to see if they will still accept your application. Most of the largest companies probably won’t, but local and less famous companies and programs may accept you. Many programs are in need of male dancers to fill out their pas de deux and male variation classes, so they are excited to find space for you.
I am often approached by local programs asking if I would like to participate in their program. Recently I was contacted by a really innovative program called Dance Wordz which was still looking for male dancers. Check out their summer intensive program: DanceWordz Summer Program
Scholarships
Summer dance intensives can be expensive, but there is usually always a scholarship available for guys who are willing to work hard. Make sure to inquire about them, or see if there are any work study possibilities. If you receive a full scholarship you may be getting free room and board and classes! Not to mention all of the great training you can get, that is a deal that is hard to beat!
Be sure to check out all of your options. If you can’t go away for a summer, find a local program. If you can’t commit for the whole summer, see if you can participate in a portion of it. Summer programs are a great chance to learn and you don’t want to miss out.
Have you been to a program you enjoyed? Leave a comment telling us about it, or about where you plan to go. Leave a comment if you know of a program that is looking for guys as well!
