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Alberta Dance Theatre
youth artist Program Info
Connect, Grow, Contribute
Stay Tuned For Our Spring Audition Dates
We welcome creative and passionate youth from across Calgary in grades 1-12 to audition!
Over the course of only 12 weeks Youth Artists create alongside local arts professionals.
Stay tuned to see which novel we'll be adapting to the stage next!
Each spring, Alberta Dance Theatre holds open call placement auditions inviting dancers from around the city of Calgary to join the company. ADT welcomes dancers of all experience levels and uses the auditions as a way to place the dancers in the appropriate performance group.
If you have any questions about whether it's the right time for your young dancer to join Alberta Dance Theatre, please contact us! We'll help you understand what to expect!
We ask that dancers in the ADT program are actively training. The ADT program focuses on performance and creation but taking another dance class will develop the dancer's technique, stamina, and the various skills that will enhance the ADT experience. Actively training in dance could include dancing at a studio, school dance program, or virtual programs. Our dancer’s train all over Calgary. We can provide you a list of dance studios and community partners if you need somewhere to train.
The Process
Senior Company
The Senior Company is intended for returning ADT dancers and new dancers in Grades 3-12. Dancers in grade 3 & 4 can discuss with the Co-Artistic Directors whether the Senior or Junior Company is the more appropriate group to participate in this season.
ADT rehearsals generally start the second week of September and run Sundays 10:30am – 4pm with limited additional Saturday rehearsals 4:00-6:00pm.
During show week, youth artists are required every evening and they will miss some school. Show week is generally the last week of November or the first week of December (subject to change). We also participate in pop-up performances throughout the year that are optional for company members to participate in.
During our 11 to 12 week process, ADT youth artists participate in our annual Weekend Intensive. The Weekend Intensive is an out-of-town weekend away with the company where youth artists create and dance in an inspiring environment. The Weekend Intensive usually occurs Friday through Sunday. The Weekend Intensive is included in ADT fees.
ADT membership benefits
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Create alongside professional choreographers and theatre artists over the course of 10-12 weeks
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Perform a fully designed production in a professional venue
-
Professionally designed original music and lighting design
-
4-8 performance opportunities
-
Weekend Intensive - all inclusive
-
1-2 off-season workshops
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Show t-shirt, show video link, cast photo, and show poster
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Graduating dancers receive a featured moment in the production and a reference letter
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High school dancers have the opportunity to mentor younger dancers
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All performance costumes included (all costumes will remain property of ADT)
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Cast Party (additional meals for family will be made available for a small fee)
Parent Commitment
Parents are a huge part of a successful ADT season and can also be proud of the work created!
Parents are required to serve on a Committee and attend all meetings designated by the Committee Head. The committees produce props and costumes, organize cast events, help with backstage/rehearsal supervision, help with box office and implement fundraising initiatives. This enables ADT to produce a high caliber production, while keeping costs down. Typically parents commit to 40-60 volunteer hours over the 10-12 week season.
Taking on rehearsal sign in/out shifts, and 1 – 3 backstage shifts are needed as part of the overall parent commitment. These shifts provide an opportunity to see works in process during rehearsal, and see behind the scenes of the production. Throughout volunteering parents make close connections with fellow ADT families, and work alongside their child in a unique collaborative way.
Fees
ADT is a non-profit organization. ADT receives funding from government funding bodies, private donors, corporate sponsors, fundraising, and membership fees. Member fees only cover a portion of the cost associated with the ADT experience.
Member Fee: $650 / youth artist
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$300 nonrefundable deposit due July 1, 2022 or at time of registration
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$350 due September 11, 2022 (First Rehearsal)
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Families can also choose to fundraise their tuition
Fundraiser requirement: $400/performer
-
A buy-out option is available if families prefer not to participate in fundraising
-
Fundraising happens throughout the season through several fundraising initiatives.
Scholarship Applications for our
2022 - 2023 Season are now open. Scholarships are available to any student intending on joining our youth company for our Fall 2022 Season.
Deadline to apply: August 20, 2022
The Process
Junior Company
The Junior Company is intended to give dancers in grades 1-4 an opportunity to be introduced to the ADT process with reduced rehearsal commitments from the families. Dancers in grade 3 & 4 can discuss with the Co-Artistic Directors whether the Senior or Junior Company is the more appropriate group to participate in this season.
ADT rehearsals generally start the second week of September and run Sundays 10:30am - 2:00pm with limited additional Saturday rehearsals 4:00-6:00pm.
During show week, youth artists are required to attend evening dress rehearsals. Show week is generally the last week of November or the first week of December (subject to change). We also participate in pop-up performances throughout the year that are optional for company members to participate in.
During our 11 to 12 week process, ADT youth artists participate in our annual Weekend Intensive. The Weekend Intensive is an out-of-town rehearsal where youth artists create and dance in an inspiring environment. The Weekend Intensive usually occurs Friday through Sunday. The Weekend Intensive is included in ADT fees.
ADT membership benefits
-
Create alongside professional choreographers and theatre artists over the course of 10-12 weeks
-
Perform a fully designed production in a professional venue
-
Professionally designed original music and lighting design
-
4-8 performance opportunities
-
Weekend Intensive - all inclusive
-
1-2 off-season workshops
-
Show t-shirt, show video link, cast photo, and show poster
-
All performance costumes included (all costumes will remain property of ADT)
-
Cast Party (additional meals for family will be made available for a small fee)
Parent Commitment
Parents are a huge part of a successful ADT season and can also be proud of the work created!
Parents are required to serve on a Committee and attend all meetings designated by the Committee Head. The committees produce props and costumes, help with box office, participate in fundraising initiatives and help with backstage/rehearsal supervision. This enables ADT to produce a high caliber production, while keeping costs down. Junior Company parents can anticipate to volunteer 20 - 50 hours over the 10-12 week season.
Taking on rehearsal sign in/out shifts, and 1 – 3 backstage shifts are needed as part of the overall parent commitment. These shifts provide an opportunity to see works in process during rehearsal, and see behind the scenes of the production. Throughout volunteering parents make close connections with fellow ADT families, and work alongside their child in a unique collaborative way.
Fees
ADT is a non-profit organization. ADT receives funding from government funding bodies, private donors, corporate sponsors, fundraising, and membership fees. Member fees only cover a portion of the cost associated with the ADT experience.
Member Fee: $400 / youth artist
-
$200 nonrefundable deposit due July 1, 2022 or at time of registration
-
$200 due September 11, 2022 (First Rehearsal)
-
Families can also choose to fundraise their tuition
Fundraiser requirement: $400/performer
-
A buy-out option is available if families prefer not to participate in fundraising
-
Fundraising happens throughout the season through several fundraising initiatives.
Scholarship Applications for our
2022 - 2023 Season are now open. Scholarships are available to any student intending on joining our youth company for our Fall 2022 Season.
Deadline to apply: August 20, 2022
ADT Parent
ADT fuelled [our children's] passion for dance, helped them build amazing friendships and allowed them to learn valuable lessons in dance and life ... Moreover, these kids are not merely dancers, they quickly become friends who feel more like family.
ADT Scholarship Recipient
I've never received a scholarship before but getting one made me feel really validated and seen, and I'm so glad that I got one because it meant that I could be a part of this amazing company for another year.
Krista White
ADT Alumni & Artist
The fact that my ideas were heard and taken on board felt so powerful and so amazing. I really enjoyed being a part of that process ... [ADT] taught me just how much I love dance and how much I wanted it to be part of my life going forwards and just to have confidence in myself. Those are really important lessons.
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