WHAT IS TECH WEEK AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Tech Week (May 7^th-12^th) is the week that all performing classes will meet on stage at the theater to work with the lighting and sound directors for the show. For teachers, this is an opportunity to stage each scene in the actual space and solve any spacing, entrance/exit, issues, etc. For students, this is the first time they will rehearse their scene(s) on stage and become familiar with the stage and all aspects of performing on it, without the distraction of costumes and make up. Tech week saves HOURS during dress rehearsal week, and allows us to keep them as short as possible.

WHY IS DRESS REHEARSAL MANDATORY?

Dress Rehearsal is the only time each class gets to rehearse their dance as it will be during the actual show – with costumes, make-up and hair done properly and in the order of the show. This practice run gives the students confidence for the upcoming show. Each class is a team, and the team needs to practice together in order to be fully prepared. This is also when on-stage photos are taken, and when parents can photograph/record their students performing.

WHY DO YOUNGER STUDENTS NEED TO WEAR MAKE-UP?

Stage lighting is much stronger than regular lighting; it washes out the features of performers on stage. In order to ensure that each dancer “has a face” and can be recognized, some make up must be worn during dress rehearsal and for the performance. Application of make-up can become a special ritual for your student, as they prepare for their big moment. If your student has sensitive skin, the office will be happy to recommend products that may be appropriate for you.  Students must supply their own make-up and hair styling supplies.

WHY IS ONLY ONE (1) PARENT/GUARDIAN ALLOWED TO ACCOMPANY A STUDENT BACKSTAGE?

There are over 200 students, volunteers, and staff backstage during every rehearsal and performance. In order to minimize backstage congestion, and most importantly, to ensure the safety of our students, we need to minimize the number of additional people backstage. The parent with the “backstage pass” can come back and check on their child at anytime, and we will have a map during the performance showing where all parents are sitting. Students can visit with family and friends, have photos taken, and receive flowers and gifts after the performance.

WHY DO STUDENTS NEED TO STAY BACKSTAGE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PERFORMANCE?

First and foremost, our main concern is the SAFETY of our students. In order for our volunteer staff to be able to account for all students present during the show, the students need to remain securely in the same area. Secondly, we would like all students to be able to take a bow with the cast of their performance; in order to do so, they must be backstage. All children’s classes will be attended to by “Class Moms”, who are volunteers assigned specifically to the care of your child’s class, and entertainment will be provided for the students. All backstage volunteers have had a CORI check prior to helping out. The performance will be broadcast on a big screen TV on show days, so your child can enjoy the entire performance safely and comfortably backstage.

MY DANCER IS ONLY IN THE SECOND ACT, CAN WE ARRIVE LATE (OR LEAVE EARLY IF HE/SHE IS ONLY IN ACT I)?

In show business, rehearsals and performances can run early or late for a variety of reasons (all of which we try to avoid, but can happen), so all dancers need to be in a place and ready to go on stage if a situation should arise. Since we are dealing with such a large number of dancers and a complex show, we need an efficient system to know that EVERYONE is in the building and ready to go before the curtain goes up.  The dancers will be well supervised and entertained backstage, and being there for the entire show is part of the fun!

WHAT SHOULD STUDENTS BRING TO EAT/DRINK DURING THE DRESS REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES?

Once in costume, students should only have water bottles. Juices, soda, and other beverages can stain their costume. If a student’s costume becomes stained, he/she will not be allowed to go onstage with the rest of the class. For snacks, students should have solid items that cannot melt, stain or be spilled (i.e. – no candy, pudding, sticky or gooey foods). The best snacks are cheese and crackers, granola bars, veggies, and other “dry” items. As a reminder, NO PEANUT PRODUCTS are allowed at BDT events, due to dancers’ food allergies.

WHY CAN’T PARENTS/FAMILY TAKE PHOTOS OR RECORD DURING THE PERFORMANCES?

Having audience members take photos or record during the performances (including on cell phones), is distracting to those seated around the individual doing so. All audience members are there to enjoy their family member or friend perform, and it is not fair for another viewer to block their view with a camera. The light produced by digital cameras, phones, and recorders is also distracting – both to other audience members and to performers on stage. Please respect those around you and enjoy WATCHING the show. A professional photographer will be taking onstage photos during dress rehearsals and a professional videographer will be filming all performances and producing a high quality, HD-quality DVD of each show. Photos and DVDs will be available for purchase during and after the show weekend. If you would like to take photos or video your child yourself, you may do so during dress rehearsal.

BDT’s presentation of JUBILEE! at the ’62 Center for Theatre and Dance on May 18^th -20^th promises to be one of the most exciting shows in the history of dance.  To use our online ticket purchasing option, please click here.

Important Dates to remember:

April 9^th - Tickets on sale for BDT membership

April 16^th - Tickets on sale for general public

• For a complete tech week schedule, please click here.  Please keep in mind when looking at the schedule: the time on the left is the time of your dancer’s meeting at the ’62 Center.  The information of the right pertains to the regularly scheduled class day and time.
• For direction to the ’62 Center, please click here.

For details on the new venue, please visit the ’62 Center website: here

This year’s show is appropriately titled, JUBILEE!, as BDT celebrates 30 years as a nonprofit and as a staple in the dance community.  Dance has certainly been an important part of ceremony, rituals, celebrations, and entertainment since before the birth of the earliest forms of human civilization. The theme for this year’s show, the Evolution of Dance, was chosen under the color of thought that it’s important to educate our dancers on how the various genres of dance have progressed and also to heighten their awareness of the impact the art form has had within our society.  Moreover, this is an opportunity to exhibit and create an awareness of the inherent relationship amongst various forms of dance.  Finally, this year’s show will commemorate BDT’s growth as an organization and the individual development of our dancers through the years.  JUBILEE! promises to deliver a wide range of amazing performances that will be at the core of great memories for many families and community members.  Trust us – YOU want to be there!  Get your tickets now and witness our contribution to the history of dance.

Important Annual Production Dates and Times:

• April 9^th:  Tickets for JUBILEE go on sale online to BDT members at 7:00pm
• April 16^th-21^st:  School Vacation – Some classes/rehearsals may be held
• April 16^th :  Tickets for JUBILEE! go on sale online and by phone to the general public
• April 20^th:  All tuition in fees must be paid in full by this date to participate in JUBILEE!
• April 30^th:  Scholarship Application Deadline
•  May 7^th-12^th:  Tech Week at the ’62 Center for Dance & Theatre (see Tech Week Schedule here)
• May 14^th-17^th:  Mandatory Dress Rehearsals at the ’62 Center for Dance & Theatre (see Dress Rehearsal Schedule here)
• May 18^th:  Friday Evening Performance of JUBILEE! at 7:00pm (Adams & Williamstown Level I-V class & Company)
• May 19^th :  Saturday Matinee Performance of JUBILEE! at 2:00pm (Adams & Williamstown Children’s Classes,                                                              Class Leaders & Company)
• May 19^th :  Saturday Evening Performance of JUBILEE! at 7:00pm (Adams & Williamstown Level I-V Classes &                                                             Company)
• May 20^th :  Sunday Matinee Performance of JUBILEE!  at 2:00pm  (All Bennington Classes)

ALL Tech Week Classes, Dress Rehearsal, & Performances are at the

’62 Center for Dance & Theatre, 1000 Main St, Williamstown, MA

Be Sure that All Dates Pertaining to Your Dancer(s) Are Marked on Your Calendar NOW!

Adult Jazz with Fran Steinert- begins Wednesday, November 30th, 6:30-7:15

Adult Hip Hop with Jamal Ahamad and Becky Clemons- begins Thursday, December 1st, 7:30-8:30

Both classes will focus on introductory levels of the various styles of jazz and hip hop.  No previous dance experience required, just be prepared to move and have fun!  Please contact the office at 413-743-4645 for more information and to register! Don’t miss out on the fun- come try a class!

BA Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, MA

Becky graduated in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in English/Communications from MCLA in North Adams, MA.  She teaches advanced hip hop at Karen’s School of Dance in Adams, MA.  She is also former co-president, choreographer, and lead dancer of MCLA’s Dance Company.  She was an active member of NeXXus, MCLA’s step team, and has learned to teach, choreograph and perform the art of step-dancing.  She has been heavily involved in fundraising for organizations such as The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and The Jimmy Fund.  She is currently the Assistant Choreographer for The Jimmy Fund’s annual benefit performance entitiled, “Romance Soul and Rock ‘N’ Roll”.  She is a seasonal employee at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and viewed the majority of their 2011 summer program.  She has studied different styles of dance through MCLA Dance Company such as ballet, tap, jazz, modern, African, break-dancing, and many other forms of hip hop.

Fran Steinert formally trained with Fred Benjamin, Lynn Simonson, Ann Reinking, Pat Hall, Richard Gonzalaz and various members of the Paul Taylor Dance Company. More noteworthy, however, was her training at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and Luigi Jazz Center. At the same time she traveled extensively throughout the U.S. to choreograph and give artistic direction to the most prestigious pre-teen and teen talent shows in the country.

Fran is also a national champion of competitions in Latin and Ballroom dance styles. She has taught in many dance schools in Berkshire County and New York State. After nearly 10 years of professionally teaching dance, her dedication to dance education inspired her to create the Flowering Child Performing Arts Program at Eden Hill in Stockbridge, MA, now known as Berkshire Pulse. She has reached out further into the community with teaching residencies and workshops, and performing arts camps throughout Berkshire County. Currently, she is choreographing the Barrington Stage Company, Kids Act Summer Camp.

Fran Steinert is founder, artistic director, and principal choreographer of DanceCo.Caliente which offers its students an extensive Modern Jazz dance education program and community outreach and arts in education program throughout Berkshire County. DanceCo.Caliente has a very popular Afro Cuban/Latin Dance and Percussion Group, Dance & Drum Co.Caliente. Dance & DrumCo.Caliente’s success has come from fundraisers, private parties, performances, demonstrations and special events.  Berkshire Dance Theatre is happy to welcome Fran to our faculty for her first year at BDT!

This year, we are incorporating demos and sample classes, giving young students the opportunity to explore and experience our spaces and dance, offer shopping options for dance and gym wear, enjoy refreshments and free giveaways, and have a relaxing and welcoming time in our studios.

Bennington – Tuesday, 8/23

4:00 doors open

4:15 Gymnastics demonstration

4:30 Open gym class

5:00 open children’s class with Naina

5:30 open musical theatre class with Kathleen

6:30 open hip hop class with Jamal

7:00 open Alexander Technique class with Naina

8:00 end of Open House

Adams – Thursday, 8/25

4:00 doors open

4:00 Hoop Dance with Stefanie

5:00 Gymnastics demonstration

5:15 Open gym class

5:30 open children’s class with Naina

6:00 open musical theatre class with Kathleen

7:00 open hip hop class with Jamal

7:30 open Alexander Technique class with Naina

8:00 end of Open House

Williamstown – Monday, 8/29

4:00 doors open

4:15 open children’s class with Olivia

5:00 open hip hop class with Jamal

5:30 open musical theatre class with Kathleen

7:00 End of Open House

Erica started dancing at BDT when she was six years old and continued dancing through her freshmen year of high school. She studied Tap, Jazz, Modern, Ballet and Pointe. Many years later she came back to BDT and joined the Adult Jazz class and also joined a local gym where she was given the opportunity to further her love for music, movement, and fitness by becoming a ZUMBA^® Fitness Instructor and LES MILLS BODYFLOW® Instructor. She currently teaches ZUMBA^® Fitness classes and LES MILLS BODYFLOW® classes at Fitness Now located within Anytime Fitness in Bennington, VT.

Over the past years, she has begun to share her love of dance through teaching and is very excited to begin teaching ballet at BDT.