The Culture House

School of Dance Policies

Class Placement & Advancement
New Students will take a placement class during which the instructor will determine the correct class for the student. Placement depends on several factors including age, physical strength and development, maturity, personality and interest level. Class placement is determined by the Director of the School of Dance and the faculty. We take placement very seriously out of our commitment to each student. Placement decisions must be respected.

Class Advancement can happen at any time during the school year, but predominantly occurs at the beginning of each fall term. Most students will remain at each level for at least 2 years in order to master that level’s techniques. Merely executing an exercise is not the definition of mastery. In dance, executing each movement with precision and with physical accuracy is the goal. We work hard to ensure our young students have a solid grasp of the foundations in dance so that they gain confidence, ability, and mastery as they get older.

Annual Spring Production
Since 2000, The Culture House Dance Academy has provided students with an exciting performance experience through its productions. An annual tradition of dance schools worldwide, the production is an important rite of passage for young dancers, giving them a chance to shine in front of family and friends. The experience helps build self-esteem and contributes to a sense of confidence. Although performance opportunities can help prepare some students for a possible career in dance, they also contribute to better school presentations, improved social skills and strong communication skills. The rehearsal process is also a tremendous learning experience, helping students develop their retention skills and team cooperation.

Dedication to the production commitments is the responsibility of both the students and their parents. The information below is an effort to clarify what we expect from you in terms of commitment and responsibility to the annual production, the school, and other students and parents. All students enrolled in dance classes are required to participate in our annual dance production. Our production is an extension of the benefits derived from the dedication of dance training.

Dance Academy Dress Code

Dance training keeps the body warm, allows freedom of movement, and enables the teacher to see the placement of limbs, muscle work, and proper positioning. Without proper dance clothing, the student will learn bad habits and patterns which could lead to injury. At the same time, clothing must not be distracting, immodest, nor hinder proper movement. If you have any questions about appropriate attire, please consult the School of Dance Director.

The following apply to every class:
Jewelry: No dangling earrings, piercings, rings, watches, bracelets or loose jewelry. Stud earrings are acceptable.
Coverings/Warm ups: Students are to put on sweat pants or coverings when in the lobby or outside areas. Students should not walk around the lobby and outside in only leotards and tights.

Pre-Dance & Ballet/Tap Combo
Ladies: Any color and style of leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, hair neatly swept into a bun.
Young Men: Any solid color T-shirt, black jazz or athletic pants (with an elastic waist band), black ballet shoes.

Ballet
Ladies: Black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes, hair neatly swept into a bun. Wrap around skirts may be worn during center work with the teacher’s permission for levels 2, 3, & 4. Black or pink leg warmers allowed during cold season.
Young Men: White tight fitting T-shirt, black tights or jazz pants, black ballet shoes. Athletic sweat pants or pants must be worn over tights outside of the classroom.

Modern
Ladies: Black leotard, black or pink tights, no shoes required. Optional: Solid black tank top (no print
unless it is a TCH Störling Camp tank top) that is form fitting, over the top of the black leotard.
Black fitted capris over tights; no cut offs. Hair neatly put in a pony tail.
Young Men: Black or White tight fitting T-shirt, black jazz pants, no shoes required.

Jazz
Ladies: Black leotard, black jazz pants or tights (black or pink), black jazz shoes, hair neatly bound in pony tail or bun. Please wear a sports bra if necessary under leotard. Optional: Solid black tank top (no print unless it is a TCH Störling Camp tank top) that is form fitting, over the top of the black leotard. No bare midriff allowed.
Young Men: Black or White T-shirt, black jazz pants, black jazz shoes.

Tap
Ladies: Black leotard or solid black tank top (no print unless it is a TCH Störling Camp tank top) that is form fitting. Black jazz, capris, or athletic pants that do not cover shoes. Black tap oxford shoes.
Young Men: Black, tight fitting T-shirt, black jazz or athletic pants that do not cover shoes. Black oxford Tap shoes.

Hip Hop
Baggy or comfortable tops and pants. Floor work involved so please wear a leotard under your t-shirt if necessary. No midriff allowed. No black soled shoes allowed on floor.

Adult Classes
Dress modestly. No midriff allowed.

SPRING PRODUCTION

Production Planning and Communications
Production information and updates may be posted on The Culture House website, at www.culturehouse.com, in the newsletter, on the school bulletin board or sent to your email address. Please make it your responsibility to keep abreast of this important information and to note any deadlines. The production is not a one-day activity. It is our goal to make the production experience as organized and exciting as possible but it’s a team effort: students, parents, teachers, and the staff are all key players in the success of the show.

Costumes Policy
A dance costume is required for each class the student is enrolled in. We spend many hours determining the correct costumes for each class, making sure they are age-appropriate and of the highest quality possible. The Costume fee is a rental fee per costume. All costumes remain the property of The Culture House and must be returned at the end of the performance. Costume fees will be billed out in October. All costume fees must be paid in full before construction begins. Accessories, such as headpieces and gloves, are included in the costume fee. Additional costs such as tights and shoes are the responsibility of the student and parent and are not included in the costume fee. We recommend that the student’s name be placed on all shoes, hair nets, hair pin bag, accessories, and tights. Pack accessories in a clear plastic bag with your child’s name on the bag and on each individual item.

Costume Committee

At the beginning of the school year, a Costume Committee will be organized, comprising of parent/seamstress volunteers to help make the costumes. This volunteer committee is very important as purchasing readymade costumes is extremely expensive and they are often of a very inferior quality. With the help of all involved The Culture House costumes are well known to be of the highest quality in design and fit a very low cost.

Dress Rehearsal
rehearsals allow students to become familiar with the auditorium and to feel comfortable with their costume(s) and their performance on stage. Lighting, music cues, set changes, and all other logistics for an organized and professional performance are rehearsed. Participation in the dress rehearsal is mandatory. One parent or guardian may accompany each student to the dress rehearsal(s). Please, no siblings. We recommend making a checklist of your child’s routines and gather all accessories, shoes, and makeup several days in advance so you’ll know if something is missing or isn’t right before going to the theater. Parents or guardians should bring the students and sign them in and out of the greenroom, where they will be placed under the supervision of their teacher and/or their class mom(s). Parents or guardians must remain in the auditorium until their students have been dismissed. Parent’s who wish to visit the Greenroom must have a background check done. Students will be informed about any make-up requirements so that they can arrive ready to participate. Uniform hairstyles are required. Students will pick up their costume in the greenroom and may change in the dressing room.

Auditorium rules
Students will remain in the greenroom/dressing rooms with their class during dress rehearsal and the production when they are not onstage. Parents are not allowed to take their child into the auditorium during the performance. Greenroom & dressing room etiquette: Each class will be supervised by the teacher and/or a mother. Students must respect other students’ space and property in the greenroom/dressing rooms. The students will spend more time in the greenroom/dressing rooms than onstage so please do your best to keep them organized and clean. Due to allergies, no peanut products are allowed in the greenroom/dressing rooms. Backstage: family members and friends don’t belong backstage or in the dressing rooms during rehearsals or the production. Please understand that this is a private dressing area. The same applies during intermission and after the show. Students in the show should stay in the greenroom between their pieces. Please remind your family and guests to be respectful of these areas. Those who wish to greet a performer after the show or present flowers should do so after the last finale. We ask that flash photography not be used. Flashes can interrupt concentration and endanger the performers.

Production Volunteer Information
Volunteering is a fun and positive way to support your child in their efforts; many times the entire family may be able to participate. In keeping with The Culture House’s Child Protection Policy, all volunteers will be required to complete a volunteer packet and to attend a parent meeting. All volunteers must abide by the policies set forth by The Culture House’s Child Protection Policy and its Volunteer Handbook. All volunteers will receive an identification badge at the dress rehearsal, which must be worn in the theater at all times. Please do not bring guests, including children while you are volunteering. If you are interested in volunteering or heading up one of the committees please let us know as soon as possible. All volunteers are required to submit to a background check for the safety of our children. Only parents who have a background check can go into the Greenroom/dressing room. This has become standard practice for organizations caring for children. We are very strict about this for the sake of the children and ask for your understanding. TCH is blessed with so many amazing families. These individuals are a key reason for the success of these events. Please consider a volunteer leadership position as it is a rewarding and memorable experience for the parents and children.

Fees
Production Fee- $45.00 per student
Costume Rental Fee- $45.00 per costume

Refunds
No refunds will be made if a student withdraws from class.

Parent Meetings
At least one parent of every student participating in the spring performance must attend all parent meetings. It is at these parent meetings that parents will be informed of volunteer opportunities, receive information regarding ticket sales, multi-show family tickets, rehearsal schedules, costumes and much more. Missing these meetings could put parents and students at a disadvantage and jeopardize the overall process of the production. Please make a note of the time and dates of these meetings on the TCH calendar and plan now to attend.

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