Cast Expecations and Production Info

NPB Cast Member Expectations
Rehearsal attire: All dancers should come dressed to EVERY REHEARSAL as if they were attending ballet class. This includes tights, leotard (any color), ballet shoes with hair in a bun. Ballet skirts or form-fitting shorts may be worn. Warm-up attire (legwarmers, sweaters, etc.) may be worn over tights and leotards, but when directors believe the dancers are warm enough, they will ask the dancer to remove them. Boys should also wear what they would wear to ballet class, including form-fitting, solid-colored tops and bottoms with appropriate shoes. DRESS UP DAYS will be posted on schedule when there are days to wear something special, which isn’t required, just fun!

Attendance: It is expected that every cast member attend every rehearsal. Conflicts that were noted on audition forms or emailed may or may not be excused. If you will miss MORE THAN TWO absences, your role may be in jeopardy. It is NPB’s mission in inviting children to perform with the professional company to teach those children what it takes to become a professional performer. Commitment and dedication are essential in this very competitive industry. We, of course, understand that children are not yet professionals, but we intend on upholding a professional atmosphere and will not cater to those who are not committed to their dance training. We are keeping rehearsal to mostly Saturdays, but that means we have very little rehearsal time and each day is important. Please make rehearsals and technique classes a priority.

ATTENDANCE EACH NIGHT OF TECH WEEK AND EVERY PERFORMANCE IS MANDATORY. Please check choir concert, band concert, and exams schedules as soon as possible to confirm your ability to participate.

At-home review: Choreography and lessons often aren’t retained in busy dancers’ minds from week-to-week. Sometimes, rehearsal choreography will be posted in the specific production’s cast Facebook group. This is an incredibly useful tool, please take advantage and review choreography, especially if you are absent from a rehearsal. However, please keep this page private and do not share rehearsal footage on your own timelines.

Closed rehearsals: All NPB rehearsals are closed, which means parents, family and friends are not permitted into the studio to watch.

Attitude: It is very important to NPB staff that each dancer has a positive experience, regardless of what part they have and which studio they come from. Every dancer needs to come to rehearsal with a positive attitude, open mind, and do their part to contribute to the friendly atmosphere. Periodically, directors will choose a student who exemplifies NPB standards to be recognized. These featured students will receive a prize, be recognized in rehearsals and on the website and social media. Dress code, attendance, attitude, behavior, preparedness, focus, friendliness, and work ethic will play factors in our decisions.

Company Class: Each Saturday, NPB company members attend a professional-level ballet class. Dancers cast in corps de ballet roles are invited to take this weekly class. Drop-in rate is $5 per class. Class cards are available for purchase. It is not required to take this class. However, class is encouraged, especially for those who will be rehearsing en pointe, to be warmed up properly for rehearsal. It is also a great opportunity to train alongside the professionals and add extra training to your other weekly technique classes. If there is enough interest, we will offer intermediate level.

Volunteering: As a small non-profit, we rely on the help of volunteers. Please help us continue to provide these opportunities for your children by signing up for a volunteer position on the sign up genius link (and sharing with others interested in helping!) that is sent 2 months prior to opening night. We can’t do it without you and appreciate your support!

Strike: Each cast member is expected to participate in strike after the last performance. This includes disassembling sets, sorting and packing costumes, cleaning dressing areas, etc. Please do not make plans for immediately following Sunday’s performance. The more men with cordless drills we can have participate, the faster this process goes and the faster everyone will be dismissed!

Questions: As a small start-up company, we do not yet have the capability to maintain regular office hours. Janet (Director), Melaina (Assistant Director), and Jessica (Production Manager) will do our best to help you with your needs, but please be patient with us, as we each have multiple other jobs and families as well. For questions on TICKETS, email Jessica at [email protected]. For questions on REHEARSALS and most other concerns, email Melaina and Janet at [email protected].