Who we are
X-Tensions Dance Company is The Dance Centre's performance company founded in 1997 to educate students in the art of dance. The company is for students that are serious about their dance training. Our goal is to expose our dancers to other dance schools, master teachers, and dancers their own age through dance competitions, adjudications, master classes and performances. These students will have the opportunity to perform outside of the school several times throughout the year. They will study with professional dancers and learn many different styles of choreography.
Mini Company
(our youngest group in X-Tensions Dance Company)
Mini Company Involves:
- Choosing dance as a priority over other extracurricular activities
- Attendance to 2-3 local competitions and 1 Convention
- Optional Classes with Guest Teachers at The Dance Centre
- Participation in Dance 360/TDC Dance Expo
- Participation in holiday and community shows, Company Showcase, TDC Spring Dance Concert
Mini Company Minimum Requirements:
- Dancers will perform a ballet group dance and jazz group dance at competitions/showcase
- Optional Production: Mini Company dancers have the option of participating in a full-company production group dance. Participation in production requires one additional hour of rehearsal per week (and an additional tuition charge for rehearsal).
- Required to take minimum one (1) ballet technique class (either B/T/J II combination OR one hour-long ballet class, depending on class recommendation) PLUS the weekly one-hour company rehearsal
Junior/Teen/Senior Company
(Depending on auditions, dancers may or may not be split into specific companies, however these dancers will compete at the Junior, Teen and Senior levels at competition)
Junior/Teen/Senior Company Involves:
- Choosing dance as a priority over other extracurricular activities
- Mandatory attendance to 3-4 local Competitions including 1 Competition/Convention
- Classes with Guest Teachers at The Dance Centre
- Participation in Dance 360/TDC Dance Expo
- Participation in holiday and community shows, Company Showcase, TDC Spring Dance Concert
Junior/Teen/Senior Company Minimum Requirements:
-
Mandatory attendance at the X-Tensions Choreography Workshop (August 15 - 18 & August 22 - 25)
- Dancers will be eligible for casting in the following dance groups: ballet, tap, jazz, modern/contemporary
- Optional Production: All Company dancers have the option of participating in a full-company production group dance. Participation in production requires one additional hour of rehearsal per week (and an additional tuition charge for rehearsal).
- Required to take minimum two (2) ballet technique classes per week, and at least one other technique class (jazz, tap, or modern), PLUS rehearsals for all dance groups you are cast in.
Placement
Following the audition, dancers will be cast in dance groups. Casting is determined by the choreographers based on the students’ ability, not age.
Mandatory Competitions & Performances
Our season’s four competitions will be scheduled on weekends January – May. Overnight accommodations may be required for some. A complete list of mandatory and optional competitions, conventions and workshop dates will be provided ASAP. You must block off the entire weekend for competitions that last more than one day. We often don’t receive the competition’s weekend schedule until a week before the event.
Financial Commitment
Participation in company demands a major financial commitment. While we do our best to keep costs down, we have no control over competition/convention fees, master class fees etc. We recommend you take note of all costume fees (estimate at least $80 per costume for each dancer’s company dance AND regular class dance), all competition fees, workshop fees, shoes, tuition etc.
How many costumes do we have to purchase?
Please plan for $60 - $80 per company costume. A $150 Company Costume Deposit is due in August along with your signed company contract. If your company costumes cost less than the $150 deposit, the balance will be credited towards your regular class/recital costumes.
Attendance Policy
Regular attendance in company rehearsals and regular classes is essential. When dancers are absent it is difficult for the choreographer to work and this affects the entire company of dancers. Every company member has FIVE excused absences from class/rehearsal*. After these are used the dancer will be removed from choreography and either act as an understudy or be asked to resign from the company. All prior commitments (religious education /sacraments, proms etc) must be listed on the company contract prior to the start of the season.
Absences which are NOT excused include: other practices/games/events (sports, cheerleading, concerts, etc.), lack of transportation, family commitments, appointments, simply “not feeling well” and injuries (for the latter two, students must attend class and take notes/watch).
*The company attendance policy includes regular technique classes as well as company rehearsals.
