SCHEDULE + DETAILS
DDFBC is a very different format and it is our goal that participants have fun every step of the way. This competition/variation may be different than what participants are used to and we hope that they will see it as a way of expanding their abilities as a dancer. Everyone involved in the planning and judging has been a professional dancer, and the skills learned this weekend will help in many ways whether you choose to go on professionally or not.
Competition/Performance naturally makes one nervous so it is allowed for that 30 seconds before a dancer goes on to perform, but then we hope the participant will let the music take over and really enjoy themselves. We hope our dancers will push their limits, have fun, encourage others and rest in the knowledge that by participating today they are helping dancers just like themselves gain access to healthcare.
Although there are only a few designated winners, everyone who participates has won by taking this step!
WHERE AM I GOING?
DDFBC is being held on the beautiful campus of Denver School of the Arts at 7111 Montview Blvd, Denver CO 80220.
When you arrive please enter the building through the rotunda area and the multiple double doors. There will be signs to direct you down to the Schomp Theatre lobby where Registration will happen. At registration you will receive a map with all the spaces that are being utilized during the day and there will be DDFBC volunteers to help you navigate throughout the day.
THE SCHEDULE
Each division follows the same layout which includes the following:
REGISTRATION:
Please arrive during the scheduled time frame of your division’s registration so we can give you your shirt, give you your number which you will need to wear all day, and make sure all of our contact information for you is correct! If you have not paid, please bring a check made out to Rocky Mountain Dance Injury Prevention or RMDIPS. Thank you.
WARM-UP:
A short but effective warm-up to get you prepared for the day. This is not a full class but it will be enough to keep you prepared and healthy. We encourage you to wear your warm ups and what ever else might keep you comfortable. This is only 15 minutes so if you are doing pointe work, we will do a quick pointe specific warmup 5 minutes prior to learning the piece.
LEARNING SESSION:
This is your time to learn the short variation for the day. Your instructor will go over the sequence of steps, the timing, and any other details that may be applicable.
PRACTICE SESSION:
You will then have time to practice the variation on your own in the studio. Since there will be multiple people using the same space you will need to work cooperatively with those around you in order to best use your time and the studio. There will be speakers available to play the music on a rotating basis in each studio. The music files will also be available on our website for you to practice with once you’ve completed your teaching session.
OPEN STUDIO
We will have 1-2 wood floor studios open in case dancers would like to use the space. This is entirely optional and dancers can elect to enter/exit the space in order to take a break at any time or not use it at all.
WAITING AREA
Before the actual performance dancers will have a space to prepare and stretch and keep themselves hydrated! This room is intended to be a quiet place for dancers to focus so we request that any music is kept to headphones/earbuds/earpods.
SHOWCASE
When it is time for a contestant to perform the stage management crew will come and get the dancer from the Waiting Area about 5 minutes before their scheduled performance time. You will have received your performance time at registration.
AWARDS
At the end of the day we will present the 1-3rd Medals for all divisions as well as the special awards.
The specific schedule for each division is listed at the bottom of this email.
WHAT DO YOU BRING?
CLOTHING
There are no restrictions on what you wear during the Warmup-Practice Sessions; as long as it appropriate dancewear. For your performance we ask that you wear a leotard, tights, appropriate shoes for your division and a short wrap around skirt is optional (no skirts longer then mid-thigh please). Hair should be appropriately out of one’s face in a bun/French twist type of style.
SHOES
You can bring and/or use whatever shoes you want during the day. Please note that ½ of the studios are wood floor and ½ are covered with marley.
WATER/SNACKS
Please bring a water bottle with you for the day – there are water fountains and places for you to refill them.
While there isn’t an official lunch break, each division has plenty of time between their practice session and reporting to the Waiting Area to eat/get lunch/etc. There are many restaurants just up Quebec Road in the Stapleton area.
PHONE/IPOD
Although each space will have speakers you may want to bring an individual device to listen to the music for your variation. Please note that there are no storage lockers for your use and we cannot be held be responsible for anything that goes missing; please make sure you keep your belongings secure at all times.
WHAT TYPE OF FLOORS AM I WORKING ON?
All Pointe Divisions will Warmup, Learn, and Practice on marley floors.
All Flat/Male Divisions will Warmup and Learn on Wood Floors and then Practice on marley floors.
The Stage for the showcase/performance will have marley on it.
All studio floors are sprung with the exception of the stage which will be used for the final showcase.
WHAT AM I BEING JUDGED ON?
The judges are looking for the following things during your performance:
Placement of arms and legs to create clean lines, smooth transitions between steps/phrases, pointed feet, soft landings from jumps, good control, straight legs when appropriate (ie any type of pique), accuracy of the choreography that has been learned, musicality, artistry, poise (confidence), connection (appropriate facial expression), and the use of the stage when performing.
At the end of the day you will receive the judging sheets to help you learn what you can continue working on to make you the best dancer you can be!
WHAT AM I DANCING?
In order to be fair and equitable dancers will be taught an original variation using steps that are normally found in variations from classical ballets. The sequence of steps will include age appropriate phrases and there will NOT be any “tricks” included (ie 32 foutees). The purpose of the competition is for dancers to explore how to learn a variation and make it their own!
WHAT CAN I WIN?
All participants will receive a Certificate of Achievement for being part of the competition. The top three scoring variations in all divisions will receive a medal and a nominal monetary prize. There are also three special awards that will be presented at the end of the award ceremony!
CAN MY PARENTS/FAMILY/TEACHERS WATCH?
Parents/Family Members/Teachers are NOT allowed to watch or enter any of the studios during any of the process from Warmup-Practice/Open Studio. Teachers/parents may not coach students in the studios at any time.
Parents/Family Members/Teachers are welcome to join us for the Showcase performances in the Schomp Theatre beginning at 12pm. The schedule (subject to change) is:
12-12:25 17-20 Division
break
12:30-1:35pm 14-16 Pointe Division
break
1:38-1:53 14-16 Flat Division
break
2-3:33 10-13 Flat Division
break
3:40-4:19 10-13 Pointe Division
4:22-4:46 7-9 Division
4:46-4:58 Male Division
5:10 Awards
Audience members are kindly requested to only enter and exit during the breaks
If you have any further questions please let us know!
17-20 DIVISION SCHEDULE
7:40am Registration Lobby
8am-8:15am Warmup Small Studio
8:15am-9am Learning Session Small Studio
9am-9:45am Practice Session Small Studio
10am-11:30am Open Studio L Studio
11:30am Waiting Area Black Box
12-12:22pm Showcase Schomp Theatre
5:10pm Awards Schomp Theatre
14-16 POINTE DIVISION SCHEDULE
7:40am Registration Lobby
8am-8:15am Warmup Large Studio
8:15am-9am Learning Session Large Studio
9am-9:45am Practice Session Large Studio
10am-11:30am Open Studio L Studio
12pm Waiting Area Black Box
12:35pm-1:35pm Showcase Schomp Theatre
5:10pm Awards Schomp Theatre
14-16 FLAT DIVISION SCHEDULE
8:30am Registration Lobby
9am-9:15am Warmup Movement Studio
9:15am-9:45am Learning Session Movement Studio
9:45am-10:30am Practice Session Large Studio
10:30am-1pm Open Studio L Studio
1pm Waiting Area Black Box
1:38-1:50pm Showcase Schomp Theatre
5:10pm Awards Schomp Theatre
10-13 FLAT DIVISION SCHEDULE
8:30am Registration Lobby
9am Warmup Movement Studio
9:15am-9:45am Learning Session Movement Studio
9:45am-10:30am Practice Session Large Studio
10:30am-1pm Practice Session L Studio
1:30pm Waiting Area Black Box
2-3:30pm Showcase Schomp Theatre
5:10pm Awards Schomp Theatre
10-13 POINTE DIVISION SCHEDULE
9:30am Registration
10am-10:15am Warmup Movement Studio
10:15am-10:30am Break
10:30am-11:15am Learning Session Small Studio
11:15am-12:00pm Practice Session Small Studio
12pm-3pm Open Studio Movement Studio
3pm Waiting Area Black Box
12:35-1:35pm Showcase Schomp Theatre
5:10pm Awards Schomp Theatre
7-9 FLAT DIVISION SCHEDULE
9:30am Registration
10am-10:15am Warmup Movement Studio
10:15am-11am Learning Session Movement Studio
11am-12pm Break/Open Studio L Studio
12pm-12:30pm Practice Session Small Studio
12:30pm-4pm Open Studio L Studio
4pm Waiting Area Black Box
4:22pm-4:43pm Showcase Schomp Theatre
5:10pm Awards Schomp Theatre
MALE DIVISION SCHEDULE
10:30am Registration Lobby
11am Warmup Movement Studio
11:15am-12pm Learn Movement Studio
12pm-12:30pm Practice Small Studio
12:30pm-4pm Open Studio L Studio
4:15pm Waiting Area Black Box
4:45pm-5pm Showcase Schomp Theatre
5:10pm Awards Schomp Theatre