Gems in Motion Company Packet
GEMS IN MOTION PERFORMING COMPANY APPLICATION
ARE YOU READY TO BE IN A PERFORMING COMPANY?

Dear parents and dancers,

Making the decision to be a member of a performing company is a BIG one!! Please take a moment to consider the many benefits and the many sacrifices that will result if you are selected to be in the “Gems In Motion” performing troupe.

The primary focus for the dancer in company should be on improving dance technique and performance skills!! Your child should WANT to get out in front of people and SHINE!! When the curtain goes up and the lights go on, your dancer should be a bundle of energy and all smiles.... ready to perform! Discipline and dedication to this goal through practice, practice, and more practice is a MUST!!

Here are some of the benefits to being a member of the “Gems In Motion” company:

	Fun and exciting way to utilize dance skills and training “let your light shine!”
	Meet new dance friends and develop those friendships
	Explore the dance world outside of DDC, expand your dance horizons
	Perform—bring the joy of dance to others!
	Gain valuable life skills through your company experiences:
	Learn to think fast and think on your feet
	Learn how to get organized and budget your time
	Learn discipline and dedication to a goal
	Gain a sense of achievement and accomplishment when goals are met
	Learn how to be a gracious winner
	Learn how to be a gracious loser
	Strive for excellence...define strengths, both individual and team
	Accept limitations and work to improve everyday
	Learn respect for teachers, self, and fellow company members
	Learn how to show your skills in a positive way
	Learn the six P’s – preparedness, promptness, practice, and patience, be positive, and pride!

Are you ready to make the commitment necessary to be a member of a performing group? This is a hard to question to answer. Dancers and their families should think carefully about the many demands of being a part of this group.

	Dancers must take more technique classes each week.
	Dancers in the company should have a limited number of outside commitments and or activities. Ideally, the company members’ main focus is on DANCE!!
	Dancers are expected to be at rehearsals every week...on time and ready to dance. Dancers should be generally healthy.... frequent absenteeism due to illness is not acceptable; this includes rehearsals, performances and technique classes.
	Dancers must complete an application and participate in an audition to become a member of the group. If accepted, dancers and their families must be willing to commit to one full year of classes, rehearsals, travel and performances. The additional expense of classes, company fees, costumes, competition fees, and travel costs, should also be seriously considered.

IS YOUR FAMILY READY FOR A PERFORMING COMPANY?

Being a member of the Gems In Motion company takes time and support from your parents and the rest of your family. Your success will depend a great deal on their ability to help you. Before you make the commitment to your fellow dancers and dance teachers, sit down and talk through your goals with your family. Here are some of the issues you will need to focus on:

	Is your family able to keep their schedule flexible enough to help you get to your classes and rehearsals?
	Will your family understand the time commitment involved?
	Can your family afford the dollar commitment?
	Does your family know how devoted and committed you are to your dancing? If they can see how motivated you are, they will be more willing to help you succeed!

Costs For Company Include:

	Regular technique classes throughout year
	Tuition for company for year (See Guidelines page)
	Company leotard & warm-up – Jacket & Pants ($200)
	Gems Costumes (Estimate $100-$300/year depending on # of dances and company level)
	Competition Entry Fees ($18 - $40/dance entry)
	Travel Costs – Minimum of one competition-convention/year
	Convention Fees ($130-$160/dancer)
	Dance Shoes (Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Modern)
	Make-Up and Hair supplies ($40-$60) (Required)
	Dance Bag and Garment Bag (Required)
	Tuition for Summer Classes
	Summer Company Fees (Covers Cost of Summer Co. Rehearsals)

Gems In Motion Calendar Year

The auditions for the Gems In Motion are held each year in late Spring/early June. This allows us to begin planning for the upcoming year in terms of dances, # of dancers, and who will actually be in the company for the new season.

In order to take advantage of the many “summer” performing opportunities that are available, the performance groups from year to year may overlap. Gems company members are expected to continue performing through the Farm Fair, which brings the performance year full circle. In most circumstances, new company members will not perform in the summer shows. There is usually not sufficient time to prepare the new company members for these shows.

A sample calendar of the “Gems In Motion” performance schedule is listed below. The calendar also includes examples of the many different performance and competition venues.

	January – continue to rehearse new competition dances, Harford County Kids Camp Fair @ Harford Mall, 2005
	February – Co. Dance Convention/Competition – Meadowlands, New Jersey
	March – Local competitions and/or convention.
	April/May – Local performances for National Dance Week and National Tap Dance Day.
	May – Ironfest @ Ripken Stadium 2005 Rehearsals continue every week all year long!! Technique is always the first priority!!!

All shows and dates above are tentative. The calendar is not set at this point.

We are always open to trying new show, new places, different conventions and competitions. Every attempt is made to set dates and post a schedule at soon as possible. However, scheduling flexibility is a MUST for the Gems dancers and their families. As you can see, our performance calendar is growing each year. This is the goal of the group...TO PERFORM!