Exploring Ballet With Suzanne Farrell:
A Three-Week Summer Ballet Intensive for Young Dancers
Application Information
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has developed a teaching partnership with legendary ballerina Suzanne Farrell and invites you to audition for the national summer ballet training program, Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell. This three-week intensive ballet course taught by Suzanne Farrell will be presented July 30-August 18, 2012, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. A limited number of students will be accepted into this program.
To participate in this program, students must complete and submit the application materials by the deadline and attend an audition class at one of the sites. Video auditions will only be accepted from those students who live more than 150 miles from an audition site. See video auditions section of this form for requirements. Students will receive confirmation notification of their audition site before the audition class.
Those selected to participate in the summer program will be notified by February 13, 2012.
Eligibility Requirements:
Male and female students ages 14-18 (age during the duration of the program, July 30-August 18, 2012)
Intermediate and advanced levels
At least five years of ballet training (four years on pointe for females)
Audition Dates and Sites:
-
Washington, DC
Friday, January 6
4:00-6:00 p.m.Saturday, January 7
1:00-3:00 p.m.The Kennedy Center
2700 F Street NW
Hall of States-Family Theater Lobby -
New York City, NY
Saturday, January 14
5:00-7:00 p.m.Sunday, January 15
5:00-7:00 p.m.The Ailey Studios at The Joan Weill Center for Dance
405 West 55th Street -
Chicago, IL
Saturday, January 21
3:00-5:00 p.m.Sunday, January 22
5:00-7:00 p.m.Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
1147 W. Jackson Blvd. -
Ft. Worth, TX
Saturday, January 28
4:00-6:00 p.m.Texas Ballet Theater, Ft. Worth Campus
1600 Green Oaks Road -
San Francisco, CA
Sunday, January 29
2:00-4:00 p.m.San Francisco Ballet School
455 Franklin Street -
Tallahassee, FL
Saturday, February 4 & Sunday, February 5
Florida State University, Department of Dance
**Space is limited. Call for details.**
To Apply and Participate in an Audition Class:
- Complete, sign, and mail the application and waiver form and $25 non-refundable application fee by check, payable to: The Kennedy Center postmarked by December 23, 2011 to: The Kennedy Center, Education Department, "Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell", P.O. Box 101510, Arlington, VA 22210.
- Attend audition class of your choice. Space is limited. (Audition classes are taught by Suzanne Farrell.)
- Arrive 45 minutes prior to the audition dressed for the class and have ready to submit:
- Copy of birth certificate or other official documentation of age.
- Current photos (may be snapshots): a headshot and full-length shot in arabesque wearing practice clothes and on pointe.
To Audition By Video:
- If you live more than 150 miles from all audition sites, you may submit a video for consideration. The complete audition packet must be postmarked by December 23, 2011 and must include:
- One video (VHS or DVD only)
- Copy of birth certificate or other official documentation of age
- Current photos (may be snapshots): a headshot and full-length shot in arabesque wearing practice clothes and on pointe.
- $25 application fee; check payable to the Kennedy Center (sorry, no credit cards)
- The video must have been taken within the last 6 months. Videos will only be considered if the student is the only featured dancer and is dressed in practice clothes. Female dancers should wear pointe shoes in the video (no ballet slippers). Video must be 20-30 minutes in length and should be performed as an abbreviated class. It is NOT necessary to repeat barre on right
- The video should include the following variations, choreographed solely by the applicant:
- 2 petit allegro (small jump combination)
- 2 grande allegro (large jump combination)
- 2 turn combinations in center
- 1 across the floor combination, travelling en diagonale, that includes a travelling turn combination
Summer Course:
The three-week intensive ballet course will be held Monday, July 30-Saturday, August 18, 2012. Twelve classes will be held weekly, Monday through Saturday. All classes will be taught by Suzanne Farrell and will take place in rehearsal rooms at the Kennedy Center. Supervised accommodation will be provided at a resident hotel located within walking distance of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Students accepted into the program must commit to participating in the entire three-week program. No one will be permitted to begin the program after Monday, July 30 or permitted to leave the program before 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 18.
Fees:
Tuition: $1100 includes 12 classes per week and selected activities designed to enhance and extend the student's study of ballet. Note: All students, including commuter students, are required to participate in ALL program activities.
Housing: $1,400 includes accommodations (students will be housed in doubles or triples), supervision, and selected activities.
Students notified of their acceptance must send a nonrefundable payment of $550 by March 16, 2012. Students who will be housed by the program must also send an additional nonrefundable housing deposit of $250 by March 16, 2012. The balance for tuition and housing (if applicable) will be due by June 18, 2012.
Limited need-based financial aid may be available for qualified applicants. For information on how to apply or to request an application, call the Kennedy Center Education Department at (202) 416-8811. Financial aid applications must be received by January 31, 2012. Students selected to participate in the summer program will be notified of any financial aid awards in their acceptance letter.
2012 Audition Poster:
- To download the:
- 2012 8 ½ by 11 audition poster
- 2012 11 by 17 audition poster
Questions?
Call the Kennedy Center Education Department at (202) 416-8811 or visit the Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell website at: http://www.kennedy-center.org/education/farrell/
Please note: audition sites will not have audition information. Please contact the Kennedy Center Education Department at (202) 416-8811.
Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell is an initiative of the Kennedy Center Education Department and is made possible in part by the U.S. Department of Education.
