University of Rochester
Ballet Performance Group

Ballet Performance Group Choreography Policy

Adopted 11/2/19

Last Updated 8/1/21

 

Types of Student Choreography:

1. Open Dances - An open dance is open for participation by any active member. 

   1. Enrollment into an open dance may be capped at the choreographer’s request. Admission into capped dances is based on a preference ranking system that will account for seniority and number of dances preferred. The President and Vice President will use the ranking system to determine which members will be admitted into a dance.

   2. The maximum number of dancers is proposed by the choreographer and ultimately determined by the Executive Board. The minimum permitted cap must be greater than or equal to twelve people.

   3. The dance may be any technique level. The level is proposed by the choreographer but ultimately determined by the Executive Board.

   4. After dance rosters have been announced, dancers will have one week to withdraw from either a single dance or the group in general without penalty, as established in the Attendance Policy. If a dancer chooses to withdraw from a dance or BPG after that date, they will be required to meet with the President as outlined in the Attendance Policy. 

   5. If a dancer withdraws from a capped dance, the choreographer may choose to admit another dancer to take their place. If they do so, the President and/or Vice President will use the preference rankings to determine which member will be admitted into the dance. A choreographer may not choose the member taking the open space, and they will not be informed of the member before making their decision. 

   6. If a capped dance does not reach the maximum number of dancers, the choreographer may choose to admit more dancers into their dance on a first come, first serve basis. Members may choose to take part in those dances up until the second rehearsal. 

2. Closed Dances - A closed dance is a choreography piece involving between four and eight members. 

   1. Closed dances will rehearse outside of given rehearsal times. 

   2. Admission into closed dances is based on auditions. 

   3. Any active member may audition.

   4. A pre-appointed, non-auditioning officer of the Executive Board will act as proctor for the audition. If all Executive Board members are auditioning for a dance, a proctor will be chosen by the Executive Board.

   5. After the audition(s), the closed dance choreographer(s) and the proctor will meet to finalize closed dance rosters, whereupon the group will be notified of audition results.

   6. Any dancer in a closed dance must also participate in at least one open dance. 

   7. A member may partake in as many closed dances as they are invited to be a part of. It is up to the choreographers and the proctor of the auditions to ensure that the rosters of the closed dances are not identical. 

   8. There may be no more than three closed dances in each show.     

3. Fillers – A filler is a solo, duet, or trio that is approximately 2 minutes in length.

4. Finale - The finale is the final dance performed in each show. All active members participating in the show will learn and perform this piece.

 

Student Choreographers: 

1. Eligibility: 

   1. Any active member who has been a member of the group for at least one semester can apply to become a student choreographer. Members may not choreograph in their first semester as a member.

   2. Associate members are not eligible to become choreographers.

   3. Choreographers must have choreographed at least one open dance for every closed dance they propose.

2. Choreography and Music Requirements:

   1. Choreography must be original.

   2. Choreography should be approximately 2:30-3:30 minutes in length.

   3. Music must be clean and appropriate in lyrics and content. The Executive Board will have final say over whether a song is appropriate or not. 

   4. Music must not have been used for a BPG dance within the last four years.

3. Selection of Choreography: 

   1. Choreography proposals for open and closed dances will be accepted prior to the beginning of rehearsals for a show. 

   2. The Executive Board will consider all applicants and choose choreographers based on, but not limited to, quality and variety of choreography, dedication to and attitude toward the group, teaching ability, and feedback from previous semesters.

   3. Once a dance has been accepted into the show, the Executive Board will confirm the style, level, and cap that was proposed by the choreographer or alter if necessary. Any notes regarding style, level, or cap will be emailed to the choreographer after proposals.

   4. A choreographer has full creative control over the content of their dance. However, the Executive Board can request that choreography be changed or pulled from a performance if it is not appropriate, not ready, or found to be plagiarized.

   5. If an Executive Board officer is submitting choreography, they will not be present in the discussion of their piece. Any notes or questions regarding style, level, or cap will not be disclosed or discussed with them in person. All information will be released via email.

4. Responsibilities and Expectations:          

   1. All choreographers are primarily accountable to the Vice President and must report to them as required. 

   2. The Vice President, along with the rest of the Executive Board, is responsible for making expectations for choreographers clear prior to the start of rehearsals.

   3. Choreographers are expected to hold weekly rehearsals to teach their dance to the members involved in the piece. Choreographers will be given a rehearsal time and location by the Executive Board prior to the first rehearsal and are expected to be prepared for each rehearsal. 

   4. If a choreographer needs to cancel a rehearsal for any reason, they must notify the Vice President and give reason for cancellation. This may include a sickness or injury or a personal or family emergency. 

   5. Rehearsals are expected to be safe and positive learning spaces. Choreographers are expected to foster that environment by: 

      1. Being kind, approachable, patient, respectful, and accommodating to their dancers, as well as passionate about and committed to their dance. 

      2. Keeping in mind that all dancers have differing abilities and backgrounds, and choreography and/or rehearsals may need to be altered to maintain an environment of respect.

      3. Maintaining open communication with their dancers. 

      4. Giving constructive criticism and praise to their dancers as appropriate.

      5. Treating all dancers equally and without bias, both inside and outside of rehearsals. 

      6. Setting aside personal attitudes and opinions during rehearsals. 

   6. Choreographers are expected to act as leaders within BPG, and therefore must represent BPG positively.

   7. At the end of each semester, feedback on choreographers will be collected from members of the club, and relevant feedback will be communicated to choreographers by the Vice President. 

   8. If a choreographer is unable to abide by the choreographer expectations, they will need to meet with the President and Vice President. If the conflict continues, the choreographer may not be allowed to choreograph in the future.

   9. If a choreographer is an officer of the Executive Board, their first responsibility is to the Executive Board and the duties thus entailed. If a conflict of interest arises and an officer is no longer able to put their role as an officer before their role as a choreographer, they will need to meet with the President and Vice President to discuss their roles. If the conflict continues, an officer may be asked by a 2/3 vote by the Executive Board to relinquish one of the two positions.     

 

Filler Choreography: 

1. Any active member is eligible to choreograph a filler piece. 

2. The number of filler pieces selected for each show will depend in part on show length. 

3. Choreography proposals for fillers are selected during auditions set mid-semester at the discretion of the Executive Board. Fillers will be selected based on, but not limited to, quality of choreography, dedication to BPG, and attitude toward the group. 

4. Choreography and Music Requirements:

   1. Choreography must be original

   2. Choreography should be approximately 2:00 minutes in length

   3. Music must be clean and appropriate in lyrics and content. The Executive Board will have final say over whether a song is appropriate or not. 

   4. Music must not have been used for a BPG dance within the last four years

 

Finale Choreography:

1. Any active member is eligible to choreograph the finale. 

2. Finding a choreographer for the finale is the responsibility of the Outreach Coordinator. If no active member accepts the role of finale choreographer, the Outreach Coordinator will be responsible for choreographing the finale. 

3. This is expected to be a short, beginner-level piece that all members can learn easily. Bows are to be included at the end of the finale.

4. A workshop will be organized each semester to teach the finale choreography. In addition, the finale will be taught during show week rehearsals. 

5. Choreography and Music Requirements:

   1. Choreography must be original

   2. Music must be clean and appropriate in lyrics and content. The executive board will have final say over whether a song is appropriate or not. 

   3. Music must not have been used for a BPG dance within the last four years

 

Collaboration Pieces:

1. At the discretion of the Executive Board, the Ballet Performance Group may collaborate with another on-campus group.

2. Members may elect to participate in collaboration pieces on a first-come, first-serve basis, taking into account seniority and other dance participation at the discretion of the Executive Board.

3. The Vice President will be responsible for arranging a collaboration piece and for all communication regarding the piece.

 

Outside Choreographers:

1. BPG may, but is not required to hire an outside choreographer.

2. The Executive Board will discuss the hiring of an outside choreographer, or the status of the current outside choreographer, at the end of each spring semester.

3. The Executive Board, along with the group’s SA advisor and/or the potential outside choreographer will discuss compensation, if needed. The Ballet Performance Group, through fundraising and dues, combined with the allotted SA budget will provide compensation for any outside choreographer.

4. If the Executive Board decides to terminate the outside choreographer, a vote of the Executive Board must be taken. The outside choreographer can only be terminated if a 2/3 affirmative vote is obtained.

5. If an outside choreographer is terminated, the SA advisor must be notified and a new outside choreographer may be hired at the group’s discretion. A new hire must be brought to a vote of the Executive Board and can only be hired by a 2/3 affirmative vote.