Arizona Ballet Theatre

As did George Balanchine, Mister B., Miss Cecily creates lovely and very special new ballet dances using only the dancers who are actually in class.

Being in class is definitely a way of having beautiful dances created just for your level!in ABT's Spring Shows: "Smooth Moves 2010" atThe Stevie Eller Dance Theatre on June 5th and june 6th.

Can't miss, right? Just come to classes!!

Thanks for helping us create and polish all our new pieces for our "Smooth Moves 2010™ "Performances at the U of A this Spring.

BTW - Arizona Ballet Theatre always books our performances for the weekend following the Memorial Day Weekend. There are always so many conflicts for every dancer as the academic school year draws to a close, and every single extracurricular activity comes to its conclusion; At ABT, we begin our preparations early, give everyone Memorial Day Weekend off, and then, go full out into "Performance Mode" the next week.

Please keep this scheduling tradition in mind when you are making your vacation plans; please plan your dates for two weeks after the Memorial day weekend so that your dancer can fully participate in our all-important performances. It is a good thing.

Parents typically ask,

Every dancer who will be appearing in any ballet pieces will need Ballet Pink tights with feet. (Ballet Pink is a very light pink, almost white and is available at Hirsh's on Broadway and many other locations.

Bright pink tights are NOT acceptable.

Also, ankles must be covered; cut-off tights are NOT acceptable.

Ballet slippers MUST be ballet pink also. No black ballet slippers for the performances or rehearsals.)

Parents of boys, please speak to me directly; you may purchase white slippers, if your have not already done so. (Ballet Pink would also be fine if it is fine with your boy:)

You will also need hair accessories to fashion a ballet bun.

Elastics, clips such as those sold by "Scrunci Brand" at CVS or Walgreen's. Small and medium clips work the best; they should blend with your hair color. Bobby pins and hairpins are also fine, although I find that the plastic clips hold the hair the most effectively. Feel free to email me your questions:)

Dancers believe in being prepared; therefore, have extra of everything.

You will use your purchases eventually, no matter what, and will probably be delighted to be so well prepared in case of a back stage surprise. Extra tights, extra leotards, extra hair accessories, extra shoes. It is a very good thing to be prepared for any eventuality. Believe me. Unexpected things do happen. That is Life in The Theatre.

The closer we get, the more info will be coming your way. Remember, you can always email me with any concerns or questions. I like to know what you are thinking. Please feel free to ask anything. There are no silly questions when it comes to performances.

In addition, you should read Miss Cecily's Mini-Lecture On Required Footwear for Dress Rehearsals and Performances.

I need to address the Theatre and Stage Attire for the dozen-or-so ABT dancer/performers who take Jazz and/or Tap Only;

You do not have to buy new "ballet" attire. Since ballet is not your thing, I do not expect you to play "pretend." Having said that, however, if you happen to have nice-looking ballet slippers, ballet tights, and ballet gear, I would most appreciate it, personally, if you would wear those items during warm-ups on The Stevie Eller Stage and in Studio 301. If you feel comfortable:)

For ABT Jazz and Tap dancers, who do not also take ballet - please, put together a clean, jazz dance-wear "look" for your Dance Time in the Theatre.

Well groomed hairstyles are required. No exceptions.

As For Gear -

• Black Jazz and/or Tap shoes in good condition; Neat, solid-colored socks, if you prefer to wear socks. Bare legs are fine also:
• Black jazz pants or dance shorts which are tight fitting, in various lengths; a solid color - black is great - leotard or tank top which also fits snugly. You may layer two solid color tops if you wish:)

No baggy clothes. Period.

I want a sleek, professional look in any ABT Theatre Building Photos that may be taken this 2010 Theatre Week. It is very important that you look, neat, classy, thoughtful, and coordinated.

Ask Miss Megan or Miss Tori or "Moi" if you have questions about your choices.

My goal is that every ABT dancer shines in everything she (and he) does while at the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre. Pictures and Video will definitely tell the story in perfect hindsight;

Please spend some thoughtful and careful time planning your appearance as a dancer who represents Arizona Ballet Theatre, and think about exactly the image you wish to convey. It is a very good thing for you. It is essential for an artist. Dance is a Performing Art. Wonderful.

Another bit of info for the Parents of Our Charming, Littlest Dancers, who by the way, ALWAYS steal the show - I want the children to have a Magical Experience in the Theatre.

• Our ABT Mission is to teach the children how to behave in any theatre setting- as a performer, as part of the audience, and as part of a larger entity - our Arizona Ballet Theatre Dance Family. By spending quite a bit of time in the building in the days before the performances, the Little Dancers become quite comfortable in the Theatre setting and usually respond happily.

  Of course, should any one be having a rough day, feel free to take your dancer out into the Lobby or outside the building, or HOME, if need be. We can always try again tomorrow. To quote Scarlett O"Hara, "tomorrow IS another day." And Dorothy, from the Wizard of Oz, "There's No Place like HOME."

  Everyone should remain happy. That's what it is all about:)

Email me with any questions; there is no such thing as a small question when it comes to The Theatre! I love it!

Miss Cecily In Performance Preparation Mode & Loving It

This depends on several variables, the first of which is the dancer's goal. A dancer on a professional track will naturally take more classes than someone who dances for more private reasons. If one is serious about the quality of one's dancing, two or three lessons per week is the bare minimum. Dancing three or four days per week with at least two classes per day is ideal. For the serious professional track dancer, by the age of thirteen, one is dancing six days per week all year long with few vacation days.

Finally, one must never commit to dance seven days per week - even a professional - as the body needs at least one rest day out of seven.

Many people do cross train in other fitness related disciplines, such as synchronized swimming, track, or bicycling, each of which may alter things both positively and negatively. One can imagine that an individual dancer's ideal formula can be quite specific and unique. Isn't that why we pursue these artistic ventures? To both understand and reveal and perfect the individual inner qualities, the hidden treasures within the dance spirit.

YOUR words are our best, most effective advertising, by far!!!

Please do your part to keep us vibrant.

If you and your Special Dancer's are happy here and are benefiting in meaningful ways, please pass that very very significant info on to your friends, school classmates, and coworkers and colleagues. (;-)

They will be grateful that you did, and so will we (;-))->-- Yes, we really will.

We will Thank You when someone says you told them about ABT! We can try singing "Many Thanks to You" to the Tune of Happy Birthday. How about that? {;-)}

It is ABT policy to provide student discounts to College Students, such as Pima Community College, U of Arizona, or any other College, with a valid student ID. Instead of charging $16 for a single class, the College Student rate is $10 per single class, or group rates, whichever is lower

Dance Majors can get an even better rate in exchange for substitute teaching, participation in special events, etc. You need to talk to me directly.

ABT supports our troops in the best way we know how!! We offer the $10 per class rate to family members of those currently on active duty in the Armed Forces. Our gratitude to the men and women, past and present, serving in the United States Army Marines, Navy, and Air Force is boundless.

Please make up "missed classes" in the same month, and same time period, for which the classes were originally purchased. I cannot carry tuition over from month to month for obvious business reasons; should there be "special circumstances" please email me directly and/or set up an appointment to meet with me in person. Phoning is not the best for me, although I totally appreciate the way all of you have kept me so well informed of planned absences.

As far as choosing an appropriate make-up class, I highly recommend trying something new!

I teach a Learn-to-Turn Class every week on Wednesdays, a perfect class to try.

Tori is ready and willing to bring your tap skills up from wherever they may be from non-existent- to rusty - to "wowsa!"

Another great option would be Stretch Class on Saturdays with Chaz.

Megan teaches several Jazz classes a week and would love for you to try if you haven't already. Her jazz pieces are always standouts in our shows...I absolutely loved "Imagine" which showcased one of John Lennon's best known songs so effectively.

If you ask Norman, I feel confident he would allow you to try his beginning Modern Class as a make-up.

Keep in mind when you are in an unfamiliar class, especially in this dance explorer mode, that the teacher will most likely simply forge ahead AND that you are expected to do the best you can with very little review of material you most certainly have already missed.

While it may feel a little hard for you in the moment, this is quite common practice in the world of dance, especially in schools with a liberal drop-in policy like ABT.

Learning how to come up to speed quickly will stand you in good stead in the future... Not just in dance either.

People often move into an ongoing project in business, law, accounting, fashion design, journalism, and engineering too. You will be able to stay cool and collected, and pick up as you go along.

Having this skill as part of your "tool kit" or "bag of tricks" makes you quite valuable in any field. (Read The New York Times Columnist and Reporter Tom Friedman's Book "The World Is Flat")

Having, and recognizing that you have, this skill will look great on your resume, or curriculum vita.

You have many tasks on your plate that you have to complete. You never seem to have enough time. You feel rushed and stressed.

While it may feel a little hard for you in the moment, this is quite a "normal" situation in the World of Main Street.

Learning how to manage your time effectively will stand you in good stead in the future... Not just in dance either.

People often have to manage their time effectively in business and engineering too. You will be able to stay cool and collected after mastering these skills in ballet,modern, jazz, and tap tap tap.

Having this skill as part of your "tool kit" or "bag of tricks" makes you quite valuable in any field.

Having, and recognizing that you have, this skill will look great on your resume, or curriculum vita.