Lone Peak High School

Performing Dance
Company
Company and Audition
Information
What is PDC?
“Performing Dance Company”
 PDc is…  PDC is not…
 A Class for Fine Arts Credit
 A Company
 Has a clear curriculum
(therefore there are
assignments, projects,
tests, etc.)
 A Demanding Company
that requires the best
technicians and
choreographers
 For those who are serious
about dance or who
want to continue on in
dance. To make a well
rounded dancer.
 Everything is meant to be
educational, including
trips, tours, tech-
 “Phone Directory
Company”
 Just a Team
 Main Focus on
Competitions
 Whole time is spent
on cleaning and
perfecting dances
for competitions
 A Club or Social
Gathering
 A lower team to be on
if you don’t make
LP Course Description of
PDC
 Performing Dance Company
 1.0 Credit   Grades 10-12 - Fee $300.
 Audition Only


 Fine Arts or PE activity credit! This co-ed class is

designed to study dance technique,
choreography, performance quality, and
production.  Each member will choreograph and
complete a study of dance as an art form. 
Improvement in technique and performance
quality will be stressed in all areas of dance,
concentrating on contemporary/modern.
Technique and performance is emphasized as
well as dance scholarship preparation. Students
are required to perform in the winter and spring
concerts and attend outside concerts and
workshops at the college or professional level. 
Technique, composition, and choreography take
up the majority of class time. Extra rehearsals
Course Description of
PDC cont.

 Dance Company is a performance class and
it is similar to an AP class in dance. It is
designed to help students become better
dancers, performers, and choreographers
through the medium of Modern /
Contemporary Dance. This class is not an
after-school elective, but is part of the
State and National Core Curriculum for
dance education. PDC performs in
concerts and assemblies, and also tours
nationally. The learning emphasis will be
placed on the artistic nature of dance. We
do not just rehearse "routines"; rather, the
student will learn to create using elements
of art in movement. This class is the next
Benefits of being on PDC
 Excellent Preparation for “Dance Sterling
Scholar”
 Excellent Preparation for University
Scholarship Auditions and Placement
 Goes hand-in-hand with the “National Honor
Society for Dance Arts.”
 Important skills if you want to go on in the
world of dance.
 Students have the opportunity to learn about
composition and get to choreograph their
own dances.
 Can get awards and scholarships for artistic
merit and student choreography from State
and National Festivals.
 Get to perform, go on tour, do service projects,
participate in fundraisers, make new friends,
work hard, be disciplined, learn new things,
Utah Core Curriculum for
PDC Taken directly from the UEN
Website

 Description of Dance Company

Dance is a universal language, an expressive and vibrant
art with the capacity to unify the physical, mental, social,
emotional, aesthetic, and spiritual. This company level
dance course builds dance knowledge and skills in
technique, improvisation, choreography, artistic expression,
performance, history, culture, life skills, and connections to
other curricular areas. The prerequisite for this course is
Dance III (1940) or by audition.

 Explanation of Standards
The Utah Dance Core Curriculum embodies the universal
principles and language of dance as an art form, and
encourages awareness of body movement and its creative
potential for communicating meaning and self-expression.
By creating, performing, and responding to dance, students
address dance education goals which are divided into four
dance standards:
 Technique

Dance as a Fine Art
 “Arts education and learning are vital to the
development of creative, well-rounded,
independent thinkers.” -Utah Arts Council

 1 Art produced or intended primarily for beauty
rather than utility.
 Any of the art forms, such as sculpture, painting,
music, or [dance],used to create such art. Often
used in the plural.
 2 Something requiring highly developed techniques
and skills
 - Answers.com

 Fine art describes an art form developed primarily
for aesthetics and/or concept rather than utility.[1]
Today, the fine arts commonly include visual and
performing art forms, such as painting, sculpture,
Utah Standard 1 Standard 2 Standard 3 Standard 4
TECHNIQUE
Core Students will demonstrate technical proficiency and ELEMENTS OF CREATIVE/ MEANING
DANCE CHOREOGRAPHIC Students will gain an understanding of dance as a means to create
Curriknowledge of the body. Students will demonstrate PROCESSES
and communicate meaning.
culu knowledge and skills in the elements Students will understand choreographic
of dance principles, processes, and structures.
m–
DancObjective 1: Value dance as contributing to healthy Objective 1: Develop Objective 1: Improvise within a Objective 1 : Define and demonstrate the creative
human development. knowledge and skills in space. structure. process of abstraction.
e · Document progress on select technical and performance · Demonstrate spatial and shape · Improvise a solo based upon an · Analyze how a choreographer uses abstraction to
create or communicate meaning.
Com · Implement an individual conditioning program that
goals. awareness in performance. element of dance. · Choreograph a solo based on a person, character, or
· Choreograph and perform a · Use all improvisational skills to aid picture through the process of abstraction.
pany addresses differences in strength, flexibility, muscular dance exploring interesting choreography; e.g., use of
endurance, coordination, and agility. Objective 2 : Demonstrate how dance communicates
· Implement strategies for injury prevention in class, spatial relationships of groups. spontaneity and imagination,
· Choreograph and perform an discovery and development of meaning.
rehearsals, and performance. · Explore through dance elements and compositional
· Describe immediate injury care. individual study using three thematic material, staying within
principles the most effective way to develop an idea
· Discuss methods of enhancing dancers’ abilities in shapes, three focal points, and gestalt. through movement.
choreography. three ranges of motion. · Choreograph a dance that successfully communicates a
Objective 2: Demonstrate topic of personal significance or a contemporary social
Objective 2: Develop knowledge and skills of axial theme.
Objective 2: Develop knowledge choreographic principles, processes · Create an interdisciplinary project based on a theme,
movements and basic locomotor steps. and skills in time. and structure. idea, concept, social issue, or object.
· Perform complex axial movements of greater length with · Demonstrate movement · Analyze the relationship between
rhythmical, spatial, and qualitative challenges demonstrating Objective 3: Identify the various purposes
sequences with tempo, rhythmic music, sound, and choreography.
dynamic alignment and dynamic balance; articulation of the served by dance throughout time and in world
torso, articulation of peripheral body parts promoting mobility and musical acuity. · Create and perform studies in
cultures.
and stability, integration of the spine with the periphery, use · Demonstrate syncopation. various choreographic forms.
· Observe a video or live performance of a
of breath to integrate movement, movement initiation from the· Perform unmetered rhythm. · Choreograph and perform in choreographic work based on a world culture past or
center of the body, and movement connectivity. different dances utilizing previous present; e.g., “The Green Table” by Kurt Jooss, “Shakers”
· Perform complex variations of basic locomotor and Objective 3: Develop knowledge knowledge and experience. by Doris Humphrey, “Dambala” by Charles Moore.
combination steps which incorporate spatial, rhythmical, and and skills in energy and motion. · Compare the creative processes · Accurately describe various purposes dance has
qualitative challenges. served in world cultures past and present.
· Perform movement with used by a noted choreographer and an · Create and perform three different movement phrases
· Perform complex combinations of various locomotor steps
qualitative nuance. artist in another form. derived from the study of theatrical, cultural,
with axial movement.
· Create and perform student-directed locomotor · Perform choreography with historical, social, or political context.
enhanced energy awareness. Objective 3: Demonstrate · Develop one of the above movement phrases into a
combinations which also incorporate axial movements. solo or group work.
· Use the qualities of motion as performance and choreographic skill.
Objective 3: Develop an awareness of performing a basis for choreography. · Demonstrate ensemble Objective 4 : Demonstrate aesthetic perception.
techniques. performance skills. · Respond to improvisational and compositional
· Demonstrate basic concepts of performing techniques; i.e., · Create a 3-5 minute group dance experiences from objective and subjective viewpoints.
kinesthetic awareness, concentration/focus, fluidity in with coherence and aesthetic unity. · Create a dance and revise it over time, articulating
movement transitions, clarity of rhythmic acuity, spatial in discussion or writing the reasons for the artistic
· Participate in the process of decisions.
intent, full exploration of energy fluctuation, and link of inner presenting a concert. · Evaluate works of peers in a supportive and
intent to outer expression. constructive way.
· Analyze personal performing techniques from internal and · Analyze a professional or university concert of
external (video) methods. works using aesthetic criteria; i.e., the elements and
· Identify the mastery of performing techniques in self and principles of dance, production aspects, dancers’
another. performances, and the choreographic intent or
communicative power of the works.
· Create a portfolio of creative and written work.
Dance in Education

 Dance is a universal language, an

expressive and vibrant art with the
capacity to unify the physical,
mental, social, emotional, aesthetic,
and spiritual aspects of the human
being. –USOE Core Curriculum - Dance
 Dance in education is dedicated to the
art form of dance as an essential
educational component of life-long
learning. –Utah Dance Education Organization
 Dance in education is not the same as
dance in a studio, but it will enhance
Curriculum Dance
Classes at LP
The Following Dance Classes
count as
 Fine Arts, PE Activity, or Elective
Credit:

 Dance 1
 Dance 2
 Dance 3 (UVU Concurrent Enrollment)
 PDC (an AP Dance Class and
Company/Team)

 “National Honor Society for Dance
What have we done on
PDC?
 Master Classes from such companies as the famous
Alvin Ailey American Dance Company
 Service Performances at the Charleston and other
places
 Attended the National High School Dance Festival
(takes place every other year, in Miami then
Philadelphia)
 Attended the State High School Dance Festival
 Attended the Shakespeare Festival w/ Drama in
Cedar City, UT
 Attends touring professional dance company
concerts, such as Alvin Ailey, Pilobolus, Martha
Graham, Lar Lubovitch, Momix, etc.
 Attended performances, workshops, and got guest
choreography from local professional modern
dance companies such as Repertory Dance
Theatre and Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company
 Received guest choreography from renowned dance
professors from U of U, BYU, UVU, and SUU
Annual PDC Events
 PDC Summer Dance Camp (Aug)
 1 Week at LP
 2-day Ririe-Woodbury/ RDT HS Dance
Workshop
 Shakespeare Festival (Oct)
 PDC Winter Concert (Dec-Jan)
 UDEO State Dance Festival (Jan-Feb)
 Tour (March)
 PDC Spring Dance Concert (April-
May)

Cost of PDC $$$
 Mandatory Fees
 $ Free = Audition and Clinic
 $ 200 = PDC Summer Dance Camp
 $ 250 = PDC “Outfit Fee”
 $ 50 = PDC “Participation Fee”


 Optional Costs
 $ 30-90 = PDC “Spirit Pack” (sweats)
 $ 200 = Shakespeare Festival
(October)
 $ 600-1000 = PDC Tour
 $ 5-15 = Possible Field Trips,
traveling cost
Where your PDC $$$
Goes:
 Guest Choreographers
 Costumes
 Guest Teachers or Master Classes
 Basic Transportation
 Supplies, Music, Props, Treats,
Paying Judges
 Putting on our Concerts
 Technical Supplies (marlee tape, light
gels, etc.)
 Paying techies and custodians
PDC Audition
Requirements
 Must have taken or be concurrently
enrolled in Dance 3
 GPA 2.8 or above
 Must be able to attend all required
practices:
 B4: PDC Class Time (academic)
 Tues & Thurs 2:30-5:00pm (student
choreography)
 Friday Morning 6:15-7:15am &/or Monday
1:30-2:30 (technique and
conditioning)
 2 Weeks before a concert, or performance
(see contract)
 All forms completed and turned in by
Other Team
Requirements
 Must attend / do:
 Officer Meetings (PDC Officers)
 One “group fundraiser” per semester
 One PDC social per semester
 One professional modern/contemporary dance
concert w/ written report per semester
 One PDC service project
 Turn in reading and other homework
assignments
 Analyze dance videos online and peer
choreography
 Do mini choreographic studies, comp and
improv
 Teach, clean, space and light own
PDC Audition Forms
All Forms Due by or before Friday May 6th by
3:00 pm March 26th

 Student Application Form (Green)

 Parent Permission Form (Blue)
 PDC Contract (Yellow) please detach
 Current School Transcript
 8 Teacher Recommendation Forms
(1 From every teacher this semester.
Teachers will send in ~ Confidential)
ØPDC Clinics
PDC Clinics : : Wed & Thurs, May 4-5th
Wed & Thurs, May 4-5
3:15-6pm

Free. Must
attend at least one day to learn combos.


ØPDC Audition : Fri, May 6th 3:00-6:00pm

PDC Contract

 Keep and review PDC

Contract/Disclosure and
Performance Protocol
 Understand the Demerit Point
System
 6 Points = Verbal Warning
 12 Pointes = Written Warning
 15 Points = Automatic Dismissal From
PDC
The Audition
BE EARLY!!!
Attend the Clinic & Turn in Forms, Do
Audition
Wear LP-Approved Tight Dance
Wear, Hair Pulled Back, No Gum or
Food or Parents
2-4 Experienced Judges, PDC
Director has final say
Points given in the following
categories: grades/gpa, teacher
recommendation scores, dance
technique skill, and improvisation
Audition Format
 Check-in, Get #, Stand in # order
 Technique:
 Warm-up
 Feet
 Adagio
 Across-the Floor
 Jazz Combo
 Modern Combo
 Improvisation (in small groups)
 Repeat combos in smaller groups as
needed
Who Made It?
 We will take both guys and girls of
technical proficiency and scoring high
on all forms.
 Possible limited number of Sophomores.
 No set number of dancers. Just who looks
good dancing together.
 Once you commit, you must follow
through
 Ranked Alternates (if a dancer cannot do
or is removed from PDC).
 Will be notified via email, website/blog,
and posted on the school door as early
as May 9th or as late as May 23. I will
PDC online (a work in progress)

 You will be notified via email, a

paper posted on the school’s south
door, and on the school’s dance
website May 9-23rd .



Good Luck
Dancers!

Do Your Best and Never Give Up!