Theatre and Dance

American Ballet Theatre Summer Intensive

July 6 – August 1, 2008

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

ABT faculty George de la Pena demonstrating Pas de Deux technique.

ABT faculty George de la Pena demonstrating Pas de Deux technique.

The University of Texas at Austin became the newest site for American Ballet Theatre's Summer Intensive program in 2001. The summer intensive program is a four–week session, taught by faculty from American Ballet Theatre and The University of Texas Department of Theatre and Dance. It will be held July 6 – August 1, 2008 and is geared toward intermediate/advanced dancers age 12–18.

ABT Summer Intensive FAQ

2008 PACKET INFORMATION

Packets containing housing, registration and program information have been mailed to each ABT Summer Intensive Participant as of April 15, 2008.

Materials available to download:
(all included in your packet)

CURRICULUM

The ABT Summer Intensive curriculum will include both high level technique classes and lecture courses on subjects critical to the development of a well–rounded dancer. Classes include ballet technique, pointe, pas de deux, variations, men's class, modern, jazz, character, choreography, meet the artist, pilates, hip hop, dance history, acting, music, nutrition, and stage production.

AUDITIONS

Pas de Deux class

Pas de Deux class

Auditions for the program take place during January and February in ABT's national audition tour. Auditioning at any site will allow you to be considered for all Summer Intensive Programs. There will be an audition on The University of Texas at Austin campus on Saturday, January 12, 2008.

Saturday, January 12, 2008
10–11am – Registration for the 1st class
11am – 1pm – 1st audition class (12–14 year–olds)
12–1 pm – Registration for the 2nd class
1–3pm – 2nd audition class (15–18 year–olds)

All auditions take place in studio 1.172 in the Winship Drama Building.

Applicants must pay a $30.00 registration fee; submit one letter of recommendation from a present dance instructor and a first arabesque photograph in order to register. Girls must wear full–length pink tights and black leotards with ballet slippers. Bring pointe shoes for the last twenty minutes of class. Boys must wear white t–shirts, full–length black tights and ballet slippers.

You may check www.abt.org/education/summerintensive.asp at the ABT Web site for more information about the audition schedule. You have 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th choice of the workshop locations to attend for the summer: New York, Alabama, Michigan, California, or Texas. All of the audition and acceptance process is handled through the ABT's New York office, and they send out letters after the auditions to let you know if you've been selected to attend.

DIRECTIONS

From the North: From I–35 take the Dean Keaton St / 32nd St exit. Go past St. David's hospital at 32nd St, the Rodeway Inn, and a Tex–Mex restaurant, then turn right (there is no street sign) onto Dean Keaton St. (also known as 26th St.) Turn left at the third red light which is San Jacinto St. The Winship Theatre & Dance building is on the corner of San Jacinto & 23rd St. and the front door faces the circle driveway with the water fountain.

ABT Summer Intensive 2006 students pose gracefully in front of the UT Tower.

ABT Summer Intensive 2006 students pose gracefully in front of the UT Tower.

From the South: From I–35 take the Dean Keaton/ 26th St./ LBJ Library exit. Follow the LBJ Library sign which curves in a circle under the freeway and go right onto Dean Keaton St. (also known as 26th St.) Turn left at the third red light which is San Jacinto St. The Winship Theatre & Dance building is on the corner of San Jacinto & 23rd St. and the front door faces the circle driveway with the fountain.

PARKING

There is a parking garage on San Jacinto between 26th and 24th St., or on weekends you may park along San Jacinto between 24th and 21st streets. Some permit signs say Mon–Fri, and some say AT ALL TIMES.

TUITION & FEES

The ABT tuition is $1500 for the Intensive. ABT tuition is made payable to "ABT" in New York.

The UT room/board is $1650 for the 4–week duration of the Intensive. The UT room/board cost is made payable to "UT Austin" in Austin.

HOUSING

All students are required to live on campus and will be housed in Jester West Hall with special ABT/University of Texas mentors. Weekend activities and field trips are included.

Housing informational packets will be mailed to students in April 2008. These packets will include information on room and board, transportation, medical services, and weekend activities. An invoice for UT room/board will be included in this packet. The UT room/board fee is due to UT Austin on or before May 15.

PERFORMANCES

Dancers take direction at rehearsal.

Dancers take direction at rehearsal.

There are two public performances on August 1, 2008 at 11 am and 3 pm held in the B. Iden Payne Theatre. Dancers will perform ABT's repertoire and new choreography taught during the program. Tickets are $12 for each performance, and may be purchased in advance or at the door.

FACULTY

ABT Faculty page

Rodney Gustafson
Jolinda Menendez
Lawrence Pech
Christine Spizzo
Ronn Tice

CONTACT

Good friends

Good friends

For more information please contact Cassie Gholston, Assistant Chair for External Relations, at gholstonc@mail.utexas.edu or (512) 232–5301.

For additional information on other Department of Theatre and Dance Summer Youth Programs, please visit the Summer Youth Programs page.