Competitive Dance Teams &
Musical Theatre Troupes
Grow, Compete, Achieve
Never stop doing your best
We are proud to offer five levels of competitive dance teams, a tap team, and two theatre troupes which participate in multiple competitions per year, and perform at fun public events. Auditions will be held for placement purposes only for Grades 7+. Although performers will not be cut based on ability, commitment is essential to be part of the team! If you cannot meet the guidelines below, please consider a non-competition class!
**Students will initially be placed by grade, but may move to a different team based on ability.**
Competition Dates 2021
March 4-7 (Troupes Attending)
April 9-11
April 23-25 (Troupes & Minis Attending)
May 7-9 (Minis Attending)
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Team Fees
What Are Team Fees
Team Fees are the extra fees required to participate in team/troupe. These are in addition to the class tuition paid monthly.
How to Pay
Auto Pay is required for paying Team Fees. Enroll in your online account to pay via credit card or bank account. Cash or check will be accepted only if paying in full.
Competition Entrance Fees
Fees will be calculated based on the below structure and are determined by the average costs set forth by the competitions:
Solos - $110.00 per solo per competition
Duets/Trios - $65.00 per dancer per competition
Group Pieces - $50.00 per dancer per competition
Fees will be totaled based on the number of dances that will be performed at each competition.
Please note that groups of 3 are considered a Duet/Trio even as part of a regular team.
Costume Fees
$70.00 per routine – includes one pair of tights, and all accessories
- Shoes not included. Required shoes will be specified based on the routine. These can be ordered through the studio, or purchased on your own.
- If additional tights are needed due to wear and tear, they can be purchased on your own or ordered through the studio.
- If specialty tights are required (ex: fishnets), one pair will be included as part of the costume. Additional pairs needed will be ordered by the studio and will incur an additional charge.
- All costumes should be tried on when they arrive. We can return costumes due to incorrect fit or poor quality if needed prior to removing tags and packaging. If a costume requires tailoring to make small fit adjustments, or if something breaks/rips, parents will be responsible for tailoring/repairing or taking the costume to a tailor. We will also provide tailoring/repairing services with the following fee structure:
-Buttons & Straps - $10.00
-Taking In - $10.00
-Both - $20.00
Solo/Duo Choreography Fees
$125 choreography fee for those who choose to do a solo or duo - Students must also schedule two hours worth of drop-in private lessons
Team Jacket
$70.00 – jackets will be ordered by the studio and embroidered with the student's name
Requirements
Class Absences & Makeups
Technique classes are required to participate in team. The inability to attend technique class will disqualify a dancer from participating in the team.
Report all known conflicts with technique class as early as possible, and at least 24 hours prior to class. If an illness arises, notify the studio as soon as possible.
In the case of a conflict or illness, students can join the class via Zoom, or take the recorded class during the week. They must submit any homework required.
No-call/no-shows are not permitted and will result in removal from team dances at the instructor’s discretion without a refund of competition fees.
Rehearsal Absences
Team/Troupe members are required to attend their weekly rehearsals in order to participate in team. The inability to attend rehearsals during the usual time will disqualify a student from participating in the team/troupe.
Students are expected to arrive on time in order to be ready to go at the start time. Students who are habitually late will be removed from dances at the instructor’s discretion. The week of each competition, there will be a mandatory dress rehearsal.
Report all known conflicts with rehearsals at the beginning of the session. If an illness arises, notify the studio as soon as possible. Extended absences due to illness will require a doctor’s note to avoid removal from the team.
2 absences per semester are allowed in order to fully participate in the team/troupe.
More than 2 absences per semester may result in removal from routines. Students who are ill or quarantined may take the class from home via Zoom.
Unexcused absences and no-call/no-shows are not permitted and may result in immediate removal from routines without a refund of competition fees.
Required Technique Classes
Students participating in a team are required to enroll in the corresponding technique classes listed below in order to participate. No additional technique classes are required for Troupe, although we encourage students to enroll in Muisical Theatre Dance Technique.
Competing a Solo
Dancers wishing to compete a solo must also be enrolled in a dance team. Students not enrolled in a team will not be able to compete a solo independently.
Competition Info
Conflicts
We will attend four competitions during second semester that will be pre-selected at the start of the session. Students must be able to attend all competitions in order to participate or have a conflict pre-approved prior to enrolling. We will not select competitions that are held over spring break or the Easter holiday.
We do not have control over when the competitions choose to schedule our routines over the course of the competition weekend, therefore we cannot accept partial-weekend conflicts. Students must be available for the entire weekend (including Friday evenings) of a competition in order to be registered for that competition.
Schedules
Competition schedules are released 7-10 days prior to the competition weekend.
We cannot control when the competitions choose to schedule our routines and no refunds will be given if a student cannot make it to their scheduled performance time.
Facebook Group
Please join our Facebook group “TEPA Dance Team and MT Troupe Information” for team members prior to your first competition so you can get detailed information throughout each competition weekend. We will post updates on the check-in and dressing room locations, as well as scheduling and award updates throughout the weekend.
Competition Call Times
Students will be a given a ‘ready time’ when they will need to be present with hair, costumes, and makeup ready. This time will be approximately 2 hours prior to their scheduled performance time.
Students who arrive after their ready time may not be able to compete, and no refunds will be given. Competition schedules can run early, and we are expected to be early as well if that is the case.
Dressing Rooms
The dressing rooms are to be used for routine preparation and quick-changes.
- Parents will only be allowed in the dressing rooms to assist with hair, makeup, and costumes, and to help with quick-changes.
- Parents must vacate the dressing room once the instructors need to do run-throughs and give notes.
Hair and Makeup
Students will receive specific instructions for their hair and makeup prior to competitions. It is recommended that they arrive with it all or mostly completed. Instructors will be available to assist with hair and makeup when needed. Hair products and stage makeup are at the dancers’ own expense.
Cancellations & Postponements
In the event that a competition is cancelled, refunds will be issued when TEPA receives the refunds from the competition. Refunds are not guaranteed. If a competition is postponed, we will plan to attend during the new dates. If a student is unavailable for the new dates, a refund may be issued depending on the competition policies. If a students drops out of the Team or Troupe prior to the cancellation or postponement, nom refunds will be issued.
Our Teams & Troupes
Expectations
Members of the Dance Team & Musical Theatre Troupe must:
- Commit to the entire season, September through May
- Attend all scheduled competitions throughout the year
- Attend all rehearsals and required classes
- Exhibit a strong desire to grow as a performer
- Sign a Parent/Student agreement form
Attitude
The Dance Teams and Theatre Troupes are competitive groups, and are taken seriously with the highest expectations of commitment and hard work. We also want the the groups to be a fun and positive experience for everyone involved! We expect our students and parents to exhibit positive, encouraging, and respectful behavior at all times, whether it be during classes, rehearsals, or at competitions. Any behavior that is demeaning, condescending, or disrespectful towards a student, parent, or teacher will not be tolerated! We want our Teams & Troupes to be cohesive groups, working towards a common goal, and having fun!
Team Placement
Everyone who wishes to participate will be given a spot on a Team/Troupe. Placement will initially be based on age, but students may move teams/troupes based on ability. We will audition students in Grades 7+. We strive to create the highest quality performances with well-rounded performers who are committed to excellence. We work hard and we have fun competing and showcasing our talented groups!
Competition Pieces
Competition pieces will include:
Additional Info
Parent Responsibilities
Transportation to and from competitions will not be provided. Parents are responsible for getting their children to the competitions and retrieving them after their final performance. Students cannot be left with instructors once they are released for the day.
Decorum
Students and parents are expected to exhibit positive, professional, and respectful behavior at all times towards all other students, parents, and competition staff. Any behavior deemed inappropriate will result in the students/parents being asked to leave the competition with no refunds. We expect our students and parents to behave respectfully at all times!