Full Time Dance Training for Your Professional Career
Do you want a professional career in dance? San Jose Dance Theatre’s PPP course can set you up to achieve your dance dreams.
The Pre-Professional Program is a year-round program open to dancers ages 18-21 by audition only and offers intensive study in ballet, pointe, male and female variations, pas de deux, men’s technique, modern, contemporary and jazz. Our goal is to provide a transitional experience from the academic training setting to the world of professional dance.
Students have the opportunity to work and perform with the San Jose Dance Theatre company and are considered for future employment within The San Jose Dance Theatre Trainee program and Company.
Our ultimate goal is to increase the artistic diversity and versatility of our dancers, increasing their chances of a professional career with a variety of companies.
How Do We Prepare Students For The Professional World?
Students receive a dynamic training curriculum that incorporates a variety of dance styles in class, rehearsals, and performances; the opportunity to learn and perform San Jose Dance Theatre repertoire; Access to work alongside professional company dancers and artistic staff; Professional support from faculty, resume, video and photo development sessions and letters of reference.
Dance & Ballet Classes
Pre-Professional Technique
Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Repertory Class, Pointe, Pas de Deux, Men’s/Women’s Variations and Corp de Ballet, Acting, Stage craft and artistry.
Other classes include
Pilates, Floor Barre, Progressive Ballet Technique, Conditioning and Cross Training
Workshops
Throughout the year SJDT invites internationally renowned tutors to support the training of the dancers. These tutors specialize in classical and contemporary dance training for professional level dancers.
Performance Opportunities
Pre-Professional dancers are required to participate in all company productions. The PPP students have the privilege of working with the Artistic Director and guest choreographers.
Dancers may also be required to support community events and activities and perform at local festivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
The San Jose Dance Theatre Pre-Professional program is $5900 per year. This includes costume levies and performance fees.
Payment plans can be arranged for tuition. Scholarships for merit and financial hardship are also available by application. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Pre-Professional students are responsible for finding their own housing. We may be able to recommend housing possibilities or facilitate contact with other Students, Trainees and company members who are are looking for housing.
There is a black SJDT Company leotard that is required for special events and photo opportunities throughout the year. There is no uniform for this program. You are required to wear ballet attire for all classes but are free to wear any color or style.
Pre-professional students generally train from 9:30 am – 4 pm Monday – Friday. Unless there is a performance and schedules need to be altered to accommodate performance periods. Training hours comprise of the Pre-Professional Division curriculum. Pre-Professional Students rehearse and perform original choreographic works and repertoire ranging from classical to contemporary. Pre-professional students have opportunities to perform in San Jose Dance Theatre Company productions. The Trainee is a tuition-based position.
Auditioning & Program Eligiability
SJDT Pre-Professional Program Auditioning February 13, 2021 – Register Below
Dancers may audition for the pre-professional program during our Jan/Feb company and trainee auditions and by attending our summer school program. It is highly recommend those interested in the program attend the full summer intensive program allowing artistic staff to evaluate positions.
Eligibility Criteria
- Strong training background, which displays mastery in classical dance.
- Natural physical attributes: flexibility, coordination, display proper line of the leg, muscle strength, stamina, jump, turn-out
- Musicality
- Focus, level of discipline, ability to learn quickly
- Commitment level: desire, drive, passion for the art form, attendance record
