Festival Rules & Regulations

1. Each company must include one (1) chaperone other than the Director, for every four (4) dancers attending, under the age of 18.
2. Appropriate dress is required for the type of locale and the activity being held at Festival. Dancers must remember that they represent their companies as ambassadors.
3. Dancers must wear some type of cover up over leotards in public areas, such as halls, elevators and between classes.
4. There shall be no excessive noise in the hotel rooms & halls after 11:00 PM that could disturb other attendees and hotel guest. A Director or chaperone from any member company shall have the right to demand that this rule be enforced.
5. Dancers should be in bed at a reasonable time or as specified by festival curfews, following each evening’s activities. In rooms and lights out should occur by midnight.
6. When leaving the theatre or hotel, dancers should not be alone, following the Buddy System. Dancers must secure permission from their chaperones regarding any departures from regular schedules.
7. Dancers must wear their badges to all classes and Festival functions.
8. Dancers must be on time for all classes and scheduled Festival events.
9. Dancers are expected to attend all classes and activities planned for them unless personally excused by their Director or chaperone in writing. Cutting classes or changing classes will not be tolerated.
10. No dancer may drink alcoholic beverages if he/she is under age 21, or in the presence of dancers who are under age 21. There shall be no alcoholic beverages in any dancer’s room.
11. The use of drugs by any Festival participant will not be tolerated. Offenders will be prosecuted.
12. Dress requirements must be adhered to for all classes.
13. Dancers should be aware of theatre etiquette and conduct themselves appropriately.
    1. During performances, do not leave your seat before the last curtain call.
    2. Do not run, push or shove when leaving the theatre, boarding buses or entering elevators.
    3. There is no food in the theatre at any time.
    4. There must be no make-up or costumes in the theatre during performances that are open to the public.
    5. e. There must be no shouting or screaming either during or at the end of a ballet. Applause and the calling out of “bravo” or “brava” are appropriate.
14. Be courteous and considerate at all times. Remember that you are acting as a representative for the art of dance in the United States.

Code of Ethics for Dancers

1. This code of ethics should not be construed as restrictive or limiting by festival participants but as the standards of quality maintained and promoted by RDA/NE and Pennsylvania Regional Ballet.

2. Festival participants are required to attend ALL activities on their schedule (classes, seminars, rehearsal, performances, etc.) unless given permission by their artistic director. There will be no changing of your schedule. You must attend the classes you are assigned.

3. Everyone is required to wear their badge at ALL times, this includes during classes.Dancers not wearing badges during classes will be asked to leave.

4. All participants are responsible for their own badges, meal vouchers, performance tickets and room keys. Any loss is your responsibility.

5. Everyone is responsible for any phone calls or other expenses in the hotel rooms. You must use a calling card or call collect.

6. Festival participants must exercise care and caution at all times. If damage occurs to any property which is due to negligence or fault of their own, the festival participant is required to assume the cost of repair or replacement of said damage.

7. Respect for Artistic Directors, Master Teachers, accompanist, Choreographers, Volunteers and fellow dancers must be shown at ALL times. Dancers are expected to act in a professional manner at all times and in all circumstances. Poor attitude disrupts the continuity and efficiency of the festival and will NOT be tolerated.

8. Maintain respect at all times: in the classroom, at the theatre, in your hotel room and everywhere! Common courtesy should be extended to everyone. NO gossiping or talking about other companies; even in a positive manner because things could be overheard and could be interpreted differently.

9. Do not “whoop” or holler during performances. Brava’s (girls) and Bravo’s (boys) are permitted but no obnoxiousness. Once pieces have begun, BE QUIET!! Please exercise and adhere to theatre etiquette and do NOT chew gum in the theatre.

10. Adhere to curfew. Curfew is one half hour after the closing of each evening’s party following the performances or whenever your Artistic Director says so.

11. Swimming will be done only with the permission of your Artistic Director and at your own risk.

12. The drinking age is 21 and WILL be enforced! Anyone breaking this law will be removed from the festival immediately.

13. Festival participants shall not engage in the use or sale of any controlled dangerous substance while at the festival. Anyone breaking this law will be removed from the festival immediately.

14. Classroom attire: female dancers must wear black leotards & pink tights, male dancers must wear white t‐shirts or leotards and black tights. Bring character shoes and skirts for character class. No warm ups will be permitted in any master class. No jewelry, watches or bright colored nail polish are to be worn in class. Women’s hair must be worn pulled back off of the face and in a bun. Any hair accessories must be secured so as not to fall out. Solid color leotards will be permitted as long as the entire company is wearing the same color

15. Classroom conduct: Dancers must maintain respect and proper attitude in class and give 100% of their effort. If you are injured, inform the instructor. There will be no leaning on barres or walls, no sitting down, talking or leaving the classroom without permission from the instructor. Please thank all of your instructors and musicians at the end of class.

16. Your chaperone must know where you are at all times.

17. Failure to comply with this code of ethics or maintain the required conduct will result in the dismissal from the classroom, rehearsal, or performance and possible dismissal from the festival.

Rules at the Theatre for Performance and Technical Rehearsal

Do’s and Don’ts for a Happy, Safe & Rewarding Performance
(These rules are borrowed from Festival ’92 in Altoona, PA who gave special thanks to Gail Collins of Pioneer Valley for making up the list)

1. DO warm up thoroughly; wear warm ups if you feel they are helpful.

2. DON’T wear anything except your complete costume once you’ve gone through the door to the backstage area.

3. DO put costume on about 20 minutes before performing and take off immediately after performing and hang up.

4. DON’T eat, drink or sit in costumes.

5. DO report all stains and rips to wardrobe. (No food or drinks except water are allowed in the dressing rooms.)

6. DON’T leave your dressing room a mess.

7. DO soften your pointe shoes, sew your ribbons or hair spray them for fast changes.

8. DON’T go backstage until you are called and leave immediately after you are finished performing.

9. DO make sure that the person assigned to you for fast changes brings ALL of your costume back to the dressing room after you’ve finished performing. Make sure all of your costume is pre‐set.

10. DON’T forget to check to see if all of your props are pre‐set.

11. DON’T forget an extra pair of clean tights and to crisscross your hair pins to secure headpieces.

12. DO remember earrings if they are to be worn with your costume and to spray “whispies.”

13. DO check your make‐up box in advance to make sure you have all of your necessities including: make‐up, band aids, needle & thread, scissors, etc.

14. DO get nervous enough to get adrenaline moving but don’t get nervous enough to scream, cry, or yell in
dressing room or backstage.

15. DO get up quickly if you fall.

16. DON’T oops!

17. DO invite your friends and family to see the performance.

18. DON’T invite them backstage or into the dressing rooms.

19. DO wait quietly backstage.

20. DON’T hit the wings on entrances or exits.

21. DO walk ‐ not run ‐ when crossing over.

22. DON’T hit the cyc or backdrop, it ripples and makes the audience queasy.

23. DO be aware of everyone’s feelings when giving out flowers or gifts.

24. DO smile at everyone; it’s better than flowers or gifts.

25. DO communicate; everyone is here to help you. How you conduct yourself on and off stage is a reflection of you and your entire company.

HAVE A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE – YOU DESERVE IT!!