Princeton Youth Ballet, formerly DanceVision, is a not-for-profit corporation (501(c)(3)) founded in 2005 by Susan Jaffe and Artistic Director Risa Kaplowitz. PYB’s mission is to give talented young dancers the opportunity to perform in professional-quality performance, and to encourage the community to fall in love with classical ballet through inspired storytelling, magical productions, and uncompromising artistry. Performances include two full-length ballets each year as well as additional performances, such as collaborations with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and Boheme Opera. Outreach includes free programs for children from Trenton’s HomeFront, school residencies, and dance programs for seniors.
What is the relationship between PDT and PYB?
Princeton Dance and Theater Studio and PYB are financially separate organizations that share an artistic soul. PDT provides exceptional and compassionate ballet training within a culture of high expectations. PYB provides young dancers with the professional-quality performance experiences needed to help young artists grow. PDT donates studio space to PYB for rehearsals, and Risa Kaplowitz, the owner/director of PDT, serves as the Artistic Director of Princeton Youth Ballet. Many PYB company members are students at PDT, though auditions are open to the public and appropriately trained dancers from outside schools are encouraged to audition.
How much ballet experience is needed to perform with PYB?
Younger dancers should have at least 1-2 years of ballet training before auditioning for PYB. A basic level of technical skill and knowledge of ballet vocabulary is required. Older dancers who would like to participate in our productions are expected to have had at least 2 continuous years of pointe work as part of their regular training. Serious dancers not enrolled at PDT who are interested in being considered for soloist or technically demanding corps de ballet roles are asked to take a full ballet class at Princeton Dance and Theater Studio prior to the next scheduled audition. Please email info@PrincetonYouthBallet.org to register for the class or for more information.
What productions will PYB produce in the 2016/2017 season? How does my child become involved in a PYB production?
PYB is proud to announce the premiere of its new production of The Nutcracker, an original, full-length ballet choreographed and directed by Risa Kaplowitz. Auditions are tentatively scheduled to take place on September 17, 2016 at Princeton Dance and Theater Studio. (PDT). Audition announcements are posted on the PYB website as well as in local papers and at PDT. Like Princeton Youth Ballet on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @PYBallet and Instagram @princetonyouthballet to see all of our posts and stay current with updates and information regarding auditions, events and performances.
After the overwhelming success of Risa Kaplowitz’s new production of Cinderella, PYB will once again present Cinderella to audiences in May, 2017.
What are the time and financial commitments involved in participating in a PYB production?
Rehearsals take place on Saturday afternoons between 1:15PM and 6PM, and on Sundays between 10:30AM and 4PM. Dancers cast in principal and soloist roles may also be called to rehearse on Friday evenings from 6:30PM-8:30PM. A schedule of rehearsal times is posted online and at PDT by Monday of the approaching rehearsal week. To the best of our ability, rehearsals are scheduled so that no participant has to sit idle for a long time waiting to dance. Please note that once a participant commits to participating in a production, no absences are allowed. The “no-miss” policy is strictly enforced.
A participation fee is required from all dancers who audition, however checks are only deposited and credit cards are only charged if a dancer is cast in a role. Partial and full scholarships are available for those dancers whose families cannot afford to pay. No qualified dancer will be turned away based on the family’s inability to pay. Participants who would like to request a scholarship should email info@PrincetonYouthBallet in advance of the next audition.
Theater rentals, costumes, props, and the hiring of production staff and technical crew are costly. In order to ensure that PYB is able to meet the expenses of staging high-quality productions, PYB families are expected to volunteer their time and effort before, during and/or immediately after the performances. Volunteer assignments include assisting with the backstage supervision of young dancers, helping with costumes, concessions, ushering, loading in and out of the performance venue, etc. PYB families are also asked to solicit business ads from local businesses, vendors or service providers to be included in the printed program, buy or make gift items to be sold at the front of house performance boutique, sell flowers or concessions in the lobby, donate items for our raffle baskets, or help craft costumes, props, or set pieces. Parents who work one performance. Every parent volunteer will be able to enjoy at least one performance from the audience. Parents who are unable to volunteer may pay an opt-out fee.