What does it mean to be a member of a pre-professional company?

A pre-professional company provides its students a venue in which to seriously train and study all aspects of dance. It provides members with the skills necessary to craft original choreography, resources to network with professional companies, and opportunities to perform. Typically the company is composed of dancers ages 12-18 and a few adults who have auditioned for placement within the company.

In the case of Dance Wisconsin, dancers take classes in ballet, contemporary, tap, jazz, and pointe each week at their studio of choice. Most company members spend 12-15 hours each week training at their respective studios. Company members come together at Dance Wisconsin’s home studio in Madison and train during a three hour weekly rehearsal. These rehearsals are supplemented by additional rehearsal times closer to a production and throughout August. Rehearsals offer members an opportunity to learn diverse dance repertoire, the capacity to create original choreography, and the ability to learn from skilled staff, guest teachers/choreographers, and one another. Dancers who audition and are selected for the company make a commitment to attend weekly technique classes and company rehearsals. Performance opportunities and special event fundraisers give the students valuable means for developing their technical and presentation skills.

Working with guest artists from professional companies provide the dancers with the opportunity to experience life in the professional world of dance. Dance Wisconsin alumni who have either danced professionally or in a collegiate setting frequently return and share their experiences and knowledge learned with current company dancers. Alumni are often commissioned to craft original choreography, explore directing company dancers, design costumes, and work with stagehands and lighting technicians.

Dance Wisconsin is the only pre-professional dance company in Wisconsin that belongs to the Regional Dance America organization. Membership to Regional Dance America provides Dance Wisconsin members with yet another avenue that makes the dream of dancing professionally or in a university setting reality. It gives dancers a venue to connect with artistic directors and dance companies throughout the United States and provides students with scholarship opportunities.