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NORTH STAR BALLET

THIS CONTRACT is entered into on this                        day of                                 , by and between the North Star Dance Foundation, a non-profit corporation and                                            an individual, hereinafter referred to as the "Dancer".

Because you are being asked to commit a great deal of time and effort in being a member of the North Star Ballet, and because you already have large commitments at school and to your personal life, it is important that you understand what will be required of you as a dancer with the North Star Ballet. The following contract is meant to help you understand your responsibilities as a Company or Apprentice Company member and the responsibilities of the Company to you.

Being a dancer with any company requires that you put forth unusual mental and physical effort. You have to be mentally alert and physically responsive when most people are taking a break. Your reward is no more and no less than the exhilaration of dancing and the fulfillment that comes from expressing yourself in terms of movement. Being a member of the Company takes a lot of energy and you have to know how to pace yourself, when you have time to rest and when you have to work a bit harder. Knowing what your responsibilities are should help you to organize your time effectively.

It is important to understand that your commitment to the Company is matched by a commitment from the North Star Dance Foundation, and its Artistic Staff to provide you with the opportunity to develop technically and artistically as a dancer and to gain performing experience in an atmosphere of professional quality. The Board of Directors, the Volunteers and Supporters of the North Star Dance Foundation, who donate their time and money to make performances possible, make this opportunity possible. In short, the dancers are the performing members of an organization in which everyone has a job to do and responsibilities to meet, an organization that strives to enhance the quality of life in our community.

CLASSES
All company and apprentice company dancers are expected to participate in at least three company or apprentice company technique classes and two company or apprentice company pointe or men's classes each week. In addition, dancers are required to participate in the Company-Apprentice Pilates Class. When more than one level of class is offered, the Artistic Director will specify which dancers are to take which class so that the most progress can be made by each individual. Dancers must appear in traditional practice clothes (black leotard, pink tights, pink shoes for females, white tee shirt, black or gray tights, white shoes for males) without additional cover-ups, with hair appropriately arranged and with jewelry removed. Dancers must also attend all company warm-up classes that may precede rehearsals or performances.  During the 2009-2010 season classes have been scheduled as follows:

Company                      Monday 6:00-7:30 pm, Wednesday 4:30-6:00 pm, Saturday 12:00-1:30 pm
Company Pointe            Monday 7:30-8:30 pm, Wednesday 6:00-7:00 pm.
Company Men               Monday 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Company Pilates           Friday 5:00 – 6:00 pm

Apprentice                     Tuesday & Thursday 5:30 – 7:00 pm, Saturday 12:00 - 1:30 pm
Apprentice Pointe          Tuesday & Thursday 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Apprentice Men             Tuesday & Thursday 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Apprentice Pilates          Friday 5:00 – 6:00 pm

Dancers are encouraged to take additional ballet classes, classes in modern and jazz and to take advantage of the Pilates Program offered by the School.  Dancers who are considering a career in dance should definitely be taking more than the required classes each week. Dancers who do not attend the minimum number of classes required will be dropped from the Company.

CASTING
Casting is the responsibility of the Artistic Director who must consider the specific needs of an entire production. Dancers are required to accept the roles for which they are cast and are encouraged to think in terms of dancing as part of a complete production rather than dancing an isolated piece of the production that may or may not fit what they had in mind for themselves. Any problem with casting should be discussed with the Artistic Director without delay. Every member of the Company or Apprentice Company will be cast in a performing role in every production, but not necessarily in every ballet. Casting as an understudy should be considered as an opportunity to dance a role, not as an unnecessary or unimportant task. Understudies are essential in every production and more frequently are required to dance a role than not. Casting as an understudy does not mean that a dancer will dance a certain role in a subsequent season.

REHEARSALS
Rehearsals will be posted on the company callboard at least 24 hours in advance of the rehearsal period. During the 2009-2010 season rehearsals may be held as follows:
Wednesday       7:00 - 8:30 pm
Friday               7:15 - 9:00 pm
Saturday           1:30 - 6:30 pm
Rehearsals may be called on Sunday when no other time can be arranged. Rehearsals may be called at other times when dancers are free. Rehearsals may not exceed ten hours per week for any one dancer. Dancers must attend all rehearsals for ballets in which they have been cast or cast as understudies. Casting will be posted at least 24 hours before any rehearsal. Dancers must attend all technical and dress rehearsals for any ballet in which they have been cast or cast as understudies. Technical or dress rehearsals may not exceed four hours duration for any one dancer. Any dancer who may be unable to attend a rehearsal for any reason should notify the Artistic Director at the earliest possible date.

PHOTO CALLS, FITTING AND DRESS PARADES
Dancers must attend all photo calls, fittings and dress parades required for the roles for which they have been cast. Female dancers should be prepared to appear in a black leotard, pink tights and pink ballet shoes. Male dancers should be prepared to appear in a white tee shirt, black or gray tights, white ankle length socks and white shoes.

COMPANY FUNCTIONS
Dancers may from time to time be asked to appear as a group in special workshop classes, lecture demonstrations or at publicity functions. The Annual Class Demonstration at the end of the academic year is considered a company function and all company and apprentice company members will be required to participate. At such functions dancers should be prepared to appear in the dress outlined above and should conduct themselves as representatives of the company at all times.

COSTUMES AND MAKE UP
Dancers must provide their own rehearsal and performance tights and shoes except when special tights and shoes are required as part of a costume. All costumes will be provided by the company and must be handled with care by the dancers. Make-up is the responsibility of each individual dancer except when special make-up is required. The company will provide special make-up. Smoking, drinking, eating, chewing gum or sitting is not permitted while in costume. No dancer will leave the back stage area while in costume or stage make-up. The costumer, wardrobe mistress and their assistants must be treated with the utmost respect at all times. The wardrobe mistress may levy fines for the infringement of rules established for the management of costumes or for uncooperative behavior. Dancers must always leave dressing rooms clean and neat.

STAGE SAFETY
The Stage Manager is responsible for the smooth running of an entire production and for safety on stage. Because the stage is complex and requires cooperation for a large number of people in varying capacities, the Stage Manager must be given full attention at all times. Like a sergeant in the army he or she must be obeyed instantly for the show to run properly and safely. Courtesy, common sense and respect for the theater are the best guides for your own safety on stage. The Stage Manager is responsible for making sure everyone is at the theater for rehearsals and performances. A sign-in sheet will be posted and dancers must sign-in upon arrival. The Stage Manager is the person to contact if you are unavoidably late for a theater call or if you sustain an injury or are sick while at the theater. Dancers are expected to show the utmost respect for all stage personnel at all times.

RULES OF CONDUCT
Dancers, while involved in company functions, must conduct themselves as representatives of the North Star Ballet and in a manner that reflects the highest standards inherent to ballet training. The use of drugs or alcohol by any dancer while involved in company activities will result in immediate dismissal from the company. Company dancers are expected to understand that they are viewed as role models by younger dancers and students in the school and must strive to achieve the highest standards of personal conduct for themselves at all times. When traveling with the company, dancers will be expected to observe special rules and regulations that may be established for their safety and protection.

ACADEMIC STANDING
Dancers who are students in an academic school must maintain a grade point average of at least 2.0. Failure to maintain a 2.0 average will result in probation until the end of the next grading period. Failure to maintain a 2.0 average during the period of probation will result in dismissal from the company until a 2.0 average can be maintained.

TERM OF CONTRACT AND EARLY TERMINATION
This contract is intended to extend the entire period of the North Star Ballet 2008-09 season, from August 31, 2009 through May 23, 2010. Any dancer wishing to terminate the contract during the season must give at least four weeks notice to the Artistic Director and must agree to teach his or her roles to another dancer or dancers to be specified by the Artistic Director. The Artistic Director may terminate the contract at any time a dancer fails to meet the terms of the contract or fails to meet the technical standards of the Company.

PERFORMANCE FEES
Each company member will be required to pay a performance fee of Sixty Dollars ($60.00) upon signing this contract. The fee is non-refundable and is assessed to help defray the costs of costume maintenance. No other fees will be required of the dancer during the season.

Having read and understood the terms and conditions of this contract, the undersigned do hereby agree to abide by these terms and conditions:

DANCER’S SIGNATURE_________________________________DATE____________

PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN_____________________________DATE____________

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR___________________________________DATE____________