First Steps
An exhilarating competitive showcase of work choreographed on and by RWB School Professional Division students.
January 23-25, 2025
Details
Location
RWB Founder’s Studio
Run Time
90mins
Genre
Mix-repertoire
Program
Download Program
Price starts at
Pay What you Can
performance
Overview
For over 30 years, audiences have witnessed the immense talent and creative spirit of the dance world’s future superstars as they begin their choreographic careers. This juried competition has produced some of the most celebrated choreographers of the past three decades including Mark Godden, Peter Quanz, and Jera Wolfe, along with countless dance teachers who have gone on to become successful artists and dance educators.
Through First Steps, students increase their artistic sensitivity and gain awareness and respect for the creative process, giving them the tools to become responsible, professional, and open-minded young artists. Students in all levels of the Ballet Academic Program are involved in some capacity, with lower levels serving as ushers and ticket scanners through to senior levels who have the opportunity to choreograph and/or perform.
Dates & Times
Doors open an hour before curtain. We highly recommend arriving when doors open. Arriving early gives you the opportunity to relax, explore the venue, grab a snack or beverage, and soak in the atmosphere before curtain.
First time joining us? Review our theatre etiquette guidelines.
What people are saying
It’s a staff favourite!
Nicole R
Staff Member
The Creative Process
RWB Professional Division Students in the Ballet Academic and Teacher Training Programs move through the entire creative process beginning in September and in February they present it to public and a panel of jurors. Although it is a competition, it is open to the public and is family friendly!
First Steps has grown to include the entire student body of the Ballet Academic Program, comprising Levels 1 to 7. Students who do not choreograph or perform are involved in all other aspects of putting on a production, such as:
- Presenting pre-performance improvisation.
- Working stage crew.
- Working as backstage runners.
- Ushering.
- Greeting audience as master(s) of ceremony.
- Photographers (choreographers at work), when applicable
Students choose the subject matter, length of their piece and style or dance genre. In order to accommodate numerous choreographers, each must adhere to a time limit of up to four minutes, to ensure that performances remain within a reasonable running time. Choreographers may choose to work with recorded music or live musicians and may use already existing or new compositions.
Finally, in coordination with the RWB Wardrobe Department, choreographers choose the costumes that best reflect their choreographic ideas, and with guidance from the Production Department, they design the lighting that will best support their dance.
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