Arizona Ballet Theatre

This is the Set of Rules reflecting the Policies that we have adopted in order to have the kind of school where we are all happy and feel safe; and in which real learning occurs.

We want everyone to be happy; and we believe that establishing boundaries and stating them clearly can help to foster a safe nurturing environment. We are receptive to your ideas in this process. Comments on our first draft were quite interesting. As a result of those, we have attempted to answer some questions and concerns that were brought to our attention. Your thoughts and especially your feelings and feedback are valuable to all of us. Here are the rules that, so far, have been found to work quite well.

Many of Arizona Ballet Theatre's rules focus on potential safety issues in the Studio and On Stage: The safety of all our Dancers is of paramount importance. Safety comes first and must be a focus for all who enter our Studios.

• ABT Rule Number One - Listen to Your Own Body When Dancing

If you are feeling real pain, you are doing something incorrectly and need to stop doing what you are doing right away, and re-think. Come and talk to me, Miss Megan, or Mister Norman at any time. Do not ignore pain. If it persists, especially away from the studio, seek medical attention as quickly as is reasonable for you. Do not delay unnecessarily.

• Rule Number Two - No Collisions!

Be aware of what is going on around you. Have a sense of occupying space; do not invade another dancer's space. Do not collide with walls, people, mirrors, or doors. When dancing at the barre or in the center, make sure that you allow enough room for you to stretch your limbs to the maximum and not hit another dancer who is doing the same thing. In the Center, if your movements are bringing you too close to another dancer, it is YOUR job to adjust appropriately, not theirs. If you are following someone in line in the drill section of class, who moves more slowly or smaller than you do, either wait to begin, allowing them time to execute the step, or, if you must, pass them from behind and ONLY when there is sufficient space to do so safely. The only collision that is remotely acceptable and sometimes unavoidable is between your Bottom and the Floor. Accidently falling elicits support from the rest of the class; concern for you and hopes that you have not been hurt may combine with applause for the Chutzpah you have evinced so bravely; Falling isn't fun, but for a motivated dancer, it is inevitable.

• Rule Number Three - Show respect for the art form - Dance - Do not engage in behaviors unbecoming to a dancer.

As part of our mission, we do not expect any Student to become a professional dancer. We do expect every dancer to act with courtesy, consideration for others, mutual respect, helpfulness, kindness, and dignity.

• Rule Number Four - Every Dancer shall cultivate an enthusiastic and upbeat attitude.

Arizona Ballet Theatre promotes a safe and positive environment where actual learning of dance technique is the expectation. Enthusiasm and a positive attitude enable success!

• Rule Number Five - No Rough Housing

We all want this to be a safe place for everyone. So, no rough housing, please.

• Rule Number Six- No Gum Chewing On the Premises. it Is A Hazard To Dancers.

Gum gets on the floor and is quite hazardous to dancers. Gum chewing interferes with a Dancer's focus and concentration. It is a distraction to others. In addition gum chewing interferes with learning proper facial expression. As a result, gum chewing becomes an impediment to learning the elegant artistic style Arizona Ballet Theatre Dancers must strive to master.

• Rule Number Seven - Students will not discuss another school, or encourage others to take classes elsewhere, while on the premises of Arizona Ballet Theatre, backstage at performances, or while involved in any ABT sponsored event or activity.

This is just simple, obvious, elementary ethics. It is also common courtesy.

Once you enter the Lobby, your focus should be on the class that you are about to take, or rehearsal you are about to attend, in which you will be perfecting your skills, and on our collective goals as dancers.

Divided Loyalties cause negativity and stress. We want you to be happy, so if you feel divided in your loyalties, please go to the other school exclusively. Access to the outstanding faculty at Arizona Ballet Theatre is reserved for those students who recognize the benefits of consistent study with the best teachers, and see no insurmountable difficulties. Coming to talk with us about your problems is always the best approach.

This is the practice all professional ballet dancers have followed. For example, I studied with the ballet teachers at the Boston Ballet School, before and during the time I performed with the Company, which I started to do at age fourteen, under contract.

We strive for and train a teaching staff exhibiting consistent and complementary styles. For example, one of my teachers at the Boston Ballet was Rochelle Zide-Booth who has been on our Arizona Ballet Theatre staff, and who guests teaches for us. Norman Walker has worked closely with her for many years including teaching together at the University level. I have personally trained Megan Hurst, and Victoria MacKenzie in my ballet style that has been so outstandingly successful in Arizona Ballet Theatre performances.

If you feel instruction at another school is superior, then by all means study there. We would encourage you to do so. I will be extremely happy to see you off to a number of top schools around the country when you are ready. However, it does nothing positive for your training to spend time at another school whose teachers are not at our level. Unlearning bad habits is far more difficult than learning correctly the first time.

• Rule Number Eight - When accepting a scholarship, the student and the student's family understand and agree that the student will not study at any other dance school of any type within the Greater Tucson Metropolitan Area, or elsewhere, without our approval.

That is a reasonable ethical standard when accepting financial assistance. Should you feel that is too restrictive, please do not accept the scholarship.

If we grant you a scholarship to study at Arizona Ballet Theatre, it means we think highly of you and we want you to set an example at our ABT school. We want you to be here when you are dancing to set an example to other dancers who can learn from your special skills. We view you as an important component of our ABT Dance community. It means we value you highly and want to have you here with us, but only if you feel the same way about joining and participating with us, as we feel about having You.

• Rule Number Nine - Before attending a program in another state, we expect you to consult with Miss Cecily.

Arizona Ballet Theatre performances have a consistently demonstrated a high artistic and stylistic standard. Our approval is required to ensure that the dance instruction you will receive is of a sufficiently high caliber, and that you will not need to unlearn bad habits in technique or stylistic differences that would be highly visible and displeasing to an audience during Arizona Ballet Theatre performances.

• Rule Number Ten - Any Student attending Classes at Any other Dance School of Any Type Within the Greater Tucson Metropolitan Area, or elsewhere, without our approval, Is Not Eligible to Dance in ABT Performances.

Any time you spend elsewhere detracts from key goals of our students and dancers, i.e., to improve their skills, and to showcase their progress in ABT performances.

In addition, it is unfair to your fellow dancers who need to practice with you and learn group skills. You will be letting them down, intentionally. We cannot allow that to happen. Commitments to be focused, enthusiastic, and giving full, enthusiastic efforts in class and rehearsals must be honored.

• Rule Number Eleven - Absolutely No Talking Back to the Staff.

Such rare behavior is rude, inconsiderate, and disruptive. It doesn't work well, and is unacceptable in any rational school. It is unbecoming to any dancer (and to any professionally trained person).

• Rule Number Twelve - Remember to Act at All Times with Respect and Dignity.

Respect has two parts, respect for oneself, and respect for those around you. If you really focus on respect for yourself, you will find respect for others will follow more easily. As you become more confident about respecting yourself, you will see more and more that other people will respect you. And, amazingly respect for others will seem easier and more satisfying.

Dignity is something that once you achieve, can never be taken from you. Once lost, it is quite difficult to recapture. It is priceless

Just behave as most parents would want and expect their children to behave, and you will be fine.

It is Arizona Ballet Theatre's policy that our Studios and ancillary areas be and constitute a safe place for all, including you. And we expect you to comport yourself at all times consistent with this policy.

That's it for now... If you would like to suggest additions, changes, or modifications...any kind of improvement in clarity, etc. please talk to me, comment to this page, phone, or send an email to me Arizona Ballet Theatre.

Our phone number is (520)322-8019 - Click here to send me your instant email.

Thanks, and Happy Dancing!!