About
Colorado Ballet Academy Pre-Professional Division (PPD) is a daytime training program for career track students ages 14-20. Our Pre-Professional Division provides the necessary training to transition students from the classroom to professional dancers and is geared toward developing ballet artists ready to take on the challenges of dance in the 21st century.
- Students must either be enrolled in an online academic program or have graduated high school.
- Acceptance into this program is by audition.
Assessment for contracts with the Colorado Ballet
All Pre-Professional Division students are given the opportunity to work with Colorado Ballet’s artistic leaders, and qualified students are given first priority to openings in the Colorado Ballet Studio Company. Studio Company members dance with Colorado Ballet as well as their own performances for organizations in the region.
Trainee positions
Pre-Professional Division Students are assessed each year by Colorado Ballet Artistic Director Gil Boggs for the opportunity to become a
Trainee with Colorado Ballet for the following season. Trainees are Pre-Professional students who receive scholarships to train and
work closely with Colorado Ballet as well as shoe allotments when performing with Colorado Ballet. Depending on repertoire, Trainees
may be required to take company classes and rehearse and perform with the company in addition to training in the PPD. Trainees are
given priority for Colorado Ballet Studio Company contracts.
Training/Schedule
In focused settings with an average of 18 dancers per class, students participate in a minimum of 25 hours of specialized classical ballet training, necessary life skills and vital conditioning classes, with additional time provided for schoolwork. Training hours increase during the second semester in preparation for the full-length production.
2019-2020 Schedule
Schedule is subject to change due to rehearsals and performances Students receive detailed schedule with Life Skills classes and outings upon registration
- Monday, Wednesday 9:30-4:30
- Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:30-3:00
- Saturday 9:30-10:45 Technique class with Colorado Ballet Studio Company (Optional 1st semester, mandatory 2nd semester)
- Saturday 11:00-2:00 (Second semester production rehearsal)
Performance
The Pre-Professional Division training schedule mimics the professional dance experience as students work with a series of
rotating choreographers. Each series culminates in a Saturday Soirée performance in Colorado Ballet’s Black Box
Theater at the Armstrong Center for Dance.
PPD students also participate in the classical Fall Feature production in Colorado Ballet’s Black Box Theater and the
all-Academy full-length classical production at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House each spring.
Select PPD students are chosen to perform in Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker as well as additional productions during the
Company season, repertory permitting. Students chosen to perform in Company productions will be required to attend Company
rehearsals as specified.
Dress code
Ladies
Leotard
- CBA Eleve Leotard, Black with CBA logo (Monday, Friday)
- CBA Eleve Leotard, Mauve with CBA logo (Tuesday, Thursday)
- Student provided colored leotard and short ballet skirt of choice (Wednesday)
Skirt
- Black Bullet Pointe style or chiffon wrap skirt (may be worn during pointe/variations classes, and rehearsals)
Practice Tutu
- Conservatory by Primadonna c700 classical tutu in white
Tights
- Pale pink tights—Capezio #1916
Shoes
- Pink canvas ballet slippers, pink pointe shoes, character shoes
Hair
- Hair should be worn in a professional ballet style away from the face and off the neck for daily classes.
*For performances: Nude convertible leotard, pink dance briefs
Gentlemen
Shirt
- CBA Eleve Gabe with sleeve, White with CBA logo (Monday, Friday)
- CBA Eleve Gabe with sleeve, Slate with CBA logo (Tuesday, Thursday)
- Student provided colored shirt and solid black, grey or white tights (Wednesday)
Tights
- Gray tights (MStevens milliskin) (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)
- Black tights, convertible or footed (MStevens milliskin) (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
- All tights must be worn with a Tan (or nude) colored dance belt.
Socks
- White Freed ballet socks
Shoes
- White canvas pair & black canvas pair - split sole ballet technique shoes with sewn elastics
Hair
- Hair should be neatly groomed
Cultural Education
Students are exposed to cultural life in Denver through organized excursions to performances at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, museums, films and attractions unique to Colorado.
Housing
Colorado Ballet Academy is located in the heart of the Santa Fe Arts District near downtown Denver with many housing options, grocery stores and entertainment within walking distance. Students who wish to board have the option of apartment shares or staying with a host family.
Tuition & Program Fees
Tuition
The cost for the Pre-Professional Division is $7,695 for the year. Bi-annual and monthly payment plans are available.
- Production Fee: $175
- Activity Fee : $125
- Registration Fee: $30 online/$50 in person
- Payment Plan Fee: $20 bi-annual/$100 monthly
Audition Tour Information & Registration
Pre-Registration Online
Pre-Registration Online: Students who pre-register will receive a discounted registration rate of $35. Upon registration you will receive a confirmation email containing a copy of your registration which you will need to bring with you day of audition. Online pre-registration closes at 11:59pm MT on the Wednesday before the audition.
Day-of Registration
Registration fee increases to $40, cash or check only.
Audition Requirements
- Signed registration paperwork – please print out the waiver attached to your registration confirmation
- (1) 4”x6” photo in first arabesque (on pointe)
- (1) 4”x6” portrait – Photos do not need to be professional quality but must clearly portray student.
- All audition fees are non-refundable, regardless of circumstance.
- Audition results will be communicated within two (2) weeks and will be sent to Contact Email address only.
- Please ensure all paperwork is legible. Due to the number of auditions, we are unable to provide individual feedback.
Video Audition Information and Registration
Colorado Ballet Academy gives priority to those who audition in person. However, we do accept video auditions if circumstances prevent you from attending a live audition.
- All students will need to complete online registration
- Video registration fee $45, credit card only.
- All audition fees are non-refundable, regardless of circumstances.
To complete your application, you must also submit an email to preprofessionaldivision@coloradoballet.org with the following:
- a link to audition video
- (1) 4”x6” photo in first arabesque (on pointe)
- (1) 4”x6” portrait photo
- Photos do not need to be professional quality but must clearly portray student.
- Please indicate student name in the subject line of your email
- Videos must be recorded and uploaded to a video sharing site such as YouTube.
- Video must be recorded between October 1, 2018 and July 26, 2019.
- All videos must be received by July 26, 2019. Applicants are encouraged to submit early.
Audition Dress Code
Women: black leotard, pink tights, pointe shoes
Men: black tights, white t-shirt
Video Details
The audition videotape should be between 5-10 minutes in length and include the following:
Barre – one side only with one, short combination per category
Center floor work
- adagio
- pirouette combination
- petit allegro
- grand allegro
Pointe work
- echappe
- releve in arabesque
- pirouettes en pointe
- diagonal turning combination
Gentlemen
- tour en l’aire
- petit allegro with batterie
- men’s grand allegro
- grand pirouettes
Advanced gentlemen and ladies should include a variation from the classical repertoire
Videos will be reviewed upon receipt and results will be communicated within four (4) weeks. Due to the number
of auditions, we are unable to provide individual feedback.
Steps to submit video audition
1. Complete online registration.
2. Upon completion of registration, submit an email to
preprofessionaldivision@coloradoballet.org with the following:
- A link to audition video
- 4”x6” photo in first arabesque (on pointe if applicable)
- 4”x6” portrait photo – Photos do not need to be professional quality but must clearly portray student.
- Please indicate student name in the subject line of your email
