About
Colorado Ballet Academy Pre-Professional Division is a daytime training program for career track students ages 13-20. CBA’s PPD 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.
Acceptance into this program is by audition.
CBA offers two program options for aspiring professionals
Pre-Professional Division I
An afternoon program offered for students aged 13-16 with a schedule that allows for morning academic studies
Pre-Professional Divisions II & III
Daytime programs offered for students aged 14-20 who are enrolled in an online academic program or have graduated high school
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 Colorado Ballet Studio Company. Studio Company members dance with Colorado Ballet as well as their own performances for organizations in the region.
Trainee positions
Eligible current 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 and receive shoe allotments when performing with the Company. Depending on repertoire, Trainees may be required to take Company classes, as well as rehearse and perform with the Company in addition to training in the PPD. Trainees are given priority for Colorado Ballet Studio Company contracts.
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Pre-Professional I: Training, Schedule & Dress Code
Students accepted into PPD1 can expect to train approximately 20 hours per week with increased rehearsal hours for productions. In an intimate studio setting, 12 students receive focused attention in classical ballet training supplemented with jazz, modern, character and contemporary as well as vital conditioning classes. Choreography blocks with monthly performances prepare students for life as a professional.
Schedule is subject to change due to rehearsals and performances. Students receive detailed schedule upon registration.
Virtual Schedule
- Monday 12:00-3:45pm
- Tuesday 1:00-5:30pm
- Wednesday Off
- Thursday 1:00-5:30pm
- Friday 4:30-7:15pm
- Saturday 10:00-12:45am
Dress Code
LADIES PPD I
- Monday, Saturday (including production rehearsals): “Allison” Leotard by Eleve, Black with CBA logo
- Tuesday, Friday: “Cocoa” Leotard by Eleve, Mauve with CBA logo
- Thursday: Student choice of colored leotard and short ballet skirt
- 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 or tights that match skin tone (Capezio Ultra Soft Transition Tights with Self Knit Waistband, Style #1916)
- Shoes: Technique and pointe shoes match the tone of chosen tights (So Danca “Bliss” Stretch Canvas Split-Sole Ballet Shoe Style #SD16), black character shoes
- Required performance underdressing: Nude convertible leotard, pink dance briefs
- Character: Colorado Ballet Academy PPD uniform with Mirella Character Skirt MS23 in Black, Capezio 550 Black 1.5” heel Character Shoe
- ModernColorado Ballet Academy PPD uniform with tights rolled up and bare feet
- Hair: Hair should be natural in color and worn in a professional ballet style away from the face and off the neck for daily classes
- Jewelry: Small stud earrings or clear gauges allowed. No additional jewelry allowed, including necklaces, rings, bracelets and piercings. You may be asked to remove any jewelry at the discretion of the artistic staff.
- Nails: Short and natural color, no colored nail polish or nail jewelry.
- Tattoos: No visible tattoos including temporary ink.
GENTLEMEN PPD I
- Monday, Saturday (including production rehearsals):
“Gabe” shirt by Eleve, Black with CBA logo
Black tights, convertible or footed (MStevens milliskin)
Black canvas ballet technique shoe, sewn elastics - Tuesday, Friday:
“Gabe” shirt by Eleve, White with CBA logo
Grey tights, convertible (MStevens milliskin)
White canvas ballet technique shoe, sewn elastics; white Freed ballet socks - Thursday: Student choice of colored fitted shirt and solid black, grey or white tights with appropriate shoes.
- Dance belt: All tights must be worn with a tan or nude colored dance belt.
- Character: Colorado Ballet Academy PPD uniform and Capezio Overture Oxford #446 Character Shoe
- Modern: Colorado Ballet Academy PPD uniform with tights rolled up and bare feet.
- Hair: Hair and facial hair should be neatly groomed and natural in color
- Jewelry: Small stud earrings or clear gauges allowed. No additional jewelry allowed, including necklaces, rings, bracelets, facial piercings. You may be asked to remove any jewelry at the discretion of the artistic staff.
- Nails: Short and natural color, no colored nail polish or nail jewelry.
- Tattoos: No visible tattoos including temporary ink.
Pre-Professional II & III: Training, Schedule & Dress Code
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.
Schedule is subject to change due to rehearsals and performances. Students receive detailed schedule with Life Skills classes and outings upon registration.
Virtual Schedule
- Monday 10:00am-2:00pm
- Tuesday 10:00am-3:00pm
- Wednesday 10:00am-2:30pm
- Thursday 10:00am-3:00pm
- Friday 10:00am-2:00pm
- Saturday 10:00am-12:45pm
Dress Code
LADIES PPD II & III
- Monday, Wednesday, Saturday (including production rehearsals): “Allison” Leotard by Eleve, Black with CBA logo
- Tuesday, Friday: “Cocoa” Leotard by Eleve, Mauve with CBA logo
- Thursday: Student choice of colored leotard and short ballet skirt
- 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 or tights that match skin tone (Capezio Ultra Soft Transition Tights with Self Knit Waistband, Style #1916)
- Shoes: Technique and pointe shoes match the tone of chosen tights (So Danca “Bliss” Stretch Canvas Split-Sole Ballet Shoe Style #SD16), black character shoes
- Required performance underdressing: Nude convertible leotard, pink dance briefs
- Character: Colorado Ballet Academy PPD uniform with Mirella Character Skirt MS23 in Black, Capezio 550 Black 1.5” heel Character Shoe.
- Modern: Colorado Ballet Academy PPD uniform with tights rolled up and bare feet.
- Hair: Hair should be natural in color and worn in a professional ballet style away from the face and off the neck for daily classes.
- Jewelry: Small stud earrings or clear gauges allowed. No additional jewelry allowed, including necklaces, rings, bracelets and piercings. You may be asked to remove any jewelry at the discretion of the artistic staff.
- Nails: Short and natural color, no colored nail polish or nail jewelry.
- Tattoos: No visible tattoos including temporary ink.
GENTLEMEN PPD II & III
- Monday, Wednesday, Saturday (including production rehearsals):
“Gabe” shirt by Eleve, Black with CBA logo
Black tights, convertible or footed (MStevens milliskin)
Black canvas ballet technique shoe, sewn elastics - Tuesday, Friday:
“Gabe” shirt by Eleve, White with CBA logo
Grey tights, convertible (MStevens milliskin)
White canvas ballet technique shoe, sewn elastics; white Freed ballet socks - Thursday: Student choice of colored fitted shirt and solid black, grey or white tights with appropriate shoes.
- Dance belt: All tights must be worn with a tan or nude colored dance belt.
- Character: Colorado Ballet Academy PPD uniform and Capezio Overture Oxford #446 Character Shoe
- Modern: Colorado Ballet Academy PPD uniform with tights rolled up and bare feet.
- Hair: Hair and facial hair should be neatly groomed and natural in color
- Jewelry: Small stud earrings or clear gauges allowed. No additional jewelry allowed, including necklaces, rings, bracelets, additional piercings. You may be asked to remove any jewelry at the discretion of the artistic staff.
- Nails: Short and natural color, no colored nail polish or nail jewelry.
- Tattoos: No visible tattoos including temporary ink.
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 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 such as
The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, The Wizard of Oz, Alice and others, repertory permitting. Students chosen to perform in Company
productions will be required to attend Company rehearsals as specified.
Cultural Education
Students experience cultural life in Denver through organized excursions including performances at 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:
- Pre-Professional Division I:
$5,795$4,345/year - Pre-Professional Division II & III:
$7,695$6,095/year - 2-Pay, 5-Pay and 10-Pay plans are available.
Program Fees (these apply to all three levels):
- Registration Fee: $30
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, 2019 and March 31, 2020.
- All videos must be received by by July 15, 2020. This deadline may change as the program is filled.
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 registration you will receive a receipt containing a link to complete your audition form. You will provide the link to
your video on this form as well as uploading the required photos:
- (1) 4”x6” photo in first arabesque (on pointe if applicable)
- (1) 4”x6” portrait
- Photos do not need to be professional quality but must clearly portray student.
- This form must be completed immediately upon receiving receipt in order to participate in the audition. Receipt will be generated from Colorado Ballet Ticketing and sent to the email address provided during the registration process.
