Does a Dancer Need to Be Proficient in Every Dance Style

Does a dancer need to be proficient in every dance style?
All that is necessary is that dancers have one year of dance training in any style(s). We offer ballet, jazz, modern and hip-hop at our intensive this year (2014) and we realize that not every dancer may have had training in all of these styles. Our goal is for dancers to have fun and learn. Our advice is for a dancer to give a new style his or her best effort -- the results may be surprising!
What is the cost?
Our Summer Dance Intensive is one of the most affordable, professional, week-long intensives in the nation at $200 (pre-registration amount paid in full) for five unique classes each day. If your dancer can't stay for the entire day, he/she can opt for a half day for only $125 (pre-registration paid in full). If you are a current or recent graduate of Lamar University or the dependent of a Lamar faculty or staff member, you pay only $125 (pre-registration paid in full) for the full day.
How do I sign up and who do I make the check payable to?
There is a link to the brochure and registration form on our 2014 Summer Dance Intensive page. Make checks payable to Lamar University Department of Theatre & Dance.
Do I need to pay the entire amount now?
There are four ways to pay:
1) Pay the full amount of $200 for the full day or $125 for half day or Lamar discount by July 7, 2014 and owe nothing on July 14.
2) Pay half ($100 for the full day or $63 for half day) by July 7, 2013 and owe $100 or $62 plus $10 fee on July 14.
3) Pay a $20 non-refundable deposit by July 7, 2014, to hold a place for the student. Then on July 14, pay the full amount of $200 for the full day or $125 for the half day.
4) Students who do not register by July 7 may still register for the intensive if there are available spaces on the first day of classes. Late registration is $250 for the full day and $175 for the half day. Discounts do not apply.
What can I expect on the first day?
All participants who have pre-registered need to check in at the Health and Human Performance Complex B (HHPB) Dance Annex beginning at 8:00 am. Adult participants will sign a liability waiver. Minors MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian who will sign a liability waiver. Any balances must be paid at this time. Each group will be escorted to the appropriate dance studio to begin classes, so come prepared to dance right away! If a student did not pre-register, he/she may do so at this time and pay the late registration fee.

Who can attend the Junior Intensive? the Senior Intensive?
Junior Intensive dancers are those dancers who have completed the 3rd through 7th grades. Senior Intensive dancers are those dancers who have completed the 8th grade and up through any age adult. Be sure to include the dancer's age/grade level on the registration form so that we can place him/her in the correct Intensive section.
What if my dancer isn't old enough to be in the Senior Intensive, but is a really good dancer? Can she/he participate in the Senior Intensive?
We know your dancer is wonderfully talented! However, the Intensive sections aren't based on skill, but on AGE. There will be different skill levels in both groups. We want our dancers to be comfortable and a 25 year old dancing with a 10 year old (and vice versa) can be awkward.
What about lunch?
We will have a lunch break each day. Dancers may either bring cash to eat in the campus dining hall or a sack lunch. If a dancer wants to eat in the dining hall, the cost is $6 per meal. The dining hall is all-you-can-eat with several different options to choose from such as a soup/salad bar, pizza bar, hot entree line, grill line, desert line and a variety of drinks to choose from. Minor dancers will be escorted to and from the dining hall each day by an adult. If a dancer brings a sack lunch, he/she will eat in the HHPB Dance Annex. Half-day participants can either eat with us or leave at the lunch break - please let us know his/her plans.
What should participants wear each day to classes?
Dancers should wear comfortable clothes that they can move in that aren't too baggy. Some suggestions include leotard and tights (ballet skirt/shorts over the top optional), yoga pants/jazz pants and fitted top, fitted sweat pants and fitted tank top, leggings/bike shorts and t-shirt. We ask that all clothing be modest and not revealing. Footwear can be ballet slippers, jazz shoes (not sneakers) or socks for all classes. For hip-hop, students may want to wear clean sneakers. Street shoes are not allowed on the dance floor. Hair should be pulled back securely out of the student's face and eyes. Jewelry should be kept to a minimum.
Is there anything else students need to bring?
Students may want to bring knee pads for floor work, band-aids, water bottles (there are water fountains in each dance area), snacks, a small towel, a notebook and pen/pencil to write down their favorite combinations or music, extra hair accessories and any other personal items they may need throughout the day of dancing. Cell phone etiquette should be observed during class.
Can I stay and watch my child take class?
Unfortunately, there isn't room in both of our dance studios for you to watch. So in all fairness to all parents/guardians, we ask that you wait until the final day of classes (Friday) and attend the reception/presentation which will be held in the HHPB Dance Annex. You can walk your student to the HHPB Dance Annex each day if you wish or you can drop him/her off in the designated parking lot by the HHPB Dance Annex and watch him/her walk into the building.
Where do I drop off or pick up my student?
Lamar University has constructed a new parking lot adjacent to the HHPA and HHPB Dance Annex. You may drop off and pick up your dancer directly in front of the HHPA Dance Annex. This parking lot is between the Lamar Institute of Technology Multipurpose Building at the corner of E. Lavaca Street and Simmons Boulevard (formerly University Drive) and the Lamar University Nursing Building at the corner of Lavaca and MLK, Jr. Blvd. Each morning, have your dancer come into the HHPB Dance Annex to check in for attendance. Each afternoon, we ask that you wait in the parking lot for your dancer to come to you. For those dancers who drive, she/he can park in the same parking lot and will need to let Ms. Ozmun (the director) know so she can obtain a parking permit for the vehicle.
What is the Presentation/Reception on the final day?
This is a brief, informal presentation of what your dancer has been working on all week. The presentation will take place in the HHPB Dance Annex and will begin at 3:45 pm. We have limited seating available for up to 125 audience members so be sure to arrive before 3:45 pm. Our instructors will be available after the presentation for pictures and to talk to. Refreshments will be served at this time.
What should students wear for the presentation?
Unless told otherwise by their instructors, students should wear all black clothing without writing or images.
How do we check in for the residential option?
Residential participants need to arrive on Sunday evening. All residential participants will meet at the HHPB Dance Annex for check-in from 4:00-4:30 pm. They will then be escorted to the dorm for room check-in. On Monday morning, they will walk from their dorm to the HHPB Dance Annex for classes.
What do residential participants need to bring for the dorms?
Each dorm is set up like an apartment with a living room, two bedrooms and a shared bathroom. Each bedroom has one twin bed. Each participant needs to provide linens for his/her own bed, blankets, pillow, his/her own towel, washrag, toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo, personal toiletry items (such as blow dryer, curling iron, etc.), enough dance wear for five days, appropriate dance footwear, enough street clothing for five-six days, sleepwear and swimwear (guests have access to the dorm pool). Guests also have access to free wifi and may bring personal electronic devices.
What do the residential participants do for breakfast or dinner?
Residential participants may purchase food from local grocery stores and keep their groceries in their dorm rooms or eat in the dining hall on campus. Dining hall summer hours are:
Monday – Thursday: Breakfast: 7:00 am - 10:00 am; Lunch: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm; Dinner: 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Friday: Breakfast: 7:00 am - 10:00 am; Lunch: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm; Dinner: 4:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday: Brunch: 11:00 am -1:00 pm; Dinner: 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
The Dining Hall website is http://www.dineoncampus.com/bigred/ where participants can see daily menus.
Can participants who are over 18 stay in the dorms for the intensive?
Yes! If you are 18 or over you may stay in the dorms without a chaperone. You may have a dorm mate assigned if there is another student 18 or older who is also staying in the dorms.
Do chaperones have to stay in the dorms?
Yes! Chaperones must stay in the dorms and be with all minor dancers (under 18) at all times in the dorms.

What is there to do in the evening?

New this year!! We will have a different activity each evening in the HHPB Dance Annex. Monday’s activity is Tennis Ball Massage – our way of helping you get rid of some of the soreness of the first day of classes. Tuesday’s activity is Yoga/Pilates. On Wednesday, you can enjoy a free dance movie and pop corn. And on Thursday, learn a praise dance. These activities are free to residential participants and non-residential participants can also come back each evening and enjoy them for a small fee of $10 each night (except Wednesday which is free to everyone). Dancers (and even friends and family members of non-residential dancers) can sign up each morning (and pay if necessary) for that evening’s activity. All activities start at 7:30 pm and are led/taught by the director, Michelle “MO” Ozmun.

When is check-out for the dorms?

If you are leaving Friday and not staying Friday night, you need to check out before coming to classes that morning. So be sure to have all your things packed before breakfast and your room cleaned. If you need to stay Friday night, then you will check out early Saturday morning no later than 10 am. You will turn your key(s) in to the dorm personnel.

What if my question is not listed here?

First, read the brochure (a link is provided on the Intensive page). Then read the FAQs. If you don’t see an answer to your question, please feel free to call the Department of Theatre & Dance at 409-880-8037 with any other questions you may have.