Theatre and Dance

Policies for Dancers

Dancers are expected to adhere to the following policies while participating in classes, rehearsals and performances:

• No street shoes allowed on any of the dance floors. 
• Only water contained in sport bottles is allowed in all dance and performance spaces.  No gum, candy, sodas, or food is allowed in the dance studios, theatres or dressing rooms.
• Winthrop University has a smoke-free policy for all buildings which includes all spaces in Johnson Hall.
• Studios, dressing rooms, performance spaces, and rehearsal spaces must always be left clean and neat.
• No perfume, hairspray or other personal accessories that are not in the best interest of the dancers' safety and hygiene. 
• Students must reserve studio space with the administrative assistant to use the dance studios for student works, individual rehearsals, etc.  
• Dancers should arrive early in order to have time to dress properly and warm-up.
• Read posted rehearsal and performance announcements daily on the dance board outside large dance studio.
• Dancers should be enrolled in at least one dance technique class every semester.
• Tap dancing is not allowed on the Johnson Hall studio dance floors nor on the Johnson Theatre stage dance floor.
• All students who participate in the Theatre and Dance program should recognize that it is a significant privilege to participate in the classes, performances and rehearsals offered by the dance program.  That privilege demands responsible, ethical action.  Failure to follow the policies outlined here may result in individuals and/or groups being denied privileges to produce or participate in the future and may result in disciplinary action.  Please see the Student Conduct Code (pdf - 1.49 MB).
• Dancers should adhere to the following dress code:

Ballet	Leotard, skin toned footed tights, worn under leotard, and ballet slippers with sewn elastic.  Skirts are permitted. Tight fitting t-shirt or tank top, fitted sweatpants, or tights with elastic belt or canvas belt, dance belt, socks, and ballet slippers with sewn elastics. You may wear fitted legwarmers or other warm-up gear for the first few exercises at the barre. Hair needs to be pulled up into a bun or securely pinned up and out of the face.  No ponytails. No watches or jewelry allowed.  Small earrings are fine. No chewing gum and no food or drink in the studio.  Plastic water bottles only, please. For the safety of yourself and others, please keep nails trimmed short.
Modern, Jazz, and Tap	Leotard and tights or form fitting leggings or yoga pants, and bare feet.   Tight fitting t-shirt or tank top, fitted dance pants, tights with elastic belt or canvas belt, dance belt. No baggy pants, biker shorts, cropped tops, see-through dancewear, rubber or nylon pants are allowed.  You may wear fitted legwarmers or other tight fitting warm-up gear for the first few exercises of class. Hair needs to be pulled back, up, and securely pinned out of the face. No watches or jewelry allowed.  Small earrings are fine.   No chewing gum and no food or drink in the studio.  Plastic water bottles only, please. For the safety of yourself and others, please keep nails trimmed short. Add appropriate shoes for technique as requested by instructor.
Rehearsals	Students should adhere to the above dress policy based on genre of the choreography.

Instructors have the discretion to make exceptions to the above attire policies. 

Dance Performances contract  (127 KB)

Etiquette For Dancers 

Dancers are expected to practice the following customary points of etiquette while participating in classes, rehearsals and performances:

• Once a class or rehearsal has begun, it is inappropriate to leave the studio without permission from instructor.
• It is inappropriate to correct other dancers in class.  Inform the instructor or choreographer in private of any problems you have noted.
• It is customary to applaud as a group after all classes, as well as thanking the instructor and accompanist for class.