Regional Dance America presents the 64th National Choreography Intensive

RDA’s National Choreography Intensive exposes dancers to a professional company training atmosphere. Each day begins with two classes – one ballet class and one complimentary dance form to broaden dancers’ vocabulary & increase technical readiness and versatility. Working with new choreographers provides tremendous opportunity for artistic growth and expression. Daily performance showcases highlight the dancers’ work throughout the NCI. The NCI trains dancers to be marketable in today’s dance landscape – technically proficient, artistically curious, and versatile. Quite simply, a day at the NCI is a day in the life of a professional dancer!

Dancers must be at least 13 years of age and studying dance at an intermediate to advanced level.

RDA’s National Choreography Intensive provides daily exploration of choreography concepts. Choreographers delve deep to unearth their own unique movement, and spend time in choreography rehearsals working with dedicated dancers each day. The NCI challenges choreographers to hone their craft and develop their choreographic voice in an innovative and nurturing working environment.

Emerging Choreographer Track
Designed for choreographers at least 16 years of age or older who are looking to immerse themselves in different aspects of the choreographic process to experiment with choreography and music choices and develop their unique choreographic voice. Emerging Choreographers receive choreography assignments to work on each day from NCI’s Directors of Choreography and Music and receive space, time, and dancers to set new pieces of choreography each day. Works are presented in evening showcases with constructive feedback given in a supportive setting.

Project Tier Choreographer Track
Designed for more established choreographers who wish to incorporate new perspectives in the choreographic process to advance their craft and refine their voice in an innovative, collaborative environment. Project Tier choreographers receive space, time, and dancers to create a single, more fully-developed work during the NCI. This work is presented in evening showcases with constructive feedback given throughout the choreographic process.

Stephanie Martinez, a Chicago-based choreographer, takes audiences on dynamic journeys driven by the kinetic energy of her award-winning works spanning 15+ years. Her creations have been commissioned by top companies including Joffrey Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Ballet Hispánico, BalletX, Bruce Wood Dance, Kansas City Ballet, South Chicago Dance Theatre and Milwaukee Ballet, with theater credits at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and American Repertory Theatre. Martinez’s bold, contemporary voice pushes the boundaries of ballet, crafting over 70 works for professional and collegiate programs nationwide. Recognized for her contributions as a female artist of color, she has received numerous grants and acclaim, with the Chicago Tribune hailing her as a “chameleon” of choreography.

Martinez is the founder and artistic director of PARA.MAR Dance Theatre, established in July 2020.

Darryl J. Hoffman (Bronx, NY) is a composer & creative. He developed a curiosity for sound and began creating at the age of 13. Some of his early professional compositions include works for; choreographer Stephanie Martinez and Kansas City Ballet (2016), Visceral Dance Chicago’s “Synapse” (2017), three Philadanco works choreographed by Anthony Burrell & Christopher Huggins (2018-2019), “Title lX” (2018) & “Victoria” (2019) choreographed by Emmy Award winning choreographer Ebony Williams, which premiered at Jacob’s Pillow.

Other musical commissions include; Paramar Dance Theatre’s premiere work entitled “Kiss”, choreographed by Stephanie Martinez, which has also been performed by The Baltimore School Of The Arts, & Thang Dao’s “Run(A)Way”, a dance film set on Kennesaw State University dance company (which won best original score at the “Frost Bite International Online Film Festival”).

Over the years, Hoffman has developed a partnership with choreographer and Princess Grace Award recipient Rena Butler. Together they have collaborated for works on; Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Ballet X (2018-2020). In 2021 they created works for The Gibney Dance company, Whim W’him Seattle Dance Company & The Juilliard School. In 2022; Groundwork’s, Charlotte Ballet, ABT’s Second Company, along with his first international evening lengths work – entitled “CAVE” for Swedish Dance Company Norrdans. In 2023 Hoffman created “The Ride Through” for Rena’s piece on Parsons Dance, which premiered at The Joyce Theatre. 2023 also included Pony Box Dance, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Oklahoma City Ballet, & an additional work for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.

Hoffman was a recipient of The “3Arts / Make A Wave” Award in Chicago, Illinois (2021). In addition to his extensive body of work throughout the years, Darryl has served as Musical Director for Regional Dance America’s National Choreography Summer Intensive (2020 & 2023). In 2023 he directed his first music program entitled “In the Here and Now” at the Museum of Broadway in partnership with The Paige Fraser Foundation – sponsored by New York State Council on the Arts. This year (2024) he continues his collaborations with Rena Butler, creating music for Gauthier Dance in Germany, Cincinnati Ballet, And A.IM. By Kyle Abraham. Darryl continues to live in his gift as he intends to shape the culture of music & dance with his passion for sound and in other aspects of the arts.

2025 Faculty to be announced soon!

Below are sample schedules to give you an idea of what your days will look like at the NCI. Please be mindful that schedules are subject to change.

• Sunday, June 15:  ARRIVAL DAY for participants staying on campus
• Monday, June 16 – Saturday, June 21:  DANCING DAYS week #1
• Sunday, June 22:  BREAK DAY with supervised activities (no dancing)
• Monday, June 23 – Saturday, June 28:  DANCING DAYS week #2
• Saturday, June 28:  SHOWCASE PERFORMANCE DAY with abbreviated schedule
• Sunday, June 29:  FINAL DEPARTURE DAY for participants staying on campus

Dancer Sample Schedule

*Each dancer will be assigned to rehearse with one Project Tier Choreographer throughout the entire NCI. Additionally, each dancer will be assigned to work with a new Emerging Choreographer daily during one of the two Emerging Choreographer rehearsal time slots. Therefore, each dancer will have one afternoon break per day, besides meal breaks. These breaks will be used for rest and relaxation, reflection, and hydration and fueling. Additional short dance-related workshops will be offered (examples include injury prevention, resume building, and career paths in dance).

Choreographer Sample Schedule

*Project Tier Choreographers: From the morning Choreography Workshop sessions, you may use the tasks / concepts for inspiration in your process as you work with one group of dancers in the early afternoon each day to build a completed concept/piece by the end of the NCI. Additionally, you will have approximately three hours each day to reflect, plan, and meet with the Directors later in the afternoons as you continue to build your piece. In the evenings, you will observe informal showcases of the concepts the Emerging Choreographers have worked on that day for continued inspiration.

**Emerging Choreographers: From the morning Choreography Workshop sessions, you will receive a new task to work on each day. You’ll have time to reflect, plan, and think about the task in the early afternoon, then you will be assigned to rehearse with a new group of dancers each day during ONE of the two Emerging Choreographer Rehearsal time slots. Emerging Choreographers can watch, plan, rest, etc. during the additional rehearsal time slot to which they are not assigned. Each evening, the dancers will perform your phrase/piece/concept they learned in an informal showcase.

Additional Fees

• Mandatory: A nonrefundable registration fee of $75 is due at the time of registration to officially reserve your spot in the NCI.
• Optional: On the last day of the NCI, the dancers and choreographers will present a choreography showcase performance at 2:00pm. It is open to family, friends, teachers, and the public, and tickets are $10 per guest. Please include the number of guest tickets your party requires within your NCI online registration.
• Optional: Ground transportation to and from Dayton International Airport is $60 ($30 one-way). This optional fee may be added on within your NCI online registration.
• Optional: Linen Sets are available to rent within your NCI online registration, if you do not wish to bring your own linens with you for your dormitory room.
• Optional: NCI merchandise options (with prices listed) are available for purchase within your NCI online registration.

RDA is thrilled to present the National Choreography Intensive at Wright State University.

Wright State University

Wright State University’s Dayton Campus in Fairborn is located 8 miles and 15 minutes east of downtown Dayton. Wright State University annually serves more than 11,000 students and offers 315 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degree programs through five colleges and two schools. The university also operates a branch campus, Wright State University–Lake Campus, on the shores of Grand Lake St. Marys in Celina, Ohio. Wright State University was named to honor aviation pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright, who invented the world’s first successful airplane in their Dayton bicycle shop. In fact, the Wright brothers conducted most of their early test flights at Huffman Prairie, just a short drive from the Dayton campus!

Creative Arts Center

The beautiful, newly renovated Creative Arts Center houses the Wright State University Department of Theatre, Dance and Motion Pictures. The facility includes classroom and faculty spaces, two concert halls and two theaters that provide settings for plays and dance performances; concerts by the orchestra, chorus, and several instrumental groups; and other performances and exhibitions by visiting artists as well as students and faculty. The Creative Arts Center boasts a state-of-the-art playhouse presenting dramas, musicals, and dance concerts. It offers excellent sight lines and acoustics in an intimate atmosphere. The playhouse features a large main stage comparable to many Broadway and regional theatres, offstage wings and storage areas, and a hydraulically adjusted orchestra pit. The handicap-accessible auditorium seats 376 on the main floor and in the balcony.

The Woods: Dormitory Facilities

Wright State University’s The Woods is a group of fully furnished co-ed residence halls featuring dorms with suite-style bathrooms. Two to four participants will share a bathroom (which comes furnished with a shower curtain, bath mat, and toilet paper). The Woods is a short walk to the Creative Arts Center (dance facilities) and Allyn Hall Hangar (meal facilities).

Rooms in The Woods provide participants with:

• Twin X-Long mattress and bed frame (linens are NOT included)
• Chest/dresser with 2 drawers
• Stand-up wardrobe with 2 drawers and 50” long mirror
• Desk with desk chair
• Microwave
• Refrigerator
• Air conditioning
• Hand soap and small hand towels

Dress Code & Items to Pack

For Dancers

• For ballet classes: Solid colored leotard and pink tights with pink ballet slippers or flesh tone tights with flesh tone ballet slippers (ballet slippers or pointe shoes must match the color of the dancer’s tights to elongate the leg line), OR fitted solid color t-shirt or leotard, black tights, and white ballet shoes with white socks.
• For modern, contemporary, and jazz classes:  Black tights, leggings, or dance shorts recommended. Alternatively, dancers may wear their pink or flesh colored tights.
• For hip-hop classes: Dance sneakers are recommended but not required. Please be sure your shoes have clean soles to protect the studio floor.
• For ballroom classes: Character shoes are recommended but not required. Jazz shoes are an acceptable substitute for character shoes.
• Ballet skirts are permitted at the discretion of the teacher; no leg warmers during class. Warmups and sweatpants will only be permitted in hip-hop classes.
• Hair must be swept back and secured up from the face. Braids and locs are encouraged but should not exceed a length much lower than the shoulder. The thickness of the braids or locks should allow for a safe, secure, appropriately sized bun that does not move. Dancers with short hair must keep their hair neat, secure and away from the face.
• Dance socks are permissible at the discretion of the teacher or choreographer. Please bring options! While packing for the NCI, be sure to include ballet slippers, jazz shoes, pointe shoes, dance sneakers, and black socks along with an assortment of colored leotards, tights, skirts, etc.
• Modest personal jewelry is permitted as long it does not risk injury to the dancer. No dangly earrings or smart watches.
• Please bring options! While packing, be sure to include ballet slippers, jazz shoes, pointe shoes, dance sneakers, and black socks along with an assortment of colored leotards, tights, skirts, etc.

For Choreographers

• Comfortable athletic wear that is easy to move in is recommended.
• Please bring notebooks, pencils, and a phone or laptop for storing daily music selections and recordings of showings. A storage device (USB Zip drive, SD card, or CF card) is recommended.
• Please make sure your name is on your devices.

General Packing List

Dancewear

• Assorted Leotards or Fitted Dance Shirts & Tights (Pink and/or Flesh tone, Black)
• Black Leggings and Dance Shorts
• Dance skirts and/or pants
• Studio Warm-ups and/or Sweat pants
• Ballet, Pointe, Jazz Shoes, Dance Sneakers (Character Shoes if you have them. Not Required.)
• Black or Skin-Tone Dance Socks
• Hair Supplies (brush, comb, bobby pins, hair ties, hairnets, hairspray)
• Band aids, blister supplies, KT Tape (RDA will have first aid supplies on-site, too)
• Sewing Kit (or back up shoes and tights!)

Dormitory Needs

• Bedding (Twin XL) & Pillow
• Sleeping bag (option if you don’t want to pack bedding)
• Towels
• Comfortable Clothing, Undergarments, Pajamas
• Toiletries, Deodorant
• Shower Supplies
• Hangers (for closet space, if needed)
• Laundry Detergent
• Comfortable Walking Shoes

Miscellaneous

• Dance Journal
• Phone Charger
• Headphones
• Wallet and Identification (if applicable)
• Umbrella
• Reusable Water Bottle
• Light snacks (for your room and/or dance bag)

Please label all items with the Participant’s name.

Visiting During the Conference
Family members and friends are welcome to visit with dancers during their daily midday break. If a dancer intends to leave campus with a family member or friend, a guardian must provide prior permission. Observer passes may also be purchased by family or friends for $50 per day to watch classes and attend meals with the NCI attendees throughout the conference.

Final Showing
Saturday, June 28 – Showcase Performance at 2pm
The final day of the NCI includes a Showcase Performance beginning at 2:00pm. Family and friends are invited, and guest tickets may be purchased within your registration. You may add on as many guest tickets as necessary. NCI participants do not require tickets. NCI participants are permitted to leave after the Showcase Performance by car with a legal guardian or other adult whom the legal guardian designates in writing to RDA. 

For those participants departing with a guardian immediately following the showcase on Saturday, June 28, the showcase will conclude by 4pm. You may be on the road by 4:30pm.

Transportation

• Arrival by Plane: Please make all airline reservations into the Dayton International Airport (DAY). Please note, if you are flying as an unaccompanied minor, you must notify RDA before you travel so we can plan for your arrival. All flights to the NCI should be booked to land at DAY before 2:00pm on Sunday, June 15.
• Departure by Plane: Please make all airline reservations out of the Dayton International Airport (DAY). Please note, if you are flying as an unaccompanied minor, you must notify RDA before you travel so we can plan for your departure. All flights from the NCI should be booked to depart from DAY before 2:00pm on Sunday, June 29.
• Arrival by Car: Please arrive to the dormitory at Wright State University by mid-afternoon on Sunday, June 15 to check into your room and get settled before NCI begins.
• Departure by Car: Please plan to depart from the dormitory at Wright State University. NCI Participants are permitted to leave after the Showcase Performance on Saturday, June 28 with a legal guardian or other adult whom the legal guardian designates in writing to RDA. Otherwise, all participants must check out of the dormitory by 12pm on Sunday, June 29.
• Daily Travel: All NCI classes, meals, and dormitory facilities are within walking distance. Alternative walking paths will be provided in the case of inclement weather. RDA will provide any additional necessary transportation throughout the NCI.

Policies and Important Information for all NCI Participants

• All NCI participants are expected to attend all assigned classes, rehearsals, and performances.
• NCI Participants should monitor their health for potential symptoms of Covid-19, Flu, or any other illness. If any symptoms are displayed, please do not travel to the NCI until you have been tested for Covid-19 or Flu. NCI Participants are allowed to wear or not wear masks. Each individualʼs choice will be respected.
• All NCI participants are expected to be well-behaved, courteous, and honest, and to abide by Federal, State, and Local laws and all rules outlined by Regional Dance America and Wright State University. Failure to do so will result in a loss of privileges, notification to guardians, and/or immediate dismissal with forfeiture of all fees. In addition, if any laws are broken, the appropriate authorities will be contacted.
• The following are sufficient cause for dismissal from the NCI:
  • Unruly behavior
  • Disrespect for University property or personnel
  • Derogatory comments or gestures to anyone
  • Intimidation of others with violence or the threat of violence
  • Use or possession of alcohol, illegal drugs, firearms or fireworks
  • Tampering with fire alarms or other action that could affect the safety of others
  • Smoking or vaping
• No chewing of gum is not permitted in any dance classes, rehearsals, or performances.
• Burning of candles is not permitted in any rooms.
• No participant may leave the dormitory, dining facilities, or NCI studios by themself and must always check in with Staff when seeking to move from one location to another.
• Participants are not to touch the belongings of others without permission.
• Participants are not to enter another participant’s room without permission.
• Participants who cause excessive difficulties or endanger the health, safety, or welfare of themselves or others will be dismissed from the program immediately with forfeiture of all fees.
• Any participant who is dismissed for misconduct shall be prohibited from attending all future NCI programs.

Emergency On-site Phone Number
Erika Davis, 603-260-3748