Regional Dance America presents the 62nd National Choreography Intensive

RDA’s National Choreography Intensive exposes dancers to a professional company training atmosphere. Daily master classes enrich training in many genres of dance. Working with new choreographers provides tremendous opportunity for artistic growth and expression. Dancers are a valued part of the creative process, working to develop their own movement vocabulary and style while bringing choreographers’ visions to life. Daily performance showcases highlight the dancers’ work throughout the NCI.

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, Director of Choreography

Stephanie is a Chicago-based choreographer who has created for Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Milwaukee Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Bruce Wood Dance, Nashville Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, BalletX, Canada’s Alberta Ballet as well as for Chicago Shakespeare and the National Choreographers Initiative, among others.

She has created more than 60 ballets on companies and collegiate programs across the country.  In 2010, Martinez assisted Broadway legend Ann Reinking in setting the Fosse Trilogy, and in 2015 was awarded Joffrey Ballet’s “Winning Works: Choreographers of Color” commission and the Chicago 3Arts Award in recognition for her work as a female artist of color.

More recently, Martinez was awarded an NEA grant for her premiere Bliss! at Joffrey Ballet. She is the founder and artistic director of PARA.MAR Dance Theatre in Chicago and was named DanceMagazine’s Top 25 to Watch in 2022 and more recently, one of Chicago’s New City 50 Players.

Learn more about Stephanie.

Darryl Hoffman, Director of Music

Darryl J. Hoffman (Bronx, NY native) is a composer, DJ, & Creative. With his life long love for music, he developed a curiosity for sound and began creating at the age of 13.

His previous compositions include; Kansas City Ballet for choreographer Stephanie Martinez in collaboration with cellist Desiree Miller (2016), Danceworks Chicago with choreography by Owen Scarlet (2016), Visceral Dance Chicago’s “Synapse”, choreographed by Nick Pupillo (2017), Minnesota Dance Theatre, choreographer, Darwin Black (2017), three Philadanco works choreographed by Anthony Burrell & Christopher Huggins (2018-2019), “Title lX” (2018) & “Victoria” (2019) choreographed by Ebony Williams – which premiered at Jacob’s Pillow, and works for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago & Ballet X choreographed by Princess Grace Award Recipient, Rena Butler (2018-2020).

Mr. Hoffman’s most recent works include, Paramar Dance Theatre’s Premier work entitled “Kiss”, choreographed by Stephanie Martinez – which was also performed by The Baltimore School Of The Arts (2020) and Thang Dao’s “Run(A)Way” – a Dance film for Kennesaw State University Dance company. This film won best original score at the “Frost Bite International Online Film Festival”. Mr. Hoffman expanded his creative horizons by serving as Musical director for Regional Dance America’s National Choreography Summer Intensive (2020).

In 2021 Mr. Hoffman created works for The Gibney Dance company, Whim W’him Seattle Dance Company & The Juilliard School – all choreographed by dance powerhouse Rena Butler. That same year, he became a 3Arts Chicago recipient of the 2021 “Make A Wave” award. The following year (2022) Darryl created works for Groundwork’s, Charlotte Ballet, American Ballet Theatre’s Second Company, along with his first international evening lengths work in Collaboration with Rena Butler entitled “CAVE” for Swedish Dance Company Norrdans. He currently serves as Music Director for The Paige Fraser Foundation. 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.

2023 NCI Faculty info coming soon!

Additional (Optional) Fees

• 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.
• 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.
• NCI T-Shirts are available for purchase ($20 each) 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. Rooms in The Woods are each outfitted with a microwave, refrigerator, and air conditioning. The Woods is a short walk to the Creative Arts Center (dance facilities) and Student Union (meal facilities).

NCI Dress Code 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 or black ballet shoes and socks.
• For modern, contemporary, and jazz classes:  Black tights, leggings, or dance shorts are recommended.
• 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 locs 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 may be 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.

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.

Dress Code & Packing Instructions 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. Also bring with you a storage device (USB Zip drive, SD card, or CF card) at least 8GB, for storing video footage from all showings.
• Please make sure your name is on your devices. We will transfer music selections to you each day for your assignments, as well as provide you with all video footage of your pieces.

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, July 1 – 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. 

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 18th.
• 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, July 2nd.
• Arrival by Car: Please arrive to the dormitory at Wright State University by mid-afternoon on Sunday, June 18th 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 Farewell Banquet on Saturday, July 1st 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, July 2nd.
• 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