Regional Dance America presents the RDA Summer Training Program

RDA’s Training Program is a brand new addition to RDA’s offerings in 2023. The Training Program offers dancers from across the nation a unique opportunity to train with world class faculty in our signature trusted environment. Daily technique classes in such genres as ballet, pointe & variations, modern, jazz, hip hop, and ballroom will occur daily in addition to repertory class, engaging workshops, and visits with the National Choreography Intensive directors and participants. The experience will culminate with a final performance.

Dancers must be at least 12 years of age and studying dance at an intermediate to advanced level.

Ashley Bouder, Program Director
Ashley Bouder was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and began her ballet training at the age of six at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet with Marcia Dale Weary. After attending the School of American ballet for one summer session and the 1999/2000 school year, Ms. Bouder joined the New York City Ballet. She was promoted to principal dancer in 2005 and has remained with the company to present day.

Ms. Bouder has danced in ballet galas around the world and guest starred in companies including the Paris Opera Ballet, Rome Opera Ballet, Bayerisches Staatsballett, and the Mariinsky Ballet. She has been awarded Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise at the School of American Ballet as a student. As a professional her awards include the Janice Levin Honoree from the New York City Ballet, the Miss Expressivity for 2011 and the Miss Virtuosity for 2013 from the Dance Open Gala, the 2019 Benois de la Danse, and the Award for Artistic Excellence from the Borough of Manhattan Community College for her work in promoting gender equality in the ballet world.

As the founder and artistic director of the arts collaborative Ashley Bouder Project, Ms. Bouder works to promote gender equality, diversity and inclusion in creative leadership roles within the dance world. Her previous choreographic work has been presented at the School of American Ballet Choreographic Workshop, the New York City Ballet, Peter Norton Symphony Space, Bryant Park Presents, and the Joyce Theater.

2023 Training Program Faculty info coming soon!

Additional (Optional) Fees

• On the last day of the Training Program, dancers will take part in the 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 Training Program online registration.
• Ground transportation to and from Dayton International Airport is $60 ($30 one-way). This optional fee may be added on within your Training Program online registration.
• Training Program T-Shirts are available for purchase ($20 each) within your Training Program online registration.

RDA is thrilled to present the Training Program 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).

Dress Code

• 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 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.
• Modest personal jewelry is permitted as long it does not risk injury to the dancer.

Please bring options! While packing for the Training Program, 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.

Visiting During the Intensive
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 Training Program attendees throughout the conference.

Final Showing

Saturday, July 1 – Showcase Performance at 2pm
The final day of the Training Program 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. Training Program participants do not require tickets.
Training Program 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 Training Program 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 Training Program 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 the Training Program begins.
• Departure by Car: Please plan to depart from the dormitory at Wright State University. Training Program Participants are permitted to leave after the Showcase Performance 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 Training Program 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 Training Program.

Policies and Important Information for all Training Program Participants

• All Training Program participants are expected to attend all assigned classes, rehearsals, and performances.
• Training Program 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. Training Program Participants are allowed to wear or not wear masks. Each individualʼs choice will be respected.
• All Training Program 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 Training Program:
  • 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 Training Program 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 Training Program programs.

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