Ballare Teatro Policies

Learn More About Our School Policies

We are so happy to have your family with us at Ballare Teatro Performing Arts Center and look forward to a great year of dance. The policies explained below are intended to give you a snapshot of what to expect this year in class and let you know what our expectations are as well. If you have any questions, please call us at 612-721-8619 or fill out our online form.

• Covid-19 Protocols
• Communication
• Classroom Expectations
• Attendance
• Tuition Level
• Picture Day
• Summer Dance
• Advancement
• Performances

In any learning situation, communication is the key to a great experience. At Ballare Teatro, we want parents to feel in the loop of the learning that goes on in the studio. We have several ways for you to stay informed:

• Monthly newsletter
• Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/BallareTeatroPAC
• Instagram - @ballareteatro
• Bulletin boards in the studio
• Class-specific e-mails.
• Windows in each studio space so you can observe the classroom at any time

If you watch through the windows of any of our classes, you will notice that our instructors are professionals who truly love what they do. If there is ever an issue in class, they will make sure you are aware of it and work with you and your dancer to make the learning process positive. We also have two family visitation weeks each year so you can sit in on the fun — and even dance a little yourself! All family members are welcome on these days.

Our expectation is that dancers are on time and committed to their dance education. We expect our dancers to respect themselves, the other dancers, the classroom, and the instructor. What you can expect from us is a nurturing environment where your dancer is given the tools they need to build their technique, confidence, creativity, and ability.

Dancers are expected to set an example for the rest of the studio. Dancers should come dressed appropriately for dance:

• Creative dance — any color leotard and tights, leggings, tutus, skirts, sweat pants or gym shorts, and pink or black leather ballet shoes.

• Fundamental-Level IB
• Dancers who identify as female need a plain black tank leotard, classic pink tights or tights that match your skin tone, plain black leggings (full length), pink leather ballet shoes or ballet shoes that match your skin tone, and black strappy tap shoes.
• Dancers who identify as male need black leather ballet shoes, black matte or shiny tap oxfords, black men's footed tights or black running tights, and a plain black t-shirt.
• Dancers who are gender non-binary should wear any of the required dancewear listed above.
• No skirts or jeans are allowed.
• Hair needs to be up and out of the dancer's face.
• Small earrings are allowed, but dangling necklaces, bracelets, and earrings should be left at home. These pieces, although beautiful and very fun to wear, can get caught and cause injuries. No permanent jewelry.
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• Level II-V
• Dancers who identify as female need a plain black tank leotard, classic pink tights or tights that match your skin tone, plain black leggings (full length), pink leather split-sole ballet shoes or split-sole ballet shoes that match your skin tone, and black tap Oxfords (Level II/III) or Zoot-Rhythm tap Oxfords (Level IV/V). Ballet skirts are allowed in ballet class, but booty shorts are allowed in tap and jazz only. All dancers will need a nude leotard to wear under their costumes for performances. This helps with quick changes.
• Dancers who identify as male need black split-soled ballet shoes, black tap Oxfords (Level II/III) or Zoot-Rhythm tap Oxfords (Level IV/V), black leather jazz oxfords, black men’s footed tights or black running tights, and a black t-shirt.
• Dancers who are gender non-binary need black split-soled ballet shoes, black tap oxfords (Level II/III) or Zoot-Rhythm tap shoes (Level IV/V), black running tights, and a plain black t-shirt.
• All dancers taking jazz need black split-soled jazz Oxfords.
• Modern dance is done barefoot. All modern dancers should wear comfortable, fitted clothing that promotes ease of movement, but is not baggy.
• No jeans are allowed!
• Hair should be up and out of the dancer's face. Hair must be in a bun for ballet.
• Small earrings are allowed, but dangling necklaces, bracelets, and earrings should be left at home. These pieces, although beautiful and very fun to wear, can get caught and cause injuries. No permanent jewelry.

As in any learning situation, you get out of it what you put into it. You need to be present to learn.  Absenteeism slows down the learning process for everyone. Please make your dance education a priority. If a dancer has a school/graded event to attend or is feverish or vomiting, please call the studio at 612-721-8619.

Families pay tuition monthly, broken into 10 monthly installments which run September-June. September tuition is paid with registration. Tuition is paid with a credit card via automatic payment. Tuition will be charged on the first of the month. The final tuition installment is paid on June 1st. If you have an issue with your credit card or your credit card number has expired, it is your responsibility to update your card information. Past-due tuition will incur a $15 late fee.

Picture Day for the upcoming year will be announced early in the year.

Dancers at Ballare Teatro work throughout the year to build their technique. Consistency is the key to continued technical growth. Rest is important to any physical activity. Still, when dancers take the whole summer off, they can lose a great deal of what they have worked so hard to achieve during the year.

Ballare Teatro designed the Summer Session to keep the dancers' technique progressing in a format that supports continued growth, while being mindful of a family's busy summer schedule. The 2026 Summer Session runs June 22nd - July 30th. For dancers Creative - Level IB, we offer a 6-week session-style class. One class per week for six weeks.

For dancers Level II - V, we offer drop-in style classes. These dancers are required to take a minimum of 5 drop-in classes at the level they are currently enrolled in to maintain their technique and prepare for the Audition Workshop in August.

It is not unusual for dancers to spend two to three years in a level.

• Fundamental A and B take ballet and tap together in a one-hour-long class.
• Level IA and IB take ballet and tap together in a 1.5-hour-long class.
• Dancers in Level IIA take ballet, jazz, and tap, each are a one-hour-long class.
• Dancers in Level IIB take ballet, jazz, Progressing Ballet Technique, and tap. Ballet and jazz are each 1.25 hours per class. Progressing Ballet Technique and tap are each one hour.
• Dancers in Level III take ballet, jazz, modern, Progressing Ballet Technique, and tap. Ballet, jazz, and modern are each 1.5 hours. Progressing Ballet Technique and tap are each one hour.
• Dancers in Level IV and V take ballet, jazz, modern, Progressing Ballet Technique, and tap. Ballet, jazz, and modern are 1.5 hours. Progressing Ballet Technique and tap are each one hour. These dancers also participate in Ballare's Rep program. Rep rehearsals are 3 hours per week. Once approved, dancers may elect to take Beginning Pointe for 30 minutes per week. Once advanced, dancers may elect to take Pointe for 45 minutes per week.

All Level II-V dancers must participate in a placement audition. For dancers in Level II/III, this entails one week (M-TH) of technique classes leading up to one day of auditions (F). For dancers in Levels IV/V, this entails one day of technique classes and learning audition material (TH) and one day of auditions (F).

Dancers in Level II and up are required to participate in Isabella Saves the World and The Saturday Series. Dancers in Fundamental B, IA, and IB are only required to participate in Isabella Saves the World. Isabella Saves the World and The Saturday Series are on a biennial schedule. 2026-2027 is a Saturday Series season. 2027-2028 is an Isabella Saves the World season.

Dancers in the Fundamental level and up perform in our June Concerts. There are four separate shows, the fourth being a showcase of our upper-level dancers (Levels II-V). Dancers in Fundamental-Level IB are in one show; dancers in Level II are in two shows; dancers in Levels III-V are in all 3 shows; Adults may elect to perform.

Please refer to our Performances page for more information.