PCBT STUDIOS

273 West Duck Creek Road

Clayton, DE 19938

302.514.7020

ARTISTIC STAFF

Stephanie Artigliere         Artistic Director stephanie.artigliere@pca.k12.de.us

Tania Potts                          Assistant Director tania.potts@pca.k12.de.us

STUDIO STAFF

Charm Sloven Administrative Assistant office.pcbt@gmail.com

Kristen Black-Franks Studio Coordinator kristen.black@pca.k12.de.us

PCA ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Denise Stouffer PCA Head of School denise.stouffer@pca.k12.de.us

Jeanine Martin         Director of Human Resources jeanine.martin@pca.k12.de.us

Rachael Straightiff Business Manager rachael.straightiff@pca.k12.de.us

To ensure the safety, well-being, and smooth operation of our studio, we kindly ask that all dancers and their guardians adhere to the following policies:

1. Building Entry and Exit:

   • Dancers aged 13 and older are permitted to enter and exit the building independently.

   • Dancers under the age of 13 must have explicit approval via the registration form to leave the building without a guardian.

2. Arrival and Pre-Class Warm-Up:

   • Dancers in Level 5 through Company levels are required to arrive at the studio 15 minutes prior to the start of class. This time is vital for pre-class warm-up to reduce the risk of injury.

   • Dancers are not permitted to roam around the halls before or after class. Please remain in designated areas until class begins.

3. Dress Code and Street Clothes:

   • All dancers must wear appropriate street clothes over their leotard and tights when arriving at and departing from the studio.

   • Dance shoes must never be worn outside the studio to maintain the quality and cleanliness of the dance floors.

4. Late Pickup Policy:

   • Parents/guardians are required to pick up dancers promptly after class.

   • Any parent arriving more than 5 minutes late will be charged $1 per minute they are late. Faculty members often have back-to-back classes and cannot supervise dancers once the next class has begun.

5. Aftercare Coordination:

   • If your child is to report to aftercare following class or rehearsal, please ensure you email both the PCA Aftercare Coordinator and PCBT staff in advance.

If your dancer attends PCA and will be transitioning to PCBT directly from school dismissal, please follow these important steps to ensure a smooth and prepared arrival:

1. Dance Bag Essentials:

   • Send your dancer to school with their dance bag, ensuring it contains all necessary shoes.

2. Dress Code Items:

   • Pack all required dress code items, including tights and leotard, for their class.

3. Hair Preparation:

   • Style your dancer’s hair in a bun or ponytail (as required by their dress code) and secure it tightly. Please pack extra hair supplies in case they are needed.

4. Snack and Hydration:

   • Provide a water bottle and a healthy, non-messy snack for your dancer to enjoy between school and class.

5. Changing Independence:

   • Ensure that your dancer can change into their dance attire independently, as PCBT staff will not be able to assist with changing.

6. Clear Communication of Dismissal Instructions:

   • Communicate all dismissal instructions to your child’s teacher, the school’s main office, and PCBT staff. If there are any changes to these instructions, notify all parties promptly.

In order to maintain a high standard of commitment and progress, we kindly ask all dancers and their families to observe the following attendance guidelines:

1. Planned Absences:

   • All planned absences should be reported by completing an Absence/Early Dismissal form. Please provide at least two weeks’ notice for any planned absences.

2. Unexpected Absences:

   • Unexpected absences should be communicated via email to the Artistic Director as soon as reasonably possible.

3. Activity Scheduling:

   • We encourage you to arrange outside activities to avoid conflicts with your dance schedule. If a conflict arises, please discuss it in advance with the Director, individual teacher(s), and your dancer.

4. Make-Up Classes:

   • Missed classes should be made up by attending a class one level below the dancer’s assigned class level. Regular attendance in all classes and rehearsals is vital for a dancer’s progress, and no refunds are given for missed classes.

5. Rehearsal Attendance:

   • Every effort must be made to attend all rehearsals. A two-week blackout period is enforced before any PCBT performance or event (including festivals, showcases, outreach appearances, and similar activities), during which absences will not be permitted. Additional rehearsals may be scheduled across multiple days during tech week.

To ensure a respectful, safe, and productive environment, all PCBT dancers and families are expected to uphold the following standards:

1. Respect and Courtesy:

   • All students are expected to behave respectfully and courteously toward other dancers, as well as to PCBT faculty and staff, at all times.

2. Studio Behavior:

   • Talking is not permitted during class or rehearsals.

   • Gum-chewing and the use of inappropriate language are prohibited in and around the PCBT studios.

   • Students are required to follow the dress code for all classes and rehearsals.

   • Respect must be shown for the property of peers, PCBT staff, and the facility. Personal belongings should be left undisturbed, and students are expected to help keep the studio, bathrooms, and hallways clean.

3. Medical Concerns and Injuries:

   • If a PCBT faculty member identifies a medical concern affecting a dancer’s well-being or that of others, the faculty has the right to require that the dancer refrain from physical participation until a doctor’s release is obtained.

   • Medical expenses related to any required medical attention are the responsibility of the dancer’s parent or guardian.

   • Injured dancers must observe class when unable to physically participate.

4. Food, Drinks, and Personal Items:

   • Food and drinks (other than water) are not permitted in the studio or on stage. Snacks should be sealed, non-messy, and consumed only in designated hallway areas.

   • Cell phones are not permitted during class or rehearsal and should be turned off upon entering the studio or stage.

   • Water bottles labeled with dancers’ names are encouraged, and dancers may take water breaks during class.

5. Arrival and Dismissal Etiquette:

   • Classes in progress should not be interrupted. Dancers and guardians must wait until a class is dismissed before entering the studio.

   • Dancers arriving late should ask the teacher or choreographer for permission to participate. If more than 10 minutes late, dancers may be asked to observe due to the risk of injury.

6. Attendance and Commitment:

   • Students must attend at least a half day of school to participate in evening ballet classes or rehearsals. A student too unwell for school should not attend dance.

   • Students at risk of being excluded from performances due to attendance will be notified in writing.

   • Parents or guardians may observe classes only during designated Observation Week.

7. Electronic and Online Conduct:

   • Any reference to Providence Creek Ballet Theater (PCBT), its staff, or fellow students and families in a derogatory manner online (via platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) may result in suspension or expulsion.

8. Liability and Responsibility:

   • PCBT is not responsible for lost or stolen items and is not liable for any injuries sustained while attending the studio or its related events.

9. Contact and Concerns:

   • For questions or concerns regarding PCBT, its classes, or faculty, please contact the PCBT Artistic Director directly.

10. Consequences for Policy Violations:

• The Artistic Director may dismiss any student from the program if they are found to be disrespecting the studio guide/policies, classroom rules, or acting in a way that endangers the health, safety, or welfare of themselves or others.

To keep dancers and families informed and connected, PCBT provides essential updates and information via multiple channels. Please review the following guidelines to stay up-to-date and engaged with our community:

1. Email Communication:

   • All important information will be distributed through email and posted on our website. Please read each email in full to ensure you receive timely updates.

2. Social Media:

   • PCBT uses social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, for marketing and educational purposes. If you have any concerns, please contact the Artistic Director before the season begins.

   • YouTube videos are uploaded as “Unlisted,” meaning they are only viewable through a provided link. Please be mindful when sharing these videos, as they may contain copyrighted material and footage of students.

3. Website and Online Calendar:

   • We encourage you to check the PCBT website regularly for the latest information.

   • The online calendar is updated by the Artistic Director to reflect current scheduling information. This includes announcements, updates, and any cancellations due to inclement weather, as well as information about classes, rehearsals, and performances.

At Providence Creek Ballet Theater (PCBT), the health, safety, and long-term well-being of our dancers is our top priority. The following guidelines outline expectations for dancers returning from injury and eligibility for participation in classes, rehearsals, and performances.

Medical Clearance

• Any dancer who has sustained an injury requiring medical attention must provide written clearance from a licensed healthcare provider before returning to class, rehearsal, or performance.

• PCBT reserves the right to request updated documentation if there are ongoing concerns regarding a dancer’s physical readiness.

Gradual Return to Activity

• Dancers returning from injury are expected to ease back into participation and follow all medical recommendations.

• Modifications may be required, and dancers should communicate openly with instructors regarding limitations.

• Faculty may restrict participation in certain activities if they feel it is in the dancer’s best interest.

Performance Eligibility

• Participation in a performance requires that a dancer is physically prepared and able to safely execute choreography at performance level.

• Final decisions regarding performance participation are at the discretion of the Artistic Director and faculty.

• Dancers must demonstrate consistency in class and rehearsal prior to being cleared to perform.

• If a dancer has missed a significant portion of rehearsals due to injury, PCBT may determine that it is not appropriate for them to perform.

Class & Rehearsal Expectations

• Dancers who are injured are expected to continue attending all scheduled classes and rehearsals unless otherwise directed by their healthcare provider or the Artistic Director. During this time, dancers are expected to observe, take notes, and remain actively engaged in the learning process. When medically appropriate and approved, dancers may be asked to mark choreography or participate in modified activities.

• Attendance during recovery helps dancers stay informed of choreography, corrections, and rehearsal changes; however, attendance alone does not guarantee performance eligibility.

Communication

• Families must keep PCBT informed of any injuries, restrictions, and recovery progress.

• Open and timely communication ensures we can best support each dancer’s safe return.

Wellness Priority

• PCBT prioritizes long-term dancer health over short-term performance goals.

• Dancers are encouraged to listen to their bodies and report pain or discomfort immediately.

• Returning too quickly from injury may result in removal from participation until proper recovery is achieved.

In the event of inclement weather, PCBT will notify parents of any class cancellations via email. If necessary, make-up classes and rehearsals will be scheduled to compensate for missed session.

We are pleased to share that PCA/PCBT is a pet-friendly campus! If you wish to bring your pet on campus, please complete the “Pets On Campus” form prior to doing so.

Once completed, please submit the form to the Director, who will then forward it to PCA’s office for approval.

We encourage all students to participate in PCBT’s Summer Intensive Program, a transformative four-week experience designed to help dancers retain and advance their technique.

Registration for the Summer Intensive will be available to PCBT students in mid-March.

The summer program offers a unique opportunity to focus on technique without the demands of the academic year. With more daily dance classes and an intensive focus on skill-building, dancers often experience remarkable improvements by the end of the program.

Join us this summer and take your training to the next level!

PCBT Participation in Community Events
PCBT is proud to engage in various performances outside of PCA, including events such as Dover Days, the Delaware Dance Festival, Clayton Railroad Days, the Philly Youth Dance Fest, the Regional Dance America Festival, and the 4th of July Parade. Dancers invited to participate in these events will receive notifications from the Artistic Director. We also welcome all dancers and their families to join us in walking in the parades with the studio.

Regional Dance America

Since June 2016, PCBT has been accepted into Regional Dance America/Northeast. Each year, select dancers from the Trainee, Apprentice, and Company levels will participate in a Festival at various locations across the country. This Festival includes master classes taught by world-renowned faculty, performance and scholarship opportunities, as well as nightly performances.

Sponsorships

Ticket sales and other forms of earned income cover only a portion of the costs involved in bringing our productions to life. To support our efforts, we encourage each dancer to secure a minimum of three sponsorships from our extended family of generous donors, parents, and families of PCBT dancers. Additional sponsorship brochures are available upon request.

Observation Week

Parents and guardians are generally not permitted to observe dancers in the classroom, as this can be distracting. However, an Observation Week is held each spring, allowing parents and guardians to watch their dancers in class. This is not a performance but an opportunity to see what students are learning. We kindly ask that invitations for family members, such as aunts, uncles, or grandparents, be reserved for The Nutcracker performance and the Summer Concert, when the dancers are more prepared to perform.

Auction Fundraiser

Our largest fundraiser of the year is the auction held in conjunction with The Nutcracker. Donations for this event will be accepted starting in November. Previous donations have included gift cards to local restaurants and businesses, movie tickets, handmade goods, gift baskets, and framed artwork. More information will be provided in the performance packet for The Nutcracker.

Fundraisers

PCBT conducts a limited number of fundraisers throughout the season to support the studio and help dancers travel to festivals, as well as to cover operating costs. We understand that families are often inundated with fundraising requests from various activities. Therefore, we strongly encourage participation in our sponsorship drive as an alternative to traditional fundraisers. Additional fundraisers may be organized by Trainee, Apprentice, and Company dancers and their parents to help offset costs associated with attending various festivals and performance opportunities. The continued support and participation of our immediate and extended PCBT community make these opportunities possible.

We encourage parents, guardians, friends, and relatives of PCBT students to actively support our programs by volunteering their time and resources. Volunteers play a vital role in ensuring the success of our performances and events.

Volunteer opportunities include, but are not limited to:

• Dressers

• Ushers

• Ticket sales

• Costume alterations

• Parking lot attendants

• Backstage assistance

• Production tasks

Requirements for Volunteers:

• State and Federal background check filed with PCA

• DE Child Registry Form (see attachment below)

• TB Test from the past 5 years

• PCBT Adult Registration Form

Join us in making our productions an extraordinary experience for the dancers and the community!