First Steps

First Steps

First Steps

First Steps is an exhilarating competitive showcase of work choreographed on and by RWB School Professional Division students. For over 30 years, audiences have witnessed the immense talent and creative spirit of the dance world’s future superstars as they begin their choreographic careers.

This juried competition has produced some of the most celebrated choreographers of the past three decades including Mark Godden, Peter Quanz, and Jera Wolfe, along with countless dance teachers who have gone on to become successful artists and dance educators.

Note that the RWB’s Covid-19 Protocols have been updated to strongly recommend masks be worn in RWB buildings.

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THE CREATIVE PROCESS

RWB Professional Division Students in the Ballet Academic, Aspirant and Teacher Training Program move through the entire creative process beginning in September and in February they present it to public and a panel of jurors. Although it is a competition, it is open to the public and is family friendly!

First Steps has grown to include the entire student body of the Ballet Academic Program, comprising Levels 1 to 7. Students who do not choreograph or perform are involved in all other aspects of putting on a production, such as:

  • Presenting pre-performance improvisation.
  • Working stage crew.
  • Working as backstage runners.
  • Ushering.
  • Greeting audience as master(s) of ceremony.
  • Photographers (choreographers at work), when applicable

Students choose the subject matter, length of their piece and style or dance genre. In order to accommodate numerous choreographers, each must adhere to a time limit of up to four minutes, to ensure that performances remain within a reasonable running time. Choreographers may choose to work with recorded music or live musicians and may use already existing or new compositions.

Finally, in coordination with the RWB Wardrobe Department, choreographers choose the costumes that best reflect their choreographic ideas, and with guidance from the Production Department, they design the lighting that will best support their dance.

Through First Steps, RWB School students increase their artistic sensitivity and gain awareness and respect for the creative process, giving RWB School students the tools to become responsible, professional, and open-minded young artists.