Studio Company & Trainee Program - Richmond Ballet

Pre-Professional Division

Ages 17+ /

Preparing You Professionally

Richmond Ballet Studio Company

The Richmond Ballet Studio Company is the highest level of the School of Richmond Ballet, including exceptional student dancers from across the country. The Studio Company dancers, under the direction of Artistic Associate & Studio Company Director Igor Antonov, receive an intensive training program, full scholarship, and living stipend. The eleven-month program, beginning with Summer Intensive through the Fall/Spring season, includes a diverse range of performance opportunities such as Lecture Demonstrations, Richmond Ballet Company mainstage performances, and the end-of-season showcase performance with the RB Trainees. The Studio Company learns repertory alongside the professional company including classic ballets and contemporary works. The repertory includes legendary choreographers like George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and John Butler, and world-renowned choreographers such as Associate Artistic Director Ma Cong, Katarzyna Skarpetowska, Val Caniparoli, Jennifer Archibald, Yuri Yanowsky, Claudia Schreier, and many others. Alumni of the Richmond Ballet Pre-Professional Division have progressed to successful careers in dance, with many promoted as company members with Richmond Ballet or other esteemed dance companies worldwide.


Richmond Ballet Trainee Program

Founded in 1993, the nationally-recognized Richmond Ballet Trainee Program offers select advanced students a transitional experience to bridge the gap between the academic ballet setting and the world of professional dance. The Richmond Ballet Trainee Program is one of the few in this country that enables aspiring dancers to pursue formal dance training and gain valuable performance experience with a professional company.

Each year, Richmond Ballet chooses 12-14 students to participate in the Richmond Ballet Trainee Program. Trainees are required to take a full course of study, which includes ballet, pointe, modern, character dance, pas de deux, and variations, and spend six days a week in the classroom (and rehearsal) during the school year. As part of the experience, trainees may have performance opportunities with the Richmond Ballet professional company. 

The Richmond Ballet Trainee Program is tuition based. Merit scholarships are awarded to each trainee and financial aid is available to those who qualify. Please note that attendance at the Summer Intensive Program is required in order to be considered for the Richmond Ballet Trainee Program. The Trainee Program runs from June – May each year.


AUDITIONS

Richmond Ballet welcomes applicants who strive to promote, preserve, and evolve the art of ballet with the utmost integrity. Specifically, we look for dancers who demonstrate strong classical and contemporary technique, a dedicated work ethic based on passion and discipline, and an understanding of mutual respect and cooperation.

To be considered for the Studio Company or Trainee Program, dancers must attend the Summer Intensive Program to learn repertory. The Summer Intensive Program includes ballet, pointe, partnering, variations, men’s technique, modern, character dance, theatre dance, and a performance opportunity. 

Acceptance into the Richmond Ballet Studio Company or Trainee Program is by audition only. The auditions take place annually January – February.

Click here for more information about the Summer Intensive Program, Studio Company, and Trainee Program Auditions


QUESTIONS?
Contact: [email protected]

PARKING

We are located in the heart of downtown Richmond at 407 East Canal Street. Free parking is available in the Richmond Ballet lot directly next to the Ballet building at all times. After 4pm, you may park in the blue spots in the Canal Street lot (the lot across from the Ballet building) at no charge. Street parking is also available.

School Divisions