F.A.Q.
What is the difference between the Exam and the Presentation Class?
The Presentation Class is a less formal option; students are not graded, but do receive a medal, certificate, and report completed by their Teacher. The Teacher enters the room with the Presentation Class students and conducts the class while the Examiner watches. Students go into the Presentation Classes in groups of up to 8. The Examination is the formal option; students are graded and receive a medal, certificate and report completed by the Examiner. The Teacher does not enter the room with the Exam students and the Examiner conducts the class. Students go into the Exam in groups of 4 or less. Students doing the exam are required to do some exercises and dances by themselves.
Who can do the Exam?
PrePrimary’s and Primary’s can only enter for the Presentation Class. Students in Grade 1 and above must be attending two classes per week to qualify for entry to the Exam; Miss Rachael & the Teachers then decide who is suited to doing the exam.
Who decides if my child will enter for the Exam or the Presentation Class?
During Term 1 Miss Rachael and the Teachers determine each student’s suitability for entry to the Examination or Presentation Class.
When do entries close for the Exams and Presentation Classes?
Entries for these close 24 April.
Are the Exams or Presentation Classes compulsory?
No.
When and where are the Exams and Presentation Classes held?
R.A.D. Grades Ballet Exams and Presentation Classes will be held in the beginning of Term 3 at our East Bentleigh Studio – 70 East Boundary Rd, East Bentleigh. They could be held any day of the week and will be held during school hours.
What will it cost?
The Exams and Presentation Classes range in cost from approx $75 to $160 depending on the grade and the number of students. This includes the R.A.D. Examiner, hall hire, pianist, character skirt hire (for grade 1 & up), etc.
What does my child need if they do the Exam or Presentation Class?
All students sitting the Exam or Presentation Class are required to have the correct uniform (stated in the school brochure/website). They must also have their hair in gelled heidi plaits (PrePrimary to Grade 4) or a gelled bun (Grade 5 to Grade 8). You can book in to have your child’s hair done by one of our teachers/helpers on the day – you just need to provide gel, elastics, pins, and comb and arrive 1 ½ hours before your Exam or Presentation Class time.
Are there extra practices for students doing the Exam or Presentation Class?
There is an extra practice with the pianist at the Exam/Presentation Class venue on Sunday 20th June – this is compulsory for all students entering the Exam or Presentation Class. There is also a school holiday course run by the R.A.D. Examiners at the Victorian College of the Arts in the first week of the July school holidays – 28 June to 2 July. This school holiday course is for students from Grade 1 and up. You will be sent further information about this in due course.
What is the Concert?
The Concert is an annual event where students get to perform a dance they learn in their class, in a professional costume, at a professional theatre. Parents and friends can buy tickets to come and watch. The Concert is designed to be a low stress, fun and exciting celebration of the student’s work and to allow them the thrill of performing in a theatre.
When is the Concert?
The 2009 Concert is on Sunday 13th September during the day. There will be two concerts –10.00am and 3pm – younger students will only be in one concert.
How long will the Concert go for?
Each Concert will be approximately 2 ½ hours long.
Who can go in the Concert?
Any student who attends classes at Theatre De La DanSe can participate in the Concert. This includes Tinytots, Bopping Tots, JazzFunk, Tap, Songstars, Streetdance, Ballet, and Contemporary students.
Is the Concert compulsory?
No. All students are encouraged to participate in the Concert, but it is by no means compulsory.
Where is the Concert held?
The Concert is held at a professional, fully equipped theatre.
When are rehearsals for the Concert?
Students learn their concert dance in their normal class time. One extra rehearsal will be held leading up to the Concert (excluding tinytots and bopping tots) on a Sunday at our East Bentleigh studio and one Dress Rehearsal will be held at the Theatre (including Tinytots and Bopping Tots) on Saturday 5 September during daytime. It is essential that all students participating in the Concert attend the Dress Rehearsal. Students are only required to attend the Dress Rehearsal for a specific time (for photos and an onstage rehearsal), they are not required to stay for the whole day.
What costuming is involved in the Concert?
We have all costumes professionally made for the Concert. Once you have booked in for the Concert we size your child for their costume. We then have the costume made and given to you prior to the Dress Rehearsal.
How much will the costumes cost?
Costumes will be purchased by you, for you to keep. Costumes will range between $75 and $88 each including GST. You cannot make your own costume. You are required to pay a deposit on costume/s when you submit your concert permission form, you will then be invoiced for the balance of your costume/s prior to the concert.
How do I buy tickets to the Concert?
The theatre has a full box office service which means you will be able to purchase tickets to the Concert over the phone or in person at the theatre. Tickets will go on sale some time in August. Details of how to order tickets, and when, will be provided in Term 3.
Does my child have to stay backstage during the whole Concert or can they watch from the audience?
All students, except Tinytots and Bopping Tots (see below), have to be backstage at least 45 minutes before the show and are not allowed to leave backstage until after the Concert has concluded. All students participate in the finale on stage. Teachers, and allocated helpers are backstage to assist your child and provide them with activities to do. TVs are located backstage so that the students can watch what is happening on stage.
Can my child still attend classes in Term 3 if they are not going in the Concert?
Students not participating in the Concert can attend classes as usual during Term 3, Concert term. The Concert dance is incorporated into the regular class with all students learning it.
How does it work with Tinytots and Bopping Tots?
Tinytots and Bopping Tots will perform in the second half of the show and are able to sit on mum or dad’s knee in the audience for the first half of the show – you do not need to buy a ticket for them as the theatre allows them to be seated on your lap. Participating students who do both Bopping Tots and Tinytots classes (except Level 1) can choose to perform in both or only one item – please indicate on the form whether you are doing both, or if only one item which one. Tinytots and Bopping Tots students perform on stage with their Teacher and assistants.
How do I book my child in to do the Concert?
A Concert Permission Form will be sent to all students in Term 2; if you wish to participate you are required to return the form by the due date with a $40 Concert costume deposit (non-refundable), per child, per dance style (eg if your child attends ballet and tap, you pay two costume deposits – however if they only attend ballet but come twice a week you pay only one costume deposit). When we have received your costume deposit we will size your child for their costume. Once you have paid your deposit, you have committed to being in the Concert, and there will be no refunds issued as once we place the orders we are unable to change the order.
