DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM ENSEMBLE booking contact information: For Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble National Touring Contact: Edward Schoelwer For Dancing Through Barriers® Education & Outreach Programs Contact: Jessica Wilt DANCE FOR AMERICA TOUr specifications Designed for smaller, community-based and university presenting organizations in an effort to reach new audiences and create new partnerships with Dance Theatre of Harlem. TOUR PACKAGE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
DANCE FOR AMERICA PROJECT DESCRIPTION A unique artistic - educational package which features a new Dance Theatre of Harlem production called the Interactive Performance paired with a Lecture-Demonstration, Master Class, or other educational service (i.e. the package includes two services, plus the load-in, all of which are expected to take place during one 16 hour work day). The initiative targets audiences that would otherwise be excluded because of economic and geographic circumstances. The ultimate goal of the project is to expand greater audience awareness and involvement in classical ballet The Lecture - Demonstration (55 minutes), introduced over 40 years ago by Arthur Mitchell as a "presentation on the art and science of the making of a dancer," has remained a vital cornerstone in DTH's educational mission. Featured in the award-winning documentary "Rhythmetron" as well as ABC's "20/20" and "CBS Sunday Morning," the Lecture - Demonstration has served to activate an interest in the performing arts and especially ballet for two generations of arts patrons. This lively experience offers fine dancing, artistic insight, and the important message: "You get out of life what you put in it." The Interactive Performance (90 minutes without an intermission) is an endearing family-friendly production that reveals and demystifies the world of the dance artist. The audience is invited to be actively involved in the event…not just be passive observers. They have the chance to ask questions, and, at one point, they are even invited to join the dancers on stage. Central to the Interactive Performance is a ballet performance that opens audiences to see the world in a whole different light. It features live piano music, a narrator to serve as a guide “to take you along the journey,” and classic DTH repertoire (by choreographers Arthur Mitchell, Robert Garland and John Taras), as well as repertoire specially created for DTH Ensemble. The variety of the high quality artistic content (i.e. a mixed program of excerpts, one-act ballets, dance suites, and pas de deux) gives the presentation a fast pace. Built on the highly successful DTH Lecture - Demonstration program and DTH’s traditional gala / special program (as featured in PBS’ “In Performance at The White House: Dance Theatre of Harlem”) the Interactive Performance has been designed to appeal to the young adult demographic (ages 18 – 40). The Interactive Performance is notable for its educational and inspirational content; audience interaction. Above all, the Interactive Performance perpetuates that quality and dynamic artistry which distinguishes Dance Theatre of Harlem as an American classic. ADDITONAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES Movement Class Video Assembly Class Discussions Master Classes Athletic Workshop COMMENTS “I could not have picked a better thing to celebrate Dr. King's birthday." “We were so completely thrilled." “WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW!!!!!” DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM ENSEMBLE The following are space, technical and other production requirements for an engagement of the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble (DTHE). If production requirements are incompatible with physical limitations of your venue, we will discuss possible solutions in ADVANCE of the performance. The theater(s) and other spaces provided by the Presenter for all performance and other activities during the engagement must conform to commonly accepted industry standards of safety and sanitary conditions. Personnel needed for the engagement will be determined by the nature of theater or other facility, DTH Ensemble’s schedule, repertory for the engagement, and obligations made by the Presenter. Availability: The theater and stage (including rehearsal studio, off stage areas, fly space, loading dock, and dressing rooms), cleared of other equipment, will be made available for the sole use of DTHE from 4 hours before the scheduled in-theater service until 2 hours after the last service. All necessary house and/or rental equipment shall be installed and in working order before the start of the load-in. Stage Area: The stage must be a smooth, clear unbroken wood surface, free of cracks, breaks, slivers, nails, screws or other impediments to safe work by dancers. In all cases stage must be “sprung” that is, the wooden stage “deck” cannot rest directly on concrete or other hard and unyielding surfaces. DTHE reserves the right to cancel any show were the stage surface is made of concrete. Between the stage floor and its under supports there must be space filled with flexible members usually known as “stringers” or some other means of making the stage a flexible, safe and danceable surface. On top of the floor there must be a clean black “Marley” dance floor covering an area at least 36’ wide and 24’ deep, laid horizontally with seams taped with cloth tape and not vinyl tape. The Ensemble will use rosin. There must be a crossover between the back wall of the theater and the cyc (minimum of 3’) or a hallway at stage level. For all classes, warm-ups and rehearsals, and in preparation for performances, the stage must be swept and wet-mopped prior to each use. The DTHE Production Manager (or Ensemble Director/Ballet Master) will determine the schedule of rehearsal, classes and warm-ups for the engagement. Temperature and Climate Control: Air-conditioned or heated areas must be kept at a constant temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Dancers will not be required to perform when the temperature falls below 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Scenery / Props: At least three (3) pairs of black legs and borders appropriate to the space must define the danceable area. Required: a white cyc with scrim, and 1 black scrim or blackout drop with the ability to fly or travel. Also required: portable ballet barres to accommodate up to 18 dancers. Barres should be able to configure at approximately 26 linear feet for the performance. A piano, in excellent condition, tuned to 440A, and easily moveable, will be used for both class and performance. Presenter will provide backstage a water cooler or plentiful supply of fresh chilled spring water as well as a supply of ice for first aid. Lighting: Adequate lighting instruments to effectively illuminate the stage must be hung, cabled and focused before the Ensemble’s arrival. It is the responsibility of the presenter to provide all lighting equipment. For its basic repertory, DTHE requires approximately 32 Par-64 WFL (or 32 1kw Fresnels), 60 6x9 Lekos, 45 6x12 Lekos and 20 6x16 Lekos to hang on four pipes and eight offstage booms (one in each wing on each side); approximately 15 Lekos for front of house positions; worklights for general illumination; running lights in the crossover; and 3 color ground row striplights for cyclorama lighting. Given specific programming, more lights of various types will be needed. Ensemble requires a minimum of 100 2.4kw dimmers and a computer lighting board with memory capability of 180 cues. Ensemble's light plot must be hung, circuited and tested in advance of the stage manager's and lighting supervisor's arrival. When possible, the Ensemble asks that color (provided by the presenter) be put into the instruments during the hang. One (1) follow spot appropriate to the size of the theatre must be provided. DTHE personnel do not normally run either the light board or the flow spots. Presenter will provide a spotting light. This is generally a 7-1/2 watt golf-ball sized red light bulb on the balcony rail or similar location slightly above head high to dancers on stage and in the center of the house. Presenter will provide Ensemble with ground plan and section to scale, rigging plot and a complete lighting equipment inventory. The Ensemble will provide a light plot with accompanying information. Sound: A professional quality sound system appropriate to the space will be provided. It must include the following: playback capabilities for DAT, compact disk and cassette; 1 lavaliere microphone, 1 hand-held wired microphone with stand, and amplification for the piano if necessary. There must be at least two backstage monitor speakers, with volume controls separate from the front of house speakers. There must be headset communication system for all necessary personnel and a program monitor system allowing rehearsal and performance activities to be broadcast to dressing rooms and wardrobe area, and an “all call“ system to those areas from the Stage Manager’s desk. If the intercom system is not house equipment, it must be rented and installed prior to load-in. Wardrobe: DTHE will need a clean well-lit space easily accessible to the dressing rooms, it can be an additional unoccupied dressing room or a separate workroom. It should be equipped with electricity, washer and dryer, two (2) rolling racks, two (2) 8’ tables, one (1) industrial steamer, one (1) ironing board with iron and access to sink for hand washing. Dressing Rooms: There must be available for the exclusive use of the Ensemble at least two (2) large chorus dressings rooms so as to simultaneously accommodate up to ten (10) women and up to eight (8) men. They must be clean well heated (or cooled) and ventilated, well lighted, and equipped with mirrors, dressing tables, chairs, clothing racks as well as clean sanitary restroom facilities that include hot and cold running water, sinks, toilets, and separate shower facilities for men and women. A private enclosure (approximately 4’ x 4’) for quick changes must be provided immediately off stage or with-in a convenient distance from the stage. In the event that Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Artistic Director should join the tour, a private dressing room for his / her private use must be provided. Hospitality: On regular performance days a hot meal and beverage service must be provided backstage for the Ensemble. Presenter and the Ensemble will agree on the menu and time of meal service two (2) weeks before the Ensemble's arrival. See attached menu suggestions. Ground Transportation: will be needed for twenty-two to twenty-four (22 – 24) people, their luggage, and Ensemble equipment (generally oversized suitcases for costumes). Round-trip transportation will be needed from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the venue for all performance rehearsals, residency activities, load-in, etc. In the event that the Artistic Director is traveling with the Ensemble he / she will require a car and driver. In the event that DTH Ensemble is traveling via its own rented coach, DTH Ensemble will supervise its own transportation and Presenter will contribute towards the transportation in the amount of $400. Parking: Parking will be provided for DTHE vehicles throughout the engagement with clear access to the loading dock for load-in and load-out as required by DTHE. Production Personnel: All stage personnel scheduled to work the performance must also work the technical rehearsal. The following minimum running crew is required: DTHE is not a yellow-card attraction. Ensemble: The DTHE twenty-two (22) member touring entourage consists of sixteen (16) dancers, Ensemble Director/Ballet Master, Production Stage Manager, Lighting Supervisor, Wardrobe Supervisor, Pianist, and Tour Manager. Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Artist Director may, for reasons of artistic quality control, may occasionally join the entourage. Security: The Presenter must provide at his sole expense a security guard to patrol all unsecured backstage and dressing room areas during all hours when these areas are otherwise unoccupied or unattended.
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