TADA PERFORMANCE COMPANY

SEASON

25

COMPANY
HANDBOOK
&
SEASON
GUIDE
 TABLE OF
CONTENTS

01
WELCOME

02
DANCER EXPECTATIONS

03
PARENT EXPECTATIONS

04
ADDITIONAL INFORMATON

05
MEET THE TEAM
 BOARD OF
WELCOME TO THE DIRECTORS
2023-2024 SEASON PATRICK
FOREY
TADA Performance Company, formerly known as Diamond Dance
PRESIDENT
Company (DDC) was co-founded in 1999 by Tatiana Akinfieva Smith, a
renowned artist, director and choreographer. We are a non-profit dance
company whose goal and focus continues to be providing quality ballet NITA

instruction and productions to central and southern Delaware. We strive to SMITH

impress a lifelong love and appreciation for dance by way of creative and VICE PRESIDENT
artistic excellence, inspiring performances, inventive and traditional
choreography, and community and educational partnerships. The arts JASON
enrich the lives of our members, families and community. Our dancers are CALVELLO
encouraged to work toward mastering technique while building self SECRETARY
esteem, cooperation, leadership skills AND enjoying the process.

In the 24 years that DDC has existed, our company dancers have had the MICHELLE

opportunity to perform across the state in regional dance festivals, HARRIS

community events, festivals, charity events and fundraisers for other non- TREASURER
profit organizations. Best of all, our efforts have and continue to shape
holiday memories for countless families in central and southern Delaware CHRISTY
by sharing the spirit of the season and bringing to life the timeless story of STEVENSON
the Nutcracker Ballet. AT LARGE
This year will be our 25TH production of the Nutcracker Ballet. Over the last
24 years, our productions have provided more than thirty thousand local
elementary and middle school students with the opportunity to see a
classical ballet production, mixing both local talent and professional
performers to give both dancers and audiences an amazing experience.

Additionally, the company presents a spring show each year. Coppelia,

Peter and the Wolf, Firebird, Snow White, and The Wizard of Oz are just a
few additional works in our repertoire. In the Spring of 2013, under the
direction of Misty Yencer and Kimmy Noll, DDC created an original work,
The Wizard of Oz Ballet. That fall the company went on to win the award
for Best Choreography. In 2015 DDC added another original ballet
production, The Tale of The Little Mermaid. DDC continued its momentum
and progressive thinking by adding The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the
Beast in 2017. The company is proud to announce that for our 21st season
we also added Cinderella to the list of our originals.

The success of the company has been made possible by the combined
work and dedication of the staff, dancers, and parents, as well as many
volunteers, community members and local businesses.
We are proud to continue to use the choreography of our founder, Tatiana
Akinfieva Smith, introducing our dancers and our supporters to Russian
Ballet, and sharing a unique style and pace of dance, one that is truly easy
to admire. It is a true honor to carry on the legacy of the legendary Mrs.
Smith through our work at TADA Performance Company.

This is the start of a new season ... new beginnings, new ideas, and new
energy full of excitement, surprise, tradition, and amazing talent! We are
thrilled beyond words that you will be a part of the TPC family.
DANCER
EXPECTATIONS
Dancers are expected to wear a leotard and tights and have their hair secured tightly in a bun for
rehearsals. Senior and Senior Apprentice dancers are required to attend a minimum of three (3) ballet
classes per week. ALL members must be enrolled in ballet during the season. All dancers are highly
encouraged to attend ballet training during the summer months, especially those dancers en pointe.
This is very important so that dancers will maintain their strength, improve stamina, technique and
reduce the possibility of injury. Dancers unable to perform to the standards set by the Artistic Staff,
(due to personal obligations, illness, inconsistency in ballet training, or other unforeseen
circumstances) will be relieved of their roles as required. Rehearsals are very important to produce a
quality production and prepare our dancers to learn and perfect the choreography for both their
individual parts and the corps. Scheduling will be at the discretion of the Artistic Staff, but will include
Saturday mornings and afternoons and/or Sunday afternoon, as needed. There will be additional
rehearsals during the week as needed. Rehearsals will take place at TADA School of Dance unless
otherwise noted on the schedule.

*Costume fittings will be scheduled throughout the season.

*Cell phones/Tablets will not be allowed in the rehearsal rooms.

*Rehearsal schedules will be posted at TADA, shared on BAND and sent via email. Rehearsal link (via
Google Docs) will be available.

*If a dancer misses more than 2 scheduled rehearsals per production (to the extent that it affects the
quality of the production) their part(s) in the production are subject to change upon the discretion of
the artistic staff. Roll call will be taken at each rehearsal and absences need to be approved by the
artistic staff. All casting decisions are at the discretion of the Artistic Staff.

*Blackout dates have been put into the rehearsal schedule. These dates are mandatory. Please view
the tentative calendar for important dates.

*Dancers and parents will be asked to sign a contract stating that she/he/you have read and
understand the dancer and parent expectations.

*During the week of the performance, technical rehearsals are held at the performance location and
will be announced later in the season. All dancers are required to attend tech rehearsals in appropriate
dance attire, i.e. hair pulled back and secured in a bun or twist and dance attire will be worn.
PARENT
EXPECTATIONS
It takes a number of resources and a lot of volunteerism to put together
quality productions. Those who become members will be required to pay
a company fee of $230 (there is a 10% discount for each additional child
after your first). A week long audition boot camp will be held during the
summer. The fee for this boot camp is $70 for dancers not en pointe and
$80 for those that are en pointe. This fee is separate from the annual
company fee. The company fee will remain the same whether your
dancer completes the entire season or decides to withdraw after
Nutcracker. This fee includes ONE half page ad ($50 value) for your dancer
in either the Nutcracker OR spring production program. Families may
purchase additional dancer ads.

All fees will be posted to your dancer's Jackrabbit account - credit and
debit payments may be made directly through the portal. Payments in
person can be made directly at the studio. If someone is not available at
the desk, payment should be placed in an envelope with dancer's name
and what the payment is for and placed in the white payment box in the
lobby. Checks should be made out to "TADA".

Payment schedule for those wishing to pay in installments will be as

follows:

Payment 1: $115 - Due September 15, 2023

Payment 2: $115 - Due November 17, 2023

A $10 late fee will be assessed for those payments not paid by the due
date.

A parent information meeting will be held on August 21, 2023 at 6:45pm.

In an effort to ensure that parents are well informed, information will be

posted at TADA, on BAND, Google Drive and email will be used as well. In
the event that a parent does not receive emails, please advise the artistic
staff. Everyone has their chosen mode of communication and we have
found that using a variety of communication tools facilitates the best
communication possible.

Our Facebook page and website are useful communication tools for
dancers, parents and the community. We will post information about
upcoming events and post photos and promotional items regularly on
Facebook.

The website for TADA Performance Company is

www.tadaschoolofdance.com.

TADA Performance Company inquiries regarding artistic topics can be

emailed to ddcdelaware@gmail.com. All other inquiries can be made to
the Board of Directors by emailing board@diamonddanceco.com.
 TPC
PARENT/FAMILY GUILD

We will ask for help during the

season. Below is a list of some
areas in which the company will
need your help (however there
may be more):
*Costuming/Sewing
*Concessions
*Donating/Serving lunches during
rehearsals
*Sponsorships and Ad sales
*Community Outreach Program
*School Performance
Planning/organizing
*Backstage help
*Dressing Rooms
*Big Sister/Little Sister

PERFORMANCES WILL BE…

PARENT GUILD OFFICERS

The Nutcracker Ballet

CHRISTY STEVENSON -
December 2023 PRESIDENT

&
BRIE GANNON -
SECRETARY

Tale of The Little Mermaid EMILY COVERDALE -

OFFICER

~The Ballet~

KARIE TWARDUS -
Spring 2024 OFFICER
 MEET THE
DIRECTORS
MISTY YENCER
Artist Director
"Being part of this company has been such
an integral part of my life. There really is no
way to put into words how much my dance
family means to me. Hands down making
memories throughout the years as well
watching our dancers do what they love on
stage are two of the very best parts!!!"
FULL BIOS CAN BE FOUND IN THE TADA SCHOOL OF DANCE FAMILY HANDBOOK
AIMEE STRING
Assistant Director
"25 years ago I was invited to perform as a
guest in Diamond Dance Company's first
performance of the Nutcracker Ballet.
What an honor to be here 25 years later as
an assistant director. I have loved watching
this ballet company grow and thrive but
my favorite part is the dance family that we
have created along the way."
JESS RODRIGUEZ
Assistant Director
“My love for this company began the
first year it started when I was a mouse
and ginger baby. To now be an
assistant director has been a
wonderful and fulfilling full circle
experience for me”.
 PERFORMANCE
COMPANY
TADA
THE PERFECT BALLET BUN

SUPPLIES:
-COVERED ELASTIC BAND
-8-12 WIG PINS (NOT PLASTIC COATED)
-OVER-NIGHTER' HAIR NET
-HAIR GEL OR SPRITZ

DIRECTIONS:
1. MAKE PONYTAIL (NO PARTING) LEVEL WITH THE TOP OF THE EAR
2. PLACE HAIR NET OVER PONYTAIL
3. DRAW UP EXCESS NETTING UNTIL HAIR IN NET BECOMES BUN
SHAPED, HOLD IT WITH HAND
4. TWIST EXCESS HAIR NET, WRAP AND TUCK IT AROUND PONYTAIL
HOLDER
5. WHILE HOLDING THE BUN AGAINST THE HEAD, INSERT PIN
THROUGH HAIR AND NET AWAY FROM THE BUN THEN CATCH SOME
HAIR CLOSE TO THE HEAD
6. CHANGE DIRECTIONS PUSH PIN IN ALL THE WAY IN UNDER THE HAIR
AND UNDER THE PONYTAIL HOLDER