CBA Students by Mark Hutchens
Colorado Ballet Academy Pre-Professional Division is a daytime training program for career track students ages 13-20. CBA’s PPD provides the necessary training to transition students from the classroom to professional with specially crafted curriculum designed to develop ballet artists ready to take on the challenges of dance in the 21st century.
Pre-Professional Division I
An afternoon program offered for students aged 13-15 with a schedule that allows for morning academic studies.
Pre-Professional Divisions II & III
Daytime programs offered for students aged 14-20 who are enrolled in an online academic program or have graduated high school.
Our Men’s Program is designed to support the physicality and the athleticism necessary to succeed in the professional field. Specific men’s technique classes and conditioning are tailored to maximize student’s potential while remaining mindful of the body’s needs. Our facility provides a fully equipped room for body conditioning, pilates, weight lifting and cardio. At CBA, we believe that training the body daily, along with proper form and technique, is crucial for injury prevention and longevity.
All Pre-Professional Division students are given the opportunity to work with Colorado Ballet’s artistic leaders. Qualified students are given first priority to openings in Colorado Ballet Studio Company. Studio Company is a paid position. Members dance in Colorado Ballet productions as well as their own performances in the region.
Trainees are Pre-Professional students who receive scholarships to train and work closely with Colorado Ballet. Pre-Professional Division students are assessed each year by Artistic Director Gil Boggs for the opportunity to become a Trainee with Colorado Ballet for the following season. Depending on repertoire, Trainees may be required to take Company classes, as well as rehearse and perform with the Company in addition to training in the PPD. Trainees also receive show allotments when performing with the Company and are given priority for Colorado Ballet Studio Company contracts.
Academy Director, Erica Fischbach, with Pre-Professional Division students.
Students are encouraged to audition for the Pre-Professional Division by participating in one of CBA's Summer Intensive auditions. Students may also submit an audition video to be evaluated for acceptance into the program.
Submissions are now closed for SI.
Register for one of our Summer Intensive audition dates by following the link below. Upon registration you will receive a receipt containing a link to complete your audition form. Please indicate your intention to be evaluated for the Pre-Professional Division on this form.
Colorado Ballet Academy gives the same priority to those who audition in person or via video audition. However, early audition is encouraged. For questions, please email preprofessionaldivision@coloradoballet.org.
Thank you for your interest. At this time, registration for the 2022-2023 Pre-Professional Division is closed. Please check back in the fall for more information on the 2023-2024 Pre-Professional Division.
Details
The audition videotape should be between 10-15 minutes in length and include the following:
Steps to submit video audition
CBA Students by Mark Hutchens
Students accepted into PPD1 can expect to train approximately 20 hours per week with increased rehearsal hours for productions. In an intimate studio setting, up to 12 students receive focused attention in classical ballet training supplemented with jazz, modern, character and contemporary as well as vital conditioning classes. Choreography blocks with monthly performances give PPD1 students unique opportunities to prepare for life as a professional.
Schedule is subject to change due to rehearsals and performances. Students receive detailed schedule upon registration.
*Saturday production rehearsals are added in second semester
Pre-Professional Students by Mark Hutchens
In focused settings with an average of 18 dancers per class, students participate in a minimum of 25 hours of specialized classical ballet training, necessary life skills and vital conditioning classes, with additional time provided for schoolwork. Training hours increase during the second semester in preparation for the full-length production.
Schedule is subject to change due to rehearsals and performances. Students receive detailed schedule with Life Skills classes and outings upon registration.
*Saturday production rehearsals are added in second semester
Pre-Professional Students during Black Box Theatre Performance by Mark Hutchens
The Pre-Professional Division training schedule mimics the professional dance experience as students work with a series of rotating choreographers. Each series culminates in a Saturday Soirée performance in Colorado Ballet’s Black Box Theater at the Armstrong Center for Dance.
PPD students participate in additional large performances with the Academy: A full-length classical production at the prestigious Ellie Caulkins Opera House each spring and a classical Fall Feature production in Colorado Ballet's Black Box Theater.
Select PPD students are chosen to perform in Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker as well as additional productions during the Company season such as The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, The Wizard of Oz, Alice and others, repertory permitting. Students chosen to perform in Company productions will be required to attend Company rehearsals as specified.
Annual PPD hike in the beautiful Rocky Mountains
Pre-Professional Division Students observing dress rehearsal of a
Colorado Ballet production.
Students experience cultural life in Denver through organized excursions including performances at Denver Center for the Performing Arts, museums, films and attractions unique to Colorado.
Colorado Ballet Academy is located in the heart of the Santa Fe Arts District near downtown Denver with many housing options, grocery stores and entertainment within walking distance. Students who wish to board have the option of apartment shares or staying with a host family.
Students are assessed for the PPD based on their previous classical ballet training, ability to receive and apply correction, physical attributes, strength, focus, attitude, and overall potential for a successful career in ballet.
Auditions are held across the country in specific locations in conjunction with our CBA Summer Intensive audition schedule. Students who auditioned for and attended SI may be invited to
participate in the Pre-Professional Division. Please complete pre-registration for the city in which you are auditioning.
Arrangements may also be made for a student to audition by attending a regularly scheduled class during the school year. Please contact the CBA Administration for requests to schedule an
audition or shadow day by emailing academy@coloradoballet.org
Students may audition online, see details and deadlines under the audition tab.
Eligible Pre-Professional Division students are assessed each year by Colorado Ballet Artistic Director Gil Boggs for the opportunity to become a Trainee with Colorado Ballet for the following season. Trainees must be current Pre-Professional students in order to be considered.
Most PPD 2 & 3 students participate in an online high school program. Parents and students choose the online program best suited to their individual needs. Colorado Ballet Academy does
not provide tutors, however, teachers from Denver Online Highschool visit CBA once per week during the lunch/study break provided in the schedule.
The schedule for PPD 1 allows those attending school to customize their education.
The Parkway Marquis is an apartment complex where current Company, Studio Company and Pre-Professional students live, located just two blocks from Colorado Ballet’s studios and two
blocks from King Soopers. Students typically share a two-bedroom apartment with up to four students. Apartment stays are unchaperoned and arranged by the student. Other apartment options are
also available within walking distance.
Students may have the opportunity to stay with a host family or rent a room from a CBA family. These opportunities vary from year to year. Please contact the CBA Administration if you are
interested in staying with a host family.
Upon invitation to the program, students may register as soon as they receive the registration link. Mid-year acceptance into the program is possible depending on availability, however, priority is given to students who attend the entire school year.
Scholarships are offered based upon merit and skill.
PPD students have approximately four Saturday Soiree performances, three Fall Feature performances, and two Spring Production performances as part of their curriculum. Additionally, PPD students may perform in several First Friday performances throughout the year, YAGP or DBG performances, community showings, and Colorado Ballet Company productions.
Yes. CBA allows all their students to participate in YAGP or DBG. Auditions are held annually at the beginning of the Academy year. The auditions allow the CBA faculty to cast students in ensembles as well as guide each eligible student to choose variations suited to their age and skill level.
Yes. Colorado Ballet Academy does not provide transportation for students; however, Denver is a thriving city with a well-established public transportation system that includes RTD Bus & Light Rail. There are several very nice apartment complexes within a few blocks of Colorado Ballet, a large grocery store, and artistic and cultural entertainment. Downtown theaters, museums, attractions, and shopping are a 15-20 minute walk from the studios.