BDSI 2024
WELCOME FROM BD DIRECTOR JENNIFER BACKHAUS
We cannot wait to dance with you at our 20th Annual Backhausdance Summer Intensive! As you scroll down, you will find detailed information regarding our class schedule, suggested attire, evening activities, and helpful tips to ensure the best summer yet!
Since its inception in 2003, Backhausdance has been recognized as one of Southern California’s premier contemporary modern dance companies. Currently wrapping up its 20th season, the company continually strives to educate the community about the relevance and vitality of concert dance. We are excited to spend one (or more!) weeks with you as we continue to push our boundaries on technical growth and artistic development!
We are thrilled to share that all dancers participating in Week 3 (July 29 - August 2) will have the opportunity to share the stage with the professional company in a fully produced performance at the beautiful Waltmar Theatre on the campus of Chapman University. Save the date for Friday, August 2nd, it will be an extraordinary event and culmination of our time together.
While we wait for the intensive to get here, make sure you are signed up for our mailing list. Check out and register online for some fun evening activities, check out our merchandise and purchase tickets for the August 2nd performance. We can’t wait to dance with you!
Jennifer Backhaus
Artistic Director
2023 Participants rehearse for performance Photo ©Adrien Padilla
2023 Participants explore improvisation Photo ©Adrien Padilla
PARTICIPANT SURVEY
If this is your last week with us, click below to take our participant survey! Your input is essential to us as we always strive to assess and improve our programming.
THIS YEAR’S PHOTOS & VIDEO
Click below to check out some of the photos we took during classes, our wrap up videos, and the videos of Amanda Kay White’s Week 1 & 2 Creative Process Performance! Feel free to save them, share them, and tag us!
CULMINATION PERFORMANCE
2023 Participants perform in the Culmination Performance. Photo ©Adrien Padilla
All dancers participating in Week 3 (July 29 - August 2) will have the opportunity to share the stage with Backhausdance in a fully produced performance of BD Education Presents - Deconstructed at Chapman University’s Waltmar Theatre. Save the date for Friday, August 2 (6pm)
BD Education Presents - Deconstructed will feature professional dancers of Backhausdance and participants of the 2024 Backhausdance Summer Intensive. Together, the cast of more than 75 dancers will explore, deconstruct and bring to life recent works from Backhausdance.
In daily rehearsals, the intensive participants will work directly with company dancers and Artistic Director Jennifer Backhaus to learn, rehearse, and ultimately, perform live on stage for an audience.
BD Education Presents: Deconstructed
Friday, Aug. 2 6:00pm
Chapman University
Waltmar Theater
Buy tickets below!*
*(Deconstructed tickets are listed under “BD Summer Activities”)
MANDATORY REHEARSALS & PERFORMANCES
Dancers participating in BD Education Presents - Deconstructed must attend ALL rehearsals for the weeks in which they are enrolled. Mandatory rehearsals are held daily from 4:00pm to 5:30pm.
Friday’s performance begins at 6:00pm (dancer call time: 3:00pm).
COSTUMES
Performers will provide their own costume pieces. More information about costume specifics will be sent shortly.
NON-PERFORMING PARTICIPANTS
Dancers who are unable to perform in BD Education Presents - Deconstructed on August 2 will learn BD repertory alongside performing dancers during the daily BD Repertory class. An informal showing will take place on Friday of week 1 and 2 for those that are not participating in week 3.
TICKET SALES
Take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to purchase tickets for your friends and family. Buy tickets below!*
*(Deconstructed tickets are listed under “BD Summer Activities”)
WRAP PARTY
Join us after the show for a celebration of our accomplishments and performance! Enjoy food, dancing, and raffle prizes!
Please note, dancers who are performing in Deconstructed have discounted admission to our wrap party, purchase the “BDSI Performer Ticket” for the wrap party. Any extra guests to the wrap party need to buy a wrap party ticket or a VIP ticket which includes beer and wine.
WHAT TO EXPECT
DAILY SCHEDULE:
Classes will run daily from 9:30am to 5:30pm. Please arrive early so you are ready to begin class at 9:30. Sample schedule below, full schedule coming soon!
Location
All intensive classes are held at:
Chapman University
Sandi Simon Center for Dance
350 N Cypress St.
Orange, CA 92866
DAY ONE
PARKING
To access the building most easily, you can park in free street parking (read your street signs to avoid street sweeping days), or in the nearby parking structure on the corner of Maple and Cypress.
Old Towne West Parking Structure
130 N Lemon St,
Orange, CA 92866
Free to park
Be sure to avoid parking in the Chapman University permit - only Parking spaces right in front of the Sandi Simon Center.
ARRIVAL & CHECK IN
On your first day, arrive 30-45 minutes before classes begin.This will provide you ample time to find parking, check in at our registration table, tour the facilities and get ready for the first class of the day. Follow the signs for check-in. Registration for newly arriving students begins at 8:45am every Monday.
2023 Summer Intensive Repertory Rehearsal. Photo © Adrien Padilla
#BDSICommunity. Photo ©Adrien Padilla
WHAT TO BRING
Each day of the intensive includes an average of 6.5 hours of technique or creative class. To ensure a healthy and productive experience, come prepared with the following items:
a pair of socks for each day
kneepads (optional for modern floorwork)
ballet shoes
leotard for ballet classes
a yoga mat (for Pilates and Yoga classes)
plenty of water and healthy snacks to keep you energized and strong during class
a sack lunch or money to purchase lunch at a local eatery
LUNCH BREAK
Participants are given a 60-75 min lunch break daily from 12:00-1:15pm. (12:30-1:30 or 1:45 on Mon and Fri) Dancers may bring a sack lunch. There is a refrigerator and microwave in the lounge. A map of local eateries will be provided for those wishing to purchase lunch off campus*. Dancers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult to leave campus. There are plenty of options in the local University Center located in walking distance.
*Minor Participants (under 18yrs) will only be allowed off campus with chaperone if they have a signed Off Campus Waiver. Download by clicking below, and return to Kim Olmos (kim@backhausdance.org)
BDSI 2024 SCHEDULE
Week 1: July 15-19 | Week 2: July 22-26
Week 3: July 29-Aug 2
We suggest you bookmark the schedule links for the weeks of your program, or print them for easy access. Schedules will be posted in the building weekly and downloadable files updated here on the site.
Take a look at our FACULTY PAGE to learn more about the instructors and assistants on the schedule!
EVENING ACTIVITIES
We are excited to host 3 evening activities for our participants this year. These events provide a great opportunity to have fun and build lasting friendships that extend beyond the studio. All evening activities must be registered and paid for online. Event space is limited.
2024 EVENING ACTIVITIES
MINI GOLF
TUESDAY, JULY 16, 2024
6:30-9:00PM
Camelot Golfland
3200 E Carpenter Ave
Anaheim, CA 92806
No group transportation provided for non-housing students. Come mini golf with us and try to get a hole-in-one! Backhausdance invites you to test your athletic abilities outside of the dance studio at Camelot Golfland!
Admission Includes: One round of mini golf with BD Participants and Chaperones!
Limited Space Available
NATIONAL CHOREOGRAPHER’S INITIATIVE
SATURDAY, JULY 27, 2024
8PM - 10:30PM
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE
4242 Campus Drive Irvine, CA
No group transportation provided for non-housing students.
Be there for the birth of four new ballets created as part of the intensive 3-week process of the National Choreographers Initiative. Artistic Director Molly Lynch invites four choreographers, as well as sixteen professional dancers from ballet companies across the country, to participate. NCI is a southern California project with national influence. 2024 choreographers include: Charles Askegard, Cherice Barton, DaYoung Jung, Donna Salgado
Non-housing participants are responsible for determining carpools if desired.
Admission includes: A seat at the evening performance with BD Participants and Chaperones!
DINNER AT AVILA’S EL RANCHITO MEXICAN RESTAURANT
Wednesday, July 31st, 2024
6:00PM - 7:30PM
Avila’s El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant
182 S Orange St, Orange, CA 92866
Walking distance from the Sandi Simon Center for Dance.
Join us at Avila’s for dinner with Backhausdance Artistic Director, Jennifer Backhaus, along with BD company members and other intensive students. Enjoy great food and exceptional conversation as you build lasting friendships with fellow dancers.
Admission includes: Fajitas, Enchiladas, salad, rice and beans, unlimited fountain drinks, tax and gratuity.