2021 NSAL National Awards Competition in Dance June 3, 2021 through June 5, 2021 – Pittsburgh, PA

Ages 16-23 $12,000 First Prize $40,000 Total Prizes Will Be Awarded At National Competition Entry Is Through Local Florida East Coast Chapter Local Prizes: 1st - $2,000 2nd - $1,000 3rd - $750 Application Must Be Submitted by March 10, 2021 Classwork Portion of Competition May Be Virtual See Instructions for Virtual Portion Under Competition Rules WATCH Here In JANUARY For Details On Live or Virtual For Both LOCAL and NATIONAL Competition

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2021 LIVE OR LIVE STREAM COMPETITION HOST: BOCA THEATRE All Required Covid Guidelines and Restrictions Will Be Observed

Send Completed Applications To Florida East Coast Chairpersons: Shari Upbin or Marcie Gorman [email protected] [email protected] Tel: 917-797-6653 (Cell) Tel: 561-968-7173 561-307-2756(Cell) Dear Dancer,

Are you a dedicated aspiring dance artist, age 16 - 23, with a passion to succeed as a professional dancer? If so, I invite you to participate in the NSAL 2021 National Awards Competition in Dance.

This competition is unique in that its purpose is to identify and support young dancers at the beginning of their careers. Esteemed judges off er valuable insights and feedback. Top competitors are awarded cash prizes -totaling $40,000 or more - which they can use for education, dance training, professional development, or anything that is necessary to further their success in the fi eld of dance.

The NSAL National Awards Competition in Dance is held every four years. It is one of four rotating performing arts competitions sponsored by the National Society of Arts & Letters.

Founded seventy fi ve years ago in Washington, DC, NSAL is comprised of seventeen chapters representing all regions of the United States. Members of NSAL are men and women engaged professionally in the arts, or who want to actively support the work of young artists.

Participating in the NSAL National Awards Competition in Dance is a learning experience and an opportunity to make connections that can help you succeed.

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions.

Sincerely, Cindy Free 2021 NSAL National Awards Competition in Dance National Dance Chair [email protected] National Society of Arts & Letters 2021 National Awards Competition in Dance www.arts-nsal.org

“Competing in the 2017 National Society of Arts and Letters Ballet Competition provided me with amazing opportunities to help further my ballet career. I had the privilege of dancing along side such talented dancers from across America and was honored to be judged by such an esteemed panel. Since competing in the 2017 National Society of Arts and Letters ballet competition, my career has opened many new doors. I spent an amazing two years in Munich, Germany dancing with the Bayerisches Staatsballett II, followed by moving to Berlin, Germany to join the esteemed Friedrichstadt Palast. I’m very grateful to have been a part of NSAL and for their support in my career as a professional dancer!

- Gillian Fitz, 2017 NSAL National Awards Competition in Dance ABOUT The National Society of Arts and Letters assists promising young artists through competitions, financial assistance, master classes, mentoring, and providing career opportunities. The NSAL National Awards Competition in Dance is held every four years with the purpose of identifying and supporting talented young dance artists. Top competitors receive cash awards that total $40,000 or more.

ELIGIBILITY The competition is open to dancers ages 16-23. Competitors must have not yet reached their 24th birthday by May 14, 2021. Dancers must show evidence of career potential. Dancers must not have an agent or manager at the time of the competition. Professional dancers are not permitted to enter the competition. “Professional Dancer” is defined by the NSAL Dance Competition as an individual who is employed or contracted as a full-time dancer (apprentices included) with a professional dance company; or an individual who is regularly employed to perform as an independent dance artist. This includes dancers who are not currently employed under such a contract, but have been in the past. Contestants must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States or US Territories with a valid taxpayer identification number. Contestants must have a United States Social Security number and a United States residence address. The competition is open to dancers of all nationalities, races, religions, genders and sexual orientations.

LEVELS OF COMPETITION Chapter Level: Dancers first compete in the NSAL Chapter Level Competition that is closest to their home, school, current residence, or as assigned by the National Awards Competition Chair. Dancers may compete in only one Chapter Level Competition. National Level: The first place winner of each NSAL Chapter Level Competition will progress to compete at the NSAL National Competition June 3-5, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The competition will take place at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS Covid-19 protocols will be in place to safeguard the health of all involved. If necessary, the competitions may pivot to a virtual format at the Chapter Level and/or the National Level. If this happens, additional information will be provided.

JUDGES The NSAL National Awards Competition judges are Paul Gibson, Susan Jaffee, and Rocker Verastique. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS Each competitor will be judged on their performance in three components of the competition:

1. Classwork: Competitors will participate in a 1.5 hour class that includes barre work and centre practice.

2. Classical Variation: Present one variation from the list below. Women must perform en pointe. Female: Black Swan Variation, (M. Petipa, L. Ivanov) Kitri Variation (w/fan), (M. Petipa) Florine Variation, Sleeping Beauty (M. Petipa) Pas D’Eslave Variation, Le Corsaire (M. Petipa) Male: Siegfried Variation, Swan Lake (M. Petipa, L. Ivanov) Ali Variation, Le Corsaire (M. Petipa) Bluebird Variation, Sleeping Beauty (M. Petipa) Nutcracker Prince Variation, Nutcracker (M. Petipa, L. Ivanov)

3. Contemporary Solo: The Contemporary Solo must demonstrate proficiency of range of movement within the framework of a dance vocabulary other than ballet. No longer than 2.5 minutes. Props prohibited. No pointe.

ATTIRE Classwork and Classical Variation: Female - any solid color sleeveless leotard (and optional matching short skirt) with pink or flesh colored tights and shoes. Male - any solid color fitted shirt with black tights and shoes. All tights must be worn inside shoes for classwork and the classical variation. Contemporary Solo: Female - any solid color sleeveless leotard with tights (pink or flesh color), black dance shorts, or bare legs Male - any solid color fitted shirt with either black tights or dance shorts Competitors may perform the contemporary solo barefoot, in socks, half-sole shoes, in jazz shoes, or sneakers.

COMPETITION FEES, TRAVEL and other EXPENSES A small registration fee may apply at Chapter Level Competitions. There is no fee to compete in the National Level Competition. Each local NSAL Chapter will sponsor the travel related expenses of their first place winner to attend and participate in the 2021 National Awards Competition in Dance. Sponsored expenses include conference registration, food, hotel accommodations, and transportation to and from the National Competition in Pittsburgh. Should the competition pivot to virtual, additional information regarding covered competition expenses will be provided.

HOW TO APPLY Choose the NSAL Chapter located closest to you from the 2021 NSAL CHAPTER LEVEL COMPETITIONS LIST. Submit your completed REGISTRATION FORM to the Chapter by the registration deadline.

Upon receipt of your registration, you will receive a confirmation email as well as instructions on how to upload required documents and other competition related materials including: a) a high resolution jpeg head shot b) mp3s of your music labeled with your name and title of the dance c) a short bio regarding your dance background and accomplishments d) a scan of a legal document verifying your date of birth and US citizenship or legal residence Examples: a birth certificate, passport, student visa, or green card e) the chapter level registration fee (where applicable) f) If the competition pivots to virtual, you will receive upload instructions for your videos and/or instructions for live stream components of the competition Download and complete the REGISTRATION FORM, then email it to the NSAL Chapter Level Competition you are registering for. The NSAL Chapters and email contacts are listed on the following page. Questions? Contact: NSAL National Dance Chair, Cindy Free at [email protected]

Which Chapter Level Competition would you like to register for?

NSAL Chapter ______

Name ______Age _____ Date of birth ______Contestants must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States or US Territories with a valid taxpayer identification number. Contestants must have a United States Social Security number and a United States residence address. Social Security Number ______

Current Street/Apt. Address ______City ______State______Zip______E-Mail ______Cell Phone ______

Alternate address (such as a home address) where I can always be reached: C/O Name ______Phone ______Address ______E-Mail ______City ______State______Zip ______

Classical Variation Title: ______Contemporary Solo Title: ______Contemporary Solo Choreographer: ______

DECLARATION OF RESPONSIBILITY I certify that the information contained in this application is true. I agree to conform to the rules and regulations of the competition. If I win an award at the Chapter Level, I agree to participate in the Chapter Awards Celebration as requested by the Chapter. If I win first place at the Chapter Level, I will represent the Chapter to the best of my ability in the National NSAL 2021 National Awards Competition in Dance Competition Awards NSAL 2021 National

REGISTRATION FORM REGISTRATION Competition with timely attendance and participation in the competition and related convention events. I give permission to the NSAL to share photos and videos that I submit as elements of the competition. I give permission to the NSAL to document my participation in the competition with photos and videos. I authorize the use of such photographs and videos to be used in NSAL related events as well as in publications, promotions, news, social media, and the NSAL website for the purpose of documenting and promoting activities related to the NSAL.

Signature ______Date ______2021 NSAL National Awards Competition in Dance National JUDGES

Paul Gibson joined the Pacifi c Northwest Ballet in 1994 as a soloist and was promoted to the rank of principal in 1996. His choreographic work includes for PNB and PNB School’s Professional Division, as well as works for San Francisco Ballet School, San Francisco Ballet Choreographic Workshop, and Allegheny Ballet Company. Mr. Gibson has also been a participant in the New York Choreographic Institute. Originally from Altoona, Pennsylvania, Mr. Gibson began ballet training at Allegheny Ballet Academy and later went to summer programs at the School of American Ballet. He won a scholarship at San Francisco Ballet School and joined that company in 1988, where he rose to the rank of soloist. Upon retirement from dancing with PNB, Gibson became a ballet master with the company.

Susan Ja e has been declared by the New York Times as “America’s quintessential American ballerina,” Susan Jaff e led a renowned career as principal dancer at (ABT) for 22 years. She performed on the international stage with the Royal Ballet, the Kirov Ballet, the , La Scala Ballet, Vienna State Opera Ballet, , and the . After retiring from the stage in 2002, Ms. Jaff e served as an advisor to the chairman of the board of ABT until 2007 and became Ballet Mistress in 2010. Two years later, she was appointed Dean of Dance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) in Winston-Salem, NC where she implemented a syllabus based on the ABT National Training Curriculum and established the Choreographic Institute of UNCSA. A choreographer herself, Jaff e has created works for ABT, American Ballet Theatre Studio Company, Grand Rapid Ballet’s Move Media, Company C Contemporary Ballet, Confi gurations Dance Theatre and Youth American Grand Prix Gala, among others. Her dexterity with choreography allowed her to bring her own interpretations to ballet classics as well as take on dramatic works of , , John Cranko and Kenneth MacMillian. She also worked with and danced the works of many prominent choreographers such as Jiri Kylian, , , , Lar Lubovitch, Nacho Duato, Glen Tetley, James Kudelka, Roland Petit, David Parsons, Mark Morris, Merce Cunningham, Ronald Hynd, Frederick Ashton, Ulysses Dove and Lynn Taylor Corbett.

Rocker Verastique appeared in the original Broadway companies of Contact, Chicago, Victor/Victoria and Carousel. Mr. Verastique’s other Broadway credits include Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, Sweet Charity andThe Ziegfeld Follies of 1936, as well as the world premiere productions ofHearts Desire, Jekyll and Hyde, Spirit and the Broadway workshop of Fosse. Rocker’s other credits include Paul in A Chorus Line (Pittsburgh Musical Theater), Konstantine Morrisine in On Your Toes (Gateway Playhouse.NY), Sophisticated Ladies (Drury Lane, Chicago), Feld Ballet, Los Angeles Chamber Ballet, danced six years with artistic director Mikhail Baryshinikov in American Ballet Theatre. In Los Angeles, he spent four years on the television series Fame and was the male lead in the award winning music video Nasty opposite Janet Jackson. Mr Verastique choreographed Miss Saigon (Pittsburgh Musical Theater), Leader Of The Pack, Dreamgirlsand Beehive (Pittsburgh Playhouse), Five Guys Named Moe and Little Me (Candlelight, Chicago), A Chorus Line (Geva, Rochester NY) and co-choreographed Rugrats, A Live Adventure (2 World Tours).

Links to Additional Information: About the Competition NSAL Website 2021 NSAL National Competition Rules 2021 NSAL National Awards Competition in Dance

AWARDS 1. Top competitors at both the Chapter Level and the National Level receive cash awards. 2. The first place winner at the National Level will be awarded $12,000. 3. In previous years, NSAL has presented awards totaling as much as $40,000 to the winning contestants.

NATIONAL COMPETITION RULES 1. Competitors in the 2021 National Competition in Classical Ballet must show evidence of career potential but not be under exclusive contract to a dance company or have an agent/manager at any time during the competition. 2. The competition is open to dancers ages 16-23. Competitors must have passed their 16th birthday on or before the Chapter Level competition and have not yet reached their 24th birthday by the date of the National Level competition - Friday, June 4, 2021. 3. Professional dancers are not permitted to enter the competition. “Professional Dancer” is defined by the NSAL Dance Competition as an individual who is employed or contracted as a full-time dancer (apprentices included) with a professional dance company; or an individual who is regularly employed to perform as an independent dance artist. This includes dancers who are not currently employed under such a contract, but have been in the past. 4. The competition is open to dancers of all nationalities, races, religions, genders and sexual orientations. 5. Competitors must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States or US Territories with a valid taxpayer identification number. Contestants must have a United States Social Security number and a United States residence address. 6. Competitors in the National Level Competition will have competed in and been declared the sole first place winner of a NSAL Chapter Level Competition prior to entering the National Competition. 7. Competitors will enter the competition of the chapter closest to their home, school, current residence, or as assigned by the National Awards Competition Chair. 8. Competitors shall enter only one chapter competition. Chapter competitions may be held as early as October 2020. A list of Chapter contacts may be found in the Information & Registration Packet and on the NSAL website. 9. Competitors shall electronically submit the completed and signed Registration Form along with the other materials requested on the form to the Chapter Chair (or Chapter President if no Chair is specified) by the Chapter deadline. 10. Contestants’ identity and chapter affiliation will remain anonymous to the judges until judging has been completed. 11. All chapters shall use the national rules for chapter competitions. 12. A winner of a NSAL National Competition in Dance cannot compete in any future NSAL dance competitions.

Continued - NATIONAL COMPETITION RULES

13. To receive an award at the National Level competitors shall attend and participate in the following events: a. Attend the contestant orientation meeting on June 3, 2021 b. Participate in all three components of the National Competition: 1) Adjudicated Master Class 2) Classical Variation 3) Contemporary Variation c. Attend the Awards Ceremony on June 5, 2021 d. If the National Level Competition pivots to virtual, additional information will be provided about required video submissions and/or live-stream elements of the competition.

14. The top three winning national contestants will permit videotaping of their performance to be played at the Awards Ceremony on Saturday, June 5, 2021.

15. Award winners will be prepared to participate in post-competition print, digital, TV or radio interviews or media conferences, if requested. 16. A competition registration fee may be assessed at the Chapter Level Competition, but not at the National Level Competition. 17. The chapter sponsoring each contestant shall pay the expenses for conference registration, hotel accommodations and transportation to and from the National Competition in Pittsburgh. 18. NSAL reserves the right to use any photos taken of any competitor, teacher or judge during warm-up, classes, competition or at any social function or awards ceremony. 19. All NSAL photos used independently for publication by a competitor shall credit photographer and NSAL. 20. NSAL has the right to amend the rules and regulations at any time. 21. There will be no decision which will result in a tie. 22. In the event that any issue is not clearly addressed in the rules and regulations, the decision of NSAL will be final.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS 1. Each competitor will be judged on their performance in three components of the competition: a. Classwork: Competitors will participate in a 1.5 hour master class that includes classical barre work, centre practice, pointe (for women), and a contemporary enchainement. b. Classical Variation: Present one variation from the list below. Women must perform en pointe. Female: Black Swan Variation, Swan Lake (M. Petipa, L. Ivanov) Kitri Variation (w/fan), Don Quixote (M. Petipa) Florine Variation, Sleeping Beauty (M. Petipa) Pas D’Eslave Variation, Le Corsaire (M. Petipa) Male: Siegfried Variation, Swan Lake (M. Petipa, L. Ivanov) Ali Variation, Le Corsaire (M. Petipa) Bluebird Variation, Sleeping Beauty (M. Petipa) Nutcracker Prince Variation, Nutcracker (M. Petipa, L. Ivanov) c. Contemporary Solo: The Contemporary Solo must demonstrate proficiency of range of movement within the framework of a dance vocabulary other than ballet. The solo may be original choreography by the competitor or choreographed by someone else. The solos should not exceed 2.5 minutes. Props prohibited. No pointe. Continued - PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

2. Competitors must provide an mp3 audio file of their own music in advance of the competition. Each mp3 audio file should be labeled with the dancer’s name and the title of the dance.

3. Only performance quality music is acceptable.

4. Competitors must also bring a back-up copy of their music on a recording device such as a CD or flash drive. a. Only the music for the classical variation (Track 1) and the contemporary solo (Track 2) shall be on the back-up device. Record each track with a 2 second lead. b. The music back ups will be handed in at the contestants’ orientation session which is June 3, 2021 at the National Level. 5. A performance number will be added to the music recordings at the competitor orientation after each dancer has drawn a performance number from a hat.

6. Attire for the competition shall be as follows: Classwork and Classical Variation: Female - any solid color sleeveless leotard (and optional matching short skirt) with pink or flesh colored tights and shoes. Male - any solid color fitted shirt with black tights and shoes. All tights must be worn inside shoes for classwork and the classical variation. Contemporary Solo: Female - any solid color sleeveless leotard with tights (pink or flesh color), black dance shorts, or bare legs Male - any solid color fitted shirt with either black tights or dance shorts Competitors may perform the contemporary solo barefoot, in socks, half-sole shoes, in jazz shoes, or sneakers. ADJUDICATION 1. Competitors will be judged on technique (placement, precision, etc.) in the adjudicated master class. 2. Competitors will be judged on artistry, style, technical skill and musicality in the Classical Variation and Contemporary Solo components of the competition. 3. There will be three qualified judges having no personal connection or advance partiality towards any competitor. An alternate judge will be available in the event a designated judge needs to disqualify himself/herself from judging a competitor. 4. Judges will not see any contestant’s name or chapter affiliation until after the judging is complete. 5. Judges will be separated from the audience and each other during the performances. They shall not confer during the presentations. 6. After the last competitor has performed, the judges shall confer and will have the option for callbacks on the same material before making their final decision. There will be no decision that results in a tie. The decision of the judges is final.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS 1. Covid-19 protocols will be in place to safeguard the health of all involved. 2. If necessary, the competitions may pivot to a partial or full virtual format at the Chapter Level and/or the National level. 3. The dates of competitions at the Chapter and National Levels will remain the same, however, new deadlines and procedures for uploading video components of the competition may apply. 4. Competitors will be notified by the competition via email regarding upload procedures and deadlines. Format Recommendation for Virtual Competition 1. Attire: same as for live competition 2. Music: Music should be recorded as part of the video and not edited in afterward. 3. Video: All video should be well lighted and of good quality. It is recommended to shoot the barre from a side angle and everything else from straight on. The classical variation and contemporary solo videos must be unedited. No additional noises should be audible in the background. 4. Identification: The name of the competitor must not appear in the content of the video submitted for judging. The video file should be named with the competitor’s name and the component of competition. Example: John Smith/Classwork 5. Classwork: Competitors must upload a digital video of himself/herself performing classwork in a studio environment. Excerpts of live performances will not be accepted. The video file must contain all the elements listed below. The video should not exceed 10 minutes, frame the full body throughout, and show the competitor’s artistic, musical, and technical capabilities. Males and females should wear soft ballet shoes. a. Barre work: Not more than 5 minutes. Present only one side. Show pliés, tendu, adagio with battement lents and/or developpés, and grand battements. b. Centre practice: Pirouettes en-dehors and en-dedans Adagio (soft ballet shoes) Small and medium jumps including assemblés, jetés, sissonnes, and beats Tour en l’air right and left (male competitors only) c. Grand allegro: Females should include a diagonal of turning steps in the enchainement Males must show cabrioles, entrechats six and double tours en l’air within the enchainment 6. Classical Variation: Competitors must upload a video of himself/herself performing one of the approved variations in a studio or on a stage without any visual distractions in the background. Video of a live performance before an audience will not be accepted. 7. Contemporary Solo: Competitors must upload a video of himself/herself performing a Contemporary Solo in a studio or on a stage without any visual distractions in the background. Video of a live performance before an audience will not be accepted. 8. Optional Personal Statement: The competition may request the competitor to upload a video of himself/herself briefly answering the following questions: What sparked your love of dancing? What nourishes you as an artist? In what direction would you like to see your career as a dancer go? Note: This element may be shared to offer the audience interesting insights about the competitor, but it is not to be judged as a component of competition.

Live Stream Option 9. Where the technical capability is available, the Competition may choose a live stream option for the Classical Variation and the Contemporary Solo. With this option, competitors perform these components of the competition in a studio or on a stage (without visual distractions ) for a live stream audience and the judges. Under this option, the classwork component will be judged from the submitted classwork video in advance, and the videos of the Classical Variation and Contemporary Solo will be held as back-up for judging should technical difficulties arise.

NSAL National Dance Chair, Cindy Free at [email protected] Phone: 205-516-0022 NSAL National Dance Co-Chair, Edie Barnes at [email protected] Links to Related Information: 2021 NSAL Awards Competition in Dance - Information & Registration NSAL Website