LPD Performing Group: A Different Kind of Performance Program
Applications for our 2026–2027 LPD Performing Group are due this Wednesday, September 23!
Performing Group is still a relatively new program at LPD, and we're continuing to develop what it can become.
This program grew out of a decision to move away from a traditional competition team and towards developing young dancers as performers, artists, collaborators, and creators.
What Is Performing Group?
Performing Group is an additional training and performance opportunity for dancers who want to go further.
Throughout the year, the work changes. Sometimes dancers are learning material from a choreographer. Sometimes they're developing their own ideas. The goal is to give dancers more opportunities to make and perform work.
Commitment Matters
Performing Group requires focus, dedication, and consistent participation.
When someone is absent, it doesn't only affect their own learning. It affects partnering, spacing, choreography, rehearsal plans, and the other dancers who are depending on them.
We ask every applicant and their family to complete our Performing Group Family Questionnaire before joining.
We want dancers and families to understand the commitment they're making and to consider honestly whether the program fits into their lives this year.
We need commitment from our dancers, and we also need support from parents and caregivers to help them meet that commitment.
Offered by Donation
Comparable intensive performance programming can cost families thousands of dollars over a dance season.
We don't want finances to determine who gets access to this kind of experience.
Performing Group is therefore offered by donation to the LPD Scholarship Program.
That model is intentional. Families contribute what they can, those contributions support greater access to dance at LPD, and dancers can participate regardless of their family's financial circumstances.
Accessibility, however, does not mean that the program asks less of its participants.
For Performing Group to remain sustainable, we need the dancers who choose it to show up, work hard, participate fully, and take responsibility for being part of the group.
We're Getting Started!
Our first two weeks give us an opportunity to jump into the work together:
Wednesday, September 23
Applications due
Sunday, September 27 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Performing Group Intensive
Monday, September 28 4:30-6:00 PM
First regular Performing Group rehearsal
Sunday, October 4 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Second Performing Group Intensive
Monday, October 5
Regular Performing Group rehearsal
The intensives give us concentrated time together at the beginning of the season to build skills, establish how we'll work as an ensemble, and start laying the foundation for the year ahead.
Is Performing Group for You?
You don't need to be the strongest dancer in the studio.
You do need to want to be there.
You need to be ready to work, to collaborate, to take direction, to support the people around you, and to make Performing Group a priority when you've committed to being part of it.