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Training & Performance at Open Arts

At Open Arts, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality technical training and performance opportunities for our dancers.
Click to learn more about each of our training and performance programs.
Intenstive Training Track  |  Studio Performances  |  Dance Performance Trips  | SHINE |  OAPC
The Intensive Training Track
In-Depth Training for Continuing Dancers

What is the Intensive Training Track (ITT)?

ITT is an invitation-only accelerated program for dancers who are ready for a more advanced classroom atmosphere. ITT dancers have the opportunity to participate in ITT-only classes and participate in Monthly Technique Workshops in addition to exclusive optional learning and performance opportunities.

 

Participation in ITT involves:

  • Participation in at least 2 Dance Classes/Week (Ballet, Jazz/Hip-Hop, Modern/Contemporary, Tap, Acro)

  • Participation in at least 1 Summer Dance Intensive

  • Participation in Monthly Technique Workshops 

 

Annual ITT Participation Fee 

  • ITT Fee is paid Annually (on August 15th) 

  • Additional Fees apply for Summer Camps/Classes and Optional Conventions and Workshops

 

What are the PERKS of being on the Intensive Training Track?

  • Ability to participate in ITT-only Dance Classes throughout the regular season to ensure you are surrounded by equally dedicated and focused dancers for accelerated learning

  • Invitation to participate in at least one Dance Convention Weekend for intensive workshop training from leading artists in the industry

  • Additional staff and community support through Intensive Training Track communications, events, technique classes, goal-planning initiatives, and more

  • Optional Guest Artist Workshop opportunities and additional Community and Showcase Performances through the ITT-only Dance Classes

  • Opportunity to participate in the SHINE Performance Company

  • After 1 year of participation in the ITT, dancers are invited to audition for placement in our Open Arts Performance Companies

 

I’m ready to become a part of the ITT! What’s next?

  • The ITT is an invitation-only program and invitations are sent out in early Spring for the next season. If you are a new student to our studio and are interested in joining our Intensive Training Track mid-season, please let us know

Studio Peformances
Studio Performances
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All of our Dance, Musical Theater, and Acro students perform in our End of Year Showcase each spring. This professional full-scale production is the keystone of the Open Arts student experience and celebrates our dancers' skills, growth, and achievements while also providing an experience to build confidence, teamwork, resiliency, and so much more!

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For dancers who are looking for more performance opportunites, we invite all dancers to perform in the Cary Christmas Parade with us in December. You can also sign-up to perform in our Holiday Spectacular and ITT Dancers can audition to participate in our Open Arts Performance Company Gala each winter.

Dance Performance Trips

We've dance under the lights of Times Square, trained with the Radio City Rockettes, brightened up Main Street USA at the Walt Disney World Resort, and even shared our Open Arts Ohana & Heart in Honolulu, Hawaii where we also learned traditional hula steps on the white sandy beaches.

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In the 2025-2026 Season, we're preparing for our first international dance performance trip - we're performing at Disneyland Paris and at the Eiffel Tower in Paris!

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We believe in the transformative power of dance performance trips where we share in once-in-a-lifetime experiences together, form lasting friendships, and learn more about ourselves and the wider world around us. Where in the world will Open Arts perform next?!

Dance Trips
SHINE
SHINE Performance Company

What is SHINE?

SHINE is open to dancers in 1st grade and older, who are also members of our Intensive Training Track and have a passion to perform. At Open Arts, the goal of our Performance Companies is to train well-rounded and diverse dancers and leaders who will develop skills and relationships with faculty and peers through unparalleled experiences in dance, performance, and experiences that will lead to success both on and off the stage. Shine serves as a great opportunity for additional performances and a stepping stone to prepare for future dance auditions, such as OAPC.

 

Open Arts SHINE Performances & Experiences

  • 1 Convention

  • 1 Holiday Parade Performance 

  • 1 Holiday Show Number

  • 1 Gala Show Number

  • Community Performances

  • 1 Showcase Number

 

Participation in SHINE:

  • Participation in the Intensive Training Track

  • Participation in at least 2 Dance Class/Week for the 2025-2026 Season (one class must be ballet)

  • Participation in at least 4 Summer ITT Intensive Technique or Choreography classes

  • Attendance at scheduled rehearsals (The rehearsal schedule for the 2025-2026 Season is still TBD).
     

Annual SHINE Fees

  • This fee includes your ITT Fee

  • SHINE Fees are paid Annually on August 15th

  • Additional Fees apply for Summer Camps/Classes, Conventions, and Workshops

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I’m ready to become a part of SHINE! What’s next?

  • Once you have been invited into the ITT or are a current participant, be sure to enroll for SHINE in your Online Account when Priority Registration begins each season along with the other prerequisite courses. 

The Open Arts Performance Companies (OAPC)
Spark, Flare, Ignite

At Open Arts, the goal of our Performance Companies is to train well-rounded and diverse dancers and leaders who will develop skills and relationships with faculty and peers through unparalleled experiences in dance, performance, and experiences that will lead to success both on and off the stage. We have three groups within the OAPC - Spark, Flare, and Ignite - to better serve dancers based on age, technique, and skill.

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What is Spark?

Spark is a select group of talented Elementary-Middle School age dancers chosen through audition to represent Open Arts at conventions, community performances, and studio showcases. Dancers in this elite group maintain a high level of commitment to their personal growth as a dancer, performer, and leader within the studio and community.

Spark Performance Company Performances & Experiences

  • Open House Performance

  • 1 Convention

  • Holiday Parade

  • 1 Holiday Show Production Number

  • Company Gala

  • Community Performances

  • 1 Showcase Production Number

  • Mid-Season & End of Year Performance Reviews

 

What is Flare? 

Flare is a select group of talented Middle School-High School age dancers chosen through audition to represent Open Arts at conventions, community performances, and studio showcases. Dancers in this elite group maintain a high level of commitment to their personal growth as a dancer, performer, and leader within the studio and community.

Flare Performance Company Performances & Experiences

  • Open House Performance

  • 1 Convention

  • Holiday Parade

  • 1 Holiday Show Production Number

  • Company Gala

  • Community Performances

    • Solo & Small Group Holiday Show & Showcase Opportunities

  • 1 Showcase Production Number

  • Mid-Season & End of Year Performance Reviews


What is Ignite?

Ignite is the highest level High School age performing company consisting of talented, well-rounded, and distinguished dancers who demonstrate outstanding technique and performance quality. A high level of commitment is expected of these dancers and dance will need to be your first priority in order to maintain the level of pre-professional dance and performance expected.

Ignite Performance Company Performances & Experiences

  • Open House Performance

  • 1 Convention

  • Holiday Parade

  • 1 Holiday Show Production Number

  • Company Gala

  • Community Performances

  • Solo & Small Group Holiday Show & Showcase Opportunities

  • Choreography Opportunities

  • 1 Showcase Production Number

  • Mid-Season & End of Year Performance Reviews
     

Participation in Spark, Flare, and Ignite requires:

  • Choosing Dance as a priority over other extracurricular activities

  • Participation in the Intensive Training Track

  • Participation in at least 3 Dance Class/Week (one class must be ballet)

  • Participation in at least 4 Summer ITT Intensive Technique or Choreography classes

  • Participation in the OAPC Summer Intensive 

  • Attendance at scheduled rehearsals 

 

Annual OAPC Fees

  • This fee includes your ITT Fee

  • OAPC Fees are paid Annually on August 15th

  • Additional Fees apply for Summer Camps/Classes, Conventions, and Workshops

OAPC
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