Dance Workshop is run and produced by three co-chairs: a senior, junior and sophomore. Co-chairs work with an average of 16 choreographers and 150 dancers per production. Each academic year, a new co-chair is chosen through an application process. The new co-chair is chosen at the end of their first-year at Colorado College and encouraged to stay on as co-chair until they graduate. This enables the new member to learn on the job their sophomore year, develop and deepen their skills as a junior, so that by their senior year they are fully prepared to run the show and mentor the younger co-chairs. While there are many rewards to being a co-chair, this is an unpaid position. 

 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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Producing Dance Workshop each semester includes but is not limited to:

Securing theater space, the security team, and technical crew; advertise the show; and manage the budget.

• Organize and facilitate choreographer and dancer auditions.

• Collect Safety Protocol forms signed by all participants and keep them on file through the end of the academic year.

• Communicate with the Dance Advisor and faculty, Campus Activities Director, Technical Director, Audio-Visual Director, and other Colorado College staff and faculty to make sure the show will run smoothly. 

• Lead choreographer workshops and meetings.This involves giving a space for co-chairs and choreographers to review important information, share progress, and offer support.

• Collect choreographers' lighting sheets, and music.

• Choreograph the co-chair piece(s) and choreograph the finale.

• Stage manage Dance Workshop in conjunction with Technical Crew. Facilitate organization of stage lighting and audio, prepare stage for technical week (including Marley and speakers), work the rails and call the show from backstage, and run strike.

• In case of an injury during a show, it is the senior co-chair’s responsibility to immediately inform Campus Safety and make an executive decision on how the show will continue.

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SUCCESSION PROCESS

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The upcoming co-chair is selected during the second semester of the academic year. This position is open to all. An online application is circulated, and the current co-chairs conduct personal interviews with applicants to make an informed decision. The new co-chair is generally chosen prior to the spring show, to give opportunity to shadow current co-chairs and form an understanding of the job. 

Applicants are chosen based on merit in the following areas: time management, commitment, leadership qualities, communication skills, integrity, solid work ethic, and dedication to public service. They should be self-motivated and also capable of working collaboratively with other co-chairs. The co-chairs as a whole should represent the diversity of the Colorado College community. The applicant is chosen at the discretion of the current co-chairs.

In the case of a vacancy of a co-chair, the Communications Ambassador is given additional responsibilities for the period of time the member is away. In the case that a co-chair chooses to vacate their position prior to their graduation, a new member will be sought through the established application process. The Communications Ambassador may fill the role of co-chair until a new student is chosen, and also has the opportunity to apply.