SUMMER PROGRAMS – SLEEP AWAY INTENSIVE

Sleep Away Intensive Program (Ages 10+)

at Fairfield University

* New for 2025: Junior Camp

As the standard for classical ballet training throughout Greater New Haven, New Haven Ballet has partnered with Fairfield University in beautiful Fairfield County to offer serious students the opportunity to enhance their technical skills and artistry through a premier summer ballet intensive. During the Summer Residency, dancers train daily in a pre-professional classical ballet curriculum, supplemented by Pilates, conditioning and stretching, pointe, partnering, and repertory classes. Students experience significant improvements in strength, flexibility, artistry, and technical ability, enabling them to return to their home studios with confidence and preparation for the upcoming fall season. The Summer Intensive Residency allows students to receive individualized attention from the best instructors in the region, make friends with others who share their passion for dance, live in beautiful dormitories, and enjoy nutritious and delicious meals—all culminating in a performance presented in state-of-the-art facilities.

ELIGIBILITY (AGES 10-19)

The Summer Intensive Residency is designed for dedicated students. Limited spots are available, and an audition approved by the Artistic Director is required. This advanced ballet program offers an intensive course of study to optimize both technical and artistic skills. New Haven Ballet provides students with top-tier classical ballet training, including pointe, partnering, and repertory. The New Haven Ballet faculty, along with guest instructors from prominent professional companies like the New York City Ballet, offer diverse workshops to enhance training.

This year, we are excited to offer a junior division of the Summer Intensive, which is open to serious students ages 10 and up. An audition and approval by the Artistic Director are required. Students are housed with those of a similar age and are supervised at all times.

SLEEP AWAY SUMMER INTENSIVE

New Haven Ballet invites students to audition for an all-inclusive, immersive, intensive program designed to help dancers reach their full potential by enhancing their ballet technique and artistry in preparation for their home studio programs, competitions, and auditions. This two-week advanced program is specifically tailored for serious ballet students aged 10 and older considering a dance career. Daily classes include ballet technique, pointe, variations, repertory, partnering, Pilates, and conditioning, along with individualized coaching during rehearsals. The program concludes with a performance and lecture demonstration.

A non-refundable application fee of $35 is required. Students accepted into the program must submit a 25% non-refundable deposit to secure their spots. The remaining balance is due on or before June 1. Both the tuition and the deposit are non-refundable.

HOW TO APPLY

Students must submit a written application and attend an audition class to gain admission to the residential summer program. Admittance is competitive, and space is limited to ensure that each student receives maximum individualized attention. We accept a select number of talented students; however, admission does not guarantee an available spot. Places are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning students must secure their spots with a non-refundable deposit to confirm their attendance. If tuition is not paid in full by June 1, the place may be offered to another student. Perspective students should call to schedule an audition class at our studio in New Haven. We also accept video auditions from those unable to attend an in-person class.

AUDITION INFORMATION

Audition classes are available for students aged 10 to 19.

Audition Placement Class Attire – Option 1:

Black or solid-colored ballet leotard, flesh-tone or pink tights, and matching flesh-tone or pink pointe shoes (the colors of the tights and pointe shoes must match). Students who have not yet had a full year of pointe work may perform their audition in ballet slippers.

Hair is styled back in a bun or ballet hairstyle.

Audition Attire – Option 2:

A white fitted T-shirt, black tights, and black ballet slippers. Hair slicked or pulled back and secured away from the face.

VIDEO AUDITIONS

Video auditions for the Summer Intensive will be reviewed upon receipt. Auditions are accepted on a rolling basis as space allows. Students are strongly encouraged to submit their video auditions at their earliest convenience. Result emails will be sent to the provided email address within 14 days of audition submission.

Audition videos should not exceed 15 minutes in length and must include:

Barre exercises: pliés in second and fifth positions with port de bras, tendu, fondu, or adagio, and grand battement (one side only, alternating sides with each exercise). Film in profile.

Center: Adagio, Pirouette, Petite Allégro, and Grande Allégro. Film facing camera.

The prospective student should be clearly visible in the video, and videos should be as up-to-date as possible.

Students will be accepted and placed into programs based on their video auditions, at the sole discretion of the artistic staff. Acceptance and level may change after the student’s first in-person class.

THE PROGRAM

A carefully structured program consisting of full days of dance training designed to maximize progress during an intense study period.

Each dancer receives individual attention and support to identify and strengthen weaknesses while developing a beautiful dance technique, including coaching in classical repertoire.

Dancers focus on their artistry while exploring the tools that professional dancers utilize to enhance and maintain a healthy body and mind.

Dancers set goals and learn exercises and techniques that they can apply after the program concludes, allowing their progress to continue.

The program concludes with a performance and lecture demonstration.

Dates & Times: July 27-August 9, 2025

Location: Fairfield University

1073 North Benson Road
Fairfield, CT 06824

Check in/drop off Sunday afternoon with dinner as the first meal.

Placement ballet class on Sunday afternoon before dinner.

Week Days: Full Camp Days.

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Daily.

24-hour supervision.

Saturday afternoon check-out after the performance.

Final performance on Saturday.

Cost:

Registration Fee: $35.

2025 Tuition, Room & Board: $3,455.

2025 Day Only: $2,455.

*Additional fees may apply for special weekend activities.

Includes tuition, room and board, and a performance fee (which covers costume rental). Weekend activity fees for off-campus events are not included.

Day Only Option: includes tuition, lunch, dinner, and a performance fee (which covers the costume rental fee) for attendance from Monday to Friday each week. Weekend meals and activities are not included.

Photos: © 2024 Kelsey Paff Photography