Performance Workshops

BAX Performance Workshop Ensembles offer committed students a rigorous, collaborative environment to take bold artistic risks, develop their choreographic voices, and create original work within a nurturing ensemble community.

Rooted in the decades-long traditions of BAX’s Dance Performance Workshop (DPW) and AcroBAX programs, these youth and teen ensembles explore contemporary dance and inverted movement practices—including weight-sharing, acrobatics, and partner work. Students are challenged physically, creatively, and collaboratively as they develop both individual artistic expression and a shared choreographic language.

Ensembles are organized by age, technical and developmental stage, and movement discipline, creating a clear progression for students as they grow. Across all levels, participants share a commitment to developing original choreography, ensemble collaboration, performance-making, and pre-professional artistic practice while cultivating confidence, creative rigor, self-reflection, and goal-setting skills.

Classes are led by professional movement artists and educators who bring their own creative practices to the studio while providing thoughtful group mentorship and individualized guidance. In select terms, students also have the opportunity to work with guest choreographers—including BAX Resident Artists and visiting artists—broadening their exposure to diverse artistic perspectives and creative processes.

Ensemble students are strongly encouraged to supplement their training with additional dance, movement, and tumbling classes offered at BAX or elsewhere to continue deepening the development of their technical skills.

Throughout the season, ensemble members perform in BAX’s annual shared showcase in the BAX Theater as well as in select BAX and community events, gaining meaningful performance experience.

Performance Workshop Ensembles (2026/27 Season)

Season Dates: September 14, 2026 – June 2027

Performance Workshop Ensembles are yearlong programs that require a full-season commitment. Because students create original work collaboratively throughout the year, regular attendance is essential. Ensemble members are expected to arrive on time and miss no more than three classes during the school year, as each student’s participation contributes to the growth and success of the entire ensemble.

BAX Dance Performance Workshop (DPW) – Youth Ensemble

Grades 5–8
Directed by Maira Duarte
Thursdays | 4:45–6:45 PM | Studio D

Rooted in contemporary dance, DPW provides foundational training in movement technique, phrase work, improvisation, physical conditioning, and choreographic composition. Students deepen their performance skills while developing original choreography both individually and collaboratively. Emphasizing beginning to take creative risks and artistic initiative as well as ensemble-building, this class nurtures confident young dance artists with strong collaborative practices.

AcroBAX I Performance Workshop – Youth Ensemble

Grades 5–8
Directed by Nadia Hannan
Wednesdays | 4:00–6:00 PM | Studio A

AcroBAX I introduces students to partner acrobatics and inverted movement through foundational technical training, strength-building, weight-sharing, partnering, and creative exploration. Students develop confidence, trust, and physical awareness while creating original movement studies and performance work. The ensemble emphasizes collaboration, creative problem-solving, and ensemble choreography in a supportive environment.

AcroBAX II Performance Workshop – Teen Ensemble

Grades 8–12
Directed by Diane Tomasi
Thursdays | 3:30–5:45 PM | Studio A

Designed for older and more experienced students, AcroBAX II offers rigorous training in advanced partner acrobatics, inverted movement, and performance-making. Students refine their technical skills while advancing their individual choreographic voices and contributing to ambitious collaborative works. Through annual goal-setting, creative research, and ensemble leadership, students create original solo, small-group, and full-ensemble works while taking increasing artistic ownership and self-directed initiative throughout the creative process.

Drag Performance Workshop (DragPW) – Youth Ensemble

Grades 5–8
Directed by Kelindah Bee
Tuesdays | 4:45–6:30 PM | Studio D

An exciting new part of BAX’s Performance Workshop Program, DragPW explores the vibrant, transformational art of drag as a pathway for creative exploration, theater-making, and performance. Rooted in drama, musical theater, movement, and character development, students create original drag personas using facial expression, movement, costume, makeup, lip-sync performance, and storytelling techniques. Together, the ensemble devises an original drag musical that combines choreography, character, music, and theatrical storytelling. Grounded in drag’s rich cultural history and its power as a vehicle for self-expression, creativity, and social commentary, DragPW fosters a joyful, affirming environment where students develop original performance work while celebrating imagination, individuality, and collaboration.