Preprofessional Division

(Ages 7-18)

About The Preprofessional Division

The Preprofessional Division is for students who have a passion for the performing arts, crave a professional environment and have a strong desire to grow as both artists and humans. While we do not expect all Preprofessional students to want to become professionals, we do expect them to have a strong desire to learn at a professional pace and practice both inside and outside the classroom. Students in the Preprofessional Division develop the work ethic, innovation and team work necessary to be highly successful in any field they choose.

Acceptance into the Preprofessional Division is through Ms. Lisah’s invitation only and is based off the following:

Skill: A specific level of skill and anatomical understanding

Dedication: attendance, preparedness and work ethic

Bravery: Willingness to be artistically vulnerable and do things that scare them

Respect: Positive & Supportive behavior inside and outside the classroom

Note: The Preprofessional Division is a Professional Environment.  If you are seeking a high quality education without the professional level of pressure, please stick with our Elementary Division. That division will still provide a very high level of education!

PrePro students dance every semester, no exceptions.

Benefits of the Preprofessional Division (PrePro)

Year Long Curriculums: Students no longer have to worry about “starting over” in a new semester because new students have joined the class. The PrePro classes are year long curriculums and do not allow late enrollment. That means students can constantly grow throughout the year without having to take a step back at the start of the new semester.

Student Network: While we expect respect and discipline from ALL students at LDC, The students in PrePro are guaranteed to have a classroom filled with students who hold themselves to high levels of dedication, respect and bravery. Therefore PrePro students can be confident when attending classes that they will be surrounded by a supportive and open minded group of classmates and that they will not be hindered by other classmates not showing up each week. Through this environment students gain a strong sense of community and build a network through which they can collaborate and thrive as teammates and individuals.

Positive Body & Mindset: Students in the PPD are required to take a PPD Prep Class each summer. These classes teach students how to be kind and supportive of themselves. They teach students how to positively take corrections, how to maintain a growth mindset and how to listen to their bodies. We take a full body and mind approach in this division. We not only teach students performing arts technique but we also teach students how to care for themselves both physically and mentally.

Teacher Assistant Opportunities: Students in the Preprofessional Division who are 10+years have the opportunity to assist teachers in the younger Elementary Division classes. Students who become Teacher Assistants(TA’s) learn how to develop safe and efficient warm ups, execute curriculums and how to manage a classroom. These opportunities also help build students resumes for future school and job applications!

Backstage Opportunities: Students in PrePro who are 10+years also have the opportunity to assist backstage and on set during productions in more “behind the scenes” positions. They will learn how to perform various elements of running a live show, from front of house to backstage as well as how to help on film sets and assist during rehearsals. These opportunities also help build students resumes for future school and job applications!

Writers Room: Select students who take story writing beyond level 3 have the opportunity to be invited into our Student Writers Room. Students learn how a writers room functions, how to be part of a creative team and get to help develop the pieces performed by our acting classes.

Professional Opportunities: The teachers and staff at LDC/LHG Creative have a large network of professional performing artists. If LHG Creative, a teacher or a professional friend is working on a project that is in need of a child dancer/actor, the Pre and Professional Divisions are where we will seek them from. Because students in PPD are held to professional standards, we are able to confidently send them into these projects knowing they will have the professional demeanor and vulnerability in their artistry to get the job done well.

Potential to join Professional Division: We don’t expect all the students in the PrePro to want to become professional performing artists. However, Students that DO wish to pursue a career in this field will have the opportunity to audition for the Professional Division at LHG Creative when they turn 12+years. Note: Being in PrePro does not guarantee a students acceptance into the higher Professional Division.

*If your child is interested in joining the Preprofessional Division please reach out to theschool.lhgcreative@gmail.com . All students must have a full semester in the Elementary Division in either Ballet Prep or Beginner Acting before they can be considered.

Preprofessional Dance Division Class Requirements

PrePro 1 - Minimum 2 Classes per Week (Ballet & Modern)

PrePro 2 - Minimum 3 Classes Per week (Ballet x2 & Horton) + Rehearsal hour

Prepro 3 - Minimum 4 classes per week (Ballet x2, Horton, Graham) + Rehearsal hour

PrePro 4 - Minimum 6 classes per week (Ballet x3 (Prepointe), Horton, Graham & Jazz) + Rehearsal hour

Prepro 5 - TBD When students come of level.

At around level 5 or 6 students will begin to focus on styles of dance they wish to pursue, Ie. Modern/Jazz (heading to Broadway or a professional modern dance company) path or Ballet path (heading to a professional ballet company). Students will have the option of doing both paths.

Summer Preparation Class:

Once accepted into the division, students take a mandatory summer preparation class each year. This class prepares students both mentally and physically for the upcoming school year.

Mental Prep: We work on mental and emotional techniques that keep students thriving confidently throughout the year by helping them positively take corrections, learning to visualize their goals and helping them discover the best method of working that’s most productive to them personally all while being in a

Physical Prep: Our physical preparation (both Acting and Dance) revisits our technique in new ways with exercises that help strengthen students foundation and helps them understand their craft in a much deeper way.