team commitments for the progress program

LAST UPDATED: MAY 21, 2026

The PROGRESS program and shows are widely admired for their layered, dynamic, meaningful choreography. We hire some of the best choreographers in the business to work with all levels to create pieces that go so far beyond what you’d learn in a drop-in class - they are truly extraordinary pieces of embodied storytelling.

LIFE HAPPENS, AND

We understand that life happens and we’re all adults. That’s why it’s our culture to never shame, judge, or ask for detailed “excuses” for why a dancer may miss class. As a company, we prioritize mental health, physical health, family, and balance - and so we understand that dance is a hobby, and may need to be deprioritized at times. And…

DANCE IS A TEAM SPORT

When dancers miss class, it impacts more than just themselves. Choreographers are not able to set their best work, at a low-stress pace, when not everyone is there. Fellow dancers cannot safely and fully practice their movement pathways, spacing transitions, and partner intimacy moments without everyone else in class around them. So yes, while we film breakdown videos every week so individuals can catch up on what they learned and return knowing the dances, “commitment” is about more than just personally knowing your part. Spotty attendance creates friction in the cohort, compromises the potential of the final product, and compromises safety in more ways than one. This is why we’ve created the following agreements for Progress dancers:

WE AGREE…

1. To register for Progress (vs. Essence) when I feel I have the capacity to attend regularly

2. To attend class in person as much as is possible for me

3. To give as much energy and focus to each class I attend, as I can

4. To let the class and choreographer know if I will be missing a class

5. To catch up via video if I miss a class and return knowing the new content

6. That if I miss more than a couple classes in a term, I may be removed from sections or entire dances. (This is not a “punishment” - it’s a neutral, non-emotional consequence that protects the work and safety of the team.)

7. That I will not be financially compensated for the loss of time on stage

DOES THIS FEEL LIKE TOO MUCH?

If you’re looking for a low-commitment, more individual-focused performance program, we recommend Essence. We deliberately simplify spacing, minimize partner work, and keep movements low-risk safety wise so everyone can still succeed and shine on stage, even if they need to attend inconsistently or have less capacity for dance.