Evaluations for LDP Season 14 | Come dance with us!
Crew and Company
At Leighton Dance Project, our Crew & Company programs are designed for dancers ready to take their training and performance to the next level. Dancers in these programs experience a well-rounded season filled with studio productions like Winter Wonderland, the Annual Crew Show, the Company Concert Series, Musicality in Motion, and the Annual Review, while also representing LDP at regional competitions and conventions tailored to their level. Beyond the stage, they share their love of dance through community performances at parades, tree lightings, and local events, and are regularly inspired by master teachers and guest choreographers who bring fresh perspectives and professional experience into the studio. Crew & Company dancers don’t just perform—they grow as artists, teammates, and leaders both in dance and in life.
What to expect?
Our Season 14 Evaluations will include Ballet, Tap, Hip Hop, and Jazz. Dancers will pre-learn their Jazz, Tap, and Hip Hop combinations via video and perform them on the day of evaluations. These pre-learned combinations will NOT be taught on the evaluation day. The Ballet combination will be taught and performed during the in-person evaluation.
Ballet: Evaluations will be based on the performance and execution of ballet barre and center work learned during the day of evaluations.
Jazz, Tap & Hip Hop: Evaluations will involve executing and auditioning the combinations that dancers have learned in advance from the video resource.
Slate: Slating includes stating your name and age, responding to a question we ask, as well as demonstrating your right, left, and center splits and completing right and left pirouettes.
Important for Dancers Interested in Company:
We strongly recommend learning both the Crew-level and Company-level choreography in advance. The video combinations are very similar in structure and style; however, the Company version includes leveled-up skills, complexity, and performance expectations.
Other Areas Taken Into Consideration During Evaluations:
- Performance and execution
- Attendance (Current LDP dancers)
- Attitude in and around the studio
- Technique based on our curriculum
- Ability to accept and apply corrections
- Class etiquette, including appropriate attire, intentional expression, focus, and engagement
- Preparedness with material and combinations learned
*Videos will be available April 1, 2026.
When do I come?
Kindergarten – 3rd Grade (school grade for the 2026-2027 school year):
Our Starlet & Petite Crew (K–3rd Grade) programs are by invitation only. Invitations have been sent for LDP’s Summer Invite-Only Camp (June 23–25, 2026), which serves as the evaluation for Starlet and Petite Crew.
If you are interested in Starlet or Petite Crew and did not receive an invitation, please reach out to Ms. Halie at halie@leightondanceproject.com. K–3rd grade dancers do not need to submit this application.
4th Grade – 12th Grade (school grade for the 2026-2027 school year): Please complete this form and pay the application fee. Dancers will attend in-person evaluations on either Saturday, May 16th, 2026 or Sunday, May 17th, 2026. Please see the dates below to determine when you should attend.
-
NEW to LDP: Attend Saturday, May 16th | 1:00pm-5:30pm
-
Current Club Dancers: Attend Saturday, May 16th | 1:00pm-5:30pm
-
Current Spotlight Dancers: Attend Saturday, May 16th | 1:00pm-5:30pm
-
Current Crew Dancers: Attend Saturday, May 16th | 1:00pm-5:30pm
-
Current Company Dancers: Attend Sunday, May 17th | 1:00pm-5:30pm
Dancers who attend evaluations on Saturday, May 16th may be invited to a callback. Callback invitations will not be included in mass communication; instead, dancers selected to attend Sunday’s evaluation on May 17th will be contacted individually via email on the evening of Saturday, May 16th.
*Please set both days aside should we need to see your dancer again.
Steps To Complete the Crew and Company Evaluation:
1. Fill out this application – Due on or before May 8th (4th-12th graders only).
2. Pay the $55 application fee when registering through your Parent Portal (4th-12th graders only).
3. Once you have registered and paid for evaluations, pre-learned video combinations for your in-person evaluations will be available beginning April 1st. These videos are provided exclusively once you have completed both registration and payment for an evaluation class (4th–12th graders only). The videos will be found in the Class Resources section of Jackrabbit.
4. Prior to the in-person evaluation, please pre-learn your Jazz, Tap, and Hip Hop combinations (4th-12th graders only).
5. Attend the in-person Evaluations Parent Meeting on Monday, April 13th, 6:30pm-7:30pm.
6. Attend Season 14 Evaluations (4th-12th graders only).
7. Season 14 Evaluation Results will be shared via email on the late evening of May 26th (4th–12th graders only).
Program Placement Statement
Our evaluation process is designed to thoughtfully place dancers in the environment where they will grow, feel supported, and be appropriately challenged. Placement is determined by evaluation attendance and overall program needs. Age groups, levels, and team structures may shift from season to season to best support the growth of our dancers and ensure the strongest possible experience for everyone involved.
Season 14 for Company and Crew will begin on August 3rd. If accepted into Company or Crew, dancers are required to attend two Ignite Labs over the summer at LDP as part of their seasonal commitment and preparation. Specialty pieces, solos, duos, trios, and additional opportunities are determined after rosters are finalized and following the first week of classes.
Evaluations Clinics
What are Evaluation Clinics?
Evals Clinics are designed to help dancers (and parents!) feel confident, prepared, and informed when approaching evaluations—at LDP and beyond. Whether this is your dancer’s very first evaluation or they’re a seasoned auditioner, these clinics break down the process step-by-step while offering real tools to succeed in any audition environment.
Dancers will participate in mock auditions, technique classes, and age-appropriate seminars that teach not just what to do—but how to show up with confidence, clarity, and professionalism.
To enroll, log into your Parent Portal, go to Activities → Events → Enroll!
What are Evaluations at LDP
Evaluations serve as an opportunity for us to look at every dancer individually and where they are in their journey.
Why do we do evaluations?
At LDP, we believe that each dancer is on a unique and personal journey of self-discovery through movement. Our commitment to nurturing that journey is at the core of our philosophy, and this is precisely why we conduct evaluations as an integral part of our Crew and Company programs.
Understanding the dancer’s Journey:
Evaluations serve as a window into the individual dancer. We take this as an opportunity to truly look at YOU the dancer and where you are in your dance journey—your experiences, your strengths, and the areas where we can provide growth. This process allows us to appreciate the diversity of our dance community and tailor our programs to meet the specific needs of each dancer to prepare them for the industry path they want to take.
Crafting the Artistic Season:
Evaluations also serve as the foundation for crafting the artistic side of our season. By understanding the strengths and styles of our dancers, we curate performances that showcase the collective talent and individuality within our community. This artistic collaboration brings a richness to our shows, making each performance a true reflection of the diverse artistic entity that is LDP.
Finalizing Training Track Schedules:
Beyond performances, competitions, additional opportunities, and artistic conversation, evaluations play a crucial role in finalizing our training track schedules. We strive to create a curriculum that challenges and nurtures dancers at every level. The insights gained during evaluations help us refine and personalize our training programs, ensuring that each dancer receives the guidance and support needed to excel in their dance journey. We design our training tracks based on what we see throughout the season in the industry, where the dancers are physically and emotionally, and what we feel is important at that time within their journey.
Placement with Purpose:
Once evaluations are complete, our Directors carefully analyze the gathered insights to thoughtfully place each dancer into the group that best suits their current skills and aspirations. This intentional placement ensures that every dancer is surrounded by like-minded peers, fostering a supportive environment for growth. We spend COUNTLESS hours in our decisions ensuring we talk through every single dancer and their journey from the time they step foot in the program until the time they graduate.
Callbacks:
Let’s chat… Our callbacks are designed to ensure that we see every dancer. Sometimes, we might need to call you back to watch you groove alongside another group or to catch those dance moves in a different light. If you would like to evaluate for both Crew and Company then you will attend both days. If you would ONLY like to evaluate for Crew we may ask you to come back the following day to ensure your dancer is seen and placed in their appropriate group.
At LDP we have a place for every dancer, and our recommendation is truly within their best interest. How does the dancer fit into the program, and most importantly how does the program benefit the dancer. We are looking at the journey of a dancer from the time they join us to their senior year, making sure they are ready for any path they would like to take in our programming.