Dance Intensive in Lawrence

Experience Artistic Growth

ballet class
little girls in ballet class

Make Connections and Learn From the Best

Are you interested in an immersive dance experience? At Lawrence Arts Center, we provide any dancer the opportunity to live the world of dance.

Since 2016, the Lawrence Dance Intensive has connected regional dancers with sought-after instructors and guest artists to enrich your skills and artistry.

Based on a diverse and well-balanced curriculum, the Lawrence Dance Intensive strives to develop the artists of tomorrow.

Our Facilities

Setting the Stage

We’re committed to providing dance intensive students with facilities that provides every resource needed. This includes special flooring, barres, performance theatres and more.

About Lawrence Dance Intensives

You don’t have to undergo any pre-screening or audition to attend one of our dance intensives. Dancers must meet the age requirement by the start of the intensive and be dancing at an intermediate/advanced level.

Senior Intensives may include a level assessment on the first day of the program.

Lawrence Dance Intensive Insights

Scholarship Auditions

Dancers can perform in-person scholarship auditions or submit video audition submissions for scholarship consideration. More information at the bottom of this page.

Junior Intensives

Students ages 10 and up dancing at the intermediate level can participate in junior dance intensives.

Session I: Ballet
Prerequisites: Ages 11-15, dancing at an intermediate level (equivalent to Arts Center Ballet level IV-Va).
Enroll by June 1.
6/3-6/7, MO-FR; 9:00 AM-11:45 AM,

Session II: Ballet & Contemporary
Cynthia Crews, Donna Jo Harkrider
Prerequisites: Ages 10-15, dancing at an intermediate level (equivalent to Arts Center Ballet level III-Va).
Enroll by July 13.
7/22-7/26, MO-FR; 9:00 AM-11:45 AM

Senior Intensives

Senior dance intensives cover a variety of dance styles at the intermediate/advanced levels.

Includes ballet, pointe, partnering, variations, wellness/enrichment, contemporary, improv, creative process, hip hop, repertory, choreography sessions and showing on the final day.
Prerequisites: Ages 12-21, dancing at intermediate/advanced level (equivalent to Arts Center Ballet level Vb-VII).
Enroll by May 30.
6/3-6/14, MO-FR 9:00 AM-3:30 PM

Sample Schedules

Subject to Change

Junior Intensive

Session I & II: Junior Ballet Intensives

  • 8:45-8:55 am | Student Arrival
  • 9-10:15 am | Ballet Technique
  • 10:30-11:45 am | Ballet Enrichment, Contemporary
  • 11:50 pm | Student Pick-Up
Curriculum
  • Ballet Technique (daily)
  • Variations
  • Modern/Contemporary
  • World Dances
  • Creative Process/Improv
  • Music for Dancers
Senior Intensive

Session I & II: Junior Ballet Intensives

  • 8:45-8:55 am | Student Arrival
  • 9-10:15 am | Ballet Technique
  • 10:30-11:45 am | Ballet Enrichment, Contemporary
  • 11:50 pm | Student Pick-Up

Session I: Senior Ballet Intensive

  • 8:45-8:55 am | Student Arrival
  • 9-10:30 am | Ballet Technique
  • 10:45-11:45 am | Pointe, Ballet Enrichment, Men’s Ballet, Variations
  • 11:45 am-12:45 pm | Lunch Break
  • 12:45-1:30 pm | Wellness, Partnering, Electives
  • 1:30-3 pm | Variations

Session II: Senior Contemporary Intensive

  • 8:45-8:55 am | Student Arrival
  • 9-10:30 am | Contemporary, Ballet, Modern10:45-11:45 am | Improv, Creative Process, Hip Hop12-1 pm | Lunch Break
  • 1-3 pm | Choreography/Rehearsal
Curriculum
  • Ballet Technique (daily)
  • Pointe
  • Variations
  • Modern/Contemporary
  • Hip Hop
  • Jazz
  • World Dances
  • Creative Process/Improv
  • Injury Prevention/Wellness
  • Music for Dancers
  • Career Guidance
  • Film for Dancers
  • Choreography/Repertory
Community Educator Program

In 2018, the Lawrence Dance Intensive launched its community educator program. The mission? Enrich the Midwest with no-cost dance education. Apply to join the participating studios, schools, and more than 250 students who have hosted LDI master classes at their studios and schools.

Studios and schools selected for the 2024 LDI Educator Program will:

  • Receive a 90-minute master ballet class taught by Jerel Hilding.
  • Be featured on the LDI homepage.
  • Eligible students will receive scholarships to Lawrence Dance Intensive: Senior Session (June 3-14). Interest in attending the summer program is not a requirement to participate in the master class.

Host a Master Class

Application due February 9, 2024.

Questions? Contact the Lawrence Arts Center School of Dance.

Participating Schools & Studios

Thank you to our partner studios for their continued support of dance education!

Financial Aid

Dance is for Everyone

The School of Dance strives to provide access to dance classes and performances through various financial aid and scholarship opportunities. We offer scholarships, income-based financial aid, the option to “Try Before You Buy” and a bundle dance discount for students taking three or more classes.

Lawrence Dance Intensive

Scholarship Auditions

Auditions take place annually in late March. Audition opportunities will populate below when available.

Lawrence Dance Intensive Faculty & Staff

2024 LDI Senior Dance Faculty:

  • Sean Duus
  • Ashley Brittingham
  • Kristopher Estes-Brown
  • Eleanor Goudie-Averill
  • Andie Stitt
  • Claire Buss
  • Noelle Dowma
  • Jerel Hilding
  • Michael Dolman

Hanan Misko

Dance Program Director

Claire Buss

Dance Program Coordinator/ Choeographer

Cynthia Crews

Artistic Director of Lawrence Ballet Theatre

Jerel Hilding

School of Dance

dance class

Discover Lawrence Dance Intensives

Interested in learning more about dance intensives in Lawrence? We have financial aid available to those who need it to ensure classes are accessible to everyone.

Art is for Everyone

Making Dance Accessible to All

Lawrence Arts Center is here to ensure anyone—of any age and any background—can connect with a supportive community and flex their creative muscles. With contemporary exhibitions, performances, and an array of music education classes for adults and kids, everyone will find something that’s right for them.

Our primary state-of-the-art facility at 940 New Hampshire St. features classrooms, studios, theatres, and more. To further support the community, we have a nearby preschool location at 946 New Hampshire St., our we also have a satellite space for classes at 10th & Mass Studios and a preschool location at 946 New Hampshire!

What Is a Dance Intensive?