SPECIAL CORONAVIRUS UPDATE:
COVID-19 UPDATE
July 1, 2020
As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 crisis, we are happy to be in Phase III in Virginia and to have returned to the studio for in person classes on June 8. Because the safety of our dancers and instructors is of the utmost importance, we have established guidelines for operation in accordance with the CDC and with Governor Northam’s mandates and guidelines. Our studio floors are clearly marked to assist with the required ten foot distancing for dancers and instructors as they move at the barre and in the centre and across the floor. Places for dance bags are also marked in waiting areas, and protocols for opening and preparing the building each day are in place to make the studios as safe as they can be for dancers and instructors. All dancers and instructors will be screened with temperature checks and screening questions. Masks will be worn by instructors in the studio during classes and should be worn by students ages 8 and older. If there is a medical condition that would prohibit a student from wearing a mask, parents can let us know that at registration. Masks should be worn by dancers and accompanying parents as they enter the building for their screening. Instructors will maintain the ten foot distance from students and therefore can only give verbal instruction and corrections. High traffic surfaces (barres, door handles, bathrooms) will be disinfected regularly. We want to assure everyone that our studios are safe and that our students can continue learning and training without additional fear when they return to our studios.
Our registration for fall is now open and will be a bit different this season. We’re asking everyone to register online through our website: www.bristolballet.org, or by calling 276-669-6051. Upon receiving their form, registrants will be contacted to schedule a private fitting and completion of the paperwork. Full instructions about the scheduled registration and fitting will be given to registrants when they are contacted to schedule their time. A complete list of our guidelines will be provided at the private fitting or can be viewed online.
If you have questions about our operation and COVID-19 preparedness, please feel free to contact us at info@bristolballet.org, through the Contact Us link on this website, or at 276-669-6051.
The class schedule is being amended to ensure student safety and compliance of Phase III, and will be on the website as soon as we can finalize it.
Thank you all for your tenacity and loyalty. We can’t wait to see you again!
Stay moving and stay healthy!!
Michele Plescia
Moira Frazier
Staff and board members
Read below: an article in A! Magazine about our response to dancing safely during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dancing Through COVID-19
Bristol Ballet’s dancers adapt to a changing world
A! Magazine
It was supposed to be a spring production that involved a birthday party, an evil sorcerer, fairies, and a “happily ever after” ending. Bristol Ballet’s planned production of “Sleeping Beauty” had challenging choreography and dancers who were ready to accept the challenge. They were just over midway through their rehearsals when the pandemic reached alarming proportions and the governor closed nonessential businesses. Bristol Ballet’s artistic director had already made a recommendation to the board of directors to close the businesses one day prior to Governor Northam’s mandate. Rather than let go of the passion and dreams the dancers had, the instructors started online classes two days after the shutdown. Everyone (including the youngest students) learned to “Zoom” and adapted to the classes from their living rooms or bedrooms. The scenery was interesting. “There were lots of pets that roamed through during the classes, some wanting to stand right next to the dancers while they took class”, recalls artistic director Michele Plescia. Siblings, pets, parents, furniture, toys, scratched hardwood floors - all kinds of distractions to challenge the new way of taking class. But everyone did hang in there, hoping for a relief from the virus and ultimately having the show go on. More time passed, and - of course - the pandemic raged on as well. The production was rescheduled from May 9 to June 6. Dancers still faithfully took class regularly and held out hope for the performance. Two graduating seniors were particularly concerned; it was to be their last performance at Bristol Ballet with their peers before they went to college this fall. Alas, the production just was not meant to be. Businesses in Virginia were only opened June 5, one day prior to the rescheduled date of June 6, and all of the choreography had not been set. Many of the costumes were never delivered due to global shutdowns and inability to get supplies or other items. Ms. Plescia gave the sad news to the dancers in mid May, and they all decided to stay on Zoom through the end of May to finish out the year.
But what could be done to help the company members in particular to have their farewell performance with their peers? Options were investigated from rescheduling yet again, to amphitheaters, to theater rental for only a few people, to a back yard performance on a freshly poured concrete base for a barn. It was finally decided to take solos and duets that the company members had already learned, tweak them for social distancing, and present them for people at the City of Bristol’s Cumberland Park. With three weeks to rehearse and try on costumes, redo anything that needed to be, and learn how to navigate in the studio under the new physical distancing guidelines, the dancers faithfully worked each morning. Finally the day arrived for the outdoor performance. It rained during warmup in the studio. The outdoor stage was partially covered, but the audience would be exposed to the weather. The dancers changed into their costumes at the studio and were prepared to walk to the park if the rain stopped. It did. Armed with masks, tutus, and tennis shoes, they walked the few blocks and took the stage. Audience members were armed with umbrellas and lawn chairs, staying in their own family groups. The dancers were beautiful, and pulled off a wonderful performance for an unforgettable end to the 2020 season.
As the world continues to present uncertainties, the staff at Bristol Ballet is determined to keep the arts alive. Summer videos of past performances were offered to the public. Teachers’ meetings, webinars, and finding articles about reopening have been diligently studied. Studio floors have been taped to help even the youngest students know how to stay ten feet apart, and class schedules have been adjusted to make up for the limited class sizes due to the distancing requirements. Adjustments have been made so that students will not share dressing rooms, props, and equipment. Strict protocols for entering and exiting have been established, and classes in different studios will not begin or end simultaneously in order to keep traffic flow light. Parents are appreciative of the efforts, and feel comforted by the efforts that the staff have gone to so that the students are protected. Classes will go on in person as long as businesses are allowed to remain open, and other options are available for those who aren’t
comfortable venturing out just yet. Bristol Ballet has purchased equipment to help make any different options smoother and more professional, so that students get the best possible training. Registration is ongoing by appointment, which can be made on their website, or by calling the studio at 276-669-6051 and leaving a voice mail.
In the new (but hopefully temporary) world of isolation, quarantine, and cancelled performances, Bristol Ballet’s staff and supporters are working hard, thinking outside the box, and doing everything possible to keep the arts alive for the students and the community. We love to dance!!
COVID-19 UPDATE
July 1, 2020
As we continue to navigate the COVID-19 crisis, we are happy to be in Phase III in Virginia and to have returned to the studio for in person classes on June 8. Because the safety of our dancers and instructors is of the utmost importance, we have established guidelines for operation in accordance with the CDC and with Governor Northam’s mandates and guidelines. Our studio floors are clearly marked to assist with the required ten foot distancing for dancers and instructors as they move at the barre and in the centre and across the floor. Places for dance bags are also marked in waiting areas, and protocols for opening and preparing the building each day are in place to make the studios as safe as they can be for dancers and instructors. All dancers and instructors will be screened with temperature checks and screening questions. Masks will be worn by instructors in the studio during classes and should be worn by students ages 8 and older. If there is a medical condition that would prohibit a student from wearing a mask, parents can let us know that at registration. Masks should be worn by dancers and accompanying parents as they enter the building for their screening. Instructors will maintain the ten foot distance from students and therefore can only give verbal instruction and corrections. High traffic surfaces (barres, door handles, bathrooms) will be disinfected regularly. We want to assure everyone that our studios are safe and that our students can continue learning and training without additional fear when they return to our studios.
Our registration for fall is now open and will be a bit different this season. We’re asking everyone to register online through our website: www.bristolballet.org, or by calling 276-669-6051. Upon receiving their form, registrants will be contacted to schedule a private fitting and completion of the paperwork. Full instructions about the scheduled registration and fitting will be given to registrants when they are contacted to schedule their time. A complete list of our guidelines will be provided at the private fitting or can be viewed online.
If you have questions about our operation and COVID-19 preparedness, please feel free to contact us at info@bristolballet.org, through the Contact Us link on this website, or at 276-669-6051.
The class schedule is being amended to ensure student safety and compliance of Phase III, and will be on the website as soon as we can finalize it.
Thank you all for your tenacity and loyalty. We can’t wait to see you again!
Stay moving and stay healthy!!
Michele Plescia
Moira Frazier
Staff and board members
Read below: an article in A! Magazine about our response to dancing safely during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dancing Through COVID-19
Bristol Ballet’s dancers adapt to a changing world
A! Magazine
It was supposed to be a spring production that involved a birthday party, an evil sorcerer, fairies, and a “happily ever after” ending. Bristol Ballet’s planned production of “Sleeping Beauty” had challenging choreography and dancers who were ready to accept the challenge. They were just over midway through their rehearsals when the pandemic reached alarming proportions and the governor closed nonessential businesses. Bristol Ballet’s artistic director had already made a recommendation to the board of directors to close the businesses one day prior to Governor Northam’s mandate. Rather than let go of the passion and dreams the dancers had, the instructors started online classes two days after the shutdown. Everyone (including the youngest students) learned to “Zoom” and adapted to the classes from their living rooms or bedrooms. The scenery was interesting. “There were lots of pets that roamed through during the classes, some wanting to stand right next to the dancers while they took class”, recalls artistic director Michele Plescia. Siblings, pets, parents, furniture, toys, scratched hardwood floors - all kinds of distractions to challenge the new way of taking class. But everyone did hang in there, hoping for a relief from the virus and ultimately having the show go on. More time passed, and - of course - the pandemic raged on as well. The production was rescheduled from May 9 to June 6. Dancers still faithfully took class regularly and held out hope for the performance. Two graduating seniors were particularly concerned; it was to be their last performance at Bristol Ballet with their peers before they went to college this fall. Alas, the production just was not meant to be. Businesses in Virginia were only opened June 5, one day prior to the rescheduled date of June 6, and all of the choreography had not been set. Many of the costumes were never delivered due to global shutdowns and inability to get supplies or other items. Ms. Plescia gave the sad news to the dancers in mid May, and they all decided to stay on Zoom through the end of May to finish out the year.
But what could be done to help the company members in particular to have their farewell performance with their peers? Options were investigated from rescheduling yet again, to amphitheaters, to theater rental for only a few people, to a back yard performance on a freshly poured concrete base for a barn. It was finally decided to take solos and duets that the company members had already learned, tweak them for social distancing, and present them for people at the City of Bristol’s Cumberland Park. With three weeks to rehearse and try on costumes, redo anything that needed to be, and learn how to navigate in the studio under the new physical distancing guidelines, the dancers faithfully worked each morning. Finally the day arrived for the outdoor performance. It rained during warmup in the studio. The outdoor stage was partially covered, but the audience would be exposed to the weather. The dancers changed into their costumes at the studio and were prepared to walk to the park if the rain stopped. It did. Armed with masks, tutus, and tennis shoes, they walked the few blocks and took the stage. Audience members were armed with umbrellas and lawn chairs, staying in their own family groups. The dancers were beautiful, and pulled off a wonderful performance for an unforgettable end to the 2020 season.
As the world continues to present uncertainties, the staff at Bristol Ballet is determined to keep the arts alive. Summer videos of past performances were offered to the public. Teachers’ meetings, webinars, and finding articles about reopening have been diligently studied. Studio floors have been taped to help even the youngest students know how to stay ten feet apart, and class schedules have been adjusted to make up for the limited class sizes due to the distancing requirements. Adjustments have been made so that students will not share dressing rooms, props, and equipment. Strict protocols for entering and exiting have been established, and classes in different studios will not begin or end simultaneously in order to keep traffic flow light. Parents are appreciative of the efforts, and feel comforted by the efforts that the staff have gone to so that the students are protected. Classes will go on in person as long as businesses are allowed to remain open, and other options are available for those who aren’t
comfortable venturing out just yet. Bristol Ballet has purchased equipment to help make any different options smoother and more professional, so that students get the best possible training. Registration is ongoing by appointment, which can be made on their website, or by calling the studio at 276-669-6051 and leaving a voice mail.
In the new (but hopefully temporary) world of isolation, quarantine, and cancelled performances, Bristol Ballet’s staff and supporters are working hard, thinking outside the box, and doing everything possible to keep the arts alive for the students and the community. We love to dance!!
