TMP Summer Intensive 2025 Packet

july 28th - August 2nd, 2025

Hello Summer Intensive Participant!

Welcome to The Movement Project's Summer Intensive 2025!

We’re thrilled to have you join us for this year’s program! Use the navigation menu above to jump to key sections of the portal. Please take a moment to explore each area to ensure you're fully prepared for your first day.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to Liz at liz@themovementproject.org.

We look forward to another amazing summer of dancing!

Thank you,
The Movement Project Team

Tracks

Modern Technique: This class will focus on the core concepts of space, time and energy,  as well as the qualitative approach to movement. Each class will integrate release techniques and explores a wide range of efforts and modalities. Through floor work and phrase work, students will explore concepts of weight, quality, effort, spatial/physical awareness and clarity in movement. 

Ballet Technique: Through this class, students will learn classical and contemporary ballet techniques and terminology. The class will focus on working from an anatomical approach, creating honest and sound movement. By removing any preconceived notions of what dancers should look like, dance like and be capable of, participants can focus on the correct placement of bones, allowing muscles to function effortlessly and efficiently. Students are encouraged to take artistic risk, think independently and to explore their qualitative approach to movement. The ballet curriculum will include Vaganova, Cecchetti, and Balanchine techniques. 

Composition: Focusing primarily on the practice and teaching of foundational choreographic design, students will learn a variety of concepts or “tools” to assist them in the choreographic process; theme and variation, repetition, improvisation, and the core element of body, space, time, and energy. This class will also focus on the basics of creating dance works which will be showcased in the SummerWorks performance. 

Improvisation: Improvisation is an exploration of choreographic concepts used to develop unique and innovative movement vocabularies in real-time. From this base, students will develop movement material into spontaneous, performable dances through improvisational structures and scores.

Yoga: Yoga builds strength, stamina, and flexibility. Classes will incorporate Vinyasa (flowing movement sequences) with slow, sustained stretches, refinement of alignment in held poses, as well as breath awareness and mental focus. In short it is a practice of moving meditation, which brings more clarity and peace. Yoga has been defined as ‘Awareness in Action’. We are reminded to listen to our bodies and enjoy the evolution of becoming fully present in the here and now. 

Repertory: Students will be taught by TMP company members doing this class. Primarily focusing on choreographic concepts to create a piece created for that specific track to be showcased in the SummerWorks performance.

House: House is a form of street dance that focuses on footwork, groove, and a light torso. Throughout the week we will learn the core grooves of house dance, and find our own personal rhythm within the movement. 

Dancing Through History: Modern dance in America has a long and vibrant history. Through discovering and recognizing where we have come from, we can better understand dance as an art form and use that to strengthen our experience as dancers and artists. This class will be a mixture of lecture and dance exploration and improvisation.

Master Class - Jazz with Elyza Morckel: A class filled with new and classic movements found in the jazz genre. Be prepared for an energetic and dynamic time with advanced technique. You will find challenge and accomplishment as you dance your way through Elyza’s class. Come ready to push yourself and find the best version of yourself in the studio.

DROP-OFF & PICK UP INSTRUCTIONS

• Monday - Friday

  • Drop-off starts at 8:30 am and ends at 8:50 am (doors will open at 8:00 am)

    • Classes will start promptly at 9:00 am

  • Pickup starts promptly at 3:30 pm

    • NOTE:

      • All students must be picked up by 3:45 pm.

      • For students driving themselves: Must leave by 3:45 pm.

      • For students who have Dance Institute classes in the evening: TMP staff will be locking-up and exiting the studio at 3:45 pm. ALL STUDENTS MUST BE PICKED UP. There will be no TMP or DI staff at the studio between the intensive and evening classes. Therefor your child must be picked up no later than 3:45 pm.

  • Saturday: (see “SummerWorks” below for Saturday Schedule)

What is the time frame and location?

• TMP Summer Intensive

  • Monday - Friday (July 22nd -   July 26th)

  • Location: 1530 W Market St, Akron, OH 44313 (Martell School of Dance)

  • Arrival Time & Check-In: Check above for specific daily drop off times

    *All students must arrive at least 10 minutes prior to their first class of the day

• SummerWorks Performances

  • Saturday (July 27th)

  • Location: Sandefur Theatre at The University of Akron (see “SummerWorks Performance Itinerary 2024” below for details)

How does drop-off and pick-up work for my student? 

• Drop-Off/Check-In: Parking is located in the front or side of the building. We ask that you park and let your student out. A TMP staff member will be there to check-in your dancer(s). *Carpooling encouraged.

• Pick-Up: As parents arrive at the end of the day, parents will park in the parking lot. A TMP staff member will then walk all students to the parking lot at the end of the day and sign students out to parents.

I am driving myself to the intensive and will need to park, do I need to notify someone?

• Please feel free to park in the parking lot to the right of the building. All you would need to do to notify us is to fill out “Yes” on the Dancer Contact & Medical Information below. You will still need to check in at the door with a TMP staff member.

Can parents watch any part of the intensive?

• Due to the nature of this intensive, we ask parents to attend our SummerWorks performance on July 27th to watch their dancer(s). This gives students the time to fully focus their energy on classes. Parents will only be permitted to drop off and pick up. Thank you for understanding. 

What to wear to the intensive?

• Modern Class: Leotard & tights or athletic/bike shorts or leggings (no baggy clothing, please wear tights if shorts are a shorter length)

• Ballet Class: Leotard & tights (bike shorts & skirt optional)

• Shoes: Ballet shoes & barefoot/socks

  • Optional shoes: jazz shoes (Jazz master class) & in-door/clean sneakers (House class)

• Hair: Hair pulled back out of face 

• House: Baggy or lose clothing over leo/tights & in-door/clean sneakers

Health & Safety Protocols

• To ensure the safety of all our dancers and TMP staff, TMP has created a responsible week of dance. Health & Safety will be our top priority. Please take the time each day to ensure the below checks are completed before arriving at the intensive.

• SELF-WELLNESS CHECK PRIOR TO ARRIVAL - Prior to arrival, we ask that all dancers attending are well and experience no cold or flu symptoms. Thank you for understanding.

What to wear during the Summer Intensive Photoshoot?

• We recommend wearing 

  • Dance Attire - Fun colored leggings,  leotard or a nice top

  • A costume you loved for your recital (no glitter) *lyrical, contemporary, ballet

  • A dress you have at home that you think would look good on camera

  • Feel free to be barefoot or wear ballet shoes, (refrain from pointe shoes or tap shoes)

• We recommend not wearing jeans, restricted clothing, clothing that is too baggy, etc..

What should I pack in my dance bag?

• Lunch, Snacks, and Water

  • Please pack a lunch and a few light snacks for the week. 

  • We ask that all students bring a water bottle. There is a water fountain for re-filling water bottles.

• Notebook, Pen or Pencil

  • Students will need to bring a notebook for non-movement classes

  • Students will also need their notebook for Choreography/Composition Class

• Ballet Shoes

  • Reminder to pack your ballet shoes for ballet class. * Modern will be done barefoot/socks.

• Yoga Mat

• This will be used during Somatic Classes   

• If you don’t own a yoga mat, you can get one for around $12 at most stores, such as Walmart and Target.

What NOT to bring in your LUNCH: PEANUT & TREE NUT FREE INTENSIVE

During the week of the intensive we ask that NO student should bring any peanuts & tree nut related items in their lunches. We have a few students that are allergic and it is a must that we are PEANUT & TREE NUT FREE during this week.

Thank you for your help in keeping our students safe and healthy! 

If you have any questions or concerns please contact us below:

TMP Staff: Liz Conway         

Email: liz@themovementproject.org      

Phone: 440-465-1459 (Megan Gargano)

*Once payments are made, no refunds or exchanges are available. Thank you for understanding.

SummerWorks 2024

July 27th, 2024

PLEASE COMPLETE All FORMS below

BY Monday JULY 1st, 2024

• Dancer Contact & Medical Information (Fill-out form) - Due 07/01/24

• Waiver & Release Form (Fill-out form) - Due 07/01/24

• T-shirt Order Form (Fill-out form) - Due 07/01/24

• Performance Opportunity (Fill-out form) - Due 07/01/24