Choosing the best pre-professional intensive for you

A Guide to Choosing the best Intensive for you

Students in Mark Morris’ Summer Intensive composition class.

©Beowulf Sheehan

When looking for a pre-professional intensive, it can be hard to choose one program since each one offers such unique and exciting experiences. Intensives with the Mark Morris Dance Group feature the chance to learn from Mark Morris himself; Paul Taylor’s New York Intensive teaches Taylor repertory from current company members; and Alvin Ailey’s Intensive invites guest choreographers to set new or re-staged works. With so many choices, how do you decide which one is right for you?

• Read a sample schedule or a list of classes. This is a great way to explore all of the exciting opportunities your desired intensive has to offer. You will also understand a typical day at the program and what you will study. Exposing yourself to various styles makes you a more versatile dancer and more appealing to artistic directors.


• Imagine yourself with the company. There is probably a choreographer or company that you have always wanted to work for. Attending a company’s intensive is a wonderful way to learn and perform repertory from choreographers who excite you and witness a company’s dynamic first-hand. “It’s sort of like having a day in the life of the company,” says Domingo Estrada, Jr., a dancer with Mark Morris Dance Group and former MMDG summer intensive participant. By the end of the program, you will discover if the company is right for you and you may even catch the eyes of the artistic staff.


• Look for supplementary opportunities. To grow as a dancer, you should explore beyond your standard technique classes. Many intensives offer additional experiences such as Pilates and yoga classes, music seminars, acting lessons and talks with dancers and choreographers. 

Intensives, like the Mark Morris Dance Group Intensive, provide a truly immersive and rewarding experience. MMDG’s two-week intensive offers pre-professional and professional dancers a wide variety of classes including modern, ballet, Pilates, singing, and music seminars. You will also learn pieces from Mark Morris’ diverse repertory and dance alongside Dance Group company members. Your experience will culminate with a final performance. To learn even more about our intensive, check out our blog post.