Audition

Each piece rehearses for 2 hours on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Dancers may be in up to 2 pieces. 

We hold rehearsals at Bridge for Dance (2726 Broadway 3rd Fl), The Arnhold Dance Education Research Studios at the Teachers College, and Paul Taylor (307 West 38th Street, 9th and 10th Fl). Bridge for Dance and the Arnhold Dance Education Research Studios are walking distance from campus. Dancers who have rehearsals at Paul Taylor can request financial assistance for travel if necessary to enable them to participate.

At the beginning of each semester we have an audition for that semester’s gala performance. For more details on the audition processes visit this page. All dancers must audition in the spring semester even if they performed in the Fall Gala. At any time in the year, students are welcome to come to our free open ballet class. 

CBC is Columbia’s oldest ballet club focused on cultivating new works. We work with professional choreographers to create new works and offer choreography opportunities for students. CBC is also the only club to perform works by George Balanchine. Columbia Repertory Ballet (CRB) performs established repertoire from the classical ballet canon as well as contemporary repertory work. Columbia University Ballet Ensemble (CUBE) produces a full-length classical story ballet each semester. CBC and CRB have auditions at the beginning of each semester and casting is not guaranteed. CUBE also has an audition and will cast every dancer who auditions. The time commitment for each of the clubs is similar. It is possible, and common, to participate in multiple ballet clubs as clubs coordinate rehearsals and shows to avoid overlap.

No. CBC performs neo-classical and contemporary ballet works both on and off pointe. We also present at least one contemporary work each semester. 

CBC makes an active effort to avoid conflicts with the other ballet groups. CBC will also not conflict with the dance department Rehearsal & Performance class. Our dancers are often able to participate in other dance groups such as CoLab, Raw Elements, Orchesis, and more in addition to CBC!

Our gala performances are cast by audition only and casting is not guaranteed. Most of our dancers have trained extensively in ballet technique throughout high school or are former pre-prefessional or professional dancers. Those with less experience are welcome to attend our open ballet class which ranges in level from complete beginner to intermediate/advanced.

No. CBC gives no preference to a dancer's major or involvement with the dance department. 

Participation in gala performances, the Outreach Program and the Student Choreographic Fellowship open to current students at any Columbia University school (including Barnard, masters students, and GS students). Alumni of any Columbia University schools are welcome to attend our open ballet class. Those unaffiliated with Columbia can get involved with CBC through choreography or other artistic collaborations.