About Bellingham Repertory Dance (BRD)
Established in 2005, Bellingham Repertory Dance is a dancer-run and directed 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that strives to bring vibrant, contemporary dance to the community. BRD is an ever-changing collection of versatile individuals from an array of backgrounds working toward new goals and skills every season. BRD encourages dialogue amongst current and new collective members to shape the next stage in the company’s story. The collective creates opportunities for accomplished artists to perform and create works by both established and emerging choreographers. BRD encourages and facilitates collaborative opportunities across disciplines within the Bellingham arts community and offers both community classes and annual youth programs.
Being a Part of the BRD Collective
Bellingham Repertory Dance is a professional-level dance company which requires a professional-level commitment to keep the company functioning and growing. Members of BRD are committed to a full season (one year) and assume the responsibilities of running the organization. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to: scheduling, fundraising, accounting, publicity, directing rehearsals, soliciting choreography, costuming, designing, technical support, teaching, photography, social media, etc. The duties are organized into five subcommittees (Admin & Finance, Education, Fundraising, Communications, and Performance) which are redistributed amongst the members at the beginning of every season. Company members are expected to proactively work on their assigned job(s) throughout the season. In addition, each subcommittee is responsible for continually evaluating and improving the equity and ethics of their aspect of the organization, which is shared and discussed with the whole group. Members are expected to attend monthly all-company meetings, quarterly Ethics & Equity meetings, monthly subcommittee meetings and weekly company classes. This is a significant, but collaborative and manageable undertaking with input from the entire collective.
From this comes the opportunities to perform and create, and an unmatched experience to learn what it takes to run a performance company. Schedule availability throughout the year and on a weekly basis will influence casting and rehearsal schedules. All members will have input into these schedules. This schedule will include setting rehearsals, weekly rehearsals, photoshoots, show runs, light hang, technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, performances, and educational events.
Company members are expected to contribute an estimated 5-15 hours per week to administrative duties, class, rehearsals, and meetings. This range depends on time of year for each subcommittee, the number of works being rehearsed, and extended hours during tech and performance weeks. Sundays tend to hold a majority of class, rehearsal, and meeting times.
The role of a company member in Bellingham Repertory Dance is comprised of TWO distinct aspects:
A volunteer for a nonprofit organization required to attend regular meetings, perform specific duties pertaining to a chosen job, support performance planning and execution. This position is mandatory and unpaid.
A professional-level dancer required to attend rehearsals, company classes, and performances. This position may be compensated with a small stipend presented by BRD (amount and availability of this stipend varies based on BRD income). In addition, there is the optional opportunity to teach community classes on a rotating basis. Members will be paid for their teaching time.
If you are offered and accept a position as a member of BRD for the 2025-2026 season, you are agreeing to commit to BOTH of the above-mentioned roles.
Season 20 Dates: June 1, 2025 - May 31, 2026
Rehearsals: At the start of the rehearsal process, each BRD member sets their availability and how many pieces they wish to perform in (1-3 is typical). Setting rehearsals with choreographers are scheduled to begin in July and August 2024. Each setting rehearsal can span 1-4 days and usually takes place over a weekend depending on the choreographer and the work. From that point on, each piece will rehearse for 1-2 hours each week until the time of the performance.
Season 20 Gala and Performance: Scheduled for November 14, 2025 at the Four Points by Sheraton.
Spring 2025 Performance: TBD
Additional Productions: While the collective’s main focus is our annual repertory show, our season often includes additional productions. In previous seasons these have involved film projects, site specific works, BRD created/choreographed/and performed evening-length performances, the 7-Day Dance Festival, collaborations with the Chuckanut Sandstone Writers Theater, touring productions to Seattle and Spokane, BOOST Dance Festival, and art walk pop-up performances around Bellingham.