Professional Dance Training Program

Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program (PDTP) is a transformative bridge that guides aspiring dancers from the studio to the stage. It is designed for passionate individuals ages 17-25, ready to step beyond training and into the world of professional dance. Special focus is given to refining ballet and contemporary techniques and cultivating the artistry, discipline, and resilience required to thrive on the global stage.
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Tuition

This comprehensive 10-month program offers a Five-day per week curriculum from 9 am—4 pm. Trainees receive individualized coaching from accomplished faculty and curated international guest choreographers. Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program also offers affordable housing, international travel, and  limited need-based scholarships.

Registration Fee: $250.00
Tuition: $9,500.00
Housing*: $500 -$700 Move-In Fee: $300 (non-refundable)
International Travel**: $2200 - $2800

*Limited Ruth Page Center-sponsored housing available on a first-come, first-served basis
**International travel when available and not mandatory for participation in the program


Commissioned Works


Dreaming with Ruth Page: The Expanding Universe
 

Premiere Date:  10/15/2021

Choreographer: Nejla Yatkin
Rehearsal Director: Maray Gutierrez
Music: Ben LaMar Gay
Costume Design: Katrin Schnabl
Costume Assistance: Nick D’Allessandro

Lighting Design: Robyn Wilson
Dancers:  Patricia Cepeda, Paige Kingston, Sara Kuzminski, Maria Victoria Matos, Maurissa Powell  

In 1932, Ruth Page, in collaboration with artist Isamu Noguchi, created an iconic solo entitled Expanding Universe. In celebration of the 50th anniversary, Ruth Page Center commissioned Chicago-based dancemaker Nejla Yatkin to create a re-imagined Expanding Universe for the Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program.   Instrumental in Page’s original work was the sack dress she wore, designed by Noguchi.


Les Célébrantes

Premiere Date:  3/25/2022

Choreographer: Timothy O’Donnell Rehearsal Director: Maray Gutierrez
Music: Pink Martini
Costumes: Eduardo Sosa and Ruth Page School Wardrobe
Lighting Design: Robyn Wilson  
Dancers: Madeline Kiesel, Sara Kuzminski, Maurissa Powell, Devyn Simon, Exodis Ward

Les Célébrantes celebrates five women and their strength in continuing to work on their art form during the most difficult times. 


Steady Going

Premiere Date:  10/14/2022

Choreographer: Kia Smith
Rehearsal Director: Maray Gutierrez
Music: The Black Dog, John Butler, Georg Philipp Telemann, Command All-Stars, Frédéric Chopin
Costumes: Kia Smith
Lighting Design: Sarah Lackner
Dancers: Keeley Clark, Kaelen Gouveia, Mian Hirasawa, Alicia René Kenefic, Oscar Uribe Zapata  

Steady Going resulted from a week-long residency in September 2022, where Smith worked closely with the Training Program dancers. The collaborative rehearsal process encouraged the dancers to find their own focus and intention while exploring themes of isolation, irony, and beauty.


Abscission

Premiere Date: 6/15/2023

Choreographer: Adrian Marcelo Saenz
Rehearsal Director: Maray Gutierrez
Music: Olafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm, Rene Aubry, Johan Sebastian Bach, Gem Club
Costume and Set Concept: Adrian Marcelo Saenz
Costume Design: Adrian Marcelo Saenz
Costume Construction: Amanda Bradley and Claire Lyons
Set Construction: Anne Laue-Minden
Lighting Design: Sarah Lackner
Dancers: Keeley Clark, Kaelen Gouveia, Mian  Hirasawa, Alicia René Kenefic, Oscar Uribe  Zapata

Abscission: the act or process of cutting off the natural separation of flowers, fruit, or leaves from plants at a special separation layer

Abscission invites viewers to explore the most intimate and dark places of themselves.


La Tierra de Canela y Maíz

Premiere Date:  10/20/2023

Choreographer: Francisco Aviña
Rehearsal Director: Maray Gutierrez

Music: Pregones Mexicanos, “Mexicana Hermosa” Natalia Lafourcade feat. Los Macorinos, “Hagamos un Trato” Mario Benedetti, “Ayer y Hoy” Julio Jaramillo, “Paloma Negra” Chavela Vargas, “Árbol Que Recuerda” Eduardo Galeano, “Un Día Cualquiera” Silvana, “Estrada El Rey” Vicente Fernández, “Alma al Aire” Eduardo Galeano, “Cuando los Pies Besan el Piso” Calle 13.

Lighting Design:
Sarah Lackner
Costume Concept: Francisco Aviña

Dancers:
Jennamarie Aboul-Hosn, Valeria Aguirre Cano, Alexandra Bradley, Gianna Curless, Mikala Curless, Ania Dimalta, Trystan Lopez Zumwalt  

La Tierra de Canela y Maíz (The Land of Cinnamon and Corn) is a love letter to a country that blessed Aviña with a form of refuge and life lessons. A country rich with tradition and yet is surprisingly modern. A country that was conquered by the Spanish but still holds dear its pre-Hispánic indigenous traditions and customs. Mexico has profound geological beauty, yet even more breathtaking is the warmth, generosity, spirit, and perseverance.


Apophenia

Premiere Date:  3/23/2024

Choreographer: Adrián Marcelo Sáenz
Rehearsal Director: Maray Gutierrez
Music: Felix Mendelssohn, Peter Nagy
Costume Design:
Adrián Marcelo Sáenz
Costume Construction:
Maray Gutierrez & Anne Laue-Minden  
Lighting Design:
Sarah Lackner

Dancers:
Jennamarie Aboul-Hosn, Valeria Aguirre Cano, Alexandra Bradley, Gianna Curless, Mikala Curless, Ania Dimalta, Alexandra Webb  

Apophenia's choreography seeks to induce in the spectator a reflective and personal interpretation of the meaning and intention, which unveils their thoughts, concerns, and psychological characteristics.  

Faculty & Staff

Victor Alexander
Artistic Director, PDTP
Dolores Long
Associate Director
Maray Gutierrez
Artistic Associate, PDTP
Emmanuel Ramirez
Ballet Repertory Coach

Trainees

Ella Bridges
25/26 Season
Samantha LaSalle
25/26 Season
Mimi Michel
25/26 Season
Elizabeta Rodriguez
25/26 Season
Molly Teschner
25/26 Season
Kendall Willis
25/26 Season
Elizabeth Wilson
25/26 Season

Performance Opportunities

The Professional Dance Training Program participates in several productions that strive to develop each dancer's individual proficiency as a professional dance artist through stage performance. Trainees perform in the Fall Showcase, Ruth Page’s The Nutcracker, and The Ruth Page Festival of Dance at Ravinia to name a few.
For more information about performance opportunities, including how to audition, please contact PDTP@ruthpage.org.

Repertory

Repertory includes original works by school founders Ruth Page and Larry Long, world premieres by special guest choreographers, and artistic collaborations.

Lauren Anderson Scholarship

The Ruth Page School of Dance is thrilled to offer the Lauren Anderson Scholarship. This scholarship includes tuition assistance for young BIPOC dancers, ages 17 - 25, to participate in the Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program, with mentorship from Ms. Anderson.
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Auditions

The Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program will provide ongoing comprehensive technical training, performance opportunities and unique experience around guest artists and choreographers. Annual Auditions can be done in-person at any of the Summer Intensive audition sites. Recommended but not required to attend the International Dance Experience (Summer Intensive) before audition season.
For further information about the Professional Dance Training Program, contact Maray Gutierrez, Artistic Associate
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AUDITION FOR THE 26/27 SEASON

Season: August 24, 2026 – June 13, 2026
Dancers interested in auditioning for the Ruth Page Professional Dance Training Program but unable to attend an in-person audition will need to submit the following:
  • Most recent video including ballet barre, center, pointe, classical, and contemporary work.

  • Two photos (a headshot and a full body shot in first arabesque)

  • Resumé

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