The Barrington High School Orchesis Dance Company presents

The Barrington High School Orchesis Dance Company is excited to announce our 5th Annual BHS Orchesis Youth Workshop taking place on Saturday, September 26th, 2026, at Barrington High School. Know that all students K-8th are welcome, as no prior dance experience is required! This opportunity is open to all students and aspiring dancers in elementary and middle school!

K-8 students will have the opportunity to take a dance class taught by our very own BHS Orchesis company dancers and learn choreography to perform in a student showcase in the Barrington High School Auditorium. The Youth Workshop will begin with check-in at 9:30 AM for 6th-8th graders, 9:45AM for 3rd-5th graders, and at 11:00 AM for K-2nd graders and will close with a 60-75 minute performance for a public audience beginning at 2:00PM.

With the registration fee of $55 for grades K-2nd, $65 for grades 3rd-5th, and $75 for grades 6th-8th, students will receive: workshop classes, choreography, and a performance opportunity (2 complimentary tickets for each participant). In addition, a small snack, a t-shirt, and opportunities to connect with our Orchesis dancers. Registered students will need to bring and/or provide the following: a labeled water bottle and a peanut-free disposable lunch, footwear (ballet shoes, tan or black jazz shoes, or socks), and black bottoms (pants or leggings).

Additional audience members are welcome with $5.00 general admission! They will have the opportunity to enjoy the student dances along with some previews into our Orchesis Fall Dance Concert premiering October 11th and 12th in the Barrington High School Auditorium.

Registration opens on August 26 and closes September 16, 2026.

Due to the amount of planning that goes into the event, no walk-ups will be accepted.

We plan to have 150+ Workshop Participants each year!

Proceeds from registration and from the showcase ticket revenue will help support the Orchesis Dance Company and the BHS Dance Program and go towards professional guest teachers and choreographers, costuming, publicity, and more! The BHS Orchesis Dance Company looks forward to our 5th Annual Youth Workshop, giving back to our community, and sharing the stage with aspiring dancers!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS OF PARTICIPANTS

How many participants are in the workshop?

Last year we had about 160+ participants this year, and we hope to keep growing in size year after year! Our maximum number of participants will cap at 200.

What should my child wear?

Your child will be provided with a T-Shirt to wear throughout the day. After check-in, your child will need to change into their shirt in the bathroom. Please make sure your child is already wearing black pants/leggings and sneakers when you arrive or change into them before checking in.

What should my child bring?

Please limit the amount of belongings your child brings with them to prevent items from being misplaced or lost at the end of the day. We are not responsible for lost items and belongings.  All valuable items and jewelry should stay home. It is recommended that participants label their personal items. (This includes shoes, clothes, water bottles, etc.) If your child owns ballet or jazz shoes, bring them! Though small snacks will be provided, we recommend that you pack a nut-free disposable lunch for your child to eat during our 30-minute snack break.

What if my child does not have dance shoes?

There is no need to purchase any new dance shoes for this event. Your child may wear socks or sneakers if they do not own ballet or jazz shoes.

Where should I enter to check-in my child in the morning?

You should plan to enter and exit the building through Main Entrance Door #1. You will be directed to make your way to the 2nd floor. The check-in table will be located outside of the Library and Art Gallery this year. After you drop off your child, please exit the building through the same Door 1.

Who will my child be dancing with?

Groups will be assigned at check-in. Groups have been arranged by grade, level of experience, and favorite style mentioned on your registration form.

Can my child switch to a different group on the day of the workshop?

Unfortunately, no. It takes a lot of time and planning to organize the participants into groups, and our Orchesis dancers plan accordingly with the certain number of participants in their group. Groups have been arranged by grade, level of experience, and favorite style mentioned on your registration form. No matter what, each group is going to have a great time and perform an amazing dance!

When will my child eat?

During the day, your child will have a 30-minute snack break in the Cafeteria. Though small snacks will be provided, we recommend that you pack a peanut-free disposable lunch for your child to eat. Snacks provided will be: SkinnyPop popcorn and Welch’s fruit snacks.

Where will my child’s dance class be located?

Each participant will be placed in a group. Each group will be dancing in different Fine and Performing Arts rehearsal spaces and Athletic or Open areas in the school. Each group will be headed by Orchesis dancers and supervised by an Orchesis parent volunteer and/or a BHS staff member.

What will the day look like for my child?

Here is an overview of the schedule for the participants:

6th-8th Graders:

9:30AM                Check-In for 6th-8th Grade

9:45-10:50 AM        Class/Choreography

10:50-11:00AM        Bathroom Break

11:00-12:00PM        Class/Choreography

12:00-12:30 PM        Snack and Bathroom Break in the Cafeteria

12:30-1:30PM        Stage Run-Thru

1:30-2:00 PM        Show Prep backstage

2:00-3:15PM        Performance on Stage

3:15PM                Meet your child in the CAFETERIA

3rd-5th Graders:

9:45AM                Check-In for 3rd-5th Grade

10:00-11:00 AM        Class/Choreography

11:00-11:10AM        Bathroom Break

11:10-12:00PM        Class/Choreography

12:00-12:30 PM        Snack and Bathroom Break in the Cafeteria

12:30-1:30PM        Stage Run-Thru

1:30-2:00 PM        Show Prep backstage

2:00-3:15PM        Performance on Stage

3:15PM                Meet your child in the UPPER ATRIUM

K-2nd Graders:

11:00AM                Check-In for K-2nd

11:15-12:30PM        Class/Choreography

12:30-1:00 PM        Snack and Bathroom Break in the Cafeteria

1:00-1:30 PM         Stage Run-Thru

1:30-2:00 PM        Show Prep backstage

2:00-3:15PM        Performance on Stage

3:15PM                Pick up your child from STAGE

How can I redeem my 2 complimentary tickets? How can I purchase more tickets, and for how much?

Participants’ registration includes 2 complimentary tickets per family. All additional tickets are $5.00 and are sold as a part of online registration or at the door. Seating is general and first-come-first-serve.

Where should I enter for the performance in the afternoon?

You should plan to enter the building through Main Entrance Door 1. You will be directed to make your way to the 2nd floor. The 2:00 PM performance will be located in the Auditorium, so we suggest you arrive by 1:30PM to get a good seat.

Where will my child be during the performance?

Your child will be backstage during the duration of the performance. Each group will have an assigned waiting room with a parent volunteer, BHS staff member, and a few Orchesis dancers. Parents may NOT go backstage before or during the performance.

What time will the performance end?

We anticipate that the performance will be about 1 hour long. We would like to have all classrooms cleaned up and the building cleared out no later than 3:30PM.

Where do I meet my child after the performance?

Parents of kindergarteners, 1st graders, and 2nd graders will meet their child from the edge of the stage for dismissal. Please send one parent from the audience to get your child from the stage.

Parents of 3rd graders, 4th graders, 5th graders will meet their child in the Upper Atrium after the performance.

6th graders, 7th graders, and 8th graders will meet their child in the Cafeteria after the performance.

**Please DO NOT go backstage before, during, or after the performance. We want to avoid the Auditorium Lobby and backstage areas from becoming overcrowded.

Is walk-up, or day-of, registration available?

We apologize that walk-up registration will NOT be available. It takes a lot of time and planning to organize the participants into groups. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that there will be enough t-shirts and snacks for extra participants.

Will there be pictures and videos throughout the day?

Each child may be subject to being photographed or video recorded. These images and videos may be used only for promotional purposes by the Barrington High School Orchesis Dance Company. If you have concerns about this, please notify us in advance.

How can I continue to support BHS Orchesis and the BHS Dance Program?

Attend our Fall Dance Concert on October 9th, 10th, and 11th.