Frequently Asked Questions

What is DCVT?

The Dance Company of Virginia Tech is a completely student run organization that creates its own choreography and performs in self-produced shows at the end of each semester. The purpose of DCVT is fitness, comradeship, artistic expression, and performance service.

When does DCVT perform?

DCVT has two major performances at the end of the fall and spring semesters. In addition to their own shows, they perform at pep rallies and other various events around Blacksburg and the Virginia Tech community throughout the year.

When and where does DCVT practice?

DCVT practices from 9:00 p.m. to midnight, Sunday through Wednesday at War Memorial Hall Dance Studio and at Dance Tech on North Main St. Each dance is allotted one hour during the 12 hour dance week. Members are only required to attend the hourly slots that have been designated to the dances they are in.

What are the technique requirements to make DCVT?

DCVT does not set specific technique requirements because passion and love for dance as well as experience is easily spotted in an audition. But, the majority, if not all, of our DCVT members are capable of the following skills:

Fouettés turns (dominant leg)

Turns in second (dominant leg)

Chiné Turns (both sides)

Double Turns (both legs)

Triple Turns (dominant leg)

Grant jetés (both legs)

Switch leaps (dominant leg)

Straddle leaps

Toe touches

High kicks (both legs)

What styles of dance does DCVT perform?

DCVT performs any style of dance that the choreographer creates. Genres usually include: jazz, modern, lyrical, ballet, hip-hop, tap, acro, contemporary, and theater.

How much does it cost to be a DCVT member?

It costs $200 per year ($100 per semester) to be a DCVT member. This covers the cost of the theatre for their two performances, lighting for their shows, renting of studios for practice times and two DCVT designed show tee-shirts.

Once on DCVT, am I allowed to choreograph?

After being a DCVT member for one semester you have the choice to be a choreographer. You may choreograph a dance and audition it for a panel of DCVT executive judges. If chosen, you will be choreographing that dance in the upcoming show.

How do dances get chosen for the show?

Dances are chosen by the President, Vice President Technical, and the Artistic Director at the beginning of each semester. Each dance must be auditioned in front of this executive panel to make it into the show. The panel strives to choose dances that will provide the most variety for the show as well as highlight the talent of the dancers so the audience will be entertained as well as impressed.

How do choreographers choose which dancers will be in their dance?

Once the dances are chosen for the show, the President makes a schedule for that semester of when each dance will practice. The first week of rehearsal is designated to auditions for the dances. Members go to where the dance will normally practice and audition for the choreographer to be in that dance. This is a two way audition; dancers choose which dances and they want to be in and from there the choreographers choose who will be in their dances.

When did DCVT begin?

The Dance Company of Virginia Tech began in 1991 when a group of students who shared a love for dance realized there wasn’t an adequate outlet for the variety of dance that they loved to perform. After creating DCVT, the founding members wrote a constitution for the student run organization that is still used today as a guideline for how DCVT should be run.

Is DCVT involved in the community?

Yes! DCVT has grown tremendously over the past few years and is now recognized for its contributions to the community as well as its dancing.

Some of the events that DCVT has raised money for are Dance Marathon, Toys for Tots and Relay for Life. They have also donated to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund.

They have participated or performed in community service activities such as The Big Event, 5KD Run, The Tap Extravaganza, German Club’s Gold Rush Concert, April 16^th Remembrance Through Dance Show, and the Sigma Kappa Memory Walk.

In 2008, DCVT created their own fundraiser, “TOTS at TOTS”; where members sell Tator Tots outside the popular bar/restaurant Top of the Stairs a couple of times during the semester. This is a great way for the members to bond as well as raise money for the organization.

Is DCVT a social organization?

DCVT is considered a student organization but carries on social activities just as a social organization would. They do not force or pressure any members to attend the socials. DCVT members have a strong bond and they enjoy each others company in rehearsal as well as out. DCVT also have formal and semi-formal dances, socials with fraternities, and homecoming festivities. Being in DCVT isn’t just about dance; it’s about have a great time with great friends.