Hope Academy’s first day of dance classes for 2024-2025 is on Saturday, September 21. This will be a “get to know you” and “get settled” day as students are evaluated for placement.

A dance clothing and shoe “swap” will be scheduled so that families can return their gently-used items and pick up new sizes. Anyone can donate (and we are grateful for all items that fit our dress code), but we will only be able to provide dance clothing and shoes to our students. Full Scholarship Plus students will have the first opportunity to pick out their dance clothes and shoes.

DANCE CLOTHING AND SHOE DONATIONS 

Donations can be dropped off at the Highland Ave entrance of East Liberty Presbyterian Church 

• Tuesday-Friday  9 am to 8 pm;  and Saturday-Sunday  9 am to 2 pm

• Please put donations in a bag labeled “Hope Academy” and include sizes on items, if possible

• Our dress code includes: black leotards, pink or skin-toned tights, pink or skin-toned ballet shoes (leather or canvas), tap and jazz shoes (all colors and styles)

FOR DANCE STUDENTS IN ALL CLASSES
Because we do not have changing rooms, students should come to class wearing their dance attire under their street clothes. Please pack your dance bag with everything you need and check it before you leave your house.

Temperatures in our studios fluctuate so layering is best. Please bring a form-fitted dance sweater (nothing bulky or with a hood) and pack a water bottle.

HAIR AND ACCESSORIES

• PBT and Hope Academy support the Crown Act (enacted into law in the City of Pittsburgh), which protects against bias and discrimination based on hair texture and style. Our policies around hair help ensure everyone’s safety.

• Students’ hair should be pulled up and away from the face, preferably styled in a bun if the length of hair allows, to keep hair close to the head. Ponytails should not be worn.

• Braids styled to lay close to the head are welcome.

• Short hair may be secured away from the face with barrettes/styled close to the head for movement safety.

  • In general, hair ornaments, including scrunchies, should not be worn.

• A Bun Lesson can be found here.

• Dance skirts and tutus are not permitted in class 

• For safety purposes, all jewelry and watches should be removed before class, with the exception of stud earrings.

DRESS CODE FOR PBT BALLET CLASSES 

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's dress code strives to ensure that our students’ attire allows them to work and perform at their best, to do so as safely as possible, and to feel affirmed while in our studios and on our stages.

We celebrate the variety of human skin tones and welcome the use of skin-toned pointe shoes, dance shoes and tights, during class and in performance.  Ballet and pointe shoe color should be standard pink or skin-toned; and tights should be in a corresponding color.

Students of all genders can choose from two attire options for classes. While students are free to wear either option, please adhere to the specifications for each option.