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 community classes and 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, occasional subcommittee meetings, and weekly company classes. This is a significant, but collaborative undertaking that requires 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. Dancer availability will influence casting and rehearsal schedules. All members will have input into production schedules, which include setting rehearsals, weekly rehearsals, photoshoots, show runs, light hang, technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and performances.
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 weekly class, rehearsal, and meeting hours.
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, and 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 2026-2027 season, you are agreeing to commit to BOTH of the above-mentioned roles.
Season 21 Dates: July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027
Rehearsals: At the start of the production casting 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 2026. 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.
Fall Performance dates: October 23-24 and 29-30, 2026
Spring Performance dates: TBD