FORGE SUMMER DANCE INTENSIVE June 18 - July 1, 2023

Mission Statement

WHAT: FORGE is a summer dance intensive housed in Butler County. Created by Ursula Payne and Lindsay Viatori in partnership with the Department of Dance at Slippery Rock University.

WHY: The tri-county Region (Butler, Lawrence, and Mercer counties) and northern Pittsburgh is in need of a world class summer dance intensive program, to rival the caliber of dance festivals available in other cities. FORGE will bring national attention to western Pennsylvania and increase the richness of dance culture in the tri-county region and northern Pittsburgh. Students will receive excellent training from highly regarded national and local dance artists. This program also acts as an avenue to expose the region’s young dancers to the campus of SRU and their nationally ranked dance program.

FORGE SUMMER DANCE INTENSIVE: All classes are held on the beautiful campus of SRU in beautiful dance studios. The Professional Training Workshop is geared toward dancers ages 14+.  Dancers who are 13 year-old students may be considered for enrollment in the Professional Training Workshop based on their advanced technical abilities, overall maturity, and with a recommendation letter from their teacher. FORGE seeks to share the best practices in our artistic field and will create a non-competitive environment for dancers and teachers to thrive. 

FORGE Summer Dance Intensive will be held on the beautiful Slippery Rock University Campus. This workshop is designed for students ages 14+* who are looking for a fun and challenging summer program with incredible faculty. Classes offered will cover a breadth of disciplines including (but not limited to): modern, ballet, jazz, hip hop, musical theatre, partnering, improvisation, repertory, composition, yoga, body conditioning and wellness for dancers.

TUITION AND FEES are $1,300 for commuter students, $1,125 for currently enrolled SRU Students, which includes lunch and dinner as well as access to University amenities. Students in need of HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS will be hosted in the Slippery Rock University residence halls. They will have access to breakfast, lunch and dinner at Boozel Dining Hall; The cost of this option is $1,550 for overnight students, $1,350 for currently enrolled SRU Students.

The DAILY SCHEDULE of the Professional Training Workshop will be quite rigorous with approximately 7 hours of classes offered each day. Students will have a block of classes in the morning, followed by an hour lunch break, and a second block of classes in the afternoon, followed by dinner and the day will conclude with a repertory experience. Studio space is also available each evening for choreographic projects.

All participants will perform during the Forge Summer Dance Intensive Showing on the last day of the festival.

WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US!

*Dancers who are 13 years old at the time of the workshop will only be considered with a letter of recommendation from a current dance instructor stating why they would be an acceptable candidate for this program. This letter should also include their current dance schedule with regards to discipline and hours of study, supporting their ability to successfully participate in the rigorous Professional Training Workshop. This letter can be emailed to Lindsay.Viatori@sru.edu.

Welcome to the FORGE Summer Dance Intensive!

We understand when it comes to summer dance programs, you have lots of options; we hope you find your time at FORGE/SRU to be rewarding and bountiful. All residential students should indicate roommate request during registration. If you don’t have a roommate request, we will match you by age. Here is a list of additional informational items to help you prepare for your stay on campus.


Tentative First Day Schedule (This will be emailed in your correspondence prior to arrival)

  • Check-In will be at the Residence Halls in the afternoon. Follow the signs on campus for Forge Check-In.
  • 3 pm - Orientation for both students and parents in Studio Theatre (West Stoner 222). 
  • 5:30 pm - Parents depart.
  • 6 pm - Dinner at Boozel Dining Hall
  • All Residential Students will receive Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in Boozel Dining Hall (On day one students will receive Dinner). You can bring money for snacks in the room or for eating off-campus.
  • All Commuter students will receive Lunch and Dinner.
  • Linens can be rented for $15.00.  Students will receive two sheets, one pillow, one pillow case, two wash clothes, two towels and a bed cover. These items will be returned on the last day. If you bring your own bedding, the beds are twin size.
  • There is a Laundry room on each floor. The charge is $1.50 to wash and $1.50 to dry.  Cash or Debit/credit cards are accepted.
  • There is a TV located in the lounge area for common use.
  • Students will be provided a room key and lanyard during check-in, this will act as their meal ticket. Room keys must be returned upon check out or you will be charged $25.00 NO Exceptions!
  • Please bring water bottles to use; there are filling stations in all dance facilities.
  • There are events and workshops planned during the weekend. Parents can pick students up in the lobby if they come to visit. Once students move in parents will not be able to go the residential floors of the Dorms.

It is recommended that you pack the following items:

  • Dance attire
  • Tennis shoes/sneakers for hip hop
  • Notebook and writing materials
  • Appropriate dance shoes such as ballet, tap (optional) and jazz shoes
  • Optional laptop computer
  • Personal supplies that you will need for first aid or personal care