Pointeworks Summer 2026 Mentorship Program
Step Inside a Professional Ballet Company
The Pointeworks Summer 2026 Mentorship Program is a fully funded, immersive opportunity for pre-professional dancers to experience the inner workings of a professional ballet company in San Diego.
As part of our Summer 2026 season, Pointeworks will invite 5 selected dancers to participate free of charge across two one-week cohorts. Designed to bridge the gap between training and a professional career, this program offers young dancers direct access to company class, rehearsals, repertory, mentorship, and performance.
Program Dates: June 4-13, 2026
Location: San Diego, California
Participants: 5 dancers total
What You’ll Experience
Company Class — Train alongside Pointeworks dancers in a professional environment
Repertory Workshops — Learn excerpts from current season works
Rehearsal Observation — Witness the creation and coaching process firsthand
Mentorship — Direct access to artistic staff and working professionals
Performance Experience — Attend a live performance + backstage tour
Program Schedule
Thursday–Friday (June 4–5)
9:00–10:15 AM — Company Class
10:15–11:15 AM — Rehearsal Observation
Saturday (June 6)
10:00–11:15 AM — Company Class
11:30–12:30 PM — Repertoire Workshop
1:00–2:30 PM — Open Rehearsal Viewing
Romeo and Juliet (Andrea Schermoly)
UnSaid
Sunday (June 7)
10:00–11:15 AM — Company Class
11:30–12:30 PM — Repertoire Workshop
12:30–1:00 PM — Mentorship Q&A
Saturday (June 13) – Performance Experience
2:00 PM — Complimentary Ticket (Nocturnes)
Post-show — Backstage Tour with artists
Who This Is For
Pre-professional dancers (ages ~15+)
Advanced students preparing for professional training or auditions
Early-career dancers seeking real company experience
This program is best suited for dancers with a strong classical foundation and an interest in contemporary ballet creation.
Cost & Participation
The program is fully funded and free to attend.
Participants are responsible for:
Travel to/from San Diego
Housing accommodations
Local transportation
Meals
Applications closed May 1, 2026.
Program History
Pointeworks launched its mentorship initiative in Summer 2025 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.
In its first year, Pointeworks invited 10 mentees to:
take company class
observe rehearsals and performances
attend the performance free of charge
participate in a backstage tour
Pointeworks also extended complimentary tickets to parents, making the experience more accessible for families and helping welcome new audiences into the ballet community.
Summer 2026 marks the second year of the program and expands its structure and resources as part of the company’s growing youth engagement efforts.
Why This Program Matters
For many dancers, the transition from training to professional life is unclear and inaccessible.
Pointeworks was built to change that.
This mentorship provides:
A real view into company life
Access to working artists and choreographers
Tools to navigate auditions and early career decisions
A supportive, professional environment to grow
Youth Access at Pointeworks
The mentorship program is one of several ways Pointeworks engages young audiences and emerging dancers.
Additional 2026 youth initiatives include:
Complimentary tickets for the UCSD Student Mental Health & Wellness Committee, across students in the San Diego Union High School District, and distributed across San Diego community colleges
ongoing discounted student tickets for performances
pay-what-you-can open rehearsals throughout the season
Together, these programs reduce financial barriers and create meaningful entry points into the performing arts.
Contact
For questions about the Pointeworks Summer 2026 Mentorship Program, please contact:
AvaRose Dillon
Outreach Coordinator, Pointeworks
adillon@pointeworks.org
Support the Program
Pointeworks is committed to keeping this program completely free for participating dancers.
Support for this initiative helps us provide:
studio time
artist mentorship
free performance tickets
professional audition photos
access to real-world career development opportunities
