Regional Dance America
RDA is a national organization of over 92 dance companies, which are divided into five regions throughout the United States. To become a member of RDA, the organization must have 501(c)3 non-profit organization status, produce two major concerts annually and meet various other technical and artistic standards.
Each year PDT welcomes guest choreographers to work with dancers in our senior level company. In early spring an RDA Adjudicator visits each member company to watch a company class and new works that are to be evaluated and potentially selected for the festival performance. The festival, which brings together 300 dancers from the northeast region is held annually in the late spring. Dancers age 11 and up are eligible to attend the festivals. Dancers must be at least 13 to perform at Festival or to be cast in works that will be adjudicated for Festival.
RDA is not a competition, but an enriching opportunity for performing, critique and growth for all dancers, directors and educators who attend. Board members, adjudicators and instructors of RDA are comprised of professionals currently active or who have formally held high profile positions with nationally recognized dance organizations. Dancers have the opportunity to audition for scholarships, and to be viewed by scouts from college dance programs and professional programs.
Regional Dance America 2024 - National Festival
April 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th
(arriving Tuesday, April 23rd departing April 28th)
DEADLINE: August 25th
RDA National Festival 2024 comprises 4 days of master classes, 4 nights of performances, including a dancer party, gala banquet, scholarship opportunities, workshops for over 1500 dancers from across the country at Daytona Beach.
PDT has previously attended National Festivals in Pittsburgh, Montreal, Phoenix. When we went to Montreal and Pittsburgh many families took the opportunity to travel along. We extended our Phoenix trip by several days to include a train ride to the Grand Canyon. There are currently no plans to extend Daytona, but the hotel is right on the beach and there are a lot of fun venues in the area such as the Daytona 500 Tour, Motorsports Hall of Fame or America Museum, Daytona Lagoon Waterpark Ponce Inlet, and others.
We can add rooms to PDT's block, but will need to know how many additional persons are attending by August 25 so that RDA corporate will know how many hotel rooms are needed for the Philadelphia Dance Theatre room block.
PDT must provide RDA with our anticipated numbers to reserve our rooms asap. If you are planning on attending the 2024 RDA National Festival we must have your response to the commitment form by August 25th, 2023. If you decide at a later date that you want to attend, PDT cannot guarantee that this will be possible, nor that a room will be available.
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Kit Cost: $525
Additional fees: platform fee (1% fee), credit card fee (2.9% fee + $0.30 for credit card payment if you pay for a kit using your own card).
The kit cost covers full dancer, director, chaperone, observer and apprentice (ages 11-13 depending on level) type kits.
Full dancer kits include 3 classes each day, performance tickets, gala banquet, dancer party.
Apprentice kits include 2 classes + a seminar each day, performance tickets, gala banquet and dancer party.
Kits will not include hotel or food (with the exception of the parties and banquet)
RDA boxed lunches will be $25 ea.
In previous national festival years, PDT has had dancers buy boxed lunches for 2 of the days, and chaperones made lunches in the rooms on the other days for a cheaper option.
1-day observer kit will be offered at a cost of $150/day plus any aforementioned additional fees.
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Depending on the hotel we book, remember that cost will be divided by 4 dancers/chaperones for a total of 5 nights, which would work out to approximately $275 per dancer for the duration of the stay. The rates shown below were negotiated in advance by RDA to secure best pricing.
Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort: $195.75 per night (inclusive rate)
Headquarters hotel, additional resort fee $25++ optional
Queen/Queen Rooms & King Rooms
Comfort Inn & Suites Daytona Beach Oceanfront: $228.99 per night (inclusive rate)
0.4 miles away
Complimentary hot breakfast daily
Queen/Queen Rooms
The Shores Resort & Spa: $325.13 per night (inclusive rate)
3.5 miles away, multiple bus options including a 7-day pass - $13.00 or $6.50 (Reduced for Seniors, 7-18yrs, and persons with disabilities).
The Daytona Beach Shores area is a quieter section of Daytona Beach with an upscale residential community vibe and more of a retreat-like feel.
Includes complimentary smores kit for each guest, two complimentary bottles of water with reusable bottles to take home, two complimentary cocktails or mocktails per room to be used in the the Oceanview Lounge, Tiki Bar poolside, or the Azure Restaurant, 24 hour access to the Fitness Center, complimentary WiFi in guest rooms and public spaces throughout hotel, bike rental discounts, beachside daily morning yoga, and more.
Queen/Queen Rooms & King Rooms
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For the National festival every dancer will be required to purchase a RDA leotard specific to their region.
Each region will have its own color, and every leotard will have the RDA Logo on it.
A order form will be sent out at a later date, but depending on the style you choose the leotard costs range from $40-$50
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Breakdown of total kit cost:
$525 kit (classes, performances, entertainment)
$270 hotel (4 dancers per room)
$100 boxed lunches (covers all 4 days)
$40-50 RDA Leotard
Breakfast/Snacks provided in room by staff $20 per dancer
Base price of $955
**The cost may increase if we do not raise enough funds to cover travel/chaperone kits.
The kit payment can be spread out over 6 payments.
September 1st $100 Deposit
4 payments due
October 1st $213.75
November 1st $213.75
January 1st $213.75February 1st $213.75
Our goal is to raise enough money to cover flights and help chaperones with the cost of their kits. There will be 3 nights where dancers will need to pay for their own dinners, including the travel day. Incidental money will need to be provided by parents to cover those personal expenses. There is a water park across the street, and we may arrange a trip there, and also possibly a nature park, which would be optional and additional costs.
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Our goal is to raise enough money to get flights/travel paid for by those efforts. Typically, the PDT snack cabinet and bake sales on Saturdays help this endeavor. However, we have noticed there are unpaid IOU’s, or dancers forgetting to pay for their snacks. This creates a loss for the company and hurts the dancers fundraising efforts. If you have a better idea for fundraising to replace the snack cabinet/bake sale or in addition to them, we would love to hear your ideas. When we traveled to Phoenix festival we pooled frequent flier miles, which drastically reduced our plane fares, so that may be an option. We will be looking for volunteers to make up a committee to help with fundraising planning and organizing. PDT does not add any additional charges to the kit costs to help cover our faculty, chaperones, choreography or costumes expenses.
RDA Associate Program
In an effort to connect ALL RDA dancers (regardless of age or company level), family members, alumni, directors, faculty, and choreographers throughout the country, you are encouraged to become an RDA Associate annually. The RDA Associate network is for everyone! As an RDA Associate, you will have access to all of RDA’s year-round offerings, news, and connections
Joining the RDA Associate Program is mandatory for any PDT dancers attending festival, and is optional (but encouraged) for all others. Join for just $15 today!
Dancers: RDA provides educational offerings and opportunities for dancers of ALL ages!
Family Members: RDA provides resources to help you support your growing dancer, guide their journey, and encourage their development!
Alumni: RDA fosters connections, helps you share memories, and provides opportunities for you to inspire and lead the next generation of dancers!
Faculty & Choreographers: RDA provides networking opportunities, professional development, and sharing best practices to help you learn and grow!