Royal Ballet School Spring Intensive: White Lodge has our hearts
It’s hard to believe that almost two weeks ago, we were in London for a second round of training with the Royal Ballet School at White Lodge. Didn’t really know if we had it in us to make a second trip across the Pond happen so soon, but when an opportunity comes around again (and in the last age group eligible for the program), you try to make things work.
I think both Stella and I have really come to love Royal Ballet School for more than just the fact that it’s the Royal Ballet School. Maybe that sounds confusing, but it makes total sense to me. Some dancers (and parents) just want to say they went there, while others soak up every second there and let it fully shape them as artists. I’ll let you guess where we fall.
Ah, White Lodge. It’s what I wish every American pre-professional ballet program could be. A place that lets you hone in on your passion for dance and have a safe, loving place to stay away from home, while also providing your academics and student life programming that lets kids be kids. All while being perched in a peaceful setting surrounded by beautiful trees and an occasional herd of deer at Richmond Park.
The Royal Ballet School offers intensive courses during the summer, like other US-based programs, but also has a unique Spring Intensive course that traditionally aligns with spring break in its year-round programming. Like their other intensive courses, the audition is an online submission and is acceptance-only. I am not sure what their selection specifics are, other than looking at placement/facility in the photo submissions, but we have realized that almost every American dancer we’ve met there has attended some of the top US company-affiliated five-week summer intensives. Not sharing that as a deterrent for someone who has a dancer wanting to apply who may have not attended one of those programs, just that it may make more sense to apply to RBS once your dancer has completed a summer intensive, versus going for this program as their first larger program. I will say some of the younger dancers may not have been to programs, so this theory may be flawed. However, it seems that the applicant pool increases as the dancers are older. Also, the White Lodge Spring program concludes at age 15, and there is a shorter workshop-style offering at the Covent Garden campus. If I were the parent of a 16+ dancer, I would say the summer offering would be better suited to your travel investment to get to London. Unless you had the UK on your Spring Break vacation plans, this might be a great chance to vacation and get a little ballet in as well.
OK, moving on from that background bit.
Because we attended the program last year, I almost felt like I did little to no planning for this trip. Gosh, I love London and kinda hate that I planned everything on the fly. But, the truth is, I’m not really a ‘leave the hotel at 8 am after breakfast and tour the city all day till dinner person.’ I can’t do that on any type of trip. I’m a ‘let’s get up when we feel rested and do a little bit in the morning, break, do a little bit in the evening, and be in PJs by 8:30.’
I booked us at the same hotel in South Kensington as last year. I really love that part of the city for this kind of trip. It’s super close to two Underground stations that can take you all the way to Richmond station, and walking distance to Kensington Palace/gardens and lots of great dining in the area. Plus, it really feels like the Underground is only a few stops from all the things we planned to do…..ahem, repeatedly stop at Harrods ;)
This year, my mom came with us, and she’s never been to London, but was down for whatever and knew she wanted to at least do 1) afternoon tea (me too, yay!) and 2) go on the Harry Potter studio tour (not my cup of tea, that’s ok!). Stella’s to-do list, besides her intensive course, was to go shopping, see some of the icons we had to rush last year, and see English National Ballet’s double-bill performance.
On our first day of arrival, we checked in, got a quick rest, and went to see ENB’s show. It was Crystal Pite’s Body and Soul, as well as Kam Saunders's (Taylor’s most amazing dancer from The Eras Tour!) world premiere piece, Proper Conduct. Contemporary works are fun to see because, unlike story ballets, you don’t know the ending or the journey the choreographer wants to take you on. Both were great in different ways, and I love Sadler's Wells theatre (we saw a Forsythe piece there last year). Highly recommend seeing a show there. We didn’t take in a Royal Ballet production this year because they were performing Mayerling, which felt a little too deep and dark for our purposes. If only we had been there when Giselle was running!
The next day, we took a walk to Kensington Gardens, followed by afternoon tea, before we dropped Stella off at White Lodge and then spent the rest of our week taking in London. It was much cooler and overcast this year. More typical of London weather…. Last year was very sunny and a little warm. One day, we decided to take a boat tour on the Thames to see much of the city from the water. Instead of paying for an actual tour, we chose the Uber Boats by Thames Clippers. Better price point and just as fun. Part of me wishes we had done the Globe Theatre tour, but honestly, it was so crowded that I’m ok with missing it. Plus, it doesn’t really feel like what I remember studying in high school English, so maybe the allure has worn off for me. Such is the life of a tourist site.
You are only allowed one guest for parent observation day at the end of the week for Royal, so my mom and I decided that she would go on her Harry Potter tour that day, and I would head back to White Lodge for Stella. I love Observation Day. Especially at RBS. They pack so much into that week, and the dancers are so excited to share. That’s what dance is all about anyway….sharing your passion. After watching a full technique class, the students in her level performed a corps de ballet piece from Swan Lake and then shared a solo variation they worked on that week. The amount of choreography and execution Stella was able to retain in only 5 days was pretty amazing. To the point that it leaves me scratching my head regarding a recent evaluation she had back home….that’s a different story, I suppose.
She said her goodbyes to all her international friends and some she knows from across the States as well. It has been so neat to see her connect with dancers she met at other programs or ones that she knows through a mutual friend. Another constant reminder that because these choices to lead a life less common/different from her peers at home, not in ballet, means she is also connecting with new friends who share the same struggles. She needs that network.
When back in London, we took in one more afternoon tea and then stories of my mom’s Harry Potter adventures. I’m glad she got to experience that because it sounded really cool, especially for someone who read all the books/saw the movies. The next day, we took a side quest to Platform 9 ¾ for the gift shop. The line to take a picture with the platform sign is insane! Fun to see all the kids in their wizard attire. We also took in Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. Once again, the King Gallery was closed during my visit, and I wish so dearly it wasn’t because the QE2 fashion spread right now has me drooling….I would have loved to see her coronation gown in person.
Suddenly, it was time to go, and it was a little bittersweet because there isn’t going to be another opportunity for a Spring Intensive for Stella since she’s aged out of White Lodge. Maybe she’ll be able to audition for Covent Garden’s summer program at some point, but we’re in the thick of the strategic selection of summer intensives for a bit as the path to professionalism gets a little wide at age 15. It would be so amazing to attend a European training program full-time. Ah, to dream big.
Before ending, I’ll share a few of my top tips for an RBS intensive:
If your dancer has been selected, know that you MUST have a guardian for the dancer remaining within a 4-hour driving distance of the campus. While it sounds like, ‘oh, you take these amazing vacations!’ Just know that it’s really you out exploring and your dancer doing what they love. Some people will opt not to board and to do a daily drop-off/pick-up so they can see the sights. The days are long. Your dancer will be tired and not want to walk around the city after classes. Plus, it’s a great opportunity for connection (and a way to grow independently).
Because of the above, if you want to do Paris as an add-on to your trip by train, it’s best to do that AFTER the intensive has ended, because you never know if your child will get sick or if you’re needed, and do not count on getting back by train that fast! Otherwise, you need a UK guardian or proxy if you are away. We met someone with family nearby, so they were able to work this option out.
This also applies to any of the longer intensives, so if your dancer wants to do a longer summer study, it’s probably cheaper to find an Airbnb situation for the time. And if you get to do that, OMG, take me with you because I instantly hate everything when I’m not in the UK anymore!
White Lodge offers students a duvet and pillow, so you don’t have to pack as many bulky items for the dorm. You do provide a duvet cover and sheets/pillowcase/towels for the stay in the dorms
The dorms and food are great, according to Stella. She says the dorm facilities are cared for and that there is something for everyone in the dining hall. Some of the kids complain, but I think there are always picky eaters. Honestly, I’m surprised more families don’t work with their kids before sending them off on how to choose something to eat. But then again….I’m also never surprised by other intensive horror stories! Students also get daily snack time, with a variety of options. They won’t go hungry, and RBS is very big on education about dancers and eating.
Yes, you really can only have one visitor in the showing, so don’t expect special treatment when you show up as a duo. You can, however, swap out in between classes so each person can view both observations.
Plan time to take photos after the showings. The main building is iconic and makes a great memory. There will be a line!
You need to arrange car transportation to take you away from White Lodge. Uber and taxis do not come there, but RBS provides car service info to book. On arrival day, we took the Underground to Richmond Station, then a taxi from the taxi stand to White Lodge. They can drop you off, but cannot return. Unless you get lucky and your driver is willing to wait for you (this happened to me this year! Much cheaper than a private car service).
The Spring program has a tight timeline for jet lag turnover. Try not to plan too much at the beginning of your trip, or plan to take an overnight flight so your dancer can sleep on the way there to try to adjust. I also think they run on a little bit of adrenaline on that first day of dance, so there aren’t a lot of issues staying attentive and then sleeping at night.
RBS intensive courses are not a pathway to year-round acceptance. The good news is that your dancer can totally relax, enjoy themselves, and be a sponge. In a perfect world, they could be like this at their bigger summer programs, but HA! YEAH RIGHT!