So You're Going to the Bolshoi
So you got the email saying that you've been accepted to a Bolshoi summer program in Moscow! If you're like me, you probably broke down crying in an inappropriate place (like your desk at work) and then called your friend in another timezone and woke her up.
Aside from all the fun stuff, like planning how much empty space you should have for all those souvenirs, you're going to be wrapped up in visa issues for a good portion of the summer.
There's a very good chance that you'll get up to three emails from the logistical visa coordinator detailing things that you need to send them. There's also a chance that these emails will come in only three days before they need the materials. I struggled to get everything in line, since I was living away from my parents when these emails were coming in, and I'd like to do everything I can to make sure other students can get to the Bolshoi Academy without more hassle than is necessary. Here is a list of everything I eventually provided. Note: This list is primarily for US citizens, since I am one.
1. Registration Packet (this will include parental consent and chaperone info). This was exclusive to the Joffrey program and if you are going with another provider, there will likely be other paperwork.
2. Scan of your passport--make sure it is good for 18 months after reentry to the US!
3. Email with the following info:
4. Scan of your birth certificate
5. Physical exam and vaccination records clearing you for international travel. I did not have the report from my doctor so I provided them with the vaccination records and the most recent check up I had, which was 2 years old, but it seemed fine.
6. Scan of insurance card
7. A list of countries where you've traveled in the last 10 years with dates as accurate as possible--it's possible they will ask for this after you mail the coordinator your passport, so get the list ahead of time. This email may also ask you for your city and state again.
8. A packet of stuff to physically mail (or hand deliver) to Davis Robertson (he's the head of the Joffrey Ballet School--again, your program will differ):
Aside from all the fun stuff, like planning how much empty space you should have for all those souvenirs, you're going to be wrapped up in visa issues for a good portion of the summer.
There's a very good chance that you'll get up to three emails from the logistical visa coordinator detailing things that you need to send them. There's also a chance that these emails will come in only three days before they need the materials. I struggled to get everything in line, since I was living away from my parents when these emails were coming in, and I'd like to do everything I can to make sure other students can get to the Bolshoi Academy without more hassle than is necessary. Here is a list of everything I eventually provided. Note: This list is primarily for US citizens, since I am one.
1. Registration Packet (this will include parental consent and chaperone info). This was exclusive to the Joffrey program and if you are going with another provider, there will likely be other paperwork.
2. Scan of your passport--make sure it is good for 18 months after reentry to the US!
3. Email with the following info:
- Name as it appears on the passport
- Date of birth
- Country of citizenship
- Country of permanent residency
- Place of birth
- City and state where you currently reside
4. Scan of your birth certificate
5. Physical exam and vaccination records clearing you for international travel. I did not have the report from my doctor so I provided them with the vaccination records and the most recent check up I had, which was 2 years old, but it seemed fine.
6. Scan of insurance card
7. A list of countries where you've traveled in the last 10 years with dates as accurate as possible--it's possible they will ask for this after you mail the coordinator your passport, so get the list ahead of time. This email may also ask you for your city and state again.
8. A packet of stuff to physically mail (or hand deliver) to Davis Robertson (he's the head of the Joffrey Ballet School--again, your program will differ):
- Your actual US passport
- Copy of the birth certificate
- Scans of both parents' passports
- Copy of the insurance card
- 2 passport sized pictures
9. An HIV blood test (blood, not saliva), with the results stating that they are from a blood-based test. They asked for this at the very last minute which meant I was running all over New York to find a free clinic. This was primarily spurred by the Zika virus panic, so I can't tell you for certain if you'll need one, but better to have the results on hand than be panicking during 4th of July weekend.
10. A notary-signed document saying that you approve of the representative picking up your passport from the embassy. If you're me, you get this done by printing the document at the studios you're rehearsing at, using the printer they usually use for printing resumes (there were so many Producers auditions and Hamilton rehearsals there, guys), and then taking it to the UPS store down the street. They'll probably send this two weeks out, and it will be the weekend, and you will be rolling your eyes and hoping desperately that this is the last required document.
10. A notary-signed document saying that you approve of the representative picking up your passport from the embassy. If you're me, you get this done by printing the document at the studios you're rehearsing at, using the printer they usually use for printing resumes (there were so many Producers auditions and Hamilton rehearsals there, guys), and then taking it to the UPS store down the street. They'll probably send this two weeks out, and it will be the weekend, and you will be rolling your eyes and hoping desperately that this is the last required document.
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