More than before, the emphasis this year is on showing off the admirable polish and training of the student dancers.

In the 1970's, however, and until four years ago, budding house choreographers were allowed to experiment on the student dancers, often with fine results.

Ballet is usually taught in a studio that offers plenty of room for student dancers to move about.

Former participants in the workshop are often invited back to Duke to create new works for casts that include student dancers at the festival.

Understudies and student dancers will fill out the 15-member troupe in the larger works.

Though some of the student dancers involved in the project offer little more than dutiful results, others shine.

The piece was created for them and another student dancer from California.

Next comes the chance to learn about performing by doing it, first as student dancers, then as apprentices and finally with the company.

The pieces were meant to show off student dancers but, at the same time, the experience was designed to serve the choreographer's creative needs.

There is fund-raising for new works, community outreach programs and scholarships for student dancers.