Arrival, Location & Orientation Info
Educators
Arrive: June 25 (between 11 am–12 pm)
Depart: July 1 (on-campus participants must check-out by 11 am)
Creative Process
Arrive: July 2 (between 11am–12 pm)
Depart: July 8 (on-campus participants must check-out by 11 am)
Physical Practice
Arrive: July 20 ( between 11 am–12 pm)
Depart: July 26 (on-campus participants must check-out by 11 am)
DPW takes place on the charming Duke University campus in Durham, NC. Students will be able to explore beautiful nature destinations like the Eno River and Sarah P. Duke Gardens, shop local businesses on Ninth Street, and visit the Nasher Museum of Art for free! Durham is also close to many unique and fun NC cities like Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Raleigh.
DPW is an exciting time full of classes, performances, and community building. The schedule below gives you a general overview of arrival times and what to expect. A detailed schedule will be distributed at check-in.
All DPW students should arrive between 11 am-12 pm for check-in on the first day of the intensive. Early arrivals are not allowed into the dorms. Late arrival/early departure is not recommended and permitted only on a case-by-case basis. All students will depart on the final day of the intensive. Participants staying in the dorms must check out and return their key to the ADF Hospitality Coordinator by 11 am on departure day.
Traveling to ADF
Duke University is conveniently located at the RDU airport, bus, and train station.
Interactive Map of Duke University’s campus and important ADF locations, including studios and performance spaces.
Travel Options
- Car: The ADF summer office is located in the Gilbert-Addoms Residence Hall on Duke University’s East Campus: 1368 Campus Dr, Durham, NC 27708 Driving directions
- Air: The closest airport is the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). It is approximately 18 miles from Duke University.
- Bus: Greyhound and Megabus buses arrive and depart from the downtown Durham station at 515 W Pettigrew St.
- Train: The Amtrak station is located in downtown Durham at 601 W Main St.
- Car Service: Lyft and Uber provide easy transportation to and from the airport and around Durham.
Housing
On Campus
Dance Professional students may choose to live on-campus in a Duke University dorm. Due to limited availability, single rooms can’t be guaranteed for 2025. If you have an accessibility need, please contact the ADF School about applying for a single room via email at school@americandancefestival.org
DPW participants are usually housed in the 300 Swift apartment-style dorms. Any changes to the housing options will be updated in Spring 2025.
300 Swift
300 Swift offers apartment-style living with a variety of amenities in each apartment. Other community amenities include a 24-hour fitness center with a yoga studio, private conference/study rooms, a game room, bike storage, outdoor grills, and a parking garage. Each apartment comes equipped with the following:
- Bedroom: XL twin or full mattress and bed, two 2-drawer dressers per person, one desk/table.
- Living room: couch, chair, coffee table, and entertainment centerpiece. Barstools will be provided for apartments with the kitchen islands (most apartments). For those apartments without kitchen islands (normally studios), a table and four chairs will be provided.
- Kitchen: fully equipped kitchen (stove, oven, refrigerator, dishwasher).
- Stackable washer/dryer included within each unit.
Important: Students living in the dorms must provide their bedding and linens (pillows, sheets, blankets, towels, etc). If you do not want to bring your bedding, you can purchase a linen packet from Duke University via your Acceptd application.
Off-Campus
DPW students may choose to find their off-campus housing. Many ADF students use the ADF School Housing Collective Facebook page to find roommates to keep expenses low. Students are advised to look for places near Duke’s East or Central Campus, where most classes will be held. Parts of the Trinity Park neighborhood are also walkable to ADF studios. Review this map of summer locations as you research options. ADF is not responsible for off-campus arrangements or agreements.
Additional off-campus housing resources: Craigslist | Off-Campus Duke Housing Resource | Airbnb
Food
There are various dining options and grocery stores around the Duke University campus. Most restaurants and grocery stores are located on Ninth Street, which is a close and walkable option for SDI students. Students may also purchase pay-per-meal dining at Duke University of East Campus Union Marketplace.
Physical Therapy
ADF students have access to a Duke University physical therapy walk-in clinic for the duration of the festival, and it is free of charge.
Parking & Transportation
Parking
For students bringing a car to campus, a one-week parking pass is required. The parking pass only allows students to park on East Campus in designated spots and does not cover off-campus paid parking. ADF is not responsible for parking violations, fines, or vehicle damage incurred while on Duke University’s campus. All students living in 300 Swift will need to purchase an additional parking pass for the dorm garage.
Buses
ADF provides one bus that transports students to performances. A detailed ADF bus schedule will be provided before your arrival. In addition to the ADF buses, the Duke Bus is free and runs regularly around campus.
The GoDurham Bus provides transit throughout Durham.
Bike & E-Scooter Resources
Several bike shops around town offer bike rentals or bike sales. We recommend the Bike Co-Op or looking on Craigslist/Facebook for the most affordable options. Durham is also host to three electric scooter brands: Lime (green), Bird (black), and Spin (orange). Use these services at your own risk, and bring a helmet!
- Durham Bike Co-Op: Buy a bike and fix it up, or fix your bike for very cheap
- Craigslist: Buy a used bike and resell it at the end of the summer
- Facebook Marketplace: Buy a used bike and resell it at the end of the summer
- Durham Cycles: Bike rentals
- Bullseye Bicycle: New/used bikes to buy/rent
- The Bicycle Chain: Bikes to buy
Refund Policy
- Summer 2025:
- The $75 application fee and $100 tuition deposit are nonrefundable.
- June 1, 2025
All paid tuition (less the $100 deposit) and housing will be refunded in full only if written notice of withdrawal is received on or before this date. - June 2, 2025–Day before program start date
Tuition (less the $100 deposit) will be refunded for medical reasons only. A signed doctor’s note is required. Housing fees will be refunded in full. - Program start date
Tuition will not be refunded for any reason. Prorated housing and meal fees will be refunded if a student leaves the festival early. Housing refunds require approval from Duke University.
- All program withdrawals will incur a $50 withdrawal fee. ADF refunds will be processed within 4-6 weeks of withdrawal.
Minimum Enrollment
ADF requires a minimum enrollment for each Dance Professional Workshop and reserves the right to cancel the program if that minimum is not met. ADF takes no responsibility for students’ air travel and housing fees if a program is canceled. Please contact the ADF School Office for enrollment updates before purchasing flights or booking housing.