Auditions for 2008-09

2008-09 Orchesis Dance Theatre Auditions (Men and Women)

Dates: September 3, 2008 from7:00-9:00pm OR September 4, 2008 from 7:00-9:00pm OR September 5, 2008 from 7:00-9:00pm (please sign up for one audition date)

Place: 127 Rose Center Dance Studio

Registration Fee: $5.00 per person (to be paid at your audition)

All interested dancers must sign-up for one (1) audition date. Sign-up sheets will be posted on the bulletin board outside of Moore Hall 133. In order to audition you must be a CMU student and have a strong background in Ballet, Modern and/or Jazz technique with an emphasis in performing and an interest in choreography. Additionally, you must be available 3-4 afternoons and/or evenings for rehearsals and company class, as well as selected weekends.

Auditions consist of a technique class with traveling combinations and selected repertory materials.

Dancers need to wear dance attire and should bring appropriate dance shoes.

Call Backs: Sunday, September 7, 2009 from 2:00-4:00pm (this is mandatory attendance)

Criteria For Selection of New Company Members

1. Evidence of technical proficiency of certain designated skills common to all styles of dance movement.

Each dancer auditioning should have an intermediate skill level in at least one style of dance training. i.e. Tap, Jazz, Ballet and/or Pointe, Modern, Ethnic, etc. This pertains primarily to female dancers. Males need not have had previous experience but should show some athletic abilities.

2. Potential for further development for learning and acquisition of new and/or additional skills.

Each dancer auditioning should be capable of learning and be willing to work in other styles or techniques other than the ones they are basically trained for.

3. Evidence of style, stage presence, and fundamental attributes necessary for performance.

Each dancer auditioning should have the ability to project.

Tips on How to Audition

Auditions are necessary. No matter how well you have performed in your past dance classes, no matter how well you are known for your work onstage in past performances, no matter what your level of accomplishments have been now or in the past, an audition is that time when an artistic director makes decisions. To find suitable performers, to create a cast or fill a role, or replace lost individuals. He/she is looking for dancers that will be in harmony with the rest of the company. It's the moment when image becomes the reality.

One of the most important parts of the audition is your attitude. What does it project? Do you assume auditions are only a formality? That the choices are predetermined? That you must have a certain "look," be good at playing politics or have "connections" to get in? If so, you are setting a negative pattern for yourself that is hard to hide. While all those accusations may be true sometime in your past experiences, it is not necessarily going to be true this time. The important questions to ask yourself are:

1. Do I really want to audition for this company?

2. Why do I want to belong to Orchesis?

3. Am I prepared to audition?

Are you auditioning just because you are expected to by your family, friends, or classmates? Are you auditioning on the possibility of getting in only on a lucky break? The best way to regard your audition is to consider it a chance to show yourself in a new light, to demonstrate that you can learn new movements quickly, to reveal your strengths, personality and adaptability to a group or role

Remember, a dance company needs individuals that are unique and versatile. You may feel that you fit all the requirements, but the director may not feel that you fit the image or the needs of the company. What the director is looking for can sometimes change if a dancer with potential is found. So, it is important that you show yourself off in the best possible way.

For more information or questions, please email Orchesis directors.

Good luck!