DANCE AUDITIONS
April 17, 2011
Touhill Performing Arts Center
On the campus of University of Missouri St. Louis
One University Blvd.
St. Louis, Missouri, USA 63121
www.touhill.org
Doors open at 10am
Audition begins at 10:30am
Whitaker Rehearsal Hall
Directions to the Touhill on touhill.org
General Information
MADCO is seeking male and female professional dancers highly trained in modern and ballet. Dancers must be at least 18 years of age to audition. College degree in dance is a plus. Biketard or leotard and bike shorts with bare legs and bare feet is preferred. Please bring ballet shoes, current photo and resume.
MADCO contracts are 10-12 months. The company is seeking to fill positions for salaried company members. If you are unable to attend this audition, it is possible to request and audition by appointment.
ACT NOW to make plans to audition for this exciting company. Selected dancers will rehearse daily at the Touhill Performing Arts Center on the campus of University of Missouri St. Louis, where MADCO is the Professional Dance Company in Residence, work with nationally and internationally known guest artists, perform repertory work, teach and perform in a variety of residencies and education programs, and have national and international touring possibilities.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About MADCO AuditionsQ. Can I audition by video instead of in person?
A. You will always have the best chance to be hired if you attend the audition in person on the audition date. If the expense of traveling to the audition is of concern to you we will pre-screen dancers with a video and resume and provide feedback as to whether or not it is worthwhile for them to invest in traveling to the MADCO audition. We do not hire dancers who we have only seen on video. If you would like to request pre-screening, contact MADCO Artistic Director Stacy West, at 314-341-5407 or at swest@madcodance.com. Applications must be received no later than 10 days prior to the audition.
Q. What if I have a conflict on the audition day?
A. You can request an alternative audition time by contacting MADCO Artistic Director, Stacy West, at 314-341-5407 or at swest@madcodance.com. We will request that you send in a video and resume for us to determine if an alternative audition time is necessary.
Q. If I have been asked to send a video and a resume, what should I send?
A. Please prepare one ballet phrase and one modern phrase. The ballet phrase should demonstrate line, balance, extension, turning ability and general technique. The modern phrase should demonstrate athleticism, including movement initiation from center, moving up and down to the floor, jumps and performance ability. Please wear a leotard and bike shorts with bare legs. Begin your video by stating your name to the camera. The resume should include a current headshot and full body picture. Dancers may upload video to YouTube and email a link with attached resume and pictures to swest@madcodance.com.
Q. Do I need to prepare choreography for the audition?
A. No
Q. How is the audition structured?
A. Doors open at 10am for check in and self warm-up. At 10:30am, MADCO Rehearsal Directors will give a brief group warm-up in modern technique. Participants will do a short ballet combination and a short modern combination followed by a cut. Remaining participants will do additional modern combinations. At the end of the audition a small group of dancers will be selected to move on to the interview process. Everyone else will be cut. If there are too many people to interview in one day the process is as follows. If you are from outside of St. Louis the interview will be conducted immediately following the audition. Each interview takes approximately 30 minutes. If you are from St. Louis and selected for an interview we will inform you of our intent to talk with you and contact you the following day to set up an interview time. The actual audition will be over no later than 2pm. Interviews usually do not go later than 5pm. Early interview times are given to those who have departing flights that evening.
Q. What happens after the interview?
A. The answer to this question varies. After meeting everyone in the interview, we sometimes decide that a call back is needed. The call back generally takes place at the end of May. If no call back is needed we generally make offers within two weeks of the audition. Offers are made within days of a call back.
Q. Does MADCO pay its dancers?
A. Yes. MADCO dancers are hourly employees. The company withholds federal and state taxes and contributes to social security and medicare. MADCO also contributes to a wellness plan that includes training and physical therapy for the dancers. Unfortunately MADCO has a limited number of positions (8-10) and a limited budget. Once the allotted paid positions are filled it is possible that unpaid positions will be offered.
Q. What is the length of the contract?
A. Dancers report to work the first week of August. The contract goes through May of the following year. Dancers are required to re-audition each year.
Q. When does MADCO rehearse?
A. MADCO rehearsals are Monday thru Thursday from 8:30am to 1pm at the Touhill Performing Arts Center where MADCO is the Professional Dance Company in residence. Most MADCO dancers teach dance at local studios. We do assist with helping new dancers find teaching jobs in the community.
Q. How much does MADCO perform?
A. MADCO produces two concerts per year (4 performances) at the Touhill Performing Arts Center. Bookings do vary from season to season but as a leader in the St. Louis dance community, MADCO performs regularly in the St. Louis community and beyond in concert performances, at festivals and as a part of the company’s residency program.
Q. What is MADCO looking for in a dancer?
A. MADCO artists have passion to be professional dancers, bring positive energy into the work environment and contribute strong work ethic to the group. It is preferred but not required that our dancers have college degrees in dance. Dancers must be excellent technicians able to adapt to the styles of a variety of contemporary choreographers. A strong background in ballet is helpful. MADCO dancers must also have an interest in teaching and working with school children for the company’s extensive residency program. MADCO dancers must have the maturity to professionally represent the company in the community and at company events.
For more information call 314-341-5407