Auditions for 2021 SeasonThe Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble seeks young women tap dancers age 9-18 for our 2021 Youth Ensemble to perform in our annual holiday concert, THE TAPCRACKER, at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. Advanced high school-aged dancers who exhibit exception skill and maturity may also be offered an Apprentice position with the Ensemble for the full duration of our 2021/2022 season. Due to social distancing needs, our first round of auditions will be conducted virtually. Interested dancers must: 1) Click here to complete the online registration form. Dancers should do this with the help of a parent or guardian. 2) Upload a headshot at the end of the Registration Form. Headshots do not need to be taken professionally, but should feature the dancer's head and shoulders against a plain background. JPG or PNG files preferred. 3) Record and submit an audition video via email to info@ladyhoofers.org by the end of the day Friday, June 18th. Further information on the audition video, including requirements and practical tips, can be found below. Accepted dancers will be invited to attend an in-person casting and welcome session with the entire ensemble on Sunday, June 27th. |
Photos by: Sa'Mantha Sayten
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Questions about The Lady Hoofers or THE TAPCRACKER can be directed to: info@ladyhoofers.org
Audition Video Information
Videos can be filmed on a phone in a studio of whatever space is safe for you to dance in at home. (See our Covid-19 Resources for information about tap boards you can use at home.) Video submissions should be between 2 and 5 minutes long and must include the following:
Introduction: dancer should introduce herself including name, age, and why she wants to audition for THE TAPCRACKER.
Performance: 1 - 2 minutes of choreography, either acapella or with music. If the dancer is performing choreography learned from someone else (i.e. a portion of a competition or recital dance) she should credit the choreographer in her introduction.
Additional Skills: dancers are welcome to demonstrate additional skills and steps as desired.
We are assessing dancers not only for their tap technique, but also use of arms and upper body, and stage presence. So, smile! We are casting The Tapcracker, Clara, the Mouse Queen, Mice, Tower Guards, Mimes, and Chefs with additional roles for advanced dancers.
Video Submission: Videos can be sent as an email attachment, Google Drive link, YouTube link, or Vimeo link to info@ladyhoofers.org. Please note: if you are uploading to YouTube, Vimeo, or another public forum, and your dancer is performing someone else's choreography, we recommend selecting "unlisted" for the video so as not to share creative work without permission.
Introduction: dancer should introduce herself including name, age, and why she wants to audition for THE TAPCRACKER.
Performance: 1 - 2 minutes of choreography, either acapella or with music. If the dancer is performing choreography learned from someone else (i.e. a portion of a competition or recital dance) she should credit the choreographer in her introduction.
Additional Skills: dancers are welcome to demonstrate additional skills and steps as desired.
We are assessing dancers not only for their tap technique, but also use of arms and upper body, and stage presence. So, smile! We are casting The Tapcracker, Clara, the Mouse Queen, Mice, Tower Guards, Mimes, and Chefs with additional roles for advanced dancers.
Video Submission: Videos can be sent as an email attachment, Google Drive link, YouTube link, or Vimeo link to info@ladyhoofers.org. Please note: if you are uploading to YouTube, Vimeo, or another public forum, and your dancer is performing someone else's choreography, we recommend selecting "unlisted" for the video so as not to share creative work without permission.
Rehearsal Fees
The rehearsal fee for participation in The Lady Hoofers Youth Ensemble is $450. Accepted Youth Ensemble dancers will receive:
• Three months of instruction in company repertoire
• Experience working with professional choreographers
• Training in performance, musicality, and improvisation*
• Professional performance opportunity on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts**
• Discount code to purchase tickets to THE TAPCRACKER prior to public sale
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available. Please email info@ladyhoofers.org for further information. DVDs of the performance, program advertisements or notes of congratulations, and additional company merchandise will also be available for purchase at THE TAPCRACKER.
*Rehearsals will focus on choreography, not technique; dancers are expected to continue taking regular tap classes at their home studios and are also encouraged to take ballet, jazz, and hip hop.
**Due to Covid-19, our ability to perform at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre depends upon public health guidelines. In the event a full scale production is not possible, dancers will still participate in a professional performance in an alternate setting.
• Three months of instruction in company repertoire
• Experience working with professional choreographers
• Training in performance, musicality, and improvisation*
• Professional performance opportunity on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts**
• Discount code to purchase tickets to THE TAPCRACKER prior to public sale
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available. Please email info@ladyhoofers.org for further information. DVDs of the performance, program advertisements or notes of congratulations, and additional company merchandise will also be available for purchase at THE TAPCRACKER.
*Rehearsals will focus on choreography, not technique; dancers are expected to continue taking regular tap classes at their home studios and are also encouraged to take ballet, jazz, and hip hop.
**Due to Covid-19, our ability to perform at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre depends upon public health guidelines. In the event a full scale production is not possible, dancers will still participate in a professional performance in an alternate setting.
Casting
Dancers will be notified of audition results via email by June 18th. Accepted dancers will be invited to attend an in-person session on Sunday, June 27th from 3:00-5:00pm to learn a combination for casting purposes. Parents will also be invited to attend a portion of this session for a full company welcome and meeting. Preliminary casting for THE TAPCRACKER will be announced on this date.
• Non-refundable deposit will be due online by July 15th; alternatively, you may submit payment at our in-person session on June 27th.
• Remaining balance will be billed monthly this fall.
• Non-refundable deposit will be due online by July 15th; alternatively, you may submit payment at our in-person session on June 27th.
• Remaining balance will be billed monthly this fall.
Rehearsals
Weekly rehearsals will take place on Sunday afternoons from 3:00-5:00pm beginning after Labor Day. We will confirm rehearsal location(s) as we review and revise our Covid-19 safety protocols. Dependent upon casting, select dancers may be asked to attend rehearsal with the adult dancers of our First Company from 5:00-7:30pm on specific dates. In November, all dancers should expect to stay as late at 8:00pm for full run-throughs with the entire cast. Dancers MUST ATTEND all Sunday rehearsals leading up to the concert (no rehearsal will be held Thanksgiving weekend). Dancers who miss two or more rehearsals will be released from the company and their rehearsal fee will not be refunded.
Performances
Dancers must be available for one full weekend including Friday dress/tech rehearsal and Saturday/Sunday performances on December 10th-12th, 2021.
Detailed schedule subject to change; tech and performances will be held in Center City Philadelphia. Select dancers may also have the opportunity to perform with The Lady Hoofers at promotional performances in October or November. Past seasons have included The Nutcracker Market at the Kimmel Center, RiverRink Winterfest, Franklin Square, and Headhouse Farmer's Market.
Detailed schedule subject to change; tech and performances will be held in Center City Philadelphia. Select dancers may also have the opportunity to perform with The Lady Hoofers at promotional performances in October or November. Past seasons have included The Nutcracker Market at the Kimmel Center, RiverRink Winterfest, Franklin Square, and Headhouse Farmer's Market.
