Youth Ensemble Auditions

The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble seeks female tap dancers age 10-18 for our 2017 Youth Ensemble to perform in Tapcracker, our 5th annual Holiday Concert

Sunday, June 11, 2017 from 3:30-4:30pm
Institute of Dance Artistry
37 E. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA

OR

Friday, June 16, 2017 from 7:00-8:00pm
at 954 Movement Collective
954 N. 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA

*Advanced dancers should attend on Sunday, June 11 if possible; some may be invited to stay for a call back from 5:00-6:00pm


Audition Dates
Note: Dancers only need to attend one audition date, not both.  Dancers are expected to arrive 15 minutes early to check in. A parent or guardian must accompany each dancer for a brief orientation and to sign a photo and injury release form.

Dancers must bring an 8 x 10 headshot printed on glossy photo paper and their tap shoes. Note: Headshots do not need to be taken professionally but should feature the dancer’s head and shoulders against a plain background. Digital photos can easily be printed at Walgreens, Target, etc.

Performances
Dancers must be available for dress/tech rehearsals and performances the second weekend in December, including:
  • Thursday, December 7th, 4:00 - 8:00
  • Friday, December 8th, all day
  • Saturday, December 9th, all day
Detailed schedule to be determined; Friday and Saturday will be at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre in 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.

Rehearsals
Weekly rehearsals will take place at the Institute of Dance Artistry in Plymouth Meeting on Sunday afternoons from 3:00-5:00 beginning after Labor Day. Dancers MUST ATTEND all Sunday rehearsals leading up to the Holiday 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.

Rehearsal Fees
Accepted Youth Ensemble dancers will receive:
  • Three months of instruction*
  • Experience working with professional choreographers
  • Training in technique, performance, musicality, and improvisation
  • A professional performance opportunity at a major theatre on Philadelphia's Avenue of the Arts
  • Lady Hoofers T-Shirt
  • A discount code to purchase additional tickets prior to public sale

The rehearsal fee for participation in The Lady Hoofers Youth Ensemble is $450.  A limited number of need-based scholarships are available.  Please email katie@ladyhoofers.org for further information.  DVDs of the performance, program advertisements or notes of congratulations, and additional Lady Hoofers merchandise will also be available for purchase.

*Rehearsals will focus on choreography; dancers are expected to continue taking regular tap classes at their home studios and are also encouraged to take ballet and jazz to help with technique.

Acceptance and Payment
Dancers will be notified of their acceptance into the company by July 1st.
  • Non-refundable deposit of $200 must be made by July 15th. 
  • Remaining balance of $250 must be paid on or before September 10th. 

Registration for Youth Ensemble Auditions are now CLOSED
Casting results coming soon!
All photos by Bill Hebert
About Tapcracker

In celebration of our 5th Anniversary, the Lady Hoofers are proud to present Tapcracker, a full length, all tap version of the classic holiday favorite. Set to the music of both Tchaikovsky and Duke Ellington, the Tapcracker will transport audiences to Paris, where an infestation of rats has thrown the city into chaos. Toy soldiers guard the Eiffel Tower, mice wreck havoc in the Metro, and frazzled chefs prefer for a feast at the magical palace of Versailles, featuring characters from the beloved Land of the Sweets.After several years of sold out performances at the Performance Garage, the company will be moving to the Suzanne Roberts Theater on Philadelphia’s Avenue of the Arts, thanks in part to a grant from The Philadelphia Cultural Fund. The Tapcracker will feature The Lady Hoofers First Company, Apprentice Dancers and 2017 Youth Ensemble, comprised of talented students from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.