The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble seeks young women tap dancers age 9-18 for our 2024 Youth Ensemble to perform in our annual holiday concert, The Tapcracker, at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre on December 14 & 15. 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 2024 - 2025 season.
Saturday, June 15, 2024
Auditions will be held at: Institute of Dance Artistry 400 Commerce Dr, Fort Washington, PA 19034
Audition times TBD. Select dancers may be asked to stay for the next round of auditions based on skill and maturity. For dancers ages 9-12, this would mean staying through the ages 13-18 audition. For dancers ages 13-18, this would mean staying through the First Company & Apprentice audition.
Questions about The Lady Hoofers Youth Ensemble or The Tapcracker can be directed to our Administrative Assistant: [email protected]
Accepted Dancers
• Dancers will be notified of audition results via email by June 30th. • Non-refundable 50% deposit will be due online by July 15th. • Remaining balance will be due at our first rehearsal on September 8th. • Payment plans are available by request. • Parents will be invited to attend a portion of our first rehearsal on September 8th for a full company welcome and meeting. Full casting for The Tapcracker will be announced on this date.
Rehearsal Fees
The rehearsal fee for participation in The Lady Hoofers Youth Ensemble is $495. 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 • A photo shoot and headshots with a professional photographer (to take place in August; date TBD) • A DVD of the 2024 performance of The Tapcracker • Pre-sale access to purchase tickets for The Tapcracker prior to public sale
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available. Please email [email protected]for further information. 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.
Rehearsals
Weekly rehearsals will take place on Sunday afternoons from 3:00-5:00pm beginning after Labor Day at Diverse Dance Co. in Jenkintown, PA. Dependent upon casting, select dancers may be asked to attend rehearsal with the adult dancers of our First Company from 5:00-8:00pm 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 Dress Rehearsal on Sunday, December 3 and for the full weekend of The Tapcracker on December 13, 14, & 15 which will include Friday dress/tech rehearsal and Saturday/Sunday performances. Detailed schedule subject to change; tech and performances will be held at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre 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.
Shoes & Costumes
Costumes and accessories will be supplied by The Lady Hoofers Tap Ensemble and will remain property of the ensemble. Dancers are expected to provide their own shoes and undergarments (tights, leotards, etc.) but no additional costume fees will be charged. A detailed list of required undergarments and recommended shoes will be provided to accepted dancers.
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