A Chorus Line auditions: applications now open for Young Ensemble

We have updated this announcement in response to some questions we’ve had.

We are looking for up to 20 young, locally-based, non professional (and non professionally trained) dancers aged 16 – 18 years old to appear as part of our community ensemble in Curve’s Christmas 2021 musical A CHORUS LINE. Please read on for more information about the musical, brief, dates and how to get involved.

THE SHOW AND ROLES

A CHORUS LINE is set in New York City, in 1975. On an empty Broadway stage, performers are put through their paces in the final, gruelling audition for a new Broadway musical.

Young community ensemble members will feature in the scene where dancers audition for the infamously tough director Zach in the first number of the show, “I Hope I Get It”, but don’t quite make the cut.

We are not looking for professional or trained actors or dancers- instead we are hoping to bring together an ensemble for the opening of our show to celebrate our local community. Everyone taking part in the scene will be non-speaking, but they will take part in a dance and vocal sequence at the opening of the musical. Those taking part will work with Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, Olivier and Tony Award-nominated Choreographer Ellen Kane and Musical Director Tamara Saringer on the production.

Please note this is a fully voluntary opportunity.

PRODUCTION DATES

The musical will rehearse and play in Leicester as follows:

• Rehearsals at Curve between Monday 1 November – Thursday 25 November 2021 *

• Technical Rehearsals at Curve between Friday 26 November – Thursday 2 December 2021 (evenings and some daytimes)*

• Performances at Curve between Friday 3 December – Friday 31 December 2021, with further performances possible in the week of 3 January 2022

Full dates for the production are listed below.

Applicants must be fully available in Leicester from Monday 1 November 2021 until Sunday 9 January 2022. Performances will be shared between two teams of dancers.

*Please note the community ensemble will only be required for a very limited number of rehearsals which will mostly be scheduled in the evenings and at the weekend to fit around school/college and work. Whilst we hope everyone will be available throughout the run, you will not be needed for every show and each ensemble member will normally only be required for up to four performances a week.

CRITERIA FOR APPLICANTS

Applicants must be aged 16- 18 years old (in year 12 or above) with a ‘playing age’ of up to 30 years, and must be confident dancers and singers. The opening sequence’s choreography will feature a mix of musical theatre, jazz and ballet styles- no formal training in these areas is required!

Inclusivity sits at the heart of our work at Curve. We encourage applicants from all racial and cultural groups, classes and backgrounds. We welcome submissions from anyone meeting the age criteria, in particular those underrepresented on our stages including individuals from migrant communities and those who speak English as an additional language, transgender young people and participants who are D/deaf and disabled.

HOW TO APPLY

The team at Curve will meet everyone who applies and will select up to 20 people to take part in the ensemble. Group workshop auditions will take place on Saturday 11 September 2021. The deadline for applications is Sunday 29 August 2021 at midnight.

To apply for an audition, please contact Tess Ellison, Senior Producer at Curve on [email protected] with the following information:

– Name

– Age and school year (if applicable)

– Date of birth

– Head-and-shoulders photograph. Please note this doesn’t need to be a professional headshot; it just needs to be a clear picture so we know who you are when you take part in the workshop.

– A brief description of any dance and performance experience at school or college, amateur dramatics etc. Don’t worry if you don’t have any experience, this is a great place to start!

– Details of a next of kin or emergency contact

If you have any questions, you can also call Tess on 0116 242 3562.

FULL DATES

REHEARSALS

Weekday evenings and Saturday mornings: Monday 1 November – Thursday 25 November 2021

TECHNICAL REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES