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Office Hours: Mon. - Thur. 3:15pm - 6:30pm.
WHAT ABOUT AUDITIONS?
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Dancers auditioning for Academy Dance Center's 'The Polar Express' are encouraged to take regular dance lessons, but are not required to participate.
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Dancers will be viewed by age groups and placed according to the roles/costumes available. Choreographers will show a few steps from the appropriate dance(s) for each age group, and then have dancers show the steps in small groups. Every effort is made to place ALL dancers auditioning in a role suited to their age and abilities.
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No prepared work is needed for the audition, but a professional appearance, attention to detail, pointed feet, good posture, an interested smile and focused behavior will enhance the experience and the dancer’s placement.
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AUDITION FORM - Please complete & submit the online Audition Form prior to attending the audition. There will be limited forms available during the morning of the audition. To access the Audition Form - CLICK HERE
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Audition times are listed by age groups: Ages 6 - 11: 9:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. & Ages 12 & Up: 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. PLEASE PLAN TO ARRIVE AT LEAST 5 to 10 MINUTES EARLY TO BE dressed, warmed-up and ready for your groups’ audition. Dancers will be auditioning/dancing for their entire time block and should stay for the duration of their age group's audition times.
ARRIVAL - Please Enter through the Front Entrance Doors. Once inside, turn to the LEFT & locate Studio 2 for participant check-in & warm-up. Participants should already be dressed in audition attire with cover-ups when entering the building.
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ACCOMPANYING INDIVIDUALS - For space & capacity, parents/guardians of younger children may accompany their participant inside the building for drop-off. Once the dancer is settled inside the Audition Warm-Up area (Studio 2), accompanying individuals should promptly exit the building. Older participants should be dropped off at the front entrance/parking lot. (Don't Forget to Submit the Online Audition Form before arrival)
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DEPARTURE - Audition participants will utilize the entire time frame of their audition block and will be dismissed for departure from the same front entrance in which they arrived. Please do not block the front portico drive-thru when picking up your dancer; there is also additional parking in the back of the building.
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Participants will be notified of casting decisions by email within the week following their audition. Rehearsals will begin for all participants Saturday morning - August 24th.
WHAT DO WE WEAR?
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Audition participants should wear their normal dance class attire and bring the corresponding dance shoes to audition with.
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Dancers with minimal experience should wear 'easy to move-in' clothes and tennis shoes.
PARTICIPATION & COST REQUIREMENTS
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Submit the Production Participation-Costume Rental Fee of $160 by the first rehearsal, August 24th.
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Attend all rehearsals; 1 excused absence allowed (see Absence Information)
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Regularly check the Academy website under the Holiday Productions - 'Cast' Tab for updated rehearsal calendars & important information as the season progresses. Look for your dancer's 'Code Letter' designation in the initial acceptance email.
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Purchase your own Tights & Shoe colors for Character & Pre-Character Roles or Ensemble Dance Routines
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Submit the minimum Ticket Purchase of (4) tickets at $24 each by the Saturday, November 2nd Rehearsal.
(Payment Submissions - participants who are also Academy students will have Holiday Production Fees posted &
processed through their JackRabbit Account on the dates above. )
WHAT IS THE REHEARSAL SCHEDULE?
An initial rehearsal schedule will be provided in the placement acceptance email. After the initial email, the audition & monthly updated rehearsal calendars/information will be posted on the Academy website under the Holiday Production 'Cast' Tab. Dancers will be assigned a 'Code Letter' for the dances/casting they are placed in and will be used when navigating the website to find particular information & schedules.
Rehearsals will take place at Academy Dance Center - 4300 Warm Springs Road Columbus, GA 31909.
Generally, rehearsals will occur every other weekend starting Saturday, August 24 until the performance.
Rehearsal times will vary depending on the casting selections and routine placement.
During October/November, rehearsals & run-throughs will take place more frequently (excluding Thanksgiving Break week).
Characters & Pre-Characters along with a couple group routines, will rehearse (generally) every Thursday (starting Sept. 5) from 8:15 p.m. - 9:10p.m.
Characters/Pre-Characters will also rehearse Saturday, November 9th (in the morning) to finalize any solo, duo, trio & character group dances along with setting the production narration. **October 12 (Saturday) may be called as a Character/Pre-Character Rehearsal, if needed.
General Saturday Rehearsal Dates for All Performers:
August 24
September 7 & 21
October 5 & 19
November 2, 16, & 23
Full Run-Through [ALL Cast Members] at the Academy Studio
Wednesday, December 4 at 6:00 p.m.
WHEN IS DRESS REHEARSAL & THE PERFORMANCES?
----Full Dress Rehearsal (in costume at the theatre):
Friday, December 6 at 4:45 p.m.
----Performances:
Saturday, December 7 at 7:00 p.m. & Sunday, December 8 at 2:00 p.m.
WHAT IF I HAVE TO BE ABSENT FOR A REHEARSAL?
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Dancers are allowed ONE excused/predetermined absence. A second absence may be allowed at the director’s discretion.
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Notify ADC via email to academydancecenteroffice@gmail.com as soon you know about pre- determined absences. Please include the name of the dancer, date of planned absence and reason for absence.
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Emergency absences (illnesses, changes of plans, family funerals) must be called in to (706) 561 - 8085.
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Failure to report absences may result in dismissal.
HOW CAN I HELP?
Thanks for asking!! Volunteers are essential to bringing this performance to life. All families are asked to participate or volunteer in support of this production in some way. We will be using the online service VolunteerSpot so please watch your emails for information.
To support and keep production/ticket prices low souvenirs will be sold during this production. Please support us by purchasing:
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DVDs
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Program advertising
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Production T-Shirt Sales
After Placement & Cast assignments, additional Production information will be provided & includes:
1. Monthly Detailed Rehearsal Schedules - updated regularly
2. Dress Rehearsal & Performance Information
3. Performance Hair & Makeup
4. Costume Rental Policy