Swing Patrol Troupe Auditions 2010

With a little more movement in and out of troupes than first thought, we have decided to run auditions for both Harlem Shout and Brat Pack performance troupes.

Echoes of Harlem has no outstanding places and will not be involved in the auditions. 

Auditions don’t occur every year as we like to allow members more than one year to develop. In previous years we have ‘spilled and filled’ all troupe places, however it won’t be the case this time. Existing members do not need to (re) audition for their place. We are auditioning to bring troupe numbers back up to pre-determined levels.

Brat Pack Auditions
Sunday 21st February
10.30am - 12.30pm
Tikki Bar - 327 Swan Street Richmond
 
What will I do?

* Social dance - jack and jill style (dance with a variety of partners to songs of varying tempos)

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General points to consider:

- There is no alternate audition date – you must attend at the advertised date and time.

- Auditions are open all Lindy Hop dancers – you don’t need to have been in a troupe previously.

- You don’t need to be a ‘member of Swing Patrol’ to audition.

- If you did not make Harlem Shout, you may audition for Brats (Harlem Shout places will be advised prior to the Brat Pack audition).

- If you are going overseas for 3 months or more, please do not audition, we need people who can be "in the room" throughout the year.

- If you do not like performing, please do not audition. These are performance troupes.

- Cam, Shaz, Anthony, Sarah and Claudia will be guiding you through the audition process and troupe leaders will allocate troupe places.

Some questions you may have…
 
i) How many places are there?

Harlem Shout - 7 leads, 7 follows
Brat Pack – the number of places will depend on the outcome of the HS audition

ii) What will you be looking for from those that audition?

# Dance ability at varying speeds
# Connection
# Working with a partner
# Performance skills
# Timing
# Dance/performance posture

iii) What other things are on the troupe leaders’ minds?

There are sometimes a couple of extra follows in the troupes and this can be tolerated.

We will only take people of standard as it’s very frustrating to have sub-standard members in the group simply to make up the numbers. Thus the number of the troupe can be determined by the standard.
 
iv) What are the expectations when we get there?

* you need to be at the weekly session (weekly. ie every week).
* you need to sign up for gigs
* you need to love performing
* you need to demand the best from your teachers
* you need to work hard in all sessions
* you need to be a team player
* you need to embrace a wide variety of dance styles and music (but no, we won't make you do R&R)
* you will represent Swing Patrol happily at gigs – paid or unpaid

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Troupe Session Format

Troupe: Harlem Shout
Time: Sundays 5.30pm – 7.30pm
Where: Forever Dance Richmond (Funpit Venue)
Cost: $14 per 2 hour session ** Might increase slightly for 2010**
Troupe Leaders: Anthony and Sarah
Performances: Some paid; some not.
Profile of troupe: Slick, corporate troupe booked for most of the corporate gigs that come in via Swing Patrol HQ – but can be booked for weddings, funerals, anything.

Anthony and Sarah's role is to co-ordinate and manage the sessions with a focus on gig material, dancer development and performance styling. They are the anchors of the troupe, but will not teach all sessions throughout the year - giving you access to a variety of some of the best teachers in and out of Melbourne. The aim is to broaden your dancing and improve your ability with, and through, the focussed goals of performance.
 
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Troupe: Brat Pack 
Time: Wednesdays 7.00pm – 8:30pm
Where: The Bardin Centre, Uniting Church Hall, 8 Glenlyon Rd, Brunswick
Cost: $14 per 1.5 hour rehearsal
Troupe Leaders: Cam and Shaz
Performances: Some paid; some not.
Profile of troupe: Developmental troupe who performs at gigs for charities and community groups, fundraisers, outdoor events and festivals, casual parties and Swing Patrol balls.
 
Cam and Shaz's role is to co-ordinate the troupe, provide direction in the learning and dance development of the group and build a repertoire for gigs. The aim is to broaden your dancing and improve technical dance and performance ability via weekly sessions with like-minded dancers. It’s also loads of fun! They are the anchors of the troupe, but will not teach all sessions throughout the year - giving you access to a variety of some of the best teachers in and out of Melbourne.

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Audition Registration

***PLEASE NOTE***

FOLLOW registrations for Brat Pack have CLOSED

LEADS may still register and are encouraged to do so!

If you would like to audition, please send us the following in an email to info@swingpatrol.com.au :
 
Name:
Phone number:
Email Address:
Troupe you are auditioning for*:
Lead or Follow:
I would love to audition for troupe this year as I'm not going away for a prolonged time and am available and eager for weekly rehearsals.

Best wishes and Bring it on!