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Sunday, December 10, 2006
On Saturday at Dance 101 studios in Atlanta, Beyonce and her choreographer Frank Gatson Jr. auditioned over a thousand dancers competing for a spot on Beyonce's upcoming 2007 world tour.
Atlanta is just one of many cities where auditions will be held in search of talented dancers. Houston, New York, Chicago, and L.A. are also scheduled. The latter will most likely have the most dancers with actual contracts by the end of the audition tour.
Having danced professionaly in LA and New York for years I'm well aware of how the process works. Huge open calls are held throughout the country for dancers without agents and they dance their hearts out at the audition only to lose to more experienced agency dancers who have probably worked with the choreographer previously.
Despite the politics of professional dancing, these kids were lined up in the freezing cold with extra layers on and a dream.
As I watched the audition I remembered back to a time when that would have been me out in the freezing cold and I wonder how in the hell did I do it. The saying is true, "if you don't wake up in the morning and dancing is the first thing on your mind, then do something else". It's not a career for the weak, rejection is apart of the game.
I video taped all of the action outside of the audition for you to view. The dance community is so small and it never fails that I always run into old friends at a call, this audition was no exception. Enjoy!
Labels: Entertainment
7 Comments:
So is it wise for me as a non agency dancer to fly from Florida to NYC to audition for Beyonce, being the fact that you feel most of the dancers will be agency dancers out of LA?
December 26, 2006 2:45 PM
Do your thing, Sheena! Just because one person says it's a bad idea doesn't mean it is! I'm traveling from Boston to New York for the auditions, come rain or shine, or agency dancers!
Good luck
December 27, 2006 3:18 PM
Why would Beyonce waste her time auditioning non-agency dancers if, in the end, that's what she is looking for? It would cause too much hype and be a waste of everyone's time and money to audition people she doesn't want.
December 27, 2006 3:20 PM
Sheena I would never tell you not to attend the audition. I was just speaking from my personal experience as a professional dancer who has been lucky enough to have agency representation.
The one thing you don't learn when you're training is the reality of the business. It really doesn't matter how talented you are because every dancer has something special that they're bringing to the table. It's about who you know, your look, and your skill level is the last thing considered.
Artists have these huge open calls all the time. In Beyonce's case her choreographer Frank is doing an audition tour. You're not only up against everyone else in the audition room but Frank's elite crew of dancers he's previously worked with as well.
I would never discourage anyone from chasing their dreams. I'm just a realist and I think you should go into this cattle call situation with both eyes open. Girl go and dance your heart out! But for your own good, leave the experience at the studio when it's over and move on to the next audition.
December 27, 2006 5:13 PM
I agree Darian. I didn't mean to discredit what you said. People tell me I'm crazy for thinking I have a shot, so I am quick to jump at anything negative that people say. You're absolutely right. You can't take anything personally in this business---what I want to know is---where are the NY auditions being held? She also hasn't announced where in Houston the January 6th auditions are. Is it typical to wait until the last minute to make these announcements? I'm worried that they might get canceled! What do you think, Darren?
Thanks.
December 28, 2006 9:05 AM
Here is the Houston info!!!!!
I just found it today! I was getting worried myself!!!
GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!
January 6
Houston, Texas
Location: Barbara King Studios
5200 Bissonnet
Bellaire, Texas
713-667-3890 office
832-489-9305 cell
Open call men - 12 to 2pm.
Open cal women-3pm to 6pm.
Agency call men and women 7pm.
January 02, 2007 3:53 PM
I am going to attend the NYC auditions next week, i was wondering what do i need to do to prepare myself? i know its only a week away! Also, how are the auditions held? Individual or as a group and they teach you choreography and you have to dance it back..get back to me please!! thanks!
January 06, 2007 2:56 PM
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