Dance

2006/07 Dance Auditions Announcement

Rhode Island College

An undergraduate major in dance performance was established at RI College in 2000. While there is no audition requirement for students who elect to major in dance, auditions are required for the Rhode Island College Dance Company, Special Talent Awards in Dance, and for the Helen Forman Dance Scholarship. Please read below for specific information on the 2006/2007 audition schedule and procedures.

New Members of the Rhode Island College Dance Company

The Rhode Island College Dance Company will celebrate its 48th anniversary season during the 2006/2007 academic year. This student ensemble/organization has played an important leadership and educational role at RIC and within the Rhode Island dance community since its founding in 1958. The Company's mission is to provide high quality dance performance and educational programming for RIC students and for the larger community. Our programs and events fulfill this twofold purpose by (1) providing our students with a highly professional dance training and performance opportunity and (2) by providing the larger RIC community and with performance and educational programs which foster an appreciation of dance. The organization's hallmark has been its involvement in the local, regional, and national dance community through the extensive participation of guest artists.

Audition Dates/Time

• February 13 & 15, 2007 (for prospective 2007 freshmen and transfer students and for current RIC students)
• 4:30-6:00 p.m., Melcer Studio, Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (only one audition class is required)

Eligibility Requirements

• The candidate must be, or plan to be, a student at RI College. Accepted members must be enrolled to participate.
• Strong interest in dance training and performance.
• Ability to fulfill a rigorous rehearsal and performance schedule.

Selection Criteria

Student must be able to demonstrate fundamental proficiency in performance of basic dance class exercises and movement sequences.

RI College Special Talent Awards in Dance for 2007/2008

Special Talent Awards were established to recognize and encourage students who have exceptional talent or skill in the visual and performing arts, areas of intercollegiate competition (other than athletics), or similar fields. Currently, the College offers Special Talent Awards in the following areas: art, chess, communications, dance, music, and theatre. While the requirements for these awards vary by department, award competition is open to entering freshmen and transfer students. Dance awards range from $200 to $2,200 per year.

Audition Date/Time

Saturday, March 3, 2007; 2:00-3:30 p.m.; Melcer Studio, Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts. (All participants will be provided with at least two complimentary tickets to the RIC Dance Company 48th Annual Spring Concert Series. Performance dates are March 1-3 at 8:00 p.m. and March 4 at 2:00 p.m. All performances will be held in the Auditorium in Roberts Hall.)

Eligibility Requirements

• Only current or prospective RIC Dance Company Members are eligible for these awards.
• New students must be enrolled in an RI College degree program before fall 2007.
• Student must maintain at least half-time status regarding attempted course credit each semester.
• Student must maintain their status as a member in good standing in the Rhode Island College Dance Company

Selection Criteria

• Dance student demonstrates the physical attributes of alignment, flexibility, endurance, rhythm, poise, ability to phrase movement in time and space, and strength as a dancer on an intermediate level of competence.
• Dance student demonstrates an intermediate to advanced level of ability to perform complex adagio and allegro patterns of dance movement in center floor, and shows comparable ability to perform traveling patterns of movement through space.
• Dance student demonstrates advanced level of coordination for dance movement.
• Student demonstrates classic line in body for concert dance movement.

Helen Forman Dance Scholar

2007/08-2010/11; Full tuition scholarship

Helen Forman '34 Special Talent Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in 1999 with a gift from Helen Forman '34 to support three annual full tuition scholarships to attract and retain the most talented students in the areas of music, theatre, and dance.

Audition Date/Time

Saturday, March 3, 2007; 2:00-3:30 p.m.

Melcer Studio, Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts

Eligibility Requirements

• Student must be an incoming freshman enrolled as a dance major before fall 2007.
• Student must submit a statement of career goals and a detailed resume of previous training and performance experience two weeks prior to the audition.
• Student must have their high school guidance office send a copy of their official high school transcript.
• Please forward all materials to: Melody Ruffin Ward, 220 Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, Rhode Island College, Providence, RI 02908 two weeks before the audition date.
• Student must maintain status as outstanding contributing member of the dance program over four years and maintain a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average
• Student must maintain full-time status regarding attempted course credit each semester.

Selection Criteria

• Dance student demonstrates outstanding talent and facility for concert dance performance.
• Evidence of ability to achieve academic excellence.

Audition Reservations Required

Please e-mail mward@ric.edu or call (401) 456-1955 to reserve space in the audition class of your choice. Provide your name, daytime phone, and identify the audition in which you will participate. Also please indicate if you are a dance major, dance minor, or non-major. Your reservation will be confirmed by phone or e-mail. Reservations will be taken on a first call, first serve basis.

Recommended Attire

Students should wear leotards and footless or stirrup tights (bare feet only). T-shirts, sweat shirts and pants, and other forms of athletic wear are also acceptable as long as they are somewhat form fitting.

For further information please contact Melody Ruffin Ward at (401) 456-1955 or mward@ric.edu.

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