Companydance 2020-21 Audition Information & Form Link

About Companydance

Companydance is one of the dance department’s faculty-directed student dance companies. It is comprised of several separate projects and pieces, including First-Year Dance Project, Senior Dance Capstone Concert, and Companydance Spring Concert (faculty, guest artist, and student choreographed dances).
Companydance is open by audition to all students, with projects and pieces that offer student dancers a wide variety of performing opportunities.
All students selected for Companydance will be automatically enrolled in the no credit course Dance 180: Companydance, which will show on student transcripts or degree audits.

Read carefully through all of the information below before filling out the audition form. The dance department wants you to understand your participation opportunities and responsibilities before auditioning for Companydance.

AUDITIONS FOR COMPANYDANCE 2020-21:
*Open to all students.*

COMPANYDANCE and FIRST YEAR DANCE PROJECT:

Monday, September 7 from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. – Juniors and Seniors
Wagner Bundgaard Studio One, Center for Art and Dance

Tuesday, September 8 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. – First Years and Sophomores
Wagner Bundgaard Studio Two, Center for Art and Dance

*(If you can’t make the audition on Tuesday then attend the audition on Monday, September 7 from 3:30 – 5:30pm in Studio One or vice versa)

This audition will happen in person in small groups that will be assigned after filling out the Companydance/FYDP audition form. If you prefer to audition virtually let Dance Faculty Heather Klopchin know (klopchin@stolaf.edu)

The audition form is located at the bottom of this webpage. The form is due Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020, at 9:00 p.m.

All Companydance Projects will be designed for and are expected to adhere to current COVID-19 physical distancing guidelines.

Companydance Projects/Pieces

A – First-Year Dance Project (FYDP)

Directed by Heather Klopchin
Dancers who are new to the College or Companydance will be exploring the question “Where can dance happen?”

Dancers in FYDP have the opportunity to:

experience a range of movement aesthetics, styles and philosophies in community with other dancers
develop their artistic voice through the medium of dance
get to know the St. Olaf Dance Department by working with Dance Department faculty and staff to experience that faculty’s or staff’s area of focus and learn dance repertory
create self-choreographed solos

FYDP culminates in an end of the academic year public performance that is site-specific at locations across campus and designed in collaboration with FYDP dancers.

This is required of all first-year students in Companydance & highly recommended for first-time participants of Companydance.
First-Year Dance Project rehearses the entire year (FYDP does not formally rehearse during Interim term).
Rehearsal schedule beginning Tuesday, 9/15: Tuesdays: 3:00-5:00 p.m. and Thursdays: 3:45-5:45 p.m.
Rehearsals will happen both in-person (indoors and outdoors) and virtually.
Performances / Events
- First Year Dance Project and More! Concert – Friday, May 14, 2021, 4:00 p.m.
  - “Dress” rehearsal for this performance is Thursday, May 13, 3:45-9:00 p.m. (This performance is site-specific at locations across campus and designed in collaboration with FYDP dancers.)
- Additional showing opportunities are possible throughout the year and will be planned in consultation with cast members.

B – Senior Dance Capstone Concert Choreography Projects

Directed by the senior dance majors selecting choreography as their senior dance capstone project option.
Each senior dance project rehearses separately, twice each week, once for a 90-minute block of time between 5:00-11:00 p.m. M-F and once for a two-hour block of time on Saturday or Sunday. Specific rehearsal schedules are determined by the senior dance major choreographers.
Additional rehearsals begin Wednesday, 11/4, and run through the Senior Dance Project Performances.
Performances: Senior Dance Concert (Tentative filming dates: Saturday, 11/07 and Sunday, 11/08 in Wagner Bundgaard Studio One, Center for Art and Dance).
NOTE: This year, the Senior Dance Majors whose Area of Specialty is choreography will be casting their pieces soon after Friday’s Compandance Information Session. Due to this timeline, first-year students are not eligible to participate in the Senior Dance Capstone Concert projects.

Senior Dance Capstone Project Descriptions

Joshua Wyatt

I am exploring resilience, fun, and body positivity/self-love in this choreographic piece. This piece will draw heavily on hip hop, vogue, modern, and African Diasporic movement structures and will involve a blend of any and all combinations of the four.
I am looking for dancers who take initiative, who are bold and brave enough to practice unconventional movement and explore concepts that are viewed as taboo in the society we are living in. Dancers who are flexible in developing and letting go of concepts as the piece comes to fruition. I am looking for critical thinkers and dancers who are on their own paths of self-discovery.
I am looking for 4-6 dancers
Dancers will be asked to freestyle(improvise) as a method of creating movement for the piece and helping me understand everyone’s kinesthetic information.

Ellie Kiihne

I am interested in connecting storytelling and dance in maybe less conventional ways, namely as a murder mystery based on Clue that the audience tries to solve.
I will be looking for 4-6 dancers to portray the six characters. Dancers will preferably be comfortable embodying and performing different roles using their entire bodies.
Movement styles will vary between characters so no specific dance background is required.

C-F – Companydance Spring Concert Projects

Companydance Spring Concert 2021 is co-directed by Anthony Roberts, Janice Roberts, and Arneshia Williams. The performances are Thursday, Friday, Saturday, May 6, 7, 8, 2021 @ 7:30 p.m. in Kelsey Theater.
Each companydance project typically rehearses four hours each week during Fall & Spring terms. Exceptions are noted under individual projects.
Additional weeknight and weekend technical rehearsals begin Friday, 4/30/2021, and run through the Companydance Spring Concert performances on May 6, 7, and 8, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.
Additional showing opportunities may be possible throughout the year and will be planned in consultation with cast members.

Dance Faculty Projects

Faculty projects will rehearse twice weekly for a total of four hours each week within the listed timeframes on the following days:

Monday between 3:45-6:45 and Wednesday from 3:45-5:45pm (but ONLY four hours total)

Tuesday from 3-5pm and Thursday from 3:45-5:45pm.

To increase your chances of being cast in faculty works, you should be available to regularly rehearse during the specified days and blocks of time. When completing the audition form you will be able to enter all conflicts that would prevent you from being able to rehearse on any of these days and timeframes.

C – Anthony Roberts’ Project

Directed by Anthony Roberts
Current project idea prompts: “It’s my box, and I can dance if I want to!” “Autoboxographies” “You can dance, but you better not touch!” “[Don’t] lean on me!” “So close & yet so far away.”
My creative process:
- I typically live in the creative process throughout the entire rehearsal process, continuing to ask what if? while pursuing as many creative possibilities as time permits.
- I create and teach movement material and work with dancers to further develop the material, discover and shape its intention, interpretation, and expression on/in their bodies.
- I encourage and facilitate the creation of movement by the dancers and oversee its development and performance.
- I invite, encourage, thoughtfully consider, and explore as appropriate and possible, input from the dancers on micro and macro aspects of the project.
- In the end, I make final decisions concerning the minute and global direction of the piece. Some creative input from the dancers (and myself) will be included in the final piece and some will not, but all work toward this endeavor is greatly appreciated and expected.
I am looking for up to 9 dancers:
- Of all abilities and experiences, from ‘have never danced’ to ‘have never not danced.’
- Who are
  - dependable & responsible
  - persistently curious to ask, strive to answer, and embody the ‘what if’ questions that will be a part of this creative process
  - willing to engage in movement improvisation and experimentation
  - willing to move beyond their comfort zones as movers, technicians, and performers
  - willing to tolerate not knowing what the end result, much less the next moment, of the process will be.
  - willing to consistently work to remember, refine, improve, and deepen their physical, intellectual, and emotional abilities with and understanding of the dance.
Regular weekly rehearsal will begin the week of 9/14 and continue through the May 2021 performances. Specific rehearsal days/times will be included on the casting sheet.
- During Interim, students who are on campus will rehearse one day each week.

D – Janice Roberts’ Project

Directed by Janice Roberts
I will either be creating a new work focusing on the oppression of women or reworking a past repertory work (depending on the status of COVID and/or physical distancing rules)
I will need 3-7 dancers
I am looking for dancers who are willing and excited to be part of the creative process. I will be using improvisation prompts to develop movement material for the work.
Rehearsals:
- Regular weekly rehearsals beginning SPRING TERM through the May 2021 performances.

E – Arneshia Williams’ Project

Directed by Arneshia Williams
A performance piece including video (zoom, off-site, and outside filming) and in-person studio work. It is informed by philosophies underpinning West African, Modern, House, and dance theatre. Masks may or may not be worn during the live performance. Must be prepared to wear masks during the live performance.
Looking for 3 dancers and 3 understudies.
Rehearsals:
- Rehearsals will occur online, in CAD Studio 2, or outside. Daily locations will be sent to the cast at the beginning of each week.
- Regular weekly rehearsal will begin the week of 9/14 and continue through the May 2021 performances. Specific rehearsal days/times will be included on the casting sheet.
- Not planning to rehearse during Interim
I am looking for dancers with the following characteristics:
- Accountability
- Strong technique (or aptitude) in West African, House, or African Diasporic forms
- Strong technique or aptitude for modern, contemporary and/or improvisation
- Desire to train in all underpinning forms (will be scheduled during rehearsals)
- Stylistic/technical curiosity and tenacity
- Barring extenuating circumstances: No more than 2 absences for the full year
- No more than 2 early dismissals or late arrivals for the full year
The process will include use of the voice and writing and will purposefully include structures that use:
- Text, writing, and conversations
- Training/classes in multiple forms
- I may ask dancers to collaborate in the piece as movement generators. If so, a note will be in the final program.

Guest Artist Project

Due to the condensed period of time the guest artist is in residence, the rehearsal schedule for this project is more intense, up to approximately 17 hours in 7 days, in addition to the 1 1/2 hour upkeep rehearsals each week through the Veselica performances in April and the Compandance performances in May. Tentative rehearsal schedule listed below.

F – Melissa Teodoro’s Project

Directed by Melissa Teodoro, with assistance of a rehearsal director (TBD) during upkeep rehearsals.
Setting an Afro-Colombian work drawn from the repertoire of her Palenque dance ensemble that will be set during a residency February 21-27, 2021. The piece will have a mixed cast made up of Companydance and Veselica dancers.
Melissa is looking for up to 9 strong, grounded, gracious and versatile dancers who are interested in experiencing Afro-Colombian dances and learning about Colombian culture. Additionally, the residency welcomes dancers who are quick in learning movement vocabulary and choreographic sequences. Previous experience in African-based dances is encouraged but not required.
Tentative Rehearsal Schedule:
- Intensive Week (Feb. 21-27)
  - Sun. 2/21 – Make yourself available 12-9pm
  - Mon. 2/22 – Fri. 26 – Make yourself available 3:30-9pm
  - Sat. 2/27 – Make yourself available until 12:00noon
- Weekly upkeep rehearsals after the intensive residency through the Veselica performances in April and the Compandance performances in May.
  - Tuesdays 5-6:30pm (allowing Companydance & Veselica dancers to work together from 5-5:30pm)

Companydance Casting

It is the Dance Department’s desire to welcome, include, and encourage every student who wishes to participate in our classes, companies, and dance major. We make a fervent effort to model this philosophy when casting students for dance projects. The department considers a number of factors during the process including:

the student’s previous college-wide curricular and co-curricular experiences, including the ability to fulfill commitments and to work responsibly and diligently, both independently and in a group environment
the student’s previous Companydance experiences, in order to try to provide each student with opportunities for continued growth and development
the number and types of dancers required for each project
the student’s dancing ability

Students are eligible to be cast in a maximum of two (2) Companydance projects/pieces. On the audition form, you are able to select the exact number of projects (up to 2) in which you would like to be cast. To increase your chances of being cast in Companydance, you are encouraged to make sure your schedule is clear for as many projects’ rehearsal timeframes as possible. Note the intensive and upkeep rehearsal process for the guest artist’s work in February.

As a member of Companydance, you are also expected to maintain your rigorous academic schedule, honor your other co-curricular activities, and allow for as much personal time as you need in order to remain a healthy, contributing member of this college and dance community.

Companydance Rehearsal Schedule Conflicts

Below is the list of Companydance rehearsal schedule conflicts. Dancers are able to participate in only one of the pieces/projects with overlapping schedules.

First-Year students will not be considered for Senior Dance Capstone Projects or the Guest Artist work.

Companydance Requirements

As with any requirement and expectation in life and dance, rare exceptions should be allowed in case an emergency situation arises. Rare exceptions to the Companydance requirements must be requested by the student ASAP and will be considered on a case by case basis. Note: not all exception requests will be granted.

Movement Intensive Dance Class Enrollment

You must be enrolled in a movement intensive dance class during each term of your participation in Companydance. This requirement is in place to help maintain the health, promote the growth, and encourage the optimum participation, comfort, confidence, and productivity of each student dancer during the rehearsal and performance process of Companydance.
If you are not currently enrolled in a movement intensive dance class, please consult the class & lab to see which courses may fit with your current schedule. Realize that it may be necessary to shift your current schedule to make room for a movement intensive dance class, if possible. Then, consult with dance faculty to add the class.

Attendance & Participation

You must be on time for, fully present, and ready to participate in every rehearsal.
Make yourself available for all scheduled rehearsals, realizing that some rehearsals may conflict with your desire to leave early for holiday breaks. Communicate your Companydance schedule to your family ASAP to avoid missing rehearsals due to uninformed travel arrangements.
Inform the choreographer(s) and rehearsal director(s) of each project you are involved in ASAP in the event that an unexpected and immovable conflict should arise.
Check the online Companydance/FYDP and dance events calendars regularly, as well as stay abreast of all changes made to the calendar/s.
Check e-mail on a daily basis & respond to Companydance related communication immediately.
Sign up for a costume fitting as soon as you are requested to do so.

Companydance Meetings

Companydance students are required to attend all Companydance meetings, unless you have a regularly scheduled conflict with a St. Olaf organization, such as choir or student work. Rare exceptions to this Companydance requirement must be requested by the student ASAP and will be considered on a case by case basis. Note: not all exception requests will be approved.

Fri. Sept. 11th 3:30-4:30pm
Fri. Oct. 9th 3:30-4:30pm
Fri. Nov. 13th 3:30-4:30pm
Fri. Feb. 12th 3:30-4:30pm
Fri. March 12 3:30-4:30pm
Fri. April 9th 3:30-4:30pm

Service Hours Commitment

Service hours opportunities will not be a part of Companydance requirements until we are able to implement them safely. Service hours may potentially be offered for the Veselica performance in the Spring.

In the professional dance community, behind the scenes help and support is needed to create and present dance. This is true as well for the St. Olaf Dance Community. There are various performances, special events, and workshops held during the year in which we need help and support. Without your help, we would not be able to provide all the exciting events in dance. We are requiring these service hours of all members of Companydance.
Read Companydance Service Hours.

Companydance Audition Form

Only after you have carefully read and understand the information included above, proceed to fill out the audition form.

You must be logged into your St. Olaf email account to open the form.
Be sure to click “submit” at the bottom of the form after you have filled it out.
After clicking “submit”, a window will appear that reads, “Your response has been recorded.”
In this same window, you will have the opportunity to edit your response by clicking the “Edit your response” link.
Once you leave or close the form window, you cannot make additional changes.
If you have difficulty completing the form, please contact Anthony Roberts, Dance Faculty and Stephen Schroeder, Dance Technical Director.
Form due: Sunday, September 6, 2020 @ 9:00PM.