balletLORENT will present Rapunzel, their latest dance theatre production for families, and Rapunzel After Dark for adult audiences at Darlington Hippodrome in May 2023. Both shows features balletLORENT’s dancers performing alongside a guest professional cast of local dance artists performing with their pre-school child. Local school children will also appear in Rapunzel.
They are seeking three regionally based professional dancers to join the cast with their pre-school (0-4yrs) child, and perform in two scenes in the first half of the shows. This project aims to support dance artists who are new parents, looking for opportunity to return to professional practice.
A casting workshop for up to 10 dancers and their pre-school children will take place on 6 March from 4.00pm-5.45pm at Darlington Hippodrome. If you are interested in attending the workshop, please send a short CV/Showreel with a Cover Email/Video Intro by 28 February 2023 to James MacGillivray, Education and Projects Manager: Email – james@balletlorent.com / Whatsapp - 07308 160 383
A fee of £50 will be paid to those invited to, and attending the workshop. At the casting workshop, we will:
- look for dance artists with a natural performance ability who would be comfortable moving and dancing with their young child.
- set choreographic material, and ask you to work with some of our dancers.
- describe the scenes in more detail, including use of props.
- not be expecting or asking for any particular level of technical dance ability – the work requires performers who are uninhibited, creative, able to embody character, and who are comfortable to engage their young child in a safe and creative environment.
Following this workshop, three artists will be invited with their children to join the cast in rehearsals, and the performances of Rapunzel at Darlington Hippodrome.
Rehearsals at Darlington Hippodrome: 5 May 3.30pm-5.00pm & 6 May 2.00pm- 3.30pm (Time TBC)
Technical and dress rehearsals, and performances at Darlington Hippodrome – Times TBC:
16 May 2023 – rehearsal 5.30pm-8.15pm
17 May 2023 – 12.00pm-3.30pm / 5.00pm-9.00pm (Rapunzel After Dark performance 8.00pm)
18 May 2023 – 12.00-8.00pm (Rapunzel performance 6.00pm)
A total fee of £500 is available for guest artists who complete all the rehearsal and performances. If you are not able to complete all dates due to childcare/other commitments, they may consider sharing roles with other artists, and the fee will be pro-rated. Fee payable on receipt of an invoice at the end of the project. Guest Artists will be responsible for their own tax and NI contributions. Fees include holiday pay. Please contact balletLORENT if you require support for travel expenses as they may be able to subsidise some costs.
They are an equal opportunities employer, and a Parents and Carers in Performing Arts Charter Partner. They welcome applications from artists of all backgrounds, and will endeavour to support those with caring responsibilities.
balletLORENT will apply for Child Performance Licenses from the local authority for the children involved, and will provide paperwork to parents to be completed.
You can watch a trailer of Rapunzel here: https://www.balletlorent.com/productions/rapunzel-22
And learn more about the involvement of parent artists and their children here: https://vimeo.com/balletlorent/rapunzel-guest-casts
One of their Supporting Partners on this project is Dance Mama, whose aim is to advocate and celebrate professional dancing parents, highlighting the issues that they face and providing inspiration, information and connection. To support you on your journey as a dancing parent, take a look at their award-winning professional development programme, Dance Mama Live, which provides online workshops, webinars and a community of other, like-minded dancing parents. To find out more visit: www.dancemama.org/dancemamalive