Requirements, dancer auditions, and acceptance process:

Atlantis World Dance Company (AWDC) is a professional Middle Eastern and International Dance Company. It’s goal is to provide highly professional and authentic ethnic, folkoric, and international dance for entertainment and education.

Our Future: Though at this time AWDC consists primarily of Oriental Dancers (aka Belly Dancers)* we are looking to provide entertainment and cultural experiences from around the globe by expanding into an agency for world dance entertainment. Experienced professionals in dance forms from areas such as South Asia, Middle East, North and sub-Saharan Africa, Polynesia, and Latin America are encouraged to contact Linda for more information.

*Please note: At this time we are not accepting what is known as “Tribal” Belly Dance performers unless the dancer is first accepted as an Oriental Style dancer and uses the Tribal style as a specialty. We look forward to adding this as an option in the future.

All performers wishing to join the dance company must complete a 3 part process:
1. Audition
2. Internship
3. Membership

The following is designed for Belly Dance Performers but will be used as a framework for all other performance types added in the future.

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AUDITION:
This process consists of a performance, an interview, and a call-back. The goal of the audition process is to see who and where you are as a dancer, and make the best plan to add you to the company as a professional dancer.

Prerequisites:
There is no age, gender, height, weight, or race requirement.
Though there is no specific requirement for it, it is suggested that dancers have a minimum of 2 –3 years of ongoing Oriental belly dance training.
No performance experience is required but is of course most helpful. It is unlikely that dancers with little or no performance experience will be accepted.

Performance
-There will be a minimum of 3 judges watching your performance including Linda.
-The audition will be held either in a studio or in a restaurant during “off-hours”
-What we are looking for in your performance: (in no particular order)
Professionalism/Decorum (on and off stage)
Dance Technique
Appearance (costume, make-up, hair)
Artistry/musicality
Knowledge of Belly Dance etiquette and style
Personality
Marketability (appeal to the general public)
Preparedness and punctuality
-The dances: Dancers are required to perform one 3 minute song or segment of each of the following: Classical/Cabaret/Traditional, Pop, Drum solo, Balancing (sword/candle/cane/shamadan), Takseem, and 2-4 minutes of any other specialty dance(s) they choose. This specialty dance may include folkloric dances, other belly dance styles, other world dances, fusions, etc.

Interview
-When the dances are complete, the performer will take a few minutes to change/cool down, then return for a short question & answer session with the panel.
-Questions may include but are not limited to topics such as:
“What are your goals as a professional dancer?”
“How did you become involved in this dance?”
“What are your goals artistically”
“Would you be willing to change something about your costuming/appearance?”
“What do you think you need to work on most?”
“What unique aspect do you think you would bring to a dance company?”
“What do you feel are your strengths?”
-The panel will then bid good day to the dancer while they discuss their views.

Call-back
AWDC director, Linda Riyad, will contact the dancer within 24 hours of the audition to let them know the panel’s decision. If a dancer is not accepted into the troupe, Linda will make whatever suggestions deemed necessary for the dancer to work on their dancing and try again. This may include more dance training, changes in costuming or make-up, etc. Dancers who are not accepted the first time they audition are welcome to try again when they feel they are ready.
If the Dancer is accepted, they will move on to become an intern and most likely a member. During the first call-back, Linda will go over the weaknesses and strengths that the panel saw and will decide with the dancer a plan to solve any perceived problems.

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INTERNSHIP:
If a dancer audition is approved, He/She will receive an invitation to complete an internship period for 3 months.

The 3 month internship period is a time in which both the Dancer and AWDC will assess their compatibility. At the end of 3 months, dancers should consider whether or not they are able and willing to continue the rehearsal schedule and other requirements. At that time, dancers will be required to perform once again for a panel to assess improvements and potential placement in the company. The dancer will receive a second call-back to discuss the decision.

During internship, dancers are not guaranteed any paying gigs though it is possible.
Interns may be asked to do one or more pro bono performances for non-profit organizations/events or Belly Dance haflas to enhance and asses their performance abilities.
Interns are required to attend all ongoing Training as listed below in the Membership section.
The Intern may also be required to take additional classes or private lessons to prepare them for future choreographies if it is deemed necessary. See below for class attendance requirements and perks.
Interns are not required to purchase troupe costumes unless they agree to a performance that requires one.

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MEMBERSHIP:
UPDATED AS OF JANUARY 7TH 2010

Once an internship is complete and the dancer passes the final audition process, he/she is invited to become a member. Members will remain a part of the company unless they decide to quit or if AWDC deems it necessary for them to no longer me a member. AWDC reserves the right to dismiss members and interns who do not abide by company rules, miss multiple practices, become undesirable work partners, or any other reason.

Requirements:
Initiation hafla: Once a dancer or group of dancers reaches membership, AWDC will hold a halfa of dance company members only. At this time, dancers must read and sign the following agreements, in front of all other AWDC members as a sign of their commitment to creating the best dance company possible and as a reminder to existing members of their own commitment.

AWDC Members agreement-
“I [insert name] promise to make every effort in my power to become the best dancer I can be.
I promise to take my job and the jobs of others in this company seriously.
I promise to respect every member of AWDC regardless of any personal or professional matters.
I promise to not take criticism from my teachers personally as it is the path to growth.
I promise to only offer constructive criticism to my peers and to only do so using my teacher as an intermediary.
I agree to the ongoing training requirements.
I promise to only teach company choreographies with the permission of the choreographer, even if I should no longer be with the company.
I promise to protect the image of Belly Dance at all times by educating and leading as an example in the general public and the belly dance community.”

ONGOING TRAINING FOR INTERNS AND MEMBERS:
All dancers in AWDC are expected to…
-Attend or teach a minimum of 1 weekly technique class (or more if required by AWDC).
-Attend 1 weekly rehearsal for 90 minutes at the specified time- currently scheduled for Sunday nights from 7:00pm to 8:30pm (subject to change).
-Attend at least 2 belly dance workshops by 2 separate teachers other than Linda Riyad in either Nashville or elsewhere per year
-Complete a minimum 1 half-hour private lesson per month with Linda Riyad (or more if required).

In the event that a dancer misses technique classes, rehearsals, or private lessons, they are expected to make up those hours as soon as possible or within the next 2 weeks by doubling up on classes or adding private lesson time.

Event Rehearsals: In the event of a special performance, a pre-show rehearsal may be required.
Unless otherwise specified, rehearsals will be 30 or more minutes added to the rehearsal before the performance.
Dancers are neither charged nor paid for these rehearsals

Costumes:
All dancers own their costumes and are therefore responsible for purchasing, altering, and maintaining them.
Costumes must fit and be approved for group performances and solo performances referred by AWDC.
AWDC may disapprove of a costume based on quality, fit, appropriateness for the venue or music.

Required costumes for Members:
1. Gold Bedlah with Purple mermaid skirt, gold bracelets, earrings, and necklace, purple ribbon for hair (ordered through AWDC).
2. Modern Egyptian style costume in bright color other than red: 2-piece, bra and decorated skirt, with arm and head pieces;
3. One Red costume of any style (must be at least 90% red with either gold, silver, or black accents).
4. Beledi/Saiidi dress and hip scarf (ordered through AWDC).
5. Dancers are also required to have the appropriate costumes for any other type or style of Dance they may be performing for the company.
Additional/different costumes may be required depending on the choreographies performed.
Costumes may be retired after a period of time.

Financial benefits and responsibilities- The goal of AWDC is to offset member dancers’ financial responsibilities with performance payments and discounts on classes/products as follows:
-Weekly rehearsals: 90 minute rehearsals are only $12 each if paid individually, $10 each if paid 4 or more at a time.
-Private lessons: All private lessons for members and interns (required or voluntary) are only $30 per hour (regularly $45).
-Members are responsible for workshop fees. However, group rates will be provided as much as possible.
-Costumes: as outlined above. AWDC will arrange (as often as possible) for wholesale prices on required costumes and help members sell retired ones.
-For any paid gig booked by AWDC including private parties, special events, or holiday events at restaurants, performers will retain 90% of the total fee. AWDC will retain 10% as a booking fee.
-Regular, weekly restaurant performances will not be charged a booking fee even if booked by AWDC. However, if the restaurant has agreed to book through Linda Riyad and/or AWDC, dancers are not to schedule themselves with the restaurant. All scheduling for restaurant performances initiated by AWDC is to be done by Linda.
-Dancers are required to match the prices of all other AWDC members. Undercutting is strictly forbidden and is grounds for expulsion from the group.
-Members receive payment for all private/public performances unless payment is not offered by a non-profit organization and dancer agrees to do it pro-bono. Payments will be made available within 24 hours after the performance/event.
-Discounted/free workshops with Linda
-Members and Interns receive 1 technique (non-choreography) class per week for free. All other technique classes are only $5 for Members and $10 for interns.
-Dancers are not expected or required to work solely through AWDC. However, it is expected that any organization, business, or other business related contact made by AWDC will be respected. Members are not to take over restaurant schedules, annual events, etc.
-AWDC members will receive first preference for gigs and performances based on dancers’ abilities and styles. This includes restaurants, private parties, etc.
-Preference to fill in as substitute instructors for Linda’s regular group classes (paid minimum of $30 per class hour).

Other benefits and responsibilities: Dancers will…
-Be expected to perform, pro-bono at least once per year, as an individual and/or group at workshops/events pertaining to Belly Dance in order to promote the dance company and themselves.
-Be required to maintain their professionalism at all times while on the job or in the company of other Dance professionals and/or students. This includes workshops and other related events.
-Absolutely never consume, visibly or otherwise, alcohol, cigarettes, hookah, or drugs before, during, or after gigs until they are off the gig premises and out of costume.
-Not use profanity on the premises of a gig or while in costume.
-Attend all scheduled rehearsals, performances, other events with the only exception of medical or family emergency.
-Receive a professional listing and personal web page on Lindabellydance.com (this perk coming soon).
-Dancers may refuse a gig at any time. Although once committed, dancers are expected to either perform or find a comparable replacement, dancers are not required to do a certain number of gigs except those outlined above.
-Ongoing mentorship: Dancers are always welcome and encouraged to ask Linda questions about business or artistic issues outside of class times without fee.
-Linda will have group performances critiqued by other experienced dancers at no cost to the Members. These critiques will be examined in regular rehearsals.
-Members are encouraged and helped to hone their business, performance, and teaching skills.
-Promotion from AWDC as performers and possibly instructors, depending on the dancer’s skills.
-AWDC will book and organize individual events and gigs for members whenever possible.
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For any other information, please contact Linda at linda@lindabellydance.com.