Photo via Deb au Nare

The brand new South African Burlesque Company is looking for talented dancers and performers to audition for new Burlesque shows, with plans for both large and smaller productions country wide.

The first auditions take place on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 March 2013 at The Dance Factory in Newtown, Johannesburg.

Time for something a little different

If you’re looking for clues of what to expect, this should get your imagination going: The company says that the type of performers they’re looking for should be “vivacious, extraordinary, extroverted, versatile and uninhibited dancers, singers, aerial, pole and other acts”.

Ooh la la, now doesn’t that sound intriguing?

Joint venture director and dance and ballet entrepreneur, Dirk Badenhorst, believes that South Africa is ready for burlesque. “I believe the market is ready to embrace it and fall in love with its naughty-but-nice on-stage demeanour.”

“Shows will comprise both traditional and new-burlesque elements,” says Badenhorst, “combining the sultry with eccentricities reminiscent of Marlene Dietrich through to more modern interpretations that include satire, performance art, comedy and dance. Burlesque is fast becoming one of the world’s most celebrated variety entertainment acts.”

“There is nothing quite like it and with the talent we have in South Africa, I believe that burlesque’s moment has arrived.” – Dirk Badenhorst

And we won’t have too long to wait to see The South African Burlesque Company in action, as the company plans to launch its first range of scalable experiences in June 2013.

Want to be part of it? Here are the audition details:

Requirements:
•    The auditions are open to female and male applicants, 18 years of age and older.
•    Applicants should have professional experience with performance skills and, apparently, a sense of curiosity.
•    Singers are obliged to dance, but dancers and other acts do not need to sing.

Audition Date:
Saturday 2 March and Sunday 3 March 2013.

Audition Time:
1:30pm till 4:30pm

Audition Venue:
The Dance Factory, Newtown, Johannesburg

The process:
•    Applicants will be split into separate male and female groups.
•    Applicants will be expected to learn a short piece of choreography.
•    Please bring appropriate Burlesque attire or (tight fitting) dance wear.
•    Rehearsals: 6 weekends (Saturday and Sunday 8am – 1pm) starting April 2013 in Johannesburg (with a rehearsal fee of R10 000).

Extra tips:
It would be best to register for the audition ahead of time, by sending your CV with contact details, stats and a photograph to Lindsay McDonald via email on wacslik [at] hotmail.com, or call on 0761010421. Alternatively, take your CV with contact details, stats and a photograph on the audition day.