Auditions • Ballet Ministry Trainee Program & Touring Company Apprentices

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BALLET AUDITIONS

Ongoing Online Virtual Auditions
&
or in person during our Summer Dance Intensive

Join Paradosi for our
15th Season of Ministry!!

2021/2022


Trainee & Apprentice Positions



Online Virtual Auditions

We are extending our audition season through July 5, 2021 for the 2021/2022 Season!!!

SUMMER DANCE INTENSIVE
June 27 through July 3, 2021
Students attending our annual summer dance intensive will also have an opportunity to audition during the intensive.



The 2021/2022 season marks Paradosi's 15th Season of Ministry and we hope that you feel called to be a part of the work that God will be doing through us in the season ahead!

Next season we have both Trainee and Apprentice positions open!  The application process is the same for both trainees and apprentices. With our virtual auditions you will not be taking any classes online.  Your audition video, application, and online interviews will be what we use in making our decisions.  

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our Director, Larissa at: 

support@paradosiballetcompany.com

(253)474-4881


We look forward to learning more about you soon!


Trainee Program: 10-month season September through June

Apprentices: 10-month contracts


Updated April 24, 2021

APPLY   TODAY

CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE


or copy and paste the following link into your browser:

https://onlineauditionpbc2021.pushpayevents.com


This year we are waiving the application fee for all Online Audition - Applicants!

  • Please have your required photos ready before you start the application.
  • Please do not use Auto Fill in the form as it may cause an error requiring you to re-enter all of your information. 

More Information

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  • What are the age requirements to audition? 

    • Applicants must be 18 years of age or older by September 1st of the upcoming season in order to audition.  
    • Exceptions may be made for applicants who are under 18 who have either graduated from high school or earned their GED with parental permission.
    • While the ministry does not have an upper age limit for training and serving in the ministry, our Trainee Program is geared towards dancers right out of school between 18 and 24 years of age. 
    • Most of the Company Artists and Apprentices are between 18 and 35 years of age with 13 to 32 years of ballet training.

    Is the audition process different for Trainees and Apprentices? 

    • The audition process is the same for the Trainee and Apprentices. 
    • Please keep in mind that placement as a Trainee or Apprentice is at the sole discretion of the Audition Committee of Paradosi Ballet Company.  
    • If the Committee feels that a dancer needs further refinement in their dancing or to be better equipped for ministry, they may be offered a position as a Trainee regardless of their ministry or dance background. 
    What is the difference between a Trainee and an Apprentice?
    • Trainees are students, often right out of High School, with little to no dance, ministry, or teaching experience at a professional level.  As a part of the Trainee curriculum and to better prepare Trainees for teaching on tour or careers after they are done dancing, Trainees also learn how to teach dance in a Christ centered studio through our Teacher Assistant program in our school. 
    • An Apprentice is a dancer who can demonstrate a high level of artistry and technical ability as a dancer, spiritual maturity, and a demonstrated ability to minister the Gospel.  Apprentices often come directly from other Christian dance ministries. 
    • Please note: some of our Trainees have come from professional dance careers with very little ministry experience and have spent time as a Trainee before before becoming an Apprentice. Each persons situation is different.  If you would like to speak with someone before applying do not hesitate to reach out to us. 

    How long is the Trainee Program? 

    • The Trainee Program is a two-year vocational dance ministry program. 
    • Some dancers have completed the trainee program in less time and others have taken longer.  
    • Trainees begin their training in September and their season ends on the last day of our summer dance intensive; usually the last week of June or first week of July. 

    Do Trainees pay tuition? 

    • Yes, Trainees pay tuition. 
    • Tuition for the 2021/2022 season is $275 per month September through June for first year Trainees. ($2,750 per academic year). 
    • Trainees also pay a one time Ministry Training and Costuming fee at the beginning of the season which covers their Western Seminary cohort, Bible study materials, and performance costume. 

    How are dancers supported?

    • Dancers will need to raise their own support to be in the ministry much like a traditional missionary or YWAM participant. Some of our ministry members seek tax-deductible support from family, friends, businesses, and churches. Other members of the ministry follow Paul’s tentmaker model working part-time jobs in the evenings and on weekends.  Some of our dancers teach dance at our studio as well as at other local studios while some work in retail, restaurant, or other jobs. Some pursue both options of raising support. 
    • While dancers need to raise their own support to serve in the ministry, Touring Company Artists and Apprentices receive a modest monthly stipend while serving in the ministry to help cover a portion of their expenses associated with serving in the ministry. This allowance is not enough to cover a dancers living expenses and they will still need to raise individual support and/or work part-time jobs to cover the remainder of their living expenses while serving in the ministry. Touring Company Artists and Apprentices commit to 10-month contracts each season. 


    Where do dancers live? 

    • Dancers are responsible for finding their own housing. 
    • Unmarried dancers are required to live with at least one other member of the ministry for accountability and safety. 
    • Most of the dancers live in apartments or houses with 1 to 5 other dancers from the ministry. 
    • If accepted into the ministry, we will provide contact information for all of the members of the ministry so you can connect to find a roommate. 


    Will I need a car or can I just use public transportation in Tacoma? 

    • Unfortunately the public transportation in Tacoma is very poor and the city is not walkable. Members of the ministry will need to have their own vehicle while they are with the ministry or be willing to pay for ground transportation. 


    May I attend college while I am with Paradosi? 

    • Yes! We have had many members of the ministry take college courses in their free time, mostly online, as their schedule permits.
    • Please keep in mind that due to performance schedules, especially in December, we strongly encourage ministry members to not take a full-load of courses while serving in the ministry. 


    Will trainees perform? 

    • Yes! Trainees minister at churches, retirement homes, assisted living centers, schools, shelters, and other venues throughout the season. Trainees may also minister along side the Company Artists and Apprentices depending on the schedule of events. 
    • Trainees may go on tour if needed for the performances, workshops, and outreach events of the tour. 


    Am I required to attend a church? 

    • Yes, all members of the ministry are required to attend a local Christian church of their own choosing. 
    • New members with the ministry will be given several months to find a church after moving to Tacoma.


    Do you accept male applicants? 

    • While the ministry is currently comprised of all female dancers, we are open to male applicants as well; however, for housing and accountability requirements, we must have a minimum of two male dancers serving in the ministry at the same time. Applications from male dancers will be kept on file for six-months and if additional qualified male dancers apply, you will be contacted to begin the audition process. 


    I am not from the U.S., may I audition for Paradosi's Trainee Program? 

    • Sadly at this time the answer is no. Paradosi does not have the proper credentials from the U.S. government for accepting International students so we can not assist you in obtaining a Visa to be in the United States. If an applicant is already in the United States with a valid Visa for another purpose, such as being in the U.S. on a school visa or with a work visa, an applicant may be allowed to participate in the trainee program for recreational purposes. 

  • Click this link to download a printable copy of our Video and Photo requirements.  The document also has an application worksheet to help you prepare for submitting your application online. 


    Audition Application Video & Photo Requirements



    VIDEO REQUIREMENTS


    Part 1: Your Information

    At the beginning of your video please:

    1. State your name
    2. Age
    3. Where you are from

    Part 2: Technique Class

    Section A: BARRE

    Please film barre work from the side, rotating combinations on the right and left side. This portion of the video should be no longer than 10-minutes. 


    1. Plié combination

    2. Tendus and dégagés from fifth position

    3. Ronde de jambe

    4. Développé en croix

    5. Grand battements


    Section B: CENTER

    Please film Center from the front. Combinations should be demonstrated both right and left. This portion of the video should be no longer than 10-minutes. 


    1. An adagio including a balance, arabesque line and développé 

    2. Pirouettes

    3. Petite allegro

    4. Grand allegro


    Section C: POINTE

    1.Échappés with en-dehors pirouettes

    2.Diagonal turning combination ending in relevé arabesque balance


    Part 3 • Worship Solo

    • Some of you may never have had an opportunity to use dance in worship. To help you to explore this opportunity, we ask that you create a worship solo to share your heart in whatever style is meaningful to you. Your worship solo should be set to a Christian worship song that speaks to you. If invited to come for an in person audition, you will be sharing your solo during the audition.


    Part 4 • OPTIONAL DANCE VARIATION

    • Dance variation of your choice



    Photograph Requirements


    Photo 1: Headshot

    Photo 2: Full body dance photo in 1st arabesque en pointe


  • Please feel free to contact Larissa Bischoff with any questions that you may have about our Trainee Program, Apprentice information, the audition process, or requests for an audition application extension. 


    Phone: (253)474-4881

    Email: larissa@paradosiballet.org


The Audition Process

Please read the information below to learn about our audition process


Step 1 • Apply

  • Complete and submit an Audition Application with the required photos, & video.  
  • Applications are due on or before the date listed above.



ONLINE AUDITIONS

  • We are waiving the normal $25 application fee for online auditions.   

Step 2 • Auditions

In Person Auditions are by invitation only. 

  • You will be notified within two weeks of the receipt of your completed application if you will be invited to participate in an audition.



ONLINE AUDITIONS

  • For online auditions we will schedule a meeting or several meetings with you. 
  • You will not be participating in an online dance class. 



Step 3 • Notification

You will be notified within two weeks of your audition if you will be invited to join the ministry during the upcoming season.