Want to join Tears of Aset dancers? Sitamun's current students that have completed her beginner classes are welcome to audition. Current students of three months that have had 1 year of experience with another teacher are also welcome to audition. Dancers of any age or size can apply. Although being a member of a troupe may sound glamorous at first, here are some guidelines to help you decide if it is for you:

Time/Family Obligations:

Will your job or family situation allow you to attend weekly practice and lessons, as well as workshops and performances? Currently, we do not have the ability to have children at our studio unless specific arrangements have been made with the director. If an occasional special circumstance occurs and you must bring your child(ren), they must be aware of their surroundings and behave accordingly.

Costumes/Music:

Dancers are required to purchase troupe costumes, including any necessary props (veils, finger cymbals, fans, etc.) to use in performances. Troupe costumes are selected by the director. You will also need to purchase a stomach cover for a few of the venues where we perform. Dance shoes are strongly recommended. Troupe music will be provided by the director at a nominal fee.

Lessons/Practice/Performance Requirements:

• Dancers are required to attend lessons, be prompt, and participate in troupe practice on a regular basis to perform. There is a lot of commitment involved with being in a troupe, and the troupe will depend on you to perform your assigned role in a routine. Also, even if a dancer attends practice, she must demonstrate ability to execute the choreography of a routine to perform.

• Although many of the troupe venues are local, we do travel to out-of-town workshops and shows, both inside and outside of the Frederick County area; some of these workshops require overnight stays. These workshops and associated travel costs are an out-of-pocket expense for the dancer.

• Troupe dance choreography and appropriate costumes will be at the sole discretion of the director at all troupe functions. If individual performances are included at a function, dancers are encouraged to personalize their solos with a costume of their choice, with approval of the director (i.e., stomach cover may be required at some venues, regardless of individual costume preference).

• Troupe members must be physically fit enough to perform the troupe routines. The director will make every effort possible to accommodate any dancer with a physical limitation to perform with the troupe. However there might be times a dancer is not physically capable to perform a specific move in the troupe dance and will not be able to perform in that particular choreography.

• Dancers are encouraged to choreograph individual routines to music of their own choice. The director will assist if requested. Troupe members will be encouraged to perform their individual choreography at selected troupe events. Dancers are permitted to perform their individual choreography outside of the troupe, but when such individual performance is at the same event venue as a troupe performance, performing with a non-troupe member is not allowed.

• Troupe and individual performances may be photographed and/or videotaped and are considered part of participation in the troupe. These photographs and/or videotapings may be used on Sitamun’s website to promote the troupe, her classes, and workshops.

• Maintain a professional demeanor at all dance events and practices. Be considerate when sharing mirrors or dressing rooms with other dancers. Be courteous and respectful in all your dealings with musicians, dancers, event staff, audience members, etc. For events and performance be on time, dressed and ready to dance at the appropriate time. Never criticize other dancers or troupe members in public. If you have issues with a dancer, colleague or event staff bring it to the attention of the Director in private.

• All Troupe choreography is the exclusive right and property of the Tears of Aset Dancers and may not be performed outside of Troupe functions without permission of the Director.

• All Troupe Costume designs remain the property of the Tears of Aset and the Director(Sitamun). You may not duplicate or copy the design for use outside of the Troupe. You may not give the designs to other dancers without written consent from the Director.

Still interested, contact Sitamun to set up an audition.
Audition for 2005 will be held in May.

Members of Tears of Aset and Sitmun
Raleigh, NC Performance 2004

Page created 04 August 2002. Update: 07 March 2004.