Audition Info & Season Policy 2010-2011 TransAxion
ABOUT JAZZ TRANSAXION Jazz TransAxion is a non-profit 501(c)3 youth ensemble. Dancers range between the ages of 10 and 18 years old. JTA accommodates the highly motivated dancer of intermediate through advanced levels, and is in residence at TranscenDance Studios in Oak Park, IL. See the Tentative Event Calendar on the back page of this booklet to get an idea of what company members take part in throughout the year. TransAxion TRT AUDITION AND TRAINING PROCESS Dancers accepted at our annual audition will be placed into either the main company (JTA) or the apprentice company (JTA2). JTA is the primary performing company, consisting of dancers with the most experience and the highest skill levels. JTA2 is the training company. Depending on a dancer s skill level and other factors, he or she may be moved from JTA2 to JTA, which will normally occur at the annual audition. A dancer may be accepted directly into JTA, without having completed training in JTA2, in the event his or her skill and maturity levels merit such placement. There is no guarantee that a dancer accepted into JTA2 will progress into JTA.
AUDITIONS TransAxion A TranscenDance Production - Cait Jones, Executive Director www.jazztransaxion.org October 6, 2010 8:30 p.m. TranscenDance Studios @ Fitness Formula Clubs 1114 Lake Street Oak Park, IL 60301 773.944.5352 Open to Intermediate & Advanced Dancers Ages 10-18
AUDITION This audition is for the 2010-2011 season running October 10 - September 30. Dancers who are not selected this season should not assume that they are not JTA material. Results will be posted on the JTA website: www.jazztransaxion.org Dancers must present a signed Dancer & Parent Agreement Form. Recommended audition attire is black convertable or footless tights, leotard of any color, hair secured. Bare-foot, footies, or jazz shoes.. ATTENDANCE POLICY Rehearsals will begin Wednesday, October 13, 2010 and will run each Wednesday through September 30, 2011. Members are allowed only seven absences from regular rehearsals, seven absences from Company Workout and seven absences from their required classes year round including summer. This policy will be strictly enforced and may impact future placement. CLASS REQUIREMENTS Rehearsal - Wednesday JTA /JTA 2 Wednesday 8:30-9:30 pm Company Workout Wednesday 6:30-7:30 pm Required classes Int./Adv. Lyrical Wednesday 7:30-8:30 pm Int./Adv. Leaps & Turns Thursday 7:30-8:30 pm One master class / workshop - TBA
BILLING AND PAYMENT JTA members will receive bills through Jazz TransAxion - NOT through TranscenDance Studios. Please make all company and studio payments out separately. Annual tuition for JTA rehearsals and Company Workout is $1000 to be paid in five installments of $200. Tuition is due for the entire season regardless of dancer s attendance. Seniors leaving for college will receive pro-rated tuition.. Breaks down to $11.11 an hour To be paid to Jazz TransAxion Annual tuition for members required classes (Lyrical and Leaps & Turns) is $1,134 (2 class discount) to be paid in five installments of $226.80. Tuition is due the weeks of November 1, February 1, April 11, June 19, and September 1. Breaks down to $12.60 an hour To be paid to TranscenDance Studios Tuition discounts for multiple company enrollment at TranscenDance Studios and multiple class enrollment is available. See the TDS Tuition Discount Sheet at www.transcendancestudios.com First tuition payment to Jazz TransAxion is due at the first rehearsal October 13. Remaining tuition is due the weeks of November 1, February 1, April 11, and June 19. Special rehearsals due to performances will not be charged. Accounts must be up to date by September, or dancers will not be allowed to re-audition. DRESS CODE JTA dancers must own a pair of nude colored "foot undies", "dance paws", or a comparable brand of footware. Dancers should also have a pair of black, slip-on jazz shoes Dancers are required to purchase an official company T-shirt ($20) for master classes and events. FUNDRAISING POLICY Members are required to participate in all fundraising events. Schedule conflicts with such events will be dealt with on an individual basis. A tentative fundraising calendar will be supplied after auditions. JTA will not be asked to sell anything, with the possible exception of ad space in show programs. We value your time and energy.
GENERAL RULES 1. Rehearsals are mandatory. A company cannot work if members are missing. Conflicts must be communicated one month prior to the date. 2. Members are allowed only seven absences from regular rehearsals, seven absences from Company Workout and seven absences from their required classes year round including summer. This policy will be strictly enforced and may impact future placement. A temporary leave of absence may be granted due to extenuating personal reasons in lieu of resignation. 3. Present yourself in a professional manner. This applies at all times, but especially in the presence of other dancers, teachers, and choreographers. You are representing Jazz TransAxion, TranscenDance Studios, and Cait Jones as your director, and you can leave a lasting impression on someone with the way you dress, speak, or act. 4. Never walk away alone. Don t leave the group without letting someone know where you are going. 5. No swearing, no drinking, no drugs. 6. No inappropriate conversations. 7. No talking behind other people s backs. 8. Respect your elders, rehearsal directors, and other teachers. 9. Be early for everything. 10. Dress appropriately when representing the ensemble. 11. Be aware of what you put out there for people to view. As a JTA member, you are a community fixture, not only in Oak Park but in the Jazz world as well. Myspace, Facebook, and other social networking outlets are representations of yourself to the whole world. 12. These rules apply to classes as well. Younger dancers admire you - one wrong move and we may lose a great dancer because that young dancer doesn t want to be like you anymore! 13. At company functions, you must abide by these rules and the Dancer s Agreement.
Cait Jones Founding Director TranscenDance Studios TransRhythm Tap Hip Hop TransFuzion Jazz TransAxion [One of Chicago s] hot new choreographers we re sure you ll dig. - SeeChicagoDance.com Cait Jones is talented, beautiful, and has great stage presence. - Dance Magazine, It Girl Finalist Cait Jones is the real deal. - Dancer Universe Magazine Blog Cait began as a dancer in youth ensembles: Footprints Tap Ensemble and Forum Jazz Dance Theatre. After dancing with Chicago Tap Theatre, multiple scholarships including Giordano Dance Center, and touring the Netherlands and the U.S. East coast, Cait currently directs three youth ensembles and is the founding director of TranscenDance Studios in Oak Park, Illinois. An avid choreographer, Cait s work has been seen at Happy Feet and Fame promotions, industrials at the Rotary International Headquarters, the Shedd Aquarium, Chicago s Museum of Contemporary Art, and The Venetian in Las Vegas. She has also choreographed promotional videos for Lawson Products, College of Lake County theater productions, and works for multiple concerts such as Dance Chicago, Chicago Human Rhythm Project concerts, Dance For Life, and the Russian International Dance Collaboration. As a guest choreographer, Cait s work has won high golds at dance competitions and has placed within the top five in state for local dance teams. With a passion for choreographing and a love for teaching, Cait began TransRhythm Tap in January 2008. Less than a year and a half later, she founded TranscenDance Studios and then Hip Hop TransFuzion. Cait's third non-profit, Jazz TransAxion's pilot season begins October 2010. Cait hopes to instill in her students confidence, self-discipline, and a love for dance.
TENTATIVE EVENT CALENDAR October 2011-2012 Season Auditions Oct 6 November December Beye Elementary Health Fair January Fitness Formula Club s Girls Sleep over Performance February Competition - Dance America 18-20 March Competition - Applause Talent 4-6 or VIP Dance 19-20 April Acting Workshop with guest instructor Competition - Starbound 2-3 May DanceFest at Great America June TranscenDance Studios Recital A Day In Our Village Community Event (if not conflicted with TDS Recital) July Oak Park s July 4th Parade Guest Choreographer August September Choreography workshop Oak Park Farmer s Market Bake Sale TranscenDance Studios Awesome Autumn Affair OakToberfest There are several additional performance opportunities in the works.