AUDITION: 
Sunday, December 8th, 12:00 - 3:00 PM in Lower East Side (studio address will be emailed on Dec. 6th) 

Must complete the Audition RSVP form by 12/5 at 11:59PM EST to be considered.

The audition will include a dance phrase, improvisation tasks, and lip syncing. Be prepared to lip sync to one of the following songs: Man, I feel like a woman by Shania Twain or I'll be satisfied by Jackie Wilson. No need to choreograph anything, just know enough lyrics to lip sync and you may be asked to improv small movement while you lip sync. 
Callbacks will occur the week of December 9th and include a discussion/vibe check with the choreographer, Jacqui. 
 

SEEKING: 2-3 performers
Dancers ideal for this work are comfortable with high-energy physical contemporary dance movement, partnering/contact, theatrical expression/light acting, prop-work, structured improvisation, and contributing dialogue and choreographic input to the process. The work may include some cast members to sit in water (a tub or kiddie pool), eat oranges, and change outfits on stage. 
Comfort levels with all the above will be discussed during callbacks. 
 

COMMITMENT: 
January 6th to April 13th, 2025 
Estimated 50 - 80 hours of rehearsal (1-3 rehearsals/week)

COMPENSATION: 
Rehearsal rate: $20/hour 
Tech, dress rehearsal, in-progress showings: $20/hour 
Show rate: $150/show 
 

THE WORK: 
They Were Once is the brain-child of Jacqui Dugal, originally a collaboration with Jamie Amadruto in late 2019 performed as a solo at RWS Studios, funded by Queens Council on the Arts. This work will be restaged as a group work in April 2025 at Flushing Town Hall made possible by Mare Nostrum Elements Emerging Choreographer Series (MNE ECS) Alumni Program. They Were Once explores queerness through stages of discovery, acceptance, rebellion, control, letting go, and love through memories from childhood to adulthood. Contemporary dance and theatrical elements including costumes, props, lighting, original soundscapes, recognizable music, comedy, and drag support the storytelling throughout this work.
Jacqui is also performing in the work therefore will have rehearsal directors and performance consultants come into rehearsal to support the work from an external perspective. 
Video sample of the work here.
Spotify Playlist of songs from the work here.

Choreographer / Creative Director: Jacqui M Dugal (they/them) - is a NYC-based genderqueer artist who believes creating is essential to the human experience and dance is necessary for our personal and collective healing. From South Florida they moved to NYC in 2015 where they perform, choreograph, collaborate, stage-manage, produce, explore, and stay curious. Jacqui also practices pottery; bartering ceramic goods and exploring movement in a tactile form. They live in the Lower East Side with partner Eden & dog Osita. 
IG @jacquidugal  

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE: 
Must be available for rehearsals weekday night and weekends. 
Rehearsals will take place January - April 2025 mostly on weekday nights (between 6-10pm) and weekends (between 10am - 7pm) with a handful of intensive weekday rehearsals (Thursday & Friday 10am - 6pm with lunch) at the performance venue in Flushing, Queens. Exact rehearsal schedule to be finalized based on cast schedules. 

REQUIRED DATES: 
- March 2 for in-progress showing in Long Island City, Queens 
- April 9, 10, 11 for tech and dress rehearsal at Flushing Town Hall, Queens 
 -April 12 & 13 for performances at Flushing Town Hall, Queens 

AUDITION RSVP FORM SUBMISSIONS DUE December 5th, 2024

All performers are welcome to apply; people of all genders, gender expression, background, race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, education/dance training, etc. will be considered. 

Email Jacqui at theywereonce@gmail.com with any questions. Thank you!