Epiphany Modeling Troupe holds auditions

With 28 returning members, the Epiphany Modeling Troupe will hold its second round of spring auditions from 8:30 to 10 p.m. today in the School of Fine Arts room 015.

Interested students should go with their personal style and be creative, said junior Ashlee Green, public relations specialist for the troupe.

The first round of spring semester auditions was held Feb. 11, and 12 new members joined.

Junior LaTroy Hampton, president of Epiphany Modeling Troupe, said the troupe’s executive board is looking for models with “WAP,” or walk, appearance and personality.

“We look for people who have confidence. You don’t need to be a size zero,” Green said. “We even have plus-size models.”

Hampton added that the troupe will work with students who are nervous or shy and help them gain confidence. But, students need to have a positive attitude and work with the troupe to gain confidence.

Hampton said they don’t want to reject people who are just shy, but they also can’t take everyone.

The troupe is multicultural because the fashion industry has all races and they want to show how versatile it can be, Green said.

“The troupe is not one dimension,” said senior Brianna Burnett, one of the troupe’s two recording secretaries. “You can be male or female, any ethnicity, gay or straight.”

If you focus on one crowd, only one crowd will participate – and the troupe wants everyone to participate, Hampton said.

The troupe is planning a fashion show for late April and is working with local stores and boutiques as well as local designers Chris Hamilton and Matt Fields. The fashion show will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Middle Way House.

While most student organizations always need money, the troupe wants to do the opposite and give back to the community, Hampton said.

After auditions, the troupe will begin meeting every Wednesday night to work with graduate student and modeling coach Justin Merrick.

At each meeting, the troupe focuses on a new task and gives background on fashion, poses and designers. They also discuss tips on how to dress up your clothes and how to model different accessories, Green said.

Hampton said his goal was for the officers on the executive board to meet before practices so everyone in the troupe knows what is going on.

Burnett manages the troupe’s MySpace and Facebook pages so the members have an easy way to communicate.

The troupe holds social events for the models each month so everyone can get to know one another.

“We want to have everyone together to help build their careers and gain confidence,” Hampton said. “The models should feel confident wearing their heels to class.”