Soul singers, dancers to audition for new semester

As students settle into their new academic routines, the African American Arts Institute will begin its quest to add new members to its ranks.

The African American Dance Company will hold auditions tonight at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center in room A217.  

The African American Choral Ensemble will hold its auditions from 7 to 9 p.m Wednesday at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, room A219, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Also, the IU Soul Revue will hold auditions Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center Grand Hall.

Iris Rosa, director of the dance company, said she is looking for new members, as well as returning and former members, to rehearse for the spring concert performance.
Rosa said there is no set number of participants who will be invited to return, and  those who perform any method of dance are invited to audition.

“I look at what dance background the students have, how they perform at the audition, what their commitment is like, how mindful they are about the protocol and their dance discipline,” Rosa said.

The company started to prepare for its spring concert throughout the fall. Rosa said expectations are high for new members to learn the existing routine.
Charles Sykes, executive director of the African American Arts Institute, said the benefits of participating in any of the ensembles extend far beyond the actual performance.

“You develop and reap all the benefits of being in a performance group,” he said. “That is, you develop self-confidence, have an opportunity to explore, enjoy and use your talents.”

Skyes said that everyone who auditions build strong, long-lasting connections with each other.

“There is also the building of community within these groups,” he said. “What we have within each one of these groups is a larger community of people who have taken ownership of these ensembles and feel an allegiance to them, even after they
graduate.”

Sykes said that the ensembles are not necessarily looking for performers that are highly trained for their respective auditions.

Rather, he said, the ensembles seek individuals who are genuinely interested in the opportunity to be part of the group.

“Our students are majors in subjects across the university curriculum,” he said. “So, it’s mainly the interest, and if you feel you have talent that you would like to develop, these auditions would certainly be for you.”