PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION!
AUDITION INFORMATION
The Essence Dance Line combines technical, rhythmic, and dynamic dance styles to enhance the Clark Atlanta University Mighty Marching Panthers Band. The Essence Dance Line performs with the marching band at football games, parades, exhibitions, University programs, and other band, community, and corporate events.
AUDITION DATE AND LOCATION
Fri. | May 2, 2025 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sat. | May 3, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sun. | May 4, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Location: Panther Stadium
735 Beckwith St. SW
Atlanta, GA 30314
Report outside the Band Room, 3rd door to the right upon entering the Stadium.
***Street parking is available (Do NOT park in the stadium parking lot)***
***Do NOT bring any valuables into the stadium***
***Do NOT leave any valuables in your vehicle***
The University, Music Dept., and Band Program will not assume liability or responsibility
for lost/stolen items, or immobilized, booted, damaged, or towed vehicles.
AUDITION ELEMENTS
FUNDAMENTAL ASSESSMENT (Session 1)
This workshop will evaluate you on the fundamental movements of dance and HBCU marching band show style.
Fundamentals include but are not limited to: struts, turns, jumps, leaps, kicks, splits, etc.
The fundamental assessment will account for 20% of your final evaluation.
STANDS ASSESSMENT (Session 2)
This workshop will teach the "Essence" of stand choreography and performance. This stands assessment will account for 20% of your final evaluation.
INTERVIEW ASSESSMENT (Session 3)
This workshop will further our interactions to expound on your possible contribution to the Essence Dance Line, your plans for academic success, and goals for personal growth. This Interview assessment will account for 20% of your final evaluation.
CHOREOGRAPHY ASSESSMENT (Session 4)
This workshop will teach a halftime-esque performance piece(s).
Your retention and delivery of choreography for each session will account for 20% of your final evaluation.
SOLO PERFORMANCE SHOWCASE (Session 5)
MANDATORY FOR ALL AUDITION CANDIDATES FOR
THE 2025 – 2026 EDITION OF THE ESSENCE DANCE LINE
Be prepared to showcase an independently created solo performance. This performance should be more than 30 seconds but no longer than 2 minutes. The routine should be a genre of your preference. Your music should be prepared on ANY device that will allow it to be connected to our audio equipment through an auxiliary cord (provided by the audition staff). This solo performance piece will factor 20% of your final evaluation.
EVALUATION NOTES
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE FULLY EVALUATED/CONSIDERED TO BE SELECTED AS A MEMBER OF THE 2025 - 2026 EDITION OF THE ESSENCE DANCE LINE, ALL CANDIDATES MUST FULLY PARTICIPATE IN ALL SESSIONS.
New members of the 2025 – 2026 Edition of the Essence Dance Line are determined by a comprehensive final assessment of the aforementioned factors and are evaluated by a combination of marching band staff and artistic professionals. All selections are final. While general feedback may be given, selection choices and scores will not be discussed with any applicants, parents, or previous coaches of the applicants.
IMPORTANT AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
ARRIVAL TIME
You should plan to arrive 15-20 minutes PRIOR TO the posted call time to allow time for any personal preparation.
PLEASE NOTE:
Audition session(s) will begin promptly at the specified start time.
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to ensure you are in place PRIOR TO the start of the session.
You may not be granted access to audition hall if not in place after a session has begun.
REGISTRATION ITEMS
* $20.00 CASH audition fee, payable at registration. Proof of your receipt will grant entry to the audition hall.
* 1 - PRINTED 8 X 10 head shot (clear, non-pixelated selfies are acceptable).* Pictures bigger or smaller than 8 x 10 WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
PLEASE NOTE: Submitted pictures WILL NOT BE RETURNED.
* A 1-page personal statement addressing your dance experience, what contributions you can add to The Essence Dance Line and the Mighty Marching Panther Band program as an entire unit, and what you would like to gain from your participation with The Essence Dance Line.
* Current CAU students - 1 unofficial transcript
* Non-CAU student - 1 unofficial transcript and 1 recommendation letter
ATTIRE
The following attire is the same for all 3 days
* Black boy shorts AND dance tights (not pantyhose)
(NOTE: You will NOT be permitted to audition if you do not have on any tights).
* Supportive black sports bra
* White tank top
* Dance and/or athletic shoes
* Hair - Hair should be SECURED AWAY from your face
* Make-up - Clear gloss only
* Stud earrings only
Reference link: Amazon.com: Amazon Essentials Women's Slim-Fit Tank, Pack of 2 : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry).
The link is provided to reference the STYLE of tank top ONLY.
---------------------------------------------------------------
SPECTATORS ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE OF THE AUDITION HALL!
Please send all inquiries/questions to [email protected]
Fri. | May 2, 2025 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sat. | May 3, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sun. | May 4, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Location: Panther Stadium
735 Beckwith St. SW
Atlanta, GA 30314
Report outside the Band Room, 3rd door to the right upon entering the Stadium.
***Street parking is available (Do NOT park in the stadium parking lot)***
***Do NOT bring any valuables into the stadium***
***Do NOT leave any valuables in your vehicle***
The University, Music Dept., and Band Program will not assume liability or responsibility
for lost/stolen items, or immobilized, booted, damaged, or towed vehicles.
AUDITION ELEMENTS
FUNDAMENTAL ASSESSMENT (Session 1)
This workshop will evaluate you on the fundamental movements of dance and HBCU marching band show style.
Fundamentals include but are not limited to: struts, turns, jumps, leaps, kicks, splits, etc.
The fundamental assessment will account for 20% of your final evaluation.
STANDS ASSESSMENT (Session 2)
This workshop will teach the "Essence" of stand choreography and performance. This stands assessment will account for 20% of your final evaluation.
INTERVIEW ASSESSMENT (Session 3)
This workshop will further our interactions to expound on your possible contribution to the Essence Dance Line, your plans for academic success, and goals for personal growth. This Interview assessment will account for 20% of your final evaluation.
CHOREOGRAPHY ASSESSMENT (Session 4)
This workshop will teach a halftime-esque performance piece(s).
Your retention and delivery of choreography for each session will account for 20% of your final evaluation.
SOLO PERFORMANCE SHOWCASE (Session 5)
MANDATORY FOR ALL AUDITION CANDIDATES FOR
THE 2025 – 2026 EDITION OF THE ESSENCE DANCE LINE
Be prepared to showcase an independently created solo performance. This performance should be more than 30 seconds but no longer than 2 minutes. The routine should be a genre of your preference. Your music should be prepared on ANY device that will allow it to be connected to our audio equipment through an auxiliary cord (provided by the audition staff). This solo performance piece will factor 20% of your final evaluation.
EVALUATION NOTES
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE FULLY EVALUATED/CONSIDERED TO BE SELECTED AS A MEMBER OF THE 2025 - 2026 EDITION OF THE ESSENCE DANCE LINE, ALL CANDIDATES MUST FULLY PARTICIPATE IN ALL SESSIONS.
New members of the 2025 – 2026 Edition of the Essence Dance Line are determined by a comprehensive final assessment of the aforementioned factors and are evaluated by a combination of marching band staff and artistic professionals. All selections are final. While general feedback may be given, selection choices and scores will not be discussed with any applicants, parents, or previous coaches of the applicants.
IMPORTANT AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
ARRIVAL TIME
You should plan to arrive 15-20 minutes PRIOR TO the posted call time to allow time for any personal preparation.
PLEASE NOTE:
Audition session(s) will begin promptly at the specified start time.
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to ensure you are in place PRIOR TO the start of the session.
You may not be granted access to audition hall if not in place after a session has begun.
REGISTRATION ITEMS
* $20.00 CASH audition fee, payable at registration. Proof of your receipt will grant entry to the audition hall.
* 1 - PRINTED 8 X 10 head shot (clear, non-pixelated selfies are acceptable).* Pictures bigger or smaller than 8 x 10 WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
PLEASE NOTE: Submitted pictures WILL NOT BE RETURNED.
* A 1-page personal statement addressing your dance experience, what contributions you can add to The Essence Dance Line and the Mighty Marching Panther Band program as an entire unit, and what you would like to gain from your participation with The Essence Dance Line.
* Current CAU students - 1 unofficial transcript
* Non-CAU student - 1 unofficial transcript and 1 recommendation letter
ATTIRE
The following attire is the same for all 3 days
* Black boy shorts AND dance tights (not pantyhose)
(NOTE: You will NOT be permitted to audition if you do not have on any tights).
* Supportive black sports bra
* White tank top
* Dance and/or athletic shoes
* Hair - Hair should be SECURED AWAY from your face
* Make-up - Clear gloss only
* Stud earrings only
Reference link: Amazon.com: Amazon Essentials Women's Slim-Fit Tank, Pack of 2 : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry).
The link is provided to reference the STYLE of tank top ONLY.
---------------------------------------------------------------
SPECTATORS ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE OF THE AUDITION HALL!
Please send all inquiries/questions to [email protected]