Auditions for Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life
Posted April 11, 2014 in Press Releases
CLEVELAND PLAY HOUSE ANNOUNCES YOUNG TAP DANCER AUDITIONS FOR MAURICE HINES IS TAPPIN’ THRU LIFE
APRIL 26 FROM 3-7 PM
CLEVELAND, OH (April 10, 2014) Cleveland Play House (CPH) will hold auditions for young tap dancers (under age 13) on April 26 for their upcoming world premiere production of Maurice Hines is Tappin’ Thru Life.
Starring dance legend Maurice Hines, this explosive production will pay tribute to the late Gregory Hines and a number of showbiz forerunners including Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington and Nat King Cole. Featuring contemporary tap icons The Manzari Brothers, and backed by the sizzling 9-piece band The Diva Orchestra, the evening will culminate in a tap-dancing extravaganza.
Co-produced with Alliance Theatre and Arena Stage, Maurice Hines is Tappin’ Thru Life will dance its way onto PlayhouseSquare’s Allen Theatre stage May 30 – June 29.
Audition Information
Highly skilled tap dancers age 13 or younger are encouraged to audition for CPH’s production of Maurice Hines is Tappin’ Thru Life.
Dancers must be able to perform at an advanced level in order to audition for this paid role.
Auditions are by appointment only and will be held in CPH’s downtown rehearsal spaces in the Middough Building (1901 E. 13th Street). Tappers should perform a 60-90 second routine which they have mastered, without music, and of a skill and energy level that could be used in the actual production.
Tappers should note that the style of the show is more akin to the close-to-the-floor rhythm or “hoofing” style of Savion Glover than the lighter, athletic style of Fred Astaire or traditional Broadway tap.
To schedule an audition, please email casting@clevelandplayhouse.com and include:
·Child’s name and age
·Number of years the child has been tapping
·Parent’s name and contact phone number
·Resume and current headshot or photo
·Times which child is available to audition on Saturday, April 26 between 3 and 7 p.m.
Rehearsals will be May 27-29 with additional rehearsals possible during preview period from May 30 to June 4.
Rehearsals will begin daily at noon. It may be possible to rehearse the young tapper during afterschool hours if necessary.
Performances are eight shows a week, Tuesday-Sunday, from May 30 through June 29.
About Maurice Hines
MAURICE HINES (Creator, Choreographer, Performer) Broadway credits include Eubie, Bring Back Birdie with Chita Rivera and Donald O’Connor, Sophisticated Ladies, conceived/directed/choreographed/starred in Uptown…It’s Hot (1986 Tony Award Best Actor nomination) and collaborated with Maurice White to choreograph/direct the hip-hop musical Hot Feet featuring the music of Earth, Wind, and Fire. Along with his brother and father, he performed in Hines, Hines, & Dad in New York, Las Vegas, and Europe and also performed in Uptown…It’s Hot! (Atlantic City); choreographed Hairspray (Santo Domingo); and choreographed/starred in Dance, Dance, Dance Snap and Cool Papa’s Party (Metro Stage, Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Choreography). He starred in the national tour of Guys and Dolls, directed/choreographed/starred in the national tour of Harlem Suite with successive leading ladies Jennifer Holiday, Stephanie Mills and Melba Moore and starred in the national tour of Jelly’s Last Jam. Film credits include Francis Ford Coppola’s The Cotton Club. At the age of five, Maurice studied tap at the Henry LeTang Dance Studio in New York City. He created the dance company Ballet USA with Mercedes Ellington. Maurice has directed and choreographed many music videos, including I’ll Be Good to You, the first release off of Quincy Jones' Back on the Block album. Maurice became the first African-American director for Radio City Music Hall when he directed The Radio City Spectacular. Maurice’s latest album on Arbor Records To Nat ‘King’ Cole, With Love was released to critical acclaim.
Founded in 1915, Cleveland Play House is America’s first professional regional theatre. Throughout its rich history, Cleveland Play House has remained dedicated to its mission to inspire, stimulate and entertain diverse audiences in Northeast Ohio by producing plays and theatre education programs of the highest professional standards. It has produced more than 100 world and/or American premieres, and over its long history more than 12 million people have attended over 1,300 CPH productions. Cleveland Play House looks toward its centennial while performing in three state-of-the art venues at PlayhouseSquare in downtown Cleveland. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund Cleveland Play House with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. We also thank the residents of Cuyahoga County for supporting Cleveland Play House through Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.
