Moon Belly Dance Studio is seeking a team of costume designers, including mask and headpiece makers, and make-up artists for a new work, Mother Nature, to be performed October 3-4, 2015 at Talking Horse Theater in Columbia, Missouri. The costumes, masks, head pieces and make-up provide depth, character, beauty and reinforce the mood and style of the production. Creative collaboration of the design process is required throughout the year between the costume designers, make-up artists, artistic director, lighting designer and the choreographers. 

Mother Nature is rooted in belly dance technique fused with contemporary movement and sensory theater. It is a personal and political exploration of the symbolic relationship between women's bodies and the planet. Performances include dancers from MOON dance company, as well as local performance artists including actors and aerial performers. The overall costume style we are seeking could be described as an eclectic fusion of tribal meets modern meets avant-garde/fashion-forward meets dancer functionality. Inspired by the fashion of Ruth St. Denis, Jean Paul Gaultier and Alexander MQueen, whom we adore.

Qualifications - Please send a portfolio or examples of work before February 18, 2015 to: [email protected]

Requirements - Show up to design meetings, send sketches and designs by required dates, do fittings or trial runs (for make-up) with dancers 6 weeks prior to show, be available for re-sizing and mending prior to and days of the show. First introduction and discussion meeting set for February 18, 2015 at 110 Orr Street in the front waiting area at 7:30pm. Please send portfolio or examples of work prior to meeting.

Benefits - Unfortunately, this is a community arts project and the budget is very small. No financial compensation will be available from Moon Belly Dance Studio for costume designers, mask or head pieces makers; however, you will have the option to sell your costume/mask/head piece to the dancer who performs in it at a price you set. A small compensation will be offered to the make-up designers. All designers and make-up artists will also receive advertising in the show program, Moon Belly blog and related social media sites. Moreover, we hope to co-coordinate a fashion show with all designers and artists involved after the show to highlight your works specifically. More details on this to come.


Roles -  
Set 1
1 Wild Queen (1)
2 Forest Dance: Tree Sprouts (3) & Flowers (4)
3 Maiden Dance: Maiden, adolescent, child
4 Eve/Serpent Dance: Eve (1), Serpent (1), Tree chorus (5-7)
5 Birth Dance: Mother (1), Woman in Water (1)
6 Motherhood Dance: Mother chorus (4)
7 Priestess Dance: High priestess (1), priestesses (4)

Set 2
1 Captured Queen (1)
2 City Walkers Dance: walkers in animal masks (10)
3 Worker Dance: Secretary (1), workers (4)
4 War Dance: Warriors (5-7)
5 Sex Objects Dance: Stripper (1), S & M dancers (1-2), Geisha (1) 
6 Demon Dance: Demon (1), ghost (1), crone (1)
7 Hurricane Dance: Aerialist (1), Veil dancers (4), Cymbal dancers (2)

Moon Belly hosted its first auditions, ever. And, it was awesome.
I really had no idea what to expect. 
I didn't realize that I would be so inspired by the dancers, but I absolutely was.  In a profound way.
I learned so much about each dancer - both her strengths and areas where she can grow. 
Honored. - Kandi

(See event description and the Q and A that surrounded it below.)

Event Description
Moon Belly Dance Studio will be presenting a new work, "Mother Nature," October 3-4, 2015. Rooted in belly dance technique fused with contemporary movement and sensory theater, "Mother Nature" is a personal and political exploration of the symbolic relationship between women's bodies and the planet. 

Formal auditions will be held January 18, 2015, 2-4pm at MCB. ALL levels and genres of dancers are invited to audition. There are a range of dance, movement and theatrical roles suited for the beginner to the advanced. 

Prior to auditioning, please attend class with Kandice and ask for a registration form. 

Expectations for performing will include: 
- Class attendance (with minimal absences; exceptions made only for dancers auditioning outside the belly dance genre)
- Commitment to learning choreography
- Commitment to required rehearsals
- Purchase of costume (some costumes provided)
- Monthly private lessons w/ guided mentorship (reduced fees)
- Community building & sharing exercise (at least one)

For me, this project is about more than just putting together a show. It is about community building and artistic collaboration. It will be a process and a journey- and a chance for us to grow individually and together as performers, dancers and artists.

Q and A
Q: When will we be learning choreography and for how long?
A: There are a range of different roles and dances to be learned in three different ways throughout the year: private sessions, workshops or 4-week classes. The 4-week classes will be either on a T or Th evening after regularly scheduled belly dance classes. Workshops will usually be on the weekends and consist of 2-4 hours of teaching at a time. Usually an entire dance will be taught in one workshop slot.

Q: Will we be charged for choreography?
A: Yes, but most private choreo sessions will be complimentary (except for rental rates). Workshops and 4-week classes will also be reduced by more than 50% of normal costs to cover rental space and choreographer fees.

Q: How will we know the schedule?
A: Once everyone is cast in the show a very detailed schedule for the entire year will be posted. We will contact all dancers to confirm their roles and confirm that the schedule can be maintained. You will know all required times expected of you for the entire year. If you ask for a smaller role - your commitment level will obviously be much less than a leading role.

Q: If I have a smaller role, will I still have to do the 6-weeks of full show rehearsals?
A: Yes, small and large roles all must commit to a weekly rehearsal 6-weeks prior to the show to be sure it runs smoothly and maintain artistic integrity! 

Q: What is the "theatrical" component of the audition about? What will we have to do?
A: Great question! All members will be asked to participate in a rasa box exercise. You will be asked to show, through body movement, facial expression and poses, a specific emotion - such as joy, anger, grief, shock etc. This show is rooted in belly dance, but is also fused with contemporary movement and what I am calling "sensory theater." Sensory theater is to transmit emotion and story through body movement and the senses. To find out more about rasa boxes go here: http://rasaboxes.org/about/

Q: What does the "choreo" section entail?
A: There are 4 parts to the audition - choreography, technique, theatrical and dance movement. In the choreography section you will be taught a very short combination and then you will dance it - as a group. No individual performances required. No prepared choreographies expected. smile emoticon 
Keep 'em coming!

Q: If I can't make auditions on 1.18 - will there be another opportunity to try out later?
A: Yes, I will be holding a second, smaller audition in late spring for smaller roles in the show. They will be smaller parts because we will be running out of time. We want to start working on the larger roles and choreographies in February. All show parts and roles must be learned by late August so that we can have a good 6 week run of full-show rehearsals. If you are already a MBE member and you have performed with me before and you cannot make the auditions - please email me to make special arrangements.