MADISON – The prestigious Joffrey Ballet School, based in New York City, has requested to conduct Summer Auditions at The Dance Company Inc. at 19 Hughes Road in Madison.

“To be able to host the Joffrey Ballet School auditions at The Dance Company is an amazing honor. Many times, dancers who wish to further their dance education through summer or year-round programs are traveling to larger cities to well-known ballet schools and companies,” Beth Cannon said.

Julie George and Cannon are owners of The Dance Company.

The Joffrey auditions will extend an opportunity that local dance students may not have considered. “For our particular dancers, to audition in a familiar setting allows dancers to feel more at ease during a naturally anxious and stressful moment in life,” George said. “We’re truly honored to have this opportunity to host and provide a space for students in North Alabama to audition.”

“The Joffrey Ballet Company ranks as one of the top ballet companies in the world,” Melissa Barnett said. Barnett is Corps de Ballet Director for The Dance Company. Joffrey contacted TDC because a Joffrey staff member was familiar with The Dance Company and its ballet program.

“They were looking for a school to utilize for their upcoming summer intensive and school programs audition tour,” Barnett said. “We have many former students and staff members who either attended summer intensives there or training programs through them.”

“We’re excited to have the audition in-house to offer such an extraordinary opportunity to our students,” Cannon said. “Joffrey asked to host the event here because they were looking for a location in Alabama.” The audition is open to the public; interested dancers can register with Joffrey’s website.

In 1953, Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino founded Joffrey Ballet School in New York City’s Greenwich Village. The school has a reputation for educating dancers as strong technicians who are versatile, open-minded and adaptable in the ever-changing world of dance. These attributes provide needed tools to succeed in a diverse dance world. (joffreyballetschool.com)

The founders’ vision of dance is based on intensive training that is imbued with a sense of movement, clarity and exuberant energy.

Joffrey graduates have advanced to major classical and contemporary ballet companies in the United States and abroad. Joffrey was the first to sanction rock music, beginning with “Astarte” in 1967 and then “Billboards” with the music of Prince.

To register for auditions, visit joffreyballetschool.com, and click “2024 Audition Tour.” On the next window, search for “The Dance Company Inc.” and click the box.

On the next pages, browse audition times and types. After the schedule, click “REGISTER NOW,” and complete the subsequent form.

The audition schedule on April 7 includes these slots:

* Ballet 1 (ages 8-13) – 12:30 to 2 p.m.

* Ballet 2 (ages 14-25) – 2:30 to 4 p.m.

* Hip Hop 1 (ages 10-25) – 6 to 7 :30 p.m.

* Jazz and Contemporary 1 (ages 14-25) – 12:30 to 2 p.m.

* Jazz and Contemporary 2 (ages 8-13) – 2:30 to 4 p.m.

* Musical Theater 1 (ages 10-25) – 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Dancers should check in 30 minutes before auditions. The audition fee is $35.

For more information, call 256-461-8759, or visit thedancecompanyinc.com or joffreyballetschool.com/auditions.