What key characteristics do panelists look for in auditions? How can dance educators prepare students beyond performance ability? And what’s the best way for students to manage their emotions when they don’t receive their desired results?
Register now for our next DT+ Teacher Talk, “What Dance Audition Panels Are Looking For,” on Thursday, January 23, at 12 pm EST to find out answers to all these questions and more.
In this live hour-long Zoom discussion, Dance Teacher’s editorial director, Reanne Rodrigues, will be joined by Dionne Figgins, artistic director of Ballet Tech; Bianca Zumbo Caryl, head coach of the Arizona State University dance team; and Nile Russell, director of education for the American Dance Festival. Attendees will also be able to ask questions in real time.
About the Speakers
Dionne Figgins
Dionne Figgins was born in Memphis, TN, and grew up in Washington, DC, training at Jones-Haywood School of Ballet and the Dance Institute of Washington. She briefly attended Goucher College, where she was cast as the lead Russian girl in Balanchine’s Serenade by New York City Ballet soloist Zippora Karz. In 2000, Figgins joined DTH’s corps de ballet and performed leading roles in Balanchine’s Agon, Serenade, Four Temperaments, and Concerto Barocco, Garland’s Return and New Bach, and Rhoden’s Twist. She has also performed with Complexions Contemporary Ballet and Forces of Nature Dance Company. In 2004, Figgins was cast in the original Broadway company of Hot Feet. She has also appeared in the original casts of Memphis: The Musical (2010 Tony winner for Best Musical), Motown: The Musical (as Diana Ross’ understudy and as dance captain), and served as the assistant choreographer for Leap of Faith on Broadway. She can currently be seen on Broadway playing the role of Daisy Parker in A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical. Figgins’ work in the musical Smokey Joe’s Cafe earned her an Ovation Award Nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical, a Chita Rivera Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in an Off-Broadway Musical, and a Chita Rivera Award for Best Ensemble in an Off-Broadway Musical. In addition to being artistic director of Ballet Tech, she is the co-founder of Broadway Serves, an affiliate organization of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and has served for two years on the Tony nominating committee.
Bianca Zumbo Caryl
Bianca Zumbo Caryl holds a BA in dance and a master’s degree in secondary education from Arizona State University. She taught dance in the Tempe Union High School District for over 25 years, receiving the Teaching Award of Excellence in 2008 as well as the Teacher of the Year Award in 2017. Her high school dance companies earned five state championship titles in Large Group Jazz divisions. Currently she is the head coach of ASU’s dance team, which has earned three national titles at The College Classic in D1A Jazz (2022–24). In 2023, she received the National Dance Coaches Association College Coach of the Year Award.
Nile H. Russell
Nile H. Russell is originally from Baltimore, MD, and holds a BA in dance from Connecticut College. Living in New York, he danced with multiple companies, including Silver-Brown Dance, LeeSaar The Company, and Stefanie Nelson Dancegroup. In 2009, he joined Pilobolus Dance Theater and later became the dance captain of the touring company. He moved to Denver, CO, in 2014 and was a movement consultant and choreographer for the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and the Arvada Center. He has also performed with Rosie Herrera Dance Theatre and was a collaborator and director of commissions for Crystal Bridges American Art Museum, the Momentary, the Clayton Members Club & Hotel, and multiple music videos. Russell has taught movement workshops at California State University, and continued his work with Pilobolus as a teaching artist. He is currently based in Durham, NC, as the director of education for the American Dance Festival.
Please note: This discussion is exclusive to DanceTeacher+ members. If you’re a member, look out for the registration link which will be sent via email over the next few weeks.
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