Maurice Hines Leads Master Class at Howard University; Holds Open Dance Auditions at Arena Stage, 10/11-12

Star of stage and screen Maurice Hines returns to D.C. to teach a free master class at Howard University and hold open dance auditions at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater to connect with the D.C.-area dance community and search for the next young tap star to appear in Arena Stage's Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life, running November 15-December 29, 2013 in the Kreeger Theater.

Hines reunites with the dynamic duo and Southwest D.C. residents John and Leo Manzari, who made their professional debuts performing alongside Hines in the 2010 production Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies, which smashed Arena Stage box office records at the time. Hines discovered John and Leo (then 17 and 15) at a master class at the Duke Ellington School for the Arts in 2009, and the brothers come full circle as they team up with their mentor to search for the next generation of tapping talent to share the stage in Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life.

FREE Advanced Jazz and Hip-Hop Master Class, October 11, 2013
For dancers with an advanced background in jazz and hip-hop, Hines and the Manzari brothers will teach a free class on Friday, October 11 from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Howard University's Department of Theatre Arts (2455 Sixth Street, NW) at the Ira Aldridge Theater. To register for the class, e-mail tappin@arenastage.org. Space is limited.

Open Dance Auditions for Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life, October 12, 2013
Arena Stage will hold open auditions for a featured performer in Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life on Saturday, October 12 at the Mead Center (1101 Sixth Street, SW)with registration beginning at 9:00 a.m. Performers must be based in the D.C.-metro area, and dancers ages 10-15 with strong tap background and exceptional performance skills are encouraged to attend. All auditions are first come, first served, and callbacks will be held that same afternoon. To pre-register for the audition, e-mailtappin@arenastage.org.

The first portion of the dance auditions, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., will be open to the public to attend and watch.

Audition Schedule:
9:00-10:00 a.m.: Registration
10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.: First round of dance auditions (open to the public)
2:30-4:00 p.m.: Second round of dance auditions
4:00-6:00 p.m.: Final callbacks

Prepare: Bring two copies of headshot and resume. For initial audition, bring tap shoes and come prepared to perform 45 seconds to one minute of a solo tap combination of one's choosing. For callbacks, be prepared to learn choreography, perform a short tap combination and improvise.

About Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life
Created by and starring Maurice Hines
Directed by Jeff Calhoun
A co-production with ALLIANCE THEATRE and Cleveland Play House
In the Kreeger Theater
November 15-December 29, 2013
Featuring John and Leo Manzari

Broadway legend Maurice Hines teams up again with the unforgettable Manzari Brothers for the first time since the smash hit production of Sophisticated Ladies to tap us through his incredible 40 years in show business. With song and dance, Hines pays tribute to his brother, Gregory, and the singers who have inspired him, from Frank Sinatra to Lena Horne. To help bring the history of American tap to life, Hines brings The Diva Orchestra, an all-female nine-piece big band. Get ready to laugh, smile and tap your feet to the infectious song and dance of Maurice Hines!

For more information, visit arenastage.org/shows-tickets/the-season/productions/maurice-hines-is-tappin-thru-life/.

TICKETS: Tickets for Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life are $50-$99, subject to change and based on availability, plus applicable fees. For information on savings programs such as student discounts, Southwest Nights, Pay-Your-Age tickets, HOTTIX and Hero's Discounts, visit arenastage.org/shows-tickets/single-tickets/savings-programs/. Tickets may be purchased online at arenastage.org, by phone at 202-488-3300 or at the Sales Office at 1101 Sixth St., SW, D.C.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater is a national center dedicated to the production, presentation, development and study of American theater. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Molly Smith and Executive Producer Edgar Dobie, Arena Stage is the largest company in the country dedicated to American plays and playwrights. Arena Stage produces huge plays of all that is passionate, exuberant, profound, deep and dangerous in the American spirit, and presents diverse and ground-breaking work from some of the best artists around the country. Arena Stage is committed to commissioning and developing new plays through the American Voices New Play Institute. Now in its seventh decade, Arena Stage serves a diverse annual audience of more than 300,000.

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