"Because of the costume, my dancing became so much stronger during the tour. To do full out choreography in costume was a difficult adjustment but like ankle weights to a basketball player, when I dance without the costume now, I just fly."

"My acting and musical theater skills have become so much better. You have to remember you're dancing and creating a character at the same time. The arena's are so large that I now know what it means to play to the back of the house."

"Yes it's hot, yes it's definitely an adjustment but I forgot how loved these characters are by children, Bert and Ernie, Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie and all the rest. When you set foot on the stage in character, the kids go absolutely wild! The response is so overwhelming that it will make me start to cry. This is usually a child's first exposure to live theater and I love being a part of that. The emotional reward just does it for me."

A rewarding dance job "does it" for just about all of us but let me share some practical benefits as well.

Dancers performing the Sesame Street Live Tour will get their Actors Equity Association Union card. This union card is difficult to obtain and will allow dancers to audition for Equity Theater Productions including Broadway shows and Broadway Tours. With AEA you will begin your Pension Fund. Although it will take ten years of Equity work to become vested, a dance job with a retirement fund is still rare. After an initial period of work you will also be eligible for health benefits through the Union. Of course, all of these benefits are not totally free. There is a membership fee of $800.00 and dues of $39.00 twice a year. Don't worry; AEA and VEE Corporation have worked out a plan by which you can pay your membership dues over time. You should also know that VEE Corporation carries Workman's Compensation and Unemployment Insurance for each dancer. 

Another benefit to Sesame Street Live is the potential for long-term employment. In a world where shows open and close in just a couple of months, you'll be happy to know that many Sesame Street Live performers are in their tenth year with the company. This long-term employment is rewarded by VEE Corporation with raises of up to 5% over and above the Actors Equity negotiated minimums. 

So where and how do you audition?
VEE Corporation auditioned in 36 US cities last year. In fact, they auditioned in certain cities like Philadelphia, more than once during the year. They will post auditions in the Backstage trade paper. They will also place audition information on web sites like www.backstage.com, www.sesamestreetlive.com and the Actors Equity hotline (212) 869-1242. You do not have to be a member of Actors Equity to access the information on their hotline. They will include a private mailing to local dance studios to help make dancers aware of an upcoming audition. Very often, they will give private or semi-private auditions. If you contact Sesame Street on their website and tell them where you live, they will make arrangements to let you audition at the next possible opportunity. If it's mid-season, they will keep you on file until a position is available. 

Kim Gladman describes the audition process.
"I need a versatile dancer that has technique and knows terminology. Sesame Street Live has a variety of dance styles. Of course there is ballet, jazz and tap but we also do tango, swing and a variety of Broadway musical styles. Ability to do gymnastics is always a plus. I can find out very quickly how much training a dancer has by asking them to do a triple time step with any break and a pirouette to the right and to the left en dehors. People will ask me to explain en dehors but I feel a dancer should know basic ballet terminology. I will also give them a short dance combination from the show. I'm looking to see how quickly they pick up the routine, their training and retention. We need a wide range of talent and some characters don't require extensive dance ability. So a good actor with some dance ability can work. We also offer work to a wide range of body types. We need dancers from 5' to 6'1". Many dancers that will have trouble finding work in other areas of dance because of their height are welcome in Sesame Street." 

When I asked Barbara Lutz to share the types of mistakes dancers make at auditions, this is what she said. "I see dancers that don't present themselves. They will be stuck behind another dancer and not move to be seen. I see dancers that don't know where to go when I ask them to move downstage left. I will let you do the combination twice, so if you make a mistake just keep trying. What I don't want to see is the dancer that just makes a face and quits. If you give it your best and just keep trying I know I can work with this dancer. Learning quickly is so important. We have quite a few mid-season replacements and to audition a dancer that can learn quickly makes my job much easier. Flexibility is also very important. I don't mean physically, I mean being able to adjust to the stage. We travel to so many cities and the stages are different shapes and sizes. I need a dancer that can adjust the choreography to the stage quickly and without complaining."

Salary for the show is difficult and changing all the time. VEE Corporation has a three-year contract with Actors Equity and the new contract will be negotiated July 2001. Currently the base salary is $260.00 with a weekly per diem of $336.00. These combine for a base pay of just under $600.00 and everyone starts at base salary. There is more money for doing more than 8 shows per week, more than 2 shows in a day and for doing publicity events for the show. The upcoming contract minimums will be increased and VEE Corporation is working to restructure lodging on the road.

As I said earlier, the contract for Sesame Street Live is from September to June with a two-week out clause for the dancer and a two-week out for the employer. No one from VEE Corporation wants to keep an unhappy dancer and dancers have always been let out of their contract. They have a very lenient contract policy except for drugs and alcohol. There is a no tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol and if you're caught using drugs or under the influence you will be immediately terminated.

Dancers completing a tour will be the first ones selected to perform special events. Very often Sesame Street Live will perform in Holland or Southeast Asia and the veterans that have completed a season will have priority to enjoy these special events. VEE Corporation is very organized and all dancers will receive an extensive "Rules of the Road" handbook. This handbook will give you tips and procedures on luggage, hotels, travel and other information to make your tour easier. Remember, an Actors Equity Union card, an emotionally rewarding show and no height requirements make Sesame Street Live an exciting opportunity for many dancers. If you would like to audition for VEE Corporation, contact them online at www.Sesamestreetlive.com.