“Okay.” Dean rubbed his hands together. “First, we should go through and select those that fit our aesthetics…body type, overall look, about the same age as the other dancers, etc. That should help us narrow it down a little.”
Dean didn’t necessarily have a specific “look” requirement for his dancers. His only specification was an all-male dance troupe. He didn’t care about ethnicity, hair color, hair style, etc, but they should all have the same body type—muscular but not bulky; a dancer’s body—and all be about the same height as Dean. Of course, they all must be fantastic dancers, but it was also about the visual aesthetic. On stage, from a distance, everyone needed to fit together seamlessly, with no visual disturbance in the lineup, just one long line of fabulous, muscled dancers.
Jordan grabbed the first headshot from the pile. “I think this one is a no. He’s well known in the reality TV dance world and I can see him having conflicting scheduling issues, which is something we don’t need.”
“Agreed.” Dean took the headshot from Jordan and placed it on the edge of the table. “Okay, this is the NO pile.” They weeded out a few more in the same manner…all great dancers, but a little too well known in the dance world. The more well known you were, the more bookings and projects you got. Dean didn’t need last-minute hiccups with his performances because a dancer was double booked.
“This one too. I think he’s a no. Hardly any experience, only high school dance and a couple of community theater productions.” Jordan handed the headshot to Dean.
Dean was about to agree, but he took a closer look at the headshot. “Wait a second. I don’t know Jordan, there’s something about his picture.” Dean continued to study the headshot. He was a young guy, brown hair and eyes, square jaw with a dimple in his chin, very handsome. It was the eyes that captured Dean. There was a sadness behind his eyes, something Dean connected with. “You know I always follow my gut, and my gut is telling me that this guy deserves an audition.”
Jordan pinched the bridge of his nose. “Dean, I get what you’re saying, but we have to move fast. We only have a couple of weeks before your next performance, so we need someone with experience. We don’t have time to train an absolute newbie.”
“Jordan.” Dean leveled him with a stony look. “I’m not saying we’re hiring him. I’m saying he’s worthy of an audition.” Dean tilted his head with a half-smile. “I seem to remember someone else I took a chance on, and look how great that turned out.”
Jordan dropped his head slightly. “Ugh, I know, and I can’t thank you enough for taking a chance on me.” He sighed with a shrug. “You’re the boss.” He picked up the headshot, took another look at the face staring back at him, and placed it in the YES pile. “Okay David Swisher, you just scored yourself an audition.”
After a tedious morning of sifting through applicants, Dean and Jordan managed to narrow it down to twenty-one potential dancers. Jordan contacted each applicant, informing them that auditions would be held in two days.
Jordan had worked for Dean for almost six years, and Dean knew his triggers, when he was close to the edge of a meltdown. Dean could feel the tension building within Jordan throughout the process. He needed to settle him down.
“Hey, J, how about we call it a day? Let me take you to lunch as a thank you for your help with all this.” He motioned over the sea of papers on the table. “You pick the place.”
Jordan smiled, his shoulders relaxing. “I’d love that. Thank you, Dean.”
A few days later and the second floor of Dean's building, which held the headquarters for Harris Entertainment, was almost ready for auditions. Jax and Harry carried a folding table through the second-floor lobby area.
“Let’s put the registration table here.” Jordan directed, pointing to a spot just in front of the entrance to the rehearsal studio. “Okay, you two are going to man the registration table. Everyone’s name should be on this list.” Jordan placed an iPad down on the table. “If they’re not on the list, call me and I’ll deal with it. Check everyone off when they arrive and have them complete this form, then send them inside the rehearsal studio to wait. Got it?” Jordan looked at both dancers with a haughty stare.
“Ma’am, yes ma’am!” Jax bolted to stand at attention, military style, snapping his hand to his forehead in a mock salute.
Harry followed suit, snapping to attention with a salute next to Jax.
Jordan rolled his eyes. ”I’m surrounded by idiots,” he mumbled as he walked into the rehearsal studio. He heard Jax and Harry snickering in the lobby and rolled his eyes again.
Jordan set up the table inside the rehearsal space for himself, Dean, and Sean, Dean's lead dancer, to sit and observe each audition. He checked the sound system to ensure everything was in working order and gave the rehearsal space one more check…good to go!
Mercifully, all twenty-one dancers arrived on time and without incident. The large group of young men milled aroundthe rehearsal studio, some practicing, some warming up and stretching, some sitting quietly, and some nervously pacing.
A hush fell over the dancers as Dean entered the room with Jordan and the dance troupe on his heels.
“Good morning, everyone. Thank you all for coming today,” Dean greeted the group. “If you’re not already aware, my name is Dean, and my stage name is DJ DVLN. My dance troupe” —Dean gestured to his dancers standing to either side of him— “travels and performs with me for all my shows. I have one spot available, which is what you’ll be auditioning for today. This is a full-time position, and it begins immediately. Obviously, I’m looking for a skilled dancer, well versed in multiple styles of dance. But aside from technical skills, I’m also looking for personality and performance. So bring it with everything you’ve got. The person that gets the job is the person that can blow my skirt up.” Dean winked and everyone collectively chuckled.
“Alright,” Jordan stepped forward with his iPad. “We will audition each of you individually, in alphabetical order. Our first victim is Mr. Adams. The rest of you can wait in the common area.” Jordan gestured out the door.
Auditions progressed smoothly. Honestly, each dancer was amazing and highly skilled. It would be a tougher decision than Dean originally thought.
David entered the studio and stepped in front of the table.
“Hi. Please tell us your name and where you’re from.” Dean smiled, hoping to put him at ease.
David nervously shifted on his feet. “Um…hi. M-my name is David Swisher.”
Sean and Jordan turned their heads and snorted at his last name. Dean shot them both an icy stare.
“And where are you from, David?” Dean prompted without moving his scolding eyes from Jordan and Sean.
“Modesto, California…sir.”
