Auditioning for SDC: Madeline Harms

 

Madeline Harms describes her experience of auditioning for Sydney Dance Company.

"Auditioning for Sydney Dance Company was a particularly special and different occasion to other auditions that I have experienced over the years.

"I had expressed interest in working with Rafael Bonachela and SDC for some time; however, due to the circumstances of the pandemic it was almost impossible for me to return to Australia at that time from Europe.

"One afternoon Richard Cilli, SDC’s rehearsal director, wrote to confirm that the company’s European tour was happening! We realised this would be our chance to meet up.

"I took a train to Paris from Mainz, Germany, and walked into the Theatre Chaillot, into a room full of Australian accents for the first time in years.

"It was a special coming together – for SDC to finally be on tour again, and for me to be in touch with the Australian arts scene again.

"Richard invited me to teach the company warm-up class, which was wonderful, and then I spent some time in the studio with Rafael to play with some repertoire and improvisation tasks. It was an exchange of curiosity; for them to see me, as well as for me to get to know them. It was an intimate and personal experience. I then stayed to watch their performance of Ab-Intra that night at Theatre Chaillot. It was just exceptional.

"Rafael expressed quite soon that they would be excited for me to join, but it would be a matter of the right timing, from both sides. One year later I am here, finally home, creating and enjoying being a part of this incredible team. How lucky I am!"

You can see Harms in SDC’s ‘Ascent’, touring from May to August throughout Australia. https://www.sydneydancecompany.com/performance/ascent/

The above story is an extract from a special feature on auditions in the current (April/May/June) print issue of Dance Australia. Read more audition anecdotes! Buy the magazine from your favourite retailer or on-line here or here.