Announcements that
David H.Y. Lui and the
Pacific Northwest Ballet
Company would be holding
auditions for young people
to appear m THE NUT-
CRACKER were posted in
ballet schools throughout
Greater Vancouver and
presented on community
TV. The only stated
requirements were age (girts
7-15, boys 7-19) and ballet
experience.

I delivered my 12-year-old
daughter and her 14-year-old
friend, cach of whom has
over 5 years ballet training,
to the Queen Elizabeth
Theatre at 8.45 a.m. on
audition day, October 4.
They were among the first 25
children in a ine which grew
to hundreds of excited
hopefuls waiting for the
auditions to begin at 10a.m.

At 10, the doors opened.
As the girls filed in past two
monitors from the Van-
couver Ballet Society, they
were given numbers and
instructed to proceed to the
dressing rooms to await their
call. Agam, there was no
indication of any
prerequisite other than age
and talent. At the dressing
room, the girls were divided
in two groups — those age 9
and younger im one group,
those older m the other.

After a considerable wait, a
representative of the Ballet
Society announced that the
younger children would be
auditioned first.

The older children waited
for an hour before two
members of the Ballet
Society entered and in-
structed them to stand up
and place themselves ac-
cording to height — smaller
in front, taller at the back.
The result was 250 girls
organized into four separate
lines — with height dictating
placement in the group. The
Ballet Society represen-
latives left them standing
and waiting with nothing to
do for another full hour
before the first two lines
(smaller girls) were called
for audition.

There were several other
parents besides myself
waiting for girls in the
remaiing lines. At this point
one of the organizers
suggested we go for coffee,
Stating that these girls would
not be seen for at least
another hour.

Upon our return, we
found our daughters, among
a large group of other former
hopefuls, sifting outside. We
were told that the second to
last line had finally been
called to audition. However,
rather than being given a
chance to perform, they

were merely asked to stand.
One girl was measured and a
few others selected who
were of identical height.
They did not audition but
were given parts. The rest
were informed, “Sorry.
you're too tall” and
dismissed. The girls in the
last group, stil patiently
wailing, were told there
were no more parts, that
they were too tall anyway,
and summanily excused.

All of the young dancers
were rightly hurt and upset
by such shabby treatment.
They had waited four hours,
stifling youthful enthusiasm
and excitement, for their
chance to show their talents.
To have their hopes crushed
with an arbitrary “You're too
tall”, no doubt because by
this ume the staff was as
tired as they were
disorganized, is inexcusable.

Why were not the height
restnctions included im the
poster and TV = an-
nouncements? Why weren't
the giris told when they first
entered the theatre that they
were too tall? Why did they
have to wait four hours for
nothing?

No one questions the
audition process. You ex-
pect to line up for hours, try
out and take your chances.
If you're told, “Sorry, you're
not suitable,” so be it. Al

New party launched.

Dear Editor.

This letter is to inform you
of a new political force in
Bnush Columbia. We will be
fielding candidates im the
next provincial election with
the basic platform of sub-
stantial tax and bureaucracy
reduction, Rreater
democracy by way of the use
of imtatves, referendums
and recall, and promotion of
more free enterpnse.

Our priority for com-
munication will be the
community newspapers and

local media services. We are
a grass-roots organizauion
and want (to maintain strong
tacs on that level of politics.

We hope that you can
provide feedback to us so
that our policies will reflect
the needs and aspirations of
the people in’ your
munity

If you require any further
information, please do nol
hesitate to contact us and we
will be happy to provide the
information you require.

com-

Dinner Special:

2 for 1

OR

Alaska Sole

includes veyetable of the day.

Salmon Steak

with Croam sauce

baked

potato or nce, soup of the day Tea or

cottee

$4 Q.*°

* Effective Tues.. Woda | Thurs onty

* Dessert not included
° Offer expires Oct. 31

™ SUNDOWNER

please call tor
resorvations

—
_-

RESTAURANT

921-8161

3 miles north of
Horseshoe Bay

~~]

A.E. Gnppo,

Treasurer

Taxpayers & Voters Party of
B.C.

gums

‘

20 VVS1 Ht 3S «6900
23VS1 6 $1180
2/1 VVS2 ' $1,370

Per CNR Oe
od mo
‘

uditioning turned off new dancers

least you've tried and at least
you're auditioned. These
girls were never given that
satisfaction. It took four
hours to find out they never
had a chance — regardless
of talent.

If you advertise for girls
age 7 to 15 that's what you
get — in all shapes and sizes.
It should have been clearly
stated that no one over a
certain height would be

considered.

David HY. Lui, the
Pacific Northwest Ballet
Company and the Van-

SEYMOUR COMMUNITY
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
We meét every Sunday at 9:30 A.M.
at the PLYMOUTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

(Tolicross Rd_, just off Mt. Seymour Parkway).

CHURCH SCHOOL and NURSERY
are provided

PLEASE NOTE TIME CHANGE

JUNE C. LAKER, B.A., LL.B.
Barmnster and Solicitor
announces the opening

of a law office
at

Suite 300, 1497 Marine Drive
West Vancouver, B.C. V7T 1B8

Telephone: 926-2015
922-8198 after Oct. 27

Gem Remounting
Special

We have acquired an extremety large setoc
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chouse an elegant setting for your precious

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A7-Wednesday, October 15, 1980 - North Shore News

couver Ballet Society have
done a disservice to all
young dancers in this area.
The entire audition was
conducted in ane un-
professional, shoddy and
irresponsible manner. There
was absolutely no sensitivity
shown for these girls, many
of whom aspire to careers in
ballet and work so hard to
perfect their dancing. They
truly deserved better
treatment.

Jacqui P. Lawrence (Mrs. )
North Vancouver

Satie $ 2,380
Sae § 3,800
Sate $11,200

VESA*

ME et pen
: ‘

HOW. DOES YOUR

986-1911, local 321
for info.

NIGEL POTS
is that man you hear on the

course 'S a one evening
class on Thurs. Oct. 16 and
23 and who knows how
many more at this rate. For
information call 986- 1911,
tocal 328.

AND ALSO FOR
INVESTORS
there is a one day workshop
on Gems and Jewelry as an
Investment Sat Oct 18
myths and misconceptions §
about jewelry will be
discussed. as well as thei
value certification,
appraisal, insurance etc
For intormation call the
same number

OUR PRINCIPAL,
Paul Gallagher 1s not only
involved with Cap This year
he s Chairman ot the Post
Secondary Education Div
of the United Way in the
Lower Maintand and,
naturally, he’s urgmg us tog
contnbute to this worthy
organizaton which supports
84 agencies m thus area
The United Way ts onty one

A BLOOD DONOR

CLINIC

was hetd on campus

yesterday and we'd love to

tefl you how well tho Red &
Cross did However. since

to han out very well and
was a great Succesn.

turn out Are you contused
yet?

CAPILANO
COLLEGE

2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver
Up the Hill trom
the Coach House