Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1248303
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 MAY 2020 8 CULTURE DANCE ŻFINMALTA, Malta's national dance company, is seeking a female and male apprentice dancer to complete its ar- tistic team for the coming season, with auditions being held between 8 and 10 June this year. The two selected appli- cants will be offered a paid full-time contract to train and perform with the company from September 2020 up until July 2021. ŻfinMalta's apprentice programme will give the selected dancer an oppor- tunity to work alongside profession- al local and international dancers and choreographers, in a company who's standards in excellence are highly rec- ognised on the international market. The apprentices will not only get the opportunity to train with the company but also perform in both local and inter- national theatres. Furthermore, throughout the season they will be led by a mentor who will be working together with the artistic di- rector to hold a more professional atti- tude in a dance company environment, whilst also passing on knowledge about creating professional portfolios, show- reels, auditioning for professional com- panies, and so much more. The selected dancers must be between the ages of 18 and 22, with a strong background in classical ballet and con- temporary dance practices. Female dancers should also be confi- dent on pointe. "Like all art forms, dance is a profes- sional career," Paolo Mangiola, ŻfinMa- lta's artistic director, said. "As Malta's national dance compa- ny, ŻfinMalta is not only committed to presenting world-class dance, but is also establishing the careers of Maltese dancers. We are excited to be launch- ing this new paid apprenticeship pro- gramme, which provides a direct route for local talent to pursue dance as a profession." Applicants should fill in the form found on www.zfinmalta.org/opportu- nities, upload a headshot and full body shot, their CV, as well as a short video, which should not exceed two minutes' length. Applications will be accepted until 3 June. Shortlisted candidates will be invit- ed to audition between 8 and 10 June, following which, selected dancers will be called back to work with company dancers between 11 and 13 June. Finally, the two selected dancers will be offered a paid contract with the com- pany. ŻfinMalta wishes to emphasise that throughout this process, all necessary precautionary measures in relation to COVID-19 will be in place, in line with public health regulations, and in order to protect both ŻfinMalta staff as well as the applicants themselves. ZfinMalta launches call for apprentices Photo by Matteo Carratoni Photo by Neil Grech