MAVENS INFORMATION SHEET

As a MAVEN, you will be one of the featured dancers in our national, commercially available dance fitness videos that are created to inspire paraprofessional dancers like us to start dancing again as adults and to continue dancing! As such, you will be included in our online pre-recorded masterclasses, in our educational materials for dance studio owners and dance instructors, and in our dance fitness program promotions. In the past we have featured our lovely adult students in these videos; going forward our commercial videos will primarily feature our newly dedicated group of MAVENS. 

YOUR AVAILABILITY

We're all busy women trying to juggle our jobs and other responsibilities! Fortunately, the MAVENS schedule is designed to fit around our busy lives, with our rehearsals, student classes, and film days/times being scheduled at times that are manageable for most busy working women.

Participation in the MAVENS requires "GOLD STAR" availability, as defined below. Please do not apply/audition if you are unable to commit to the GOLD STAR Participation Level, as defined below. 

Our GOLD STAR Participation Level requires:

• Participation in a minimum of six (6) TDW Practice Sessions in each month's film cycle (an average of 1.5 classes/week) are required - additional classes are strongly encouraged
  • "TDW Practice Sessions" include a combination of MAVENS-ONLY REHEARSALS (offered on Mondays*) and TDW STUDENT CLASSES (offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and sometimes also on Sundays). The six required practice sessions may be spread out evenly across the month's film cycle or concentrated as needed if certain weeks are busier than others for you. *Note - there will be no Monday MAVENS-only rehearsals on the Mondays that follow our film days. When Sunday classes are available, they will be listed in meetup www.meetup.com/the-dancers-workout/.
• Participation in a minimum of 2 of the 3 film dates that are scheduled for this season 

Pre-planned absences with a minimum of two-weeks' notice and/or deviations due to extenuating circumstances may be approved with proper advance communication (contact Jules for details and approval).

AUDITION TO BECOME A FALL 2026 TDW MAVEN!

ALL POTENTIAL MAVENS (including new auditioners and veteran MAVENS wanting to re-join)
must attend a minimum of one audition this season (veterans may attend all of them)

Auditions

Date, Time, and Location

Audition Option 1:  SATURDAY, 8AUG26, 11:45 am-12:45 pm (arrive by 11:30), TDS-Space, 2603 South Miami Blvd, Durham, NC ("Triangle Dance Studio")

Audition Option 2:  SUNDAY, 9AUG26, 2:45 to 3:45 pm (arrive by 2:30 pm), TDS-Space, 2603 South Miami Blvd, Durham, NC ("Triangle Dance Studio")

Audition Option 3:  TUESDAY, 11AUG26, 5:45 to 6:45 pm (arrive by 5:30 pm), TDS-Space, 2603 South Miami Blvd, Durham, NC ("Triangle Dance Studio")

Directions: When you arrive at 2603 South Miami Blvd, it will look like you are turning into the driveway beside a little blue and brick house. Go ahead and turn in, then drive across the little parking lot to the building in the back. We are in that back building. You will enter through the door on the left. Look for The Dancer's Workout® sign on the door.

Audition Option 4: Date, Time, and Location 

If you are unable to make any of the above audition dates, please contact Jules at jules@thedancersworkout.com to let her know of your interest in the TDW MAVENS and your conflict with the audition dates. Jules may be able to schedule a private audition and/or to have you join one of her other TDW student classes in lieu of the scheduled audition date.

 How to Prepare for your MAVENS Audition

If you are not already familiar with The Dancer's Workout®, you are invited to familiarize yourself with the following information. Visit www.thedancersworkout.com and our social media for an introduction (click social media icons at the bottom of this info sheet). Our Founder and Artistic Director, Jules Szabo, is a UNC School of the Arts graduate and Adjunct Faculty member - check out her UNCSA Faculty bio and/or check out her Marquis Who's Who or Dance Teacher+ Magazine bio. To see the offer page for our online membership products that are nationally available, click HERE. Learn the Audition Choreography HERE that you will be expected to know at the time of your audition/callback (audition choreography will be available one week prior to the audition date).
  
Acceptance into the TDW MAVENS dance company requires submission of the TDW MAVENS Application and Audition Pre-registration Form (see below). Select one of the audition dates offered and plan to arrive at the studio no later than the "arrive by" time listed above. When you arrive, please be dressed in black yoga-like pants, a tank top and sports bra, with hair pulled back (ponytail is fine). Bring your shoes (split-sole jazz sneakers, jazz slippers, or ballet slippers). Barefoot auditions are not permitted. Bring water and be sure to eat before the audition. A $25, non-refundable, MAVENS fee is required with the submission of your MAVENS application and Audition Pre-registration Form.

What to Expect During the Audition:

Arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the audition to get signed in. After a brief introduction, Jules will lead you as a group through one of our masterclasses. The audition will be filmed and used in the selection process (mistakes are fine and expected - just smile and keep going).

No Callbacks This Season

Callbacks will not be held this season. Those who audition will be notified via email within one to two days.
The first official MAVENS activity of the season will be our mandatory PHOTOSHOOT on Sunday, 16AUG26 (note details below).

 
Mandatory Photoshoot - Beginning of the Season

We will hold a mandatory group photoshoot on Sunday, 16AUG26, from 4:00 - 6:30 pm, where we will create our group photos and enjoy dinner together afterwards! Details about what to expect during the photoshoot will be included in the MAVENS welcome emails.

* Note, If you are a NEW MAVEN (or a veteran MAVEN wanting to redo your individual photos), Sara and Jules will invite you to arrive at 3:15 pm. Veteran MAVENS, please text Sara and Jules to let us know to expect you.  

First Rehearsal

The first Fall 2026 Season rehearsal will be held on Monday, 31AUG26, at Triangle Dance Studio (TDS-Space, 2603 South Miami Blvd, Durham, NC), from 5:45-6:45 pm (please arrive by 5:30 pm). Please see the Rehearsal and Film schedule section below for additional details about rehearsal and class attendance expectations.

Future Audition Opportunities with the TDW MAVENS

We offer two MAVENS Seasons each year (in the Fall and Spring). Auditions for the Spring season will be held in January, and the season will run during the months of Feb, Mar, Apr, and May. Auditions for the Fall season will be held in August, and the season will run during the months of Aug, Sep, Oct, and Nov. Check back for specific dates, times, and locations (https://bit.ly/MAVENSinfo) and/or speak directly with Jules after any of the TDW student classes.

Between seasons, dancers who may be interested in auditioning for the TDW MAVENS dance company should attend our regular TDW student classes (RSVP for student classes here: www.meetup.com/The-Dancers-Workout/). 

MAVENS REHEARSALS AND TDW STUDENT CLASSES

Our goal is to make sure you feel confident about your performance in our videos! A minimum of six (6) TDW Practice Sessions in each monthly film cycle (an average of 1.5 classes/week) is required to be one of our MAVENS. "TDW Practice Sessions" include a combination of MAVENS-ONLY REHEARSALS (offered on Mondays - weekly* - and on Saturdays - once a month) and TDW STUDENT CLASSES (offered weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and some Sundays). Fall 2026 MAVENS receive unlimited complimentary TDW classes during their active season** and are expected to take advantage of the numerous practice sessions we offer. Between the MAVENS-ONLY rehearsals and the TDW student classes, we provide 20+ practice sessions to choose from each month. 

* Note - there will be no Monday MAVENS-only rehearsals on the Mondays following film days.

** Note unlimited complimentary TDW student classes are offered to the Fall 2026 MAVENS from 18AUG26 through 30NOV26.

MAVENS Rehearsals - Once a MAVEN is approved for the season, she will sign up for rehearsals here: https://bit.ly/TDWmindbody

MAVENS rehearsals are held on Mondays and Saturdays during the Fall 2026 Season, as follows:

1) Each Monday during the Fall 2026 Season, starting on 31AUG26, from 5:45-6:45 pm, at Triangle Dance Studio (TDS-Space, 2603 South Miami Blvd, Durham, NC), excluding the Mondays that follow a film day.  

2) On the Saturdays that precede the Sunday film days (11:45 am - 12:45 pm).

With advanced planning and discussion with Jules, absence from one or more Monday or Saturday rehearsal can be made up by your attendance at our regular student TDW classes.  

Student TDW Classes - The TDW MAVENS are encouraged to join as many student classes as possible throughout the season.

The Dancer's Workout® offers four (4) one-hour TDW student classes each week that the MAVENS may use to meet their rehearsal requirements. The typical days, times, and locations of these classes are as follows:

     Tuesdays, 5:45 pm, TDS-Space, 2603 South Miami Blvd, Durham, NC

     Thursdays, 5:45 pm, TDS-Space, 2603 South Miami Blvd, Durham, NC

     Saturdays, 11:45 am, TDS-Space, 2603 South Miami Blvd, Durham, NC

     Sundays, 2:45 pm, TDS-Space, 2603 South Miami Blvd, Durham, NC (on select Sundays only - see meetup for details)

To join a specific TDW student class, MAVENS are expected to RSVP on www.meetup.com/The-Dancers-Workout/ at least 6 hours prior to class (preferably a week or two in advance).

Our goal is to ensure that each TDW MAVEN enters into our film days well-prepared, well-conditioned, confident, and excited about the amazing products we are creating together.

The following film dates are planned for the MAVENS Fall 2026 Season (three film dates this season). 

With advanced notification to Jules, one excused absence is allowed per season.

Date/Time: Sunday, 20SEP26, 2:00-4:00 pm (Arrive by 1:45 pm please)
Location: TDS-Space, 2603 South Miami Blvd, Durham, NC

Date/Time: Sunday, 18OCT26, 2:00-4:00 pm (Arrive by 1:45 pm please)
Location: TDS-Space, 2603 South Miami Blvd, Durham, NC

Date/Time: Sunday, 15NOV26, 2:00-4:00 pm (Arrive by 1:45 pm please)
Location: TDS-Space, 2603 South Miami Blvd, Durham, NC

VETERAN MAVENS

As one of our Veteran MAVENS, you hold a very special place in our hearts! You will always be remembered and appreciated for your hard work and help with our prior season(s). We thank you for your interest in joining us again!

We're excited about the new season! We have learned a lot from prior seasons and are always interested in applying these lessons learned so that we can ensure each season will be fun, heart-warming, and successful for everyone involved! To that end, please review the changes described below that are planned for the upcoming season.

Fall 2026 SEASON UPDATES (i.e., key differences from some of our previous seasons)

Audition/Callbacks As described in more detail below, all Veteran MAVENS are expected to attend at least one of the scheduled auditions to help us welcome any new potential MAVENS. Separate callbacks will not be held this season.

Mandatory Photoshoot As described in the "Audition Dates, Times, Locations, How to Prepare, and What to Expect, plus Mandatory Photoshoot" section, all MAVENS are required to be in attendance for the scheduled group photoshoot. 

Rehearsal Time/Location For the Fall 2026 Season, MAVENS rehearsals will be held at Triangle Dance Studio (TDS-Space, 2603 South Miami Blvd, Durham, NC) on Mondays from 5:45 pm - 6:45 pm (excluding the Mondays following film weekends) and on any Saturday that precedes a Sunday film date during our regularly scheduled class times (11:45 am - 1:00 pm). MAVENS are expected to sign up one to two weeks in advance in Mindbody for each Monday rehearsal and in meetup for each Saturday rehearsal.

                   * Note - there will be no Monday MAVENS rehearsals on the Mondays following film days

Film Location and Time All scheduled filmings will be held at TDS-Space, 2603 South Miami Blvd, Durham, NC ("Triangle Dance Studio"). MAVENS are expected to sign up in Mindbody three weeks in advance for each filming they will be joining.

Tech Crew Each MAVEN is expected to volunteer to join tech crew at least once during each season. Tech crew arrives at the Triangle Dance Studio at 1:15 pm to assist Jules and Sara with readying the studio for filming (wiping down mirrors, sweeping studio floor, moving the large fans, removing the twinkly lights above the mirror, etc.). We need 4 members of tech crew for each filming, and it will take approximately 30 minutes. Please indicate on your application which tech crew/film date suits you best. We also appreciate having assistance restoring the studio after filming for those of you who can volunteer to stay 20-30 minutes after filming.

Gold Star Availability Gold Star availability, as described in the "Required Practice Sessions" section above, is required for our MAVENS. This ensures that each MAVEN receives adequate choreography practice and physical conditioning prior to each scheduled film date. MAVENS are strongly encouraged to exceed the required minimum number of practice sessions and may become disqualified from the Season if unable to maintain availability for the minimum requirements each month. Details are available in the "Required Practice Sessions" section above. There will be no change to the sign-up process - MAVENS are expected to sign up in meetup for each TDW student class they will be attending (preferably one to two weeks in advance but minimally 6 hours in advance).

MAVENS Participation Fee There will be a $75/month MAVENS participation fee for the active months of the season, which will be auto-deducted via Mindbody, as described in the Participation Fee section below. MAVENS will continue to receive complimentary, unlimited TDW student classes through 30NOV26, with periodic off-season discounts available to MAVENS between seasons.

VETERAN MAVENS APPLICATION AND AUDITION PROCESS

All Veteran MAVENS are expected to attend at least one of the scheduled auditions to help us welcome any new potential MAVENS. MAVENS are welcome (encouraged) to attend ALL of our auditions as your schedule allows. Separate callbacks will not be held this season. All MAVENS are required to attend the scheduled photoshoot. The application process is complimentary for veteran MAVENS and is streamlined, given our existing knowledge of your dance abilities, work ethic, performance quality, etc. It will not be necessary for you to submit your headshot. Any Veteran MAVEN interested in the Fall 2026 Season will need to apply by midnight on Monday, 3AUG26.

                         CLICK HERE TO APPLY NOW AS A VETERAN MAVEN

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Each Veteran MAVEN will receive an immediate acknowledgment of our receipt of your application submission. Each Veteran MAVEN applicant will be contacted by text or email to confirm whether you have been invited to join the new season.

The FIRST REHEARSAL will be on Monday, 31AUG26 (5:45-6:45 pm), and the mandatory MAVENS group photoshoot will be held on Sunday, 16AUG26, as described above and in the Audition Times, Location, How to Prepare, and What to Expect plus Mandatory Photoshoots for Selected MAVENS section. We are looking forward to the start-of-season photoshoot, as it will include both Veteran MAVENS and the new MAVENS and will be fun to have the whole group together!

MAVENS PARTICIPATION FEE

Each MAVEN is required to pay a $75/month MAVENS Participation Fee during each month of the active Fall 2026 season (Aug, Sept, Oct, and Nov). This participation fee helps The Dancer's Workout® cover the seasonal costs for MAVENS rehearsal space, photoshoot expenses, and expenses associated with our filmings. Recurring payments for the "MAVENS PARTICIPATION FEE" are to be made in the TDW mindbody system (https://bit.ly/TDWmindbody), under the Contracts section. The MAVENS Participation Fee needs to be purchased before the Fall 2026 photoshoot on 16AUG26. The four scheduled (recurring) monthly payments will conclude at the end of your MAVENS season. 

You will enjoy the following perks and rewards by becoming a TDW MAVEN

Digital Dance Performance Training and Experience

• Participation in video shoot opportunities where you gain experience being captured on film as a ballet, jazz, and contemporary dancer
• Access to practice videos for self-improvement prior to formal video shoots
• Participation in MAVENS photoshoots and on-camera interviews and testimonials 

 Access to Your Digital Assets

• Headshots and group photos will be available to you at no cost - for use on social media and elsewhere as you wish
• Online access to masterclasses which feature and credit you as a TDW MAVEN
• Digital copies of your on-camera interviews and testimonials

 Social Media and Dance Exposure

• Opportunities to build your digital portfolio, dance resume, and social media presence
• Inclusion on the TDW website as a MAVEN
• Possible group photo inclusion in digital magazines as The Dancer's Workout® continues its rise in popularity

 Dance and Fitness

• Get and stay in outstanding shape with your complimentary access to our TDW student classes. MAVENS receive unlimited complimentary access to our TDW student classes during the active months of the MAVENS Season
• Inclusion in our dedicated MAVENS-only classes (Mondays* 5:45 pm - 6:45 pm) and three monthly filmings. * Note - there will be no Monday MAVENS rehearsals on the Mondays following our film weekends

 Community/New Dance Friends

• Become a member of our “no drama” health and dance-fitness-focused group of dancer friends
• Join our group parties, special events, and retreats as you wish

 TDW tanks

• Complimentary TDW tank, plus discounts on additional TDW tanks and swag

 Plus memories that last a lifetime…