Continuing our series on quality Production Companies, I want to introduce you to Dick Foster Productions. I spoke with Mr. Dick Foster and his Chief Operating Officer and Director, Mr. David Gravatt. Dick Foster Productions has been producing quality shows since 1976 and David Gravatt has been with the company for the last 18 years. An 18-year friendship is difficult in any situation but in the high stress entertainment industry, this relationship between Dick and David is a testimony to their common background and work ethic. Both David and Dick Foster come from a Musical Theater background and continue today with an "old school" discipline. You'll see what I mean by the end of the article.

Dick Foster Productions has many shows in various stages of production and I will list them all to let you know where this company has been and where it is headed. "Whisper" is a show currently being performed in Reno. "Gordie Brown" also being performed in Reno at Harrah's Hotel. "The Show in the Sky" at the Rio has just been recast and will start rehearsals January 26th with a projected opening date February 9th. Although Dick told me it will take until early March to implement all four new shows and the Mardi Gras Parade successfully. "Spellbound" a show synonymous with Dick Foster Productions is newly packaged and ready to go to a new venue soon, so watch for announcements. "Imagine" a show that has recently closed in Atlantic City, has been refurbished and will be making a Southeast Asia debut soon. 

Dick Foster Productions also produces four shows for Celebrity Cruise Lines with each show containing a talented cast of twenty. As you can see, this is a busy production company and one with whom you should have a working relationship. How do you establish a relationship? Dick Foster constantly advertises his auditions in the Callback. They are specific ads with information on the type of show involved and the requirements for the dancer.

Old School
They are "old school" when it comes to training and discipline. David told me the audition is relaxed and fun but they are looking for wholesome, well-trained dancers with a good body type and long leg line. They are looking for quality ballet training and a strong jazz background. Dancers that can sing and singers that can dancer are always at an advantage. They will give an across the floor combination to evaluate technique and then everyone will learn a longer jazz combination or a combination specific to the show style. Yes, I said everyone. 

One of the interesting policies with DFP is that they have a "no cut" rule at auditions. Everyone will make it to the end of the audition. Dick and David were performers themselves and never liked being typed out or cut early in the audition so dancers will get the chance to showcase for the whole audition. There will be callbacks or interviews later for dancers that made a passing grade. Like all employers they are looking for personality and lots of it. They will talk to each dancer briefly at the audition and they're looking for confidence, personality and poise. If you are hired, you will receive a complete and I mean complete, Employee Handbook. Remember, you may be working at Harrah's but you will be an employee of Dick Foster Productions.

Some things you should know about being a Dick Foster employee. You will be rewarded for long-term employment. You may also get to move from show to show within the DFP family. You will receive medical benefits after six months and profit sharing after a year. Profit sharing is where you will receive a percentage of profits for being a good employee in a successful show. DFP gave me an example of a dancer that was with them for over eight years and decided to retire from dance and go into another line of work. She received almost $25,000 from profit sharing for her long-term hard work. This is relatively unheard of in the dance industry.

An Example of What to Expect
Let's use "Spellbound" as an example to tell you what is expected of you as a performer. Remember, this is just an example and it will vary depending on the venue. There are 14 to 22 dancers in the cast and they will perform 10 to 12 shows a week. A typical day will start with a 7:30PM show but cast members have a mandatory one-hour call. That means you have to be there at 6:30 to check in and take part in your mandatory ballet bar warm-up. I told you they were old school. Second show will start at 10:00PM and will have a short meeting before the show to make sure everyone is ready to go to work. There are drug tests for most shows, depending on hotel policy and dancers will be weighed once a week to ensure your weight stays relatively the same. 

The shows are approximately one hour and fifteen minutes in length. Pay for DFP is on average $650.00 per week with more money available to swings (dancers that perform more than one position), line captains and dancers with specialties. Dick Foster has two pet peeves. The first is tardiness, whether at the audition or as a performer, being late is not tolerated. The second and to a much lesser extent, dancers should make sure their headshots resemble them. DFP has to take a Polaroid of everyone because so few headshots resemble the dancer. Just thought you should know. DFP will accept video submissions but it is very rare that a dancer will be hired without being seen in person. It does help if your video comes with an industry recommendation. You can send video submissions to Dick Foster Productions 6260 Stevenson Way, Las Vegas, NV. 89120.