Thank you for your interest in the Hip Hop ConnXion. Being considered one of the best dance troupes in the state, if not the country, the HHC Family is not your typical run-of-the-mill dance company. It upholds high standards and morals not only in dance but for life in general, and all dancers who are a part of that Family have to uphold these morals and standards to remain on the team.

 

We have carefully looked at all of the emails and questions we have been asked in the past regarding being a Hip Hop ConnXion Family member and have put together information below which should hopefully answer all of your questions.

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Most Frequently Asked Questions:

Where are you located?

How old do you have to be to join?

What level do you have to be?

How much does it cost to audition?

How will the auditions be ran?

What's the time commitment?

How many performances do we do in a year?

What kind of shows will I be doing?

Do I have to do every show?

If I make the company, is there a cost involved?

How do I go about taking classes?

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LOCATIONS

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The Hip Hop ConnXion Primo/Downtown branch is based out of University of Illinois at Chicago out of the UIC Student Recreation Facility.

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AGE

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What makes the HHC so unique and different from other companies is there is no real age limit. We have discovered through the years that talent is not determined by age but by skill. In the world of hip hop, and maybe even in the world of dance in general, we have recognized that once you turn 13, your mind and body hits a turning point for some dancers, and they ‘physically’ become an adult.

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LEVEL

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In order to try out for the HHC Primo/Downtown branch you have to be at an intermediate to advanced level.

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We always advise dancers trying out for the first time to take a HHC Primo/Downtown class so you can get a good sense of the kind of challenge you will be facing before trying out. Also don’t think that if you start taking classes only a couple of weeks before auditions it will help your chances of being ready in time and making one of the teams. Dance development is a steady progression of building up your skills over the course of time.

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HOW MUCH IS IT TO AUDITION?

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AUDITIONS ARE FREE although it may be part of a cheap masterclass in which you audition the piece you learned in that class. This, again depends on whether it’s part of a masterclass or it’s own independent audition. You can also bring as many people to audition with you if you have friends who are interested in dancing too. Have them contact us before auditions as well.

 

Auditions are typically at the start of the school year in September and SOMETIMES in January depending on the current status of the company regarding the amount of dancers it already has. Keep checking the Hip hop ConnXion website for exact date.

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HOW WILL THE AUDITIONS BE RAN?

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Come dressed to dance. You do not have to bring your own music. Everyone will be taught around four-eight counts worth of choreography depending if it’s a masterclass or a straight audition in the same room. From there, dancers will have time to review and practice it. Then they will be called in groups of three or four to audition it in front of three judges. The audition from the start of teaching generally lasts between two to three hours depending on how many dancers audition and what routine is taught. It is always advisable to stay for the duration of the audition in case we need to see you again.

 

There are typically two cuts, the first being an immediate cut after the first day. If you progress to the second phase of auditions, you will then be evaluated over the course of two weeks where we will make the final cut. From the final cut you will either make the team or be asked to come back and try again at the next auditions.

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WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?

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If you make the HHC you will typically have a rehearsal twice a week (the days depends on the location and availability of space).

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HOW MANY PERFORMANCES DO YOU DO?

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Performances generally range between 7 to 15 shows a year.

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WHAT KIND OF SHOWS WILL I BE DOING?

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The company performs primarily in and around the UIC campus. The HHC Family performs for youth outreach programs and charities. They also perform at both minor and major events such as small school shows or theater based shows in front of a couple of thousand people. Even though we do not consider ourselves a competition team we have done very well in the ones we have taken part in, placing in the top three in most major competitions we have participated in over the last few years. Occasionally HHC will perform out-of-state at major events that ask us to travel.

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DO I HAVE TO DO EVERY SHOW?

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For as many shows as the HHC does, the requirement is to be at as many as you can possibly do. We understand that people have lives outside of dancing so there are exceptions for missing shows such as prior school, religious or family obligations.

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IF I MAKE THE COMPANY IS THERE A COST INVOLVED?

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The cost of being a HHC Family member is minimal. Exact price is determined by the location you dance at. The company has always maintained that money will never be a reason why a dancer cannot be part of the team, so financial aid can always be worked out depending on the individual dancer’s situation. Competition costs are cut down due to monies made through the shows we do and fund raising efforts.

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HOW DO I GO ABOUT TAKING CLASSES?

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To find out more about classes, email us at hhcdowntown@yahoo.com.

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