One of the most indelible icons of Las Vegas is the showgirl - beautiful and statuesque, glittering and glamorous, gliding effortlessly across the stage in high heels, spectacular headpieces and not much else.
The traditional showgirl image lives on in shows such as "Jubilee!" and "Folies Bergere". But the entertainment scene in Las Vegas today is more varied than ever, expanding all the time, and open to a broader range of performers as hotels compete to offer the hottest tickets in town.
"Vegas is a hard town to break into ... there's so much diversity of talent and competition here," said Bill Sewers, editor of Callback magazine. The biweekly publication is the city's major source for audition notices and industry, and it's a must-read for local entertainers.
Whether you're just breaking into show business or you're a seasoned pro new to the Las Vegas scene, preparation is key to getting auditions and coveted callbacks. All entertainers should come armed with a head shot, a resume and, in most cases, a video or CD that showcases their skill, Sewers said. But performers shouldn't worry too much if their resumes are short on experience.
"They have to show they have good training," Sewers said. "Ballet and jazz foundations are the best, and then maybe tap."
Since show producers are inundated with videos, it's wise to use them to play up whatever makes you unique as a performer.
Many audition notices will state the height and age requirements for certain roles, and while it may seem obvious, Sewers urges hopefuls not to ignore them. He tells newcomers to go to every audition for which they're qualified, but "if they need someone who's 5'10" and you're 5'3", don't go."
It's harder to know whether a director has a specific look in mind for a role, and that's something over which a performer has no control. If you don't get a part, Sewers said, "It's not always you. Sometimes a producer will cast for a look."
For instance, while the public may think of "Chippendales" as a racy revue of hardbodies on parade, Sewers said the producers are actually looking for romantic types.
Melissa, a dancer who moved to Las Vegas in spring of 2004, said that kind of casting for a particular "type" is common, and performers can't become discouraged by it.
"It's a shame because you might not even have a chance to show your talent or skill," Melissa said.
"You have to tell yourself you're not what they were looking for."
But those profiles can change, and it's not uncommon for performers to re-audition for shows, provided they're qualified, Sewers said. Other roles may come open, or the producer may want to change the mix of the cast.
Shows may also call back performers from past auditions when they have only one or two roles to fill, and a producer may remember someone who impressed them in the past but wasn't right for the part at the time. That's why it's important to audition often, Sewers said, and make sure your photo and resume are in their files - and your personality and talent are in their memory.
"You may be just the person they've been waiting for. You never know," he said.
Melissa agreed that it's important for beginners not to pass up any opportunity to audition.
"Even if it's a crappy show or a crappy job you're going for, it's something on your resume. You just learn more," she said.
Auditions are an excellent way to network - to make the connections that some would define as "juice".
"I've gotten a lot of work through people I've met in auditions and shows," she said.
"Once you land a job, you meet people and they point you in the right direction."
Melissa said while there's naturally competition for roles, people in the entertainment community support one another, too. "Everybody wants to see everybody working, especially people who already have a job."
Showgirls vs. dancers
Not every dancer in a Las Vegas show is a true showgirl. But what sets showgirls apart? Surprisingly, it usually comes down to height.
Sewers said "Jubilee!" and "Folies Bergere" both require showgirls to be at least 5 feet 9 inches tall, and traditionally Las Vegas showgirls are between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall.
"It used to be where showgirls showed and dancers danced," Sewers said. "Now the lines are blurring a little."
Showgirls embody a graceful mystique, and producers are looking for those intangibles of allure, carriage and poise. Ballet training is usually required, but they don't dance as much or as strenuously as chorus performers. Melissa said it's only practical - a showgirl's costumes and headpieces greatly restrict her movement. She is more about presence than performance.
