Tuesday, February 19, 2008

A Message From the Atlas

Greetings Atlas Neighbors!

The HIT Fox TV show So You Think You Can Dance is holding auditions at the Atlas Performing Arts Center on Thursday February 21st beginning at 8am.

The producers estimate between 300 and 1200 dancers will be auditioning but there is no way of knowing ahead of time.

The doors will open at 8am and they assume they will be done by 8pm. We will have additional security on the premises who will not allow a line to form before 6am.

The Metropolitan Police Department has been notified and will be keeping an eye on thing. Atlas and Fox TV staff will be on hand to ensure the area is kept clean and litter free.

We are very excited to be able to share the Atlas and the emerging H Street Arts and Entertainment District with a national audience.

More information about So You Think You Can Dance can be found on http://www.fox.com/dance/showinfo/casting2008.htm

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Jen DeMayo, Atlas Performing Arts Center Director of Communications 202.399.7993 ext 125 or at jdemayo@atlasarts.org

8 comments:

Mike said...

Has H Street Main Street, ANC6A or any other community organization been contacted (or, better yet, volunteered) to do anything to beautify the street in advance of Fox's camera crews arriving?

Having seen the show in the past, I know that they air footage of the neighborhood, the exterior of the theater, the kids waiting in line, etc. during the Audition shows.

It would be a shame for the backstory of the DC auditions to be one of tryouts in a run-down neighborhood rather than an up-and-coming area.

Though I doubt SYTYD would welcome any kind of editorial input on the tone of their presentation, anything we can do to put our best foot forward could only help.

Anonymous said...

Agreed. Even a quick spruce-up job would help. Perhaps the owners of the businesses between 11th and 14th would be willing to do a voluntary quick clean-up Wednesday evening in an effort to make the area as presentable as possible. Heck, I'm available Wednesday night. I've gotten plenty of practice cleaning up 7th and H. Work for cheap, too...perhaps one free beer.
-7th & H

Anonymous said...

Snap! I was thinking of leaving a bunch of garbage bags full of clothes in front of the thrift store that night... guess I better wait.

I can do the "robot" dance, do you think you can get me in the show?

Seriously, a clean up is a great idea.

Anonymous said...

no to hijack the thread, but you must see this piece on jimmy valentines that someone sent to me:

http://dc.metblogs.com/archives/2008/02/grime_in_dc.phtml

Tom A. said...

It's times like this when I wish I had some sort of vending cart.

Anonymous said...

Hey everyone, it's so cool that people are considering sprucing up the neighborhood! Thanks so much. The Atlas and the other Atlas District establishments all pay privately for someone to clean the streets between 12th and 15th daily. Of course that doesn't completely eliminate it. So if folks really did want to organize something extra that would be just amazing. Yet another example of why this is such a great neighborhood.

The line is going to go from in front of the Atlas, past the dance studios and down 13th to G... I took the producers around last night and they agreed that was the easiest rather than having it cross 13th to continue down H.

And if anyone can do something about the condemned and abandoned building right next door to the Atlas we'd be thrilled...

Anonymous said...

Hey Jen. I don't guess there's any chance the public can get in and watch? I'm thinking not, but didn't think it would hurt to ask. We can come watch the line I guess.

Hey, are some of the area establishments offering like 1 free beer/cocktail to those over 21 that try out? Heck, just give the kids 1 ticket to redeem at any 1participating H St. establishment. Might be a good way to bring some of those people new to the area into the H St. businesses. They would likely have more than one drink, something to eat, and maybe come back. Joe?

Anonymous said...

Alas no audience is allowed to watch the auditions. You'll have to wait for the summer when it runs on Fox. But I hear the dancers like to practice a bit as they wait in line...
I know that the Argo and Granville's will be opening early tomorrow, Argo at 11 and GM at 2. I'm doing a little flier to hand out to the dancers so they know where to get food and drink, coffee.