A man, shirtless, crosses the room. With broad shoulders and a muscular chest, the young man strides confidently down the hallway. A few meters behind him, slightly breathless from the robust fellow’s pace, the seamstress rushes in with her favorite tool: a trusty old tape measure. The work session can begin. For the 123rd edition of the Nice carnival, no effort has been spared for the casting of young dancers. The scene unfolds on the 4th floor of the Acropolis, in a large room bathed in light. The floor is littered with a patchwork of small fabric scraps, each more colorful than the last. At the back of the room, an impressive number of illustrations cover the wall. Photos and other drawings allow one to travel around the world in the blink of an eye. Among two portraits of Maasai warriors, one object inevitably draws attention. A gigantic African-origin mask displays its dazzling array of colors for all to see.
Like a chameleon, Françoise d’Alexandry blends perfectly into this decorum. Just past her forties, the casting director spares no effort. The amount of work required to find the future dancers is impressive. Nearly 80 candidates will be auditioned until late in the day. “The casting should normally finish at 3 PM, but I know very well that it will end later. That’s always how it goes!”, says the director laconically. In the end, she will retain only about thirty (25 girls and 5 young men) after tough discussions with her team. It’s exhausting work, but it’s the price to pay for ensuring the next “flower battle” parade is a success.
A casting primarily for dance enthusiasts
One of the seamstresses asks a young girl to stand up. She complies, and the measurement session can begin. With a slender silhouette, wasp waist, and sculptural legs, Elsa Capelletti has a perfect body for dancing. A long brunette hair partly conceals the blue eyes of this 18-year-old high school student. Originally from Nice, Elsa has always practiced dance: “My mother is a dance teacher in Nice. She introduced me to it from a very young age, particularly Niçoise dancing until I was 13.” She adds, “I am used to the stage and performances and I’m not afraid to perform in front of thousands of people. Plus, I would be very proud to represent my city if I’m selected in the casting.” As soon as she finishes her sentence, the young girl is asked to go to the fitting room and try on a swimsuit. Moments later, Elsa reappears in a fuchsia bikini that particularly highlights her assets. It’s at such times that one realizes how challenging the job of a journalist can be…!
Meanwhile, Raphaël Leclerc is still waiting. With bleached spiky hair, jeans as faded as they are torn, and “all stars” sneakers, the high schooler is quite fashionable. He explains why he came: “It was by reading the ad in Nice-Matin that I learned about the casting. I thought why not!” Like Elsa, Raphaël is passionate about dancing. He has been practicing it for 9 years now: “I have always loved dancing but also wearing costumes on stage,” he states. The carnival seems to be a perfect idea to combine both, with the added element of spectacle. The young man, however, has other ambitions: “I want to become a professional dancer. In fact, I’m going to San Francisco for six months next year to join a dance company.” His costume finally arrives. Made of noble materials and recycled fabrics, the outfit is surprising. The influence of African culture is very noticeable. The casting director reveals: “I wanted something tribal where primal art catches the eye.” The effect is guaranteed; it sure stands out!
Time is ticking. There are still many candidates to get through. As the director predicted, the casting won’t finish on time. Once again. Suddenly, a young man, donned and dressed as a panther, bursts into the room. “Rodolphe, you are magnificent,” exclaims Fabienne d’Alexandry. She seems thrilled at the idea of having the boy walk the runway and tells him, “Come see me again. I have some advertisements to offer you.” Business is business…
