Dancing in Guam.

The island of Guam, the largest of the Marianas in the West Pacific, may at first glance seem like an unlikely spot to send a resume, but it is an American territory, as well as a tropical isle. Employment could be like a working vacation. The beaches are beautiful and there's a lot to do out on the ocean. Also, because Guam is part of the U.S., it's much easier to work there than in, say, Mexico. There is no language barrier. The dollar is the national currency, so you don't have to worry about the exchange rate. You can phone home the way you make any long-distance call. You won't miss any of the treats of the good old U.S.A. First-run movies are always playing. There is a Planet Hollywood, a Hard Rock Cafe, and many nightclubs.

Along with fun, you can find a fulfilling dance opportunity in Fantastique, the show being performed at the SandCastle Entertainment Center. Guam has been using the talents of American dancers for quite some time. To give you insight into this terrific dance job, I want to tell you about Jerry Jackson, a very special choreographer, who also produces, writes, directs, designs costumes and composes music. How's that for versatility?

After acquiring a masters degree in art at UCLA, Jackson worked as a dancer on the Danny Kaye Show, where he met and assisted Hermes Pan, Fred Astaire's longtime collaborator. He later became assistant choreographer to Astaire. Jackson choreographed Seven Brides for Seven Brothers on Broadway. Since 1975, he has created, directed, and choreographed the Folies Bergere in Las Vegas.

Dance Magazine: Jerry, tell me a little about Guam and SandCastle.

Jerry Jackson: SandCastle is a $50 million theater. It isn't a hotel or casino or anything like that. Dancers should know that they'll be performing in a state-of-the-art theater. And although Fantastique is a French word, the show is very much a Las Vegas-style revue. They really like American dancers in Guam, and I think that's part of the reason for the success.

D.M. Tell me about the work schedule and the show.

J.J. It's two shows a night, six nights a week, and the show runs about an hour and twenty minutes. Each performance is very fast-paced. The start of the show is basically "Old Paris" and "New Paris" and there's a can-can number. There's a Latin section with the tango and samba, and also a Rio section with a salsa style dance. I've incorporated a Broadway number, and the dancers will perform a fun fifties number around a 1957 Chevy. The dancers will get to perform a variety of styles and dances.

D.M. How large is the cast?

J.J. Thirty dancers.

D.M. Does Guam have a height minimum or a problem with hiring older dancers?

J.J. No, there's no problem with age, as long as the dancers look good and take care of themselves. But height is starting to become an issue. I need women to be about five feet, six inches. For men it's five feet, ten inches.

D.M. What else do you need from a dancer wanting to work in Guam?

J.J. I need energy and stamina. I love great attitudes, and I also like new dancers--dancers right out of school who may not have a lot of credits but who have a lot of enthusiasm. I enjoy channeling that energy and helping develop a terrific performer.

D.M. Are auditions held only in Guam?

J.J. Not at all. We hold auditions in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. I also take submissions. You should send me a photo, resume, and videotape. Videos can be very helpful; It's not unusual for us to hire from them.

Entertainment director Scott Rogers tells us that each dancer will receive a contract; its initial term is for nine months. All dancers will receive a round-trip airline ticket, however, dancers who violate their contracts and head home early will have to pay their own fare back to the states.

"When you arrive," Scott says, "you will be met at the airport and taken to a hotel, where you will stay for a week at no cost to you. The SandCastle will put you up for a week and give you a free two-week car rental. I think that's a nice gesture to get you acclimated to the island. After the one-week period, it will assist you in finding an apartment. You will receive $600 a month for housing. Remember, this is $600 a month above your regular salary.

"Rehearsals will start right away, and you will be paid $50 a day. Regular show salary is in the $500-a-week range, but there's a lot of room for advancement. There are dance captains, understudies, and swing dancers; the possibility of making extra money is up to you. Again, the reward goes to the versatile dancer."

Scott tells us that you can send a photo, resume, and dance video to SandCastle Entertainment Complex, 1199 Pale San Vitores Rd., Tumon, Guam 96911. You can also contact SandCastle on its Web site at [e-mail].

Contributing editor Don Mirault is the author of Dancing... For a Living--Two.