Audition Tips

Auditioning Tips

For any serious dancer, auditioning is and will always be an important part of your life. Success at auditions is dependent not merely on their results, but also on how you approach sometimes inevitable rejection. A dancer with a healthy outlook towards auditions will have a longer, happier career. The tips provided here may help you with your preparation and handling of the auditioning experience.

Preparation Work Before the Audition

1) Auditioning for School

Make sure you wear the required attire if it is specified (it usually is)
Neat hair is a must; make sure it is slicked back and no hair is in your face
Light make-up is preferable – the point of this is to look presentable and polished, so powder, a light pink blush and maybe eyeliner is all you need
If you need pointe shoes (check in advance), make sure ribbons are secure and that the shoes are well broken in
Bring a towel and water
Bring extra pins and a sewing kit just in case
Most importantly, bring a winning attitude

2) Auditioning for a Job

Make sure you find out specifically what kind of audition it is (television, dinner and dance, stage, etc) and bring at least TWO different outfits suitable for it
Bring ALL your shoes with you – this means jazz booties, jazz sneakers, sneakers, chorus heels, even ballet shoes
Stronger make-up that suits your part is preferable – this allows casting directors to see if you are suitable for a certain part (more often than not, your “look” is partly what gets you the job)
Make sure your make-up and, especially, your outfit are striking (in a good way)
Always prepare a most up to date resume and headshot

The Day of the Audition

1) Your audition begins even before the dancing does

Even if they don’t seem to be, the people judging the auditions are very likely gauging your attitude from the moment you step through the studio door – look confident and friendly (even if you feel like a nervous wreck)
Be quiet and warm up thoroughly – this demonstrates your professionalism and also your seriousness in wanting to do well at the audition; not being rowdy also shows that you respect the judges and your fellow auditionees
If your eyes happen to meet any of the judges, smile sincerely, don’t just look away

2) Do everything that is thrown at you FULL OUT

Unless the choreographer/person giving the audition expressly says to conserve energy now, dance full out later (for those really long auditions), always give your best shot every time; but when the choreographers do say to conserve energy, listen to them (you’ll need the extra energy later!)
Catch their eye early on in the audition by dancing full out the steps that you have just been taught – even if you are just trying out the movement on your body, do it big so that if you make a mistake, you will be corrected before you perform it in small groups or alone
Always dancing full out also shows the judges that you are a diligent dancer not afraid of hard work

3) Show respect towards the choreographer and your fellow dancers

Never talk when the choreographer is speaking/teaching
Switch lines when asked to do so
Respect another dancer’s space – be careful not to take up the entire floor when you dance (unless it’s a solo); this shows the choreographer that you are a considerate person who is not overly self-involved
Always run, never saunter when instructed to change places, take places to perform, etc; this shows that you understand that time is precious

4) Establish eye contact before and after you have performed

When asked to perform in a group or by yourself, try to establish eye contact with the judges, especially after the performance
Always stay on the floor, with your number tag, for a short moment before running off after your perform – you want them to see you, and your number!

5) Don’t make it look like work

Show that you’re enjoying yourself – nobody wants to hire a dancer who is grumpy when working, nor accept a student who is easily stressed out and is unable to handle pressure

6) Remember that this audition is only one out of many to come

Be polite and thank the choreographer after the audition is over
If the results are out, and you really think that you were on par with the rest of the dancers who were successful and you weren’t, it is alright to ask the judges what cost you the job – but ask politely!
Use every audition as a learning experience – this way, no matter if you were successful, you would have gained something

When You Experience “Failure”

Understand that you cannot possibly get every job or ace every audition (we mustn’t be selfish!). Even the best dancers have experienced rejection numerous times. It’s part of the job description. Instead of despairing and moping around, ask yourself if you can identify the reasons that cost you the job and work towards remedying and improving on those.

For dancers auditioning for school, it can feel like your career ends if you do not get in – it won’t. However, do be realistic about your schools. As a guideline, apply for two “dream schools” and two “safe schools”. This way, you will be able to pursue your studies at a dance school even if you do not get into the one you want. Usually, the schools you get into will be the ones that can best develop your abilities in the best learning environment for you anyway. Remember that the faculty take all these into consideration during the audition.

Remember that there really isn’t such a thing as “failure” in dance as long as you keep going at it. The only failure happens when you tell yourself you’ll never make it after an unsuccessful audition and you believe it and stop dancing.

Contributed by Belinda He