Study Smart:Stand Out at School

Performing Arts: Dance Audition Survival Tips

Why Join a School Dance Team?

The best thing about being in (our dance group) is the unity we all feel within the group and everybody sharing the love of dance. We work together towards the same goal. What's the reward? Personal success. -- Jennifer.m

• Dancers get noticed!
  
  
• Self expression
  
  
• Friendship
  
  
• It's a physical activity and an art form
  
  
• It challenges me to improve my skills.
  
  
• Ballet takes more strength than football
  
  
• It's more physically exerting than even hockey

George Balanchine once said that dancers work just as hard as policemen: always alert, always tense. But see, policemen don't have to be beautiful at the same time. So don't be afraid to jump in and move your body. Here are some tips on how to do your very best for your dance audition!

Before the Audition

• Learn as much as you can about your kind of dance.
  
  
• Get a good night's sleep before the audition.
  
  
• Get a good breakfast so you'll have energy.
  
  
• Get psyched up to perform, don't panic.
  
  
• Go over steps in your head and work on building up your confidence.
  
  
• All you can do is your best, so there is no point in worrying too much.
  
  
• Plan on just going in there, do your best and see if they like you.
  
  
• Wearing a distinctive leotard will help your chances. That will single you out and you will appear to be more distinct.
  
  
• Try to avoid "cattle-calls"...the best way to go is to get a private audition.
  
  

At the Audition

• It is good to not be the first or last person along the barre.
  
  
• Why? If you're last, no one to follow if you forget the steps! The person who goes first may be given conservative scores or be forgotten by the end.
  
  
• When they teach you a combination to perform try to do it exactly the way the choreographer moves. Don't "plus" it with your own interpretation. If they see you doing something different, they will assume that you can't remember the steps.
  
  
• Judges want to see people who look like they are enjoying dancing....smile!

Remember, you don't necessarily have to be the best, but if you look like you're having a blast, you are going to look a lot better then the girl next to you who is doing the steps perfectly but is frowning so hard with concentration

Thanks to Delilah for her audition tips. Check out her dance page: On Your Toes! Delilah's page gives tips on how to prepare your dance resume, pick pointe shoes, define ballet terms, eat to dance and lots of dance topics!

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