| Greetings everyone. I know I've been concentrating | | | | you sharp and on your toes), is to go on auditions |
| a lot on acting auditions the past few weeks, and | | | | that you're not interested in so you can become |
| I've received some requests to write about a few | | | | familiar with the process and comfortable being there. |
| different areas of talent. I did some research (mainly | | | | It's like job interviews that I've been on. The first |
| asking my industry friends), and came up with some | | | | few interviews you sweat, draw blanks, and mumble |
| brief points that every dancer should consider when | | | | a lot. But after those initial embarrassments, you |
| preparing for a dance audition. Let's dive straight into | | | | understand what kind of questions they will ask, how |
| it. | | | | to behave and project yourself, and basically what to |
| 1. Dance Attire | | | | expect. |
| This is kind of a no-brainer, and not just for dance | | | | Also, try recording yourself and posting it on media |
| auditions but any job...dress nicely. Yes, you are | | | | sites like Talent Trove. There, you can ask for |
| auditioning to be a dancer, but it's still a job. This | | | | feedback from peers and see yourself as others |
| doesn't only apply to your dancewear. Comb your | | | | would. Self-criticism is just as important as receiving it |
| hair, be clean, you have to look appropriate and | | | | from others. If you can learn what is right and |
| self-respecting. Don't wear your training dancewear | | | | wrong, you will have a better understanding of |
| to an audition. You can wear your warm-ups on the | | | | performances. |
| way to the audition if you know you'll be warming | | | | 4. What They Want |
| up, which you should. However, be sure to wear | | | | They want you to bring it. By "it" I mean your |
| dance attire during your dance audition that accents | | | | passion, professionalism and ability. Obvious and a little |
| your features, flatters you and shows the casting | | | | corny, I know, but it had to be said in case you lost |
| director exactly why they should hire you without | | | | sight of this in light of everything written here. With |
| being too ostentatious. No gaudy jewelry or massive | | | | that being said let's discuss what else they want |
| amounts of makeup. | | | | from you. They want you to follow directions. If |
| Now, each dance audition is different when it comes | | | | you're supposed to perform some choreographed |
| to the appropriate dance attire, including footwear. | | | | dance combo than you better do it. Don't make up |
| Ballet, modern dance, jazz, tap and others all call for | | | | your own routine or daydream through the |
| different dancewear. Traditional dancewear relevant | | | | demonstration. There will be a time and place to |
| to the type of dance you're auditioning for is | | | | show off your range, ability and creativity when it |
| designed for that specific dance, and should be worn | | | | comes to your own dance ideas, but doing what |
| unless otherwise requested by the auditioners. It is | | | | they ask is a sign of discipline, open-mindedness and |
| easy to find out the standard dancewear for your | | | | ability to work with others. |
| audition by searching them on the Internet or asking | | | | They also don't want you to give up if you make a |
| a local store that sells them (ex: ballet; tights and | | | | mistake. Like anything you do, it shows a lot of |
| leotard for women, tights and T-shirt for men). | | | | character when you fall and pick yourself up to try |
| 2. What You Need To Bring | | | | again. The less hesitation you show between falling |
| This goes back to some other articles that I've | | | | and rising, the better. They want you to be |
| written for acting, "4 Tips for Great Actor | | | | courteous not only to them, but to the other |
| Headshots" and "10 Acting Audition Tips" on Talent | | | | dancers. This goes back to being professional. If no |
| Trove, but definitely translates into dance auditions. | | | | one wants to work with you, no one will. They |
| Bring a resume and portfolio. This includes a one-page | | | | usually have a certain type of dancer in mind when |
| summary of your experience, accomplishments, | | | | auditioning. You could be the best dancer in the room, |
| acknowledgments and contact information, as well as | | | | but don't take it too hard if they choose someone |
| some headshots and full body shots in various | | | | that better fits the look. The more graceful you are |
| dancewears. Be sure to write you contact | | | | if you don't get the part, the more they will want to |
| information on the back of your photographs. That | | | | pick you in the future. |
| might be the only thing a casting director or agent | | | | They might want you to choose a routine. If so, pick |
| has when they decide they want you. | | | | something recent. Going back to my previous article, |
| 3. Stay Calm | | | | "10 Acting Audition Tips", auditioners will see many |
| Confidence is everything. Even if you know all of the | | | | dancers throughout the dance audition process. Many |
| dance moves, if you're not confident when | | | | will choose classic or very well known dance routines. |
| performing them, your audition will come off as | | | | Try to pick something that they haven't seen |
| awkward. Everyone is nervous, even the auditioners, | | | | before, or at least not as often. Like you might hear |
| but you have to get past that and do what you | | | | in talent shows on television like American Idol (oh, |
| came to do. First, try to realize why you are nervous. | | | | did I say that?), it's all about song choice, or in this |
| Sure, it could be that you really want the part or this | | | | case dance choice. Pick something that hits close to |
| is a huge opportunity. However, those feelings | | | | home with you. Something you can relate to, |
| generate more excitement than anxiety. Those | | | | something that you can convey with sincere emotion |
| jitters you can handle. It's the audition itself that is | | | | and movement. If you can do that, the dance will be |
| the problem. You probably aren't used to the process | | | | unique to you without ever having to change a step. |
| and it's placing you outside of your comfort zone. A | | | | That originality, genuineness and fervor is what they |
| good way to get past this feeling or at least cope | | | | really want. |
| with it (you should always be a little on edge, keeps | | | | |