Audition 101

Auditions. Whether it's your first audition or your hundreth, it's safe to say that you'll always be a little nervous. So to help you out a little, I have some advice and tips for you, to keep you organised and calm on your big day:

Make a list and pack all of your stuff the night before: Don't leave everything to the morning of your audition. Make sure everything you need to take with you is in your dance bag and that you're fully prepared. Here are some things you should always have with you when you're going to an audition:

• A spare leotard and tights
• All of your dance shoes (you never know what they'll ask of you)
• Hair ties, bobby pins and hairspray (and a hair net if you need it)
• Deodorant (XD)
• A theraband and muscle roller (to warm up with)
• Warmups
• Headshots and resumes
• (make sure you have a solo prepared - even if they don't ask for one)
• Water and a snack (you don't want to dance on an empty stomach)

Arrive early: Try to get there at least 1 hour before the audition. This way you'll have enough time to properly warm up and to calm yourself down and you'll dance with more ease.

Always warm up: Don't expect the judges to lead a class. Be a professional and warm yourself up before the audition. If they do end up having a warmup class, you'll be ready and will already be more mobile.

Stand in the front: The whole point of an audition is to be seen, so try not to be in the back row. Try to stand in the first (or second) row, where you're sure to be seen. Be confident(!) You're here to show off your skills!

Be kind and positive: Don't be one of those dancers that stand in the middle of the front row and don't let anyone near them. At the end ofthe day, the end goal for all of the dancers in the audition, is to get the role, or to get into the company (whatever you're auditioning for). And although your goal is to get it, be polite to others(!). If you see someone struggling with the combination, be nice to them and help them out: it shows that you're able to work well with other dancers and how quickly you can pick up choreography.

Don't be afraid to ask: If you're unsure of a step or part of the choreography, ask another auditionee or the choreographer. I recommend asking another dancer first, because asking the choreographer might make it seem as if you're unable to pick up the choreography, but there's no shame in politely going up to someone and asking them what's next.

Have something to eat before the audition: Auditions can be long, and you don't want to dance on an empty stomach - you'll end up running low on energy. Have a small snack about an hour before the audition starts. This way you'll be sure to last throughout the whole audition. And never forget to bring water with you. You may not be allowed to drink during a warm up, but they'll definitely give you a small water break at some point.

Smile!: Show them that you're happy to be dancing for them and that you're excited to be there. Don't make it seem like a chore. Unless the choreography you're learning is really dark or emotional, you're allowed to smile a little(!).

Don't beat yourself up: It's ok if you dont get it right the first time. You're human(!) - don't expect impossible things from yourself. Even if you don't get the part, take the audition as a learning experience and use it to do better next time. In my opinion, the only "failed" audition, is one where you didn't have to challenge yourself and one where you didn't learn anything new (which I think is impossible, because there's always something new to learn).

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