Pictured: Dancers auditioning and taking class during The Victorian Dance Festival

There’s no experience quite like a dance audition. From pinning on your audition number, to dancing for an audience of watchful adjudicators, auditions are a unique, exhilarating, and occasionally nerve-wracking experience. Nailing auditions takes time, practise, and a few helpful hints; luckily, we’ve got you covered! Whether you’re about to do your first audition, or you’re a seasoned auditionee, here’s some tips for mastering every dance audition.

Get your Z’s

I learnt the importance of this tip the hard way so you don’t have to! It was the night before the most important dance audition I had ever done. I’d been rehearsing for months, and was certain I was ready for anything. So, with my audition outfit laid out on the hotel chair and my solo music playing on repeat in my head, I went to bed…and couldn’t fall asleep. Five hours later, as the morning crept closer and closer, I was still wide awake. Needless to say, I did not do my best audition! I was unfocused, clumsy, and struggled to stay awake, let alone impress the adjudicators. What did I learn? Skipping a good night’s sleep is not an option. Maintaining a healthy sleep routine is vital audition preparation; turn off all electronics at least an hour before bed time, keep your room cool and dark, and aim for at least 7 hours of deep sleep every night to ensure that your brain and body are ready for optimal performance. If you’re still finding it difficult to fall or stay asleep, try putting a few drops of calming essential oil on your pillowcase. For more information on getting your Z’s, check out our Five Simple Tips for a Restorative Night’s Sleep.

Feel beautiful (or handsome!)

The most common piece of advice given to young auditionees is this: present yourself well. From choosing the right leotard/outfit colour, to wearing a neat hairstyle and clean shoes; it’s no secret that dressing well is a key element of nailing an audition. However, no matter what you choose to wear on the day of your audition, prioritise feeling amazing! This means choosing an outfit and hairstyle you’re comfortable in and truly enjoy wearing. Consider the colours and designs you love, and play with showing off your personality through your look. You want to feel authentic, confident and comfortable – this way, you’ll easily stand out in the crowd! Always make sure you’ve danced in your outfit and hair style at least once before the audition. You don’t want to be caught off guard by a loose leotard strap or your hairstyle falling out in the middle of an exercise. Shop our collection to find your perfect audition outfit:

If you’re on time, you’re late!

Punctuality is a highly valued quality in the dance industry. Arriving at least 15 minutes early to the audition venue demonstrates respect for your adjudicators, teachers, and fellow dancers, and shows enthusiasm and commitment. Additionally, arriving early will leave you time to familiarise yourself with the space, warm up, and calmly handle any unexpected events, such as outfit malfunctions and audition nerves. You’ll also have more time to meet new friends; many of my closest dance friendships were made in the wings before auditions and performances!

Pictured: Joel Burke at The Victorian Dance Festival

Fuel your body

There’s nothing worse than trying to get through an entire dance class or performance without a water bottle; dehydration is dangerous, and certainly won’t help you do your best audition! Make sure to fuel your body well by bringing a full water bottle and a few nutritious snacks, such as muesli bars and fruit, to your dance audition. Always eat a healthy meal an hour or so before your audition, including a balance of carbohydrates, protein and fat - Tuna Feta Pasta is a great pre-audition meal! Check out some more delicious recipes here.

Learn relaxation techniques

Dance auditions can be stressful, especially if you have your heart set on a certain school or competition. Many dancers never learn the tools to handle their anxiety, and struggle to find their feet in auditions and performances. To ensure your nerves don’t get the better of you, learn a few relaxation exercises to do whenever you feel anxious, or just need to refocus your energy. Belly Breathing is a fantastic exercise to try out:

1. Position yourself comfortably, sitting or lying down.

2. Place your right hand on your belly and your left hand on your chest.

3. Breathe in deeply through your nose, focusing your breath into your belly. You’ll feel your right hand move up with your belly – your left hand should stay still.

4. Breathe out through your mouth, releasing the breath from your belly.

5. Repeat this ten times. Breathe deeply and slowly, focusing your mind on your breath and ignoring any distractions around you.

6. Notice how relaxed you feel!

You’ll find that learning relaxation techniques will help you across all aspects of your life, keeping you grounded, present and in control.

Do a thorough warm-up

A common mistake young dancers make is assuming that dance auditions will include a warm-up. Remember, every audition is different! In one audition you may only do exercises at the barre, whilst in another you may move straight into jumps and turns. Therefore, it’s vital to be thoroughly warm and ready to handle any choreography thrown at you. Not only will warming up help you do a fantastic audition, but it will also prevent injuries and prepare you mentally. Include both dynamic and static elements in your warm up, such as light jogging and gentle stretching. If you’re a musical theatre performer, make sure to do a full vocal warm-up as well.

Learn more about warming up here: Dance 101 The Importance of Warming Up.

Confidence is key

When an adjudicator/director is choosing dancers, they aren’t just looking for technical competence. They’re also looking for dancers with the confidence to perform in front of an audience; dance is a performance art, after all! Ask yourself: if you don’t believe in your own talent, why should anyone else? If you’re struggling to find confidence in yourself, fake it till you make it! Think of a professional dancer who inspires you, and pretend to be them for a day. Do they walk with poise? Yes! Do they look happy and relaxed? Absolutely! Are they hiding behind everyone else and staring at the ground? Of course not! No matter how nervous you are, prove to the adjudicators that you have the confidence to be a dancer.

Allow yourself to be seen

If you’re feeling unsure of yourself in an audition, you may be tempted to hide behind other dancers. This is a big no! Whilst it’s important to be aware of other dancers, and not take up too much space for yourself, you also need to be seen by your adjudicators. Don’t shy away from standing in the front row or being the first dancer to complete an exercise; this will show that you are passionate, confident, and prepared, and will allow the adjudicators to spot your talent. Another great way to show your enthusiasm is to give something a go! If you’re taking an audition class, be the first to apply the teacher’s corrections or try a new combination.

Be kind

As competitive as dance auditions can be, always remember to stay gracious. Being stand-offish and rude is never a good look, and makes the audition experience worse for everyone. Being friendly to others shows maturity, and puts you in good stead for the collaborative nature of being in a dance company or troupe. Auditions can also be a great way to meet dancers from other schools and companies and build new friendships. The dance world is small - you never know where you’ll meet your fellow auditionees again!

Have fun!

Focus on the process, not the outcome; as nerve-racking as auditions can be, try to enjoy every moment of the experience, and not worry too much about the final result. It’s not often that you have the chance to dance in front of an audience, and auditions are a fantastic opportunity to show off the results of all your hard work in the studio. Focus on being present in each exercise, and sharing your love of dance with your adjudicators, teachers and fellow dancers.