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For current alums of the competitors scene, skilled dance auditions can appear intimidating: As a substitute of a trophy, you’re vying for a probably career-defining alternative. However the course of may also really feel acquainted. In some ways, life on the circuit has been making ready comp youngsters for skilled auditions all alongside. Right here’s easy methods to greatest leverage your competitors expertise in an audition setting.
Discover Calm within the Chaos
On audition day, dancers encounter a myriad of recent faces—from the inventive crew and audition screens to choreographers and assistants—and sometimes should navigate unpredictable schedules and eventualities. In case you’re acquainted with the hectic, anything-can-happen atmosphere of a contest weekend, take consolation in the truth that you already know easy methods to discover calm within the chaos. “Interacting with the backstage competitors managers, academics, and oldsters is an opportunity to learn to keep cool and talk your wants professionally,” says dancer Sissa Pressure, who judges for Dancers Inc. and All Out Dance Competitors and can also be director of operations at Business Dance Intensive, a corporation that teaches business abilities for aspiring professionals.
Terry Lindholm, founder and president of Go 2 Expertise Company, says he usually seeks out dancers with comp backgrounds for that purpose. “After I overview company submissions, I search for individuals who have competed, as a result of I do know they’ll have expertise navigating stress, adrenaline, and adapting to mishaps and challenges associated to stay efficiency,” he says.
Stand Out…Whereas Additionally Mixing In
After competing solos rising up, New York Metropolis–based mostly performer Maci Arms realized easy methods to activate her stage presence rapidly and exude confidence in entrance of an audition panel. “To achieve each conditions, you must belief your self, and your coaching, to make the one shot you must carry out your greatest,” she says.
However whereas auditions and competitions share a full-out mentality, Lindholm recommends taking a extra refined method within the audition room. In that setting, “there’s a stigma about how competitors dancers facially over-perform to get presentation factors,” he explains. “Within the skilled world, we prioritize authenticity, and love seeing dancers’ pleasure and distinctive spark shine by way of.”
At auditions, as a substitute of channeling comp-solo power, take into consideration the team-focused high quality of a bunch routine. On professional jobs, “as a rule, you’ll have to mix in with different performers,” Lindholm explains. “We’d like artists which are assured, but additionally tremendous crew gamers.”
Select Your Lane(ish)
Unsurprisingly, comp-kid versatility is a significant asset in audition settings. Due to the big variety of types they carried out and abilities they realized throughout their competitors days, each Pressure and Arms have been in a position to ebook a variety of gigs, from industrial industrials to basic musical theater reveals.
However versatility has its limits, too. “If a gig is in search of skilled ballroom dancers and also you’ve solely taken a number of courses, you doubtless gained’t land the function,” Lindholm explains. Construct in your jack-of-all-trades base by leaning into one or two types you’re notably expert at or drawn to, amping up your coaching in these genres and itemizing them prominently in your resumé. “Profitable professionals are continuously engaged on their versatility, however in addition they have a transparent sense of the place they match into the business and what they will ebook,” Lindholm says.
Finally, keep in mind that—like competitors judges—casting groups are simply folks with subjective opinions. “Competing helped me develop the thick pores and skin you want as an auditioning skilled,” says Arms, who attends or submits self tapes for upwards of 20 auditions a yr. “You must keep assured even in the event you don’t ‘win’ or ‘ebook,’ and love what you’re doing it doesn’t matter what.”
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