10 Dance Tips for a Great Dance Team Audition

An audition is a high pressure experience, taxing on both your mind and your body. Your performance will ultimately depend on how well you prepared beforehand. On the day of the audition, there are a few measures you can take to ensure your hard work and practice pays off.

Prepare Early. Take care of any pre-audition necessities early in the day, leaving extra time to do your hair and makeup. Make sure your hair will not fall and your make will not run from sweat while you dance. If you attend to these needs earlier in the day, it will reduce pressure as the time of the audition approaches.

Eat Well and Drink Water. Anticipation and excitement prior to a dance team audition is enough to make you forget to eat—or in some cases, overeat. It’s important to remember to eat something on the day of the audition, but it’s also important to consider what you’re eating, and how it will affect your performance.

Stick to complex carbohydrates and lean proteins for an energy boost, and avoid greasy and starchy foods, which can make you feel sluggish. Drinking water is also crucial to stay on top of every performance.

Layer Dancewear Clothing. Unless the audition specifically notes what to wear, make sure you are ready to change into the appropriate attire before you enter the dance room. Start with a leotard and tights, and layer a tight fitting top and dance shorts on top.

Get There Early. Allow yourself enough time to feel unhurried. If your GPS says it will take 30 minutes to reach the location of the audition, leave an hour before. You will arrive more focused, and have extra time to mentally prepare yourself.

Stretch Beforehand. Even if you know the audition will have a stretching portion, use the time before the audition to prepare your body to dance. Do some light, basic stretches. Find some space in the lobby or hallway.

Stand Out. The judges will be watching all of the prospective dancers from the moment they walk in the door, so remember to exude confidence. Stand with a dancer’s posture, arms at your sides. Project confidence, smile, and make eye contact – this will help you stand out from the crowd.

Pick a Spot Where You Can Be Seen. Unless positions are assigned, make sure to find a good spot in the audition room where you have a clear sightline to the judges. You should also be able to see and be seen by the dance instructor.

Breathe. Performance anxiety is natural, but it can also make you forget to breathe. Holding breath is a common mistake among novice performers, and it leads to increased anxiety and lower muscle energy—in addition, of course, to feeling out of breath. Don’t fall into this trap. Exhale on release movements. Doing so will cause you to naturally inhale, helping you maintain a regular breathing pattern.

Perform. It is one thing to go through the motions of a combination perfectly. To truly perform, however, is another thing entirely. The key qualities of an excellent performance are passion, expression, and dynamic energy. Don’t lose your ability to shine by fixating only on perfect execution.

Learn from Every Experience. Whether you are chosen or not, try to see every audition as a learning experience. Simply going through the process of preparing, showing up, and doing your best, you become a better dancer. View it as a learning experience, and keep moving forward.

Feel prepared? Come try out for the award-winning Dazzlers, the competitive dance team at Gallery of Dance in Freehold, NJ.