Preparing for Auditions - Set Yourself Apart

Strength, precision, and artistry set you apart at an audition. Optimal nourishment and rest is important. Audition at your best by staying in peak shape with these helpful tips.

Before audition day:

1. Narrow down your list: Make an audition list based on your goals. Are you looking to participate in a summer program, improve your audition skills, or gain acceptance into a dance company?  
2. Address prior/current injuries: Don’t audition with an injury! This can lead to further injury and hinder your chances of being accepted.
3. Get adequate sleep: Sufficient sleep will allow you to focus during the audition and learn combinations quickly. Meal preparation: Bring adequate snacks to help fuel you before your audition.
4. Check audition day requirements: Be prepared with your resume, headshot, proper attire, and audition fee.
5. Arrive early: This will allow you to mentally prepare yourself and warm up properly.  
6. Refine your technique: Avoid skipping technique classes. Take daily technique classes to prepare. Focus on your alignment and stability to avoid overuse injury.
7. Increase your strength/endurance: Technique classes don’t always prepare you for dancing for extended periods. It is important to supplement with cardiovascular exercise and strength training to prepare for audition days (Koutedakis 2000).

Skills to focus on during your audition:

• Good technique (correct alignment, core stability)
• Musicality
• Ability to pick up combinations and understand corrections
• Artistry
• Positive attitude
• Avoiding injury during the audition season:
• Avoid more than one audition per day
• Plan local auditions if possible
• Don’t work through fatigue, illness, or injury; seek help if an injury occurs.
• REST! Muscle requires 12-24 hours of rest following intense levels of physical activity in order to heal and repair damaged tissue prior to additional workouts (Koutedakis 2000 & 2004).
• If possible, allow for full rest days in between auditions to avoid overuse injury.

References: 
Koutedakis, Y. (2000). " Burnout” in Dance: the physiological viewpoint.
Koutedakis, Y., & Jamurtas, A. (2004). The dancer as a performing athlete. Sports Medicine, 34(10), 651-661.