The primary time Jessica Tong auditioned for Hubbard Avenue’s second firm, she made it to the tip of the decision however didn’t get the job. The subsequent time she auditioned, six months later, she additionally didn’t get the job, however she did get a notice from then-artistic director Julie Nakagawa telling her to be in contact. Tong finally joined Hubbard Avenue 2, moved to the principle firm, and have become rehearsal director and affiliate creative director of Hubbard Avenue Dance Chicago.
Though irritating, these two unsuccessful auditions performed a job in guiding Tong, then at a transitional second in her profession, from ballet to up to date dance. Watching Hubbard Avenue onstage had helped spark her curiosity a couple of new route, and the auditions helped her understand she wanted extra coaching in several types of dance. “There was a lacking hyperlink that I wanted to determine,” says Tong, now rehearsal director for A.I.M by Kyle Abraham (and infrequently on the opposite aspect of the audition desk). “That was my takeaway.”
Auditions are an inescapable a part of most dancers’ paths, as are rejections. The nos may be crushing. However these experiences may yield insights dancers may carry with them to the subsequent audition, class, or efficiency—and use to tell and form their trajectories.
Perception By Expertise
Auditions may be revealing, mentioning gaps and areas for development. “I’ve discovered that I have to get out of my consolation zone,” says Caitlin Bond, a New York Metropolis–based mostly dancer whose clear, relatable audition recaps have gained her a following on social media. Like Tong, she started in ballet earlier than broadening her pursuits and touchdown the function of Victoria within the CATS nationwide tour.
Going by means of dozens of auditions in 2024 has been instructive for Bond. “The extra I do, the extra I discover little issues,” she says, including that how dancers conduct themselves issues—generally greater than approach. Bond remembers one memorable audition through which she by chance kicked a desk whereas putting a remaining pose, caught it because it toppled, stayed composed, and acquired a callback. Her experiences have taught her that decision-makers are watching—from the second dancers stroll in—observing the vitality they create and the way they work together with others.
Auditions are additionally a chance for performers to make their very own observations. “You must discover how you’re feeling within the room,” says Jess Spinner, a well being, diet, and way of life coach and former skilled dancer. “If you happen to don’t really feel secure or snug in that atmosphere, odds are, for those who had been to work for them, it will be the same feeling.”
Reflecting on Rejection
It may be tempting for performers to depart an audition that didn’t go their approach and attempt to push it out of their thoughts, Spinner says. She advises her shoppers to withstand that urge. “I encourage dancers after each single audition to jot down down what they really feel went nicely, what they wish to enhance upon or do in another way, after which how they’ll take each of these ideas into their subsequent audition expertise.” Spinner recommends asking questions like: What do I really feel completely happy about? The place did I really feel assured? Did I get caught on something that influenced the remainder of the audition? Had been there corrections that really feel helpful? What drew the eye of the folks working the audition? “Writing all of this down goes that will help you get slightly deeper into your mind to have some true, constructive takeaways,” she says.
The solutions to those questions can level to actionable steps. For instance, if a tough petit allégro mixture felt overwhelming, Spinner recommends in search of difficult petit allégro combos on-line to deal with after each class till the subsequent audition. Whereas this will not magically advance approach in a single day, Spinner says, it will probably assist construct confidence.
The sort of self-reflection isn’t simple. “You’re in a weak house,” Tong explains. “It’s very, very taxing.” Earlier than reflecting on the audition expertise and drawing insights, she advises, “it’s okay to take a beat.”
Honing Auditioning Expertise
Bond was shocked that, even after about 450 performances of CATS, she was nonetheless pressured at auditions. “I’ve gotten so much higher with performing nicely beneath stress, the extra auditions I’ve gone to,” she says. “Actually, one of the simplest ways to enhance your auditioning is to do extra auditions.” From her experiences, Bond determined to take extra hip-hop and faucet lessons, discovered she must be able to improvise, and realized adaptability and flexibility are key. “You actually by no means know what you’re going to stroll into,” she says, by way of what model—or mixture of types—dancers will probably be anticipated to nail within the studio.
Follow will help hone expertise vital to auditioning nicely, like choosing up choreography rapidly sufficient that the main target can prolong past the precise steps. Tong says she doesn’t essentially have a look at who will get the mix the quickest, although others may. However realizing the steps is foundational, she says: “From there you may actually personalize it and provides it slightly bit extra of your groove.”
When dancers are strolling into an unknown state of affairs, it’s pure to shrink, Tong says. It takes time to learn to be genuine with new folks rapidly in an unfamiliar setting, particularly when the stakes really feel excessive. “To have the ability to let your self actually be seen is a talent,” Tong says. And that’s one thing that “actually simply takes follow.”
