The primary time Jessica Tong auditioned for Hubbard Road’s second firm, she made it to the top 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 observe from then-artistic director Julie Nakagawa telling her to communicate. Tong finally joined Hubbard Road 2, moved to the principle firm, and have become rehearsal director and affiliate inventive director of Hubbard Road 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 modern dance. Watching Hubbard Road onstage had helped spark her curiosity a few new course, 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 sometimes 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 will be crushing. However these experiences may also yield insights dancers would possibly carry with them to the subsequent audition, class, or efficiency—and use to tell and form their trajectories.
Perception By means of Expertise
Auditions will be revealing, stating gaps and areas for development. “I’ve discovered that I must get out of my consolation zone,” says Caitlin Bond, a New York Metropolis–primarily based 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 position 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—typically greater than approach. Bond recollects one memorable audition through which she by chance kicked a desk whereas hanging a ultimate pose, caught it because it toppled, stayed composed, and received a callback. Her experiences have taught her that decision-makers are watching—from the second dancers stroll in—observing the vitality they convey and the way they work together with others.
Auditions are additionally a chance for performers to make their very own observations. “It’s best to discover how you are feeling within the room,” says Jess Spinner, a well being, diet, and way of life coach and former skilled dancer. “For those who don’t really feel protected or comfy in that atmosphere, odds are, should you have been to work for them, it will be an identical feeling.”
Reflecting on Rejection
It may be tempting for performers to go away 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 want to enhance upon or do in a different 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 joyful about? The place did I really feel assured? Did I get caught on something that influenced the remainder of the audition? Have been there corrections that really feel helpful? What drew the eye of the folks operating 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 on the lookout for difficult petit allégro mixtures 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 may well assist construct confidence.
One of these self-reflection isn’t straightforward. “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 confused at auditions. “I’ve gotten rather a lot higher with performing nicely below stress, the extra auditions I’ve gone to,” she says. “Actually, the easiest way to enhance your auditioning is to do extra auditions.” From her experiences, Bond determined to take extra hip-hop and faucet courses, 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, when it comes to what fashion—or mixture of types—dancers will likely be anticipated to nail within the studio.
Observe might help hone expertise essential to auditioning nicely, like choosing up choreography shortly sufficient that the main focus can lengthen past the precise steps. Tong says she doesn’t essentially have a look at who will get the mix the quickest, although others would possibly. However realizing the steps is foundational, she says: “From there you possibly can 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 shortly in an unfamiliar setting, particularly when the stakes really feel excessive. “To have the ability to let your self really be seen is a ability,” Tong says. And that’s one thing that “actually simply takes follow.”