Nutcracker rehearsals are over, and we’re now headed into the quick pace of summer intensive auditions. It’s not easy to be the parent of a dancer, and we need all the help and support we can get! You are not alone, we are a community supporting each other, and this will be an exciting time for you and your young dancer. Here are some important tips for surviving (and thriving!) throughout this season:
Prepare your and your dancer’s body for the demands of the audition season. Become more stringent about sleep, proper eating, fluid intake and relaxation. Have your dancer talk with their teacher to ensure they’re maintaining proper training habits and recovering properly after training to avoid injury.
Now, we organize! Create a list of programs your dancer is interested in attending, then find the audition location nearest you. The locations will let you know potential places you will be traveling. Explore what other programs are holding auditions around that area and consider attending those as well. Don’t want your child spending the summer in a far away city? I encourage you to allow them to attend the audition. Auditioning gets better with practice.
Auditioning by video is OK. Some auditions will be too far, so this option could make more sense for you and your family. The dress code should be followed as in the live audition. Make sure to follow the video audition guidelines carefully. Can you submit the audition via YouTube? Explore this option with each summer intensive program for faster delivery.
Use the buddy system in auditions. Have your dancer audition alongside a friend. This can bring relief and allows for the possibility of ride sharing, plus some extra help with hair and make-up.
Make sure you’re aware of audition dress codes. At most studios, young women and girls wear a black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet shoes/pointe shoes, with all ribbons and elastics sewn. She can wear diamond or white crystal stud earrings and a light powdered foundation, mascara and blush. Hair should be slicked back and in a low bun with a hairnet. Young men and boys should wear a white t-shirt tucked into black-footed tights with sewn black ballet shoes or white socks and white ballet shoes.
Luck favors the prepared. Empty hairspray cans and torn tights love to show up on audition day. Bring two of everything.
Auditions do not begin at the studio door. They begin the moment your child enters the building. Plan to be at the audition roughly one hour before start time. Your dancer should present a professional attitude in the lobby and hallway as well as in the dance studio.
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Adam Lanter has served on the dance faculty for the University of Dayton, Maryland School of Classical and Contemporary Dance and the Dayton Ballet School. Mr. Lanter danced professionally with the Ballet Theater of Maryland, Charleston Ballet Theater, Ballet Tennessee and the Charleston Ballet of West Virginia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The Ohio State University. Mr. Lanter serves as Ballet Master for the Columbus Modern Dance Company. He is excited to join the BalletMet family as a member of the Marketing Committee and editor for the Academy Newsletter.