I need some info on a dance auditon. I am in my early teens and some points in the following are needed.?

Question

This would be best answered by dancers, dance judges, or anyone experienced in ballet dance:
1. I need to know how long my dance performance for the audition should last.
2. What is the average stertching capabilities needed to enter a hometown dance school.
3. What are the musicals or dance movies that I can watch to learn beautiful and simple ballet dance moves.
PS. The dance school I am auditioning in is not "Julliard" or anything. I have had 3 years of ballet experienced but as a small child, I do not remember anything in terms of chreography. And I need these answers as quick as possible and thank you very much.

Answer 1

Um, I think you're worrying too much. No beginning ballet program is going to require you to perform a solo. You just take a ballet class with everyone else who is applying.

Unless this is a program that actually REJECTS applicants, all they want to see is what level to place you in, so you don't need to worry about things like stretching capabilities or any specific dance moves. Just do what you can do so you can be placed correctly.

You can NOT learn ballet moves correctly by watching a video, so don't try. Acting as though you THINK you know how to do something is actually worse than admitting you don't know but are willing to try. What the auditioner is looking for are students who follow their directions well and then fix their inevitable mistakes when they are given corrections. This shows that your mind is open to receiving proper dance instruction. If you go in there pretending you know something, they might think you're close-minded and stubborn. Just be yourself, relax, and listen carefully to the instructions.

A ballet audition looks exactly like a ballet class, except you might be wearing a paper number on your leotard. You start with exercises at the barre, followed by combinations "in the center" (where everyone is spaced in lines and rows across the studio floor), followed by more elaborate combinations across the floor.

Depending on whether they have you moving across from, say, left wall to right wall, or top-right corner to bottom-left corner, the auditioners may ask dancers to go across singly, in twos, threes or more. It's this lining up and moving around that might be the most intimidating for you if you're not used to taking a dance class, as it's assumed that older dances know the etiquette for doing this and it's NOT proper to keep whispering to others to ask what to do (or bumping into people). If you could observe some dance classes ahead of time, that would be great. But the "combinations" (series of dance moves) are taught right there in class and gone over a few times before you're expected to do it without the teacher talking. You can even ask questions if you don't understand. If you're allowed to move to the back of the line, you'll get more time watching others do the steps before you. Advanced dancers learn to use this waiting time to practice the steps in their head or even use their hands to "practice" what their feet would do. This shows they're paying attention and are focused - a good sign.

The bottom line tip is to try to look like you're having fun and enjoy dancing. Please don't worry too much and just do your best. They are NOT looking for perfection, so your reactions to your mistakes actually matter more than the mistakes themselves.

Answer 2

I think janine has the right of it. Re-read her response.

The main thing for an audition is to be attentive and look like you are glad to be there. Smile and meet the other dancers - cheer them on and they'll cheer for you too. Thank the accompianist afterwards and try to be as professional as you can.

If it is your first audtion watch the ones who've done it before -- remember, you'll be audtioning for the rest of your life and that is how you get your jobs.

Don't hide in the back, demand to be seen.
Claim the room and fill it with your presence.
Really put on the gas at the end when everyone else is flagging and tired.
Never apologize, you are what you are and you are who you are.
Show up early and warm up.
And I'll say it again -- show up early and warm up.

Merde!

Answer 3

Answers
1. It depends on the rules given by the body or dance company
2. Average-you should know the basic foot and arm positioning, barre exercises, floor exercises and routine steps done for warm up (like jumps, for de bras, fondus and others)
3. Center stage is the best.
Reminder: as you have said, you had ballet experience in childhood and can't remember anything. I think you're going to start from the very beggining. If you're auditioning and that is the case you're dead. As a dance teacher and chereographer I know just by looking if a person knows what she is dancing and is she is confident to run it. Maybe technically you can't do it like the others but you should be confident and have a music that will bring the best you have. The best thing to do is start your warm up and let someone who knows ballet to lead you (for instructions and reviews) becoz you're going to need it badly. And I think you will be needing not just a month. I'm not saying this to discourage you but to let you see what's infront of you. Hope you'll do your best and God bless

Answer 4

There is a movie called "Turning Point" with a real ballerina named Lesley Brown or something like that in it and Shirley Maclaine and Anne Bancroft. Maybe you could rent it. It is an older movie but it really is good. It's funny, beautiful, and there are a lot of dances in it. It's about an ex-ballerina and her ballerina best friend. The ex-ballerina has a daughter that is joining the Ballet (Lesley Brown). My favorite dance in the whole movie is at the very end of the movie, she does a dance with some beautiful music. It is awe-inspiring and lovely. I watched that movie over and over just for that last scene. Good luck.

Answer 5

im a ballet dancer too.
1.usually 1 1/2m min-2 1/2 min
2.well it depends if u are going into level 1 or not. my advice is, just strech ur hardest.
3.center stage is awesome, also the turning pointe.
well good luck. and since u have had 3 years of experince you wont know much of it, but you will learn it much easier

Answer 6

i've beemn dancing for 13 yrz....
my advice is to
A) have lots of attitude and showmanship
B)pick a judge and stare at em while u dance.... and smile .. make eye contact

Answer 7

You would probably do better simply asking the school the same questions. Who knows better then them what they want??? You don't have to tell them who you are, just ask the questions.

Answer 8

Yes I heard aboot that, actually I have a video of it right here!!!

Answer 9

janine's response is good