Next year, my dance studio will be picking new girls for the lead role in our Nutcracker. I REALLY want to get picked _ I've been practicing endlessly and praying they'll pick me. In the next year, does anyone have any tips that will enable to prepare for the audition? Also, tips for actually doing the audition are appreciated as well. Thanks so much for answers in advance!
2006-10-10 09:30:23 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Dancing
Hi Dancer8246!
I answer your question with LOTS of experience!
I was a member of the cast for 10 straight years of the Nutcracker. I think that the best advice that I have for you going into this audition is this:
Watch The Nutcracker and try to learn as much about the story and your character's part as you can. The more you can learn, the more you will be able to show through your emotion, stage presence, and confidence to show your director's that you are best for this part.
Of course, the same advice for any audition. Pick the leotard color, cut, and style that is most flattering to your body. If there are requirments for color, cut & style that you must wear, then find a leotard within those requirements that best suits you.
Your hair should be pulled off your face and pinned tightly without there being any distractions to the rest of your body and face; this will help you to show as much emotion as possible.
Looking as professional as possible with the makeup on your face also shows those judges that you are serious about this role and are ready to take on the responsibility and that you will present yourself as professionally as possible at all times.
Have clean dance shoes! I can't stress this enough. Make sure that they are broken in and ready for use but CLEAN is so important. It shows your judges that you take your role as a dancer seriously and that you are ready to perform.
Wear as little "extra" attire as possible. If you are requested to be in leotards, tights, and a skirt -- then wear that. Leave your warm-ups in your dance bag -- don't hang them on the nearest ballet barre.
Make eye contact with each judge and make sure that they make eye contact back. They will remember you--the more positive, upbeat, confident and enjoyable you seem--the better a shot of you standing out in a crowd.
When the audition starts, make yourself visible to the judges and memorable (in a positive way). Keep a smile on your face. Don't speak during instruction. If you have a question about the step, store this in your mind until the choreographer has finished the step and then raise your hand and ask the question.
DO NOT, under any circumstances, turn to the girl next to you and ask her what the step is. You will be speaking while the choreographer is giving instruction and this will bring negative attention to you.
You said that the audition won't be until next year so in the meantime, you should "practice" all of these things at all of your classes between now and then. Show up for each class with each instructor presenting the same attitude, attention to details (both inside and outside of the studio) and practice, practice, practice. Practice makes perfect! : )
Last but NEVER least ... HAVE FUN! When your judges can see that you are really enjoying yourself, they will enjoy watching you and will know that the audience will as well. Remember that The Nutcracker is all about the magical world that happens around us and you really have to live the fantasy to become a part of the reality of being a cast member.
Although no advice is guaranteed to get you to where you want to be, I hope that this is a great starting point.
Merde! (Good Luck in French!)
2006-10-10 09:54:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey! I am glad to hear this.
I was in The Nutcracker many times. I was a party girl for the first few times. Then I was Fritz for 2 years. After that I had the honor to play Clara. It is very exciting.
Preparing.
Make sure you have a good, good, good nights rest. Have around 10 hours sleep (at least!).
Do not practice the day before auditions, but make sure you are in your mind and going through the dance in your head. But do not do anything physical.
Eat some breakfast early in the morning, but nothing for the rest of the time before the audition. Make sure you have plenty of water for the day. Bring a water bottle.
Dancing.
Have confidence. Most likely you will get some kind of role if you can dance, and you can, I am sure. Be happy with a party girl role if you get it. But do not settle for that. When auditioning, have nice clean clothing or costume, just come in your regular dancing attire you do for class, but a little neater. Hair pulled back in a tight, neat bun with no frizzies. Clothes have no wrinkles, are proper fitting, not too tight, but not baggy! Make sure you do not dance in new pointe shoes!
Girls.
This is very important. Do not talk to any other auditioners. If someone congratulates you, say thank you, and do not say anything else. Most likely there will be girls to put people down and say bad things about your performance, but you MUST ignore them. If you say anything, word will get back to choreographers and the judges, and it will lesson your chances of getting a role in it, as well as future auditions. That is from a personal experience of mine, and trust me, it never happened again. Get some tunes on before and after you perform, get into your place, and breathe. Relax, make sure you have time for yourself, no talking, just concentrating on having a great performance.
Good luck. Have a smile and try your best.
My best wishes :)
2006-10-10 19:58:15 · answer #2 · answered by Norah 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It would help if you could get some outside auditioning experience. I'd recommend auditioning for Summer Intensive dance programs that tend to hold their auditions starting in January and lasting through March. Pick up the January editions of Dance Magazine and Dance Spirit to see which auditions are being held near you. The fees for an audition range from $15 to $30, but they're a great way to see how you measure up to other area dancers, plus you'll actually get to SEE what other dancers do that gets them noticed by the auditioners.
2006-10-10 16:57:29 · answer #3 · answered by Janine 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm the lead in the Nutcracker, you would be Clara, right? My tips are for you are to just get comfortable with the Nutcracker because your with him most of the time. Keep practicing until you can say it to your self with out looking at the script and do your own acting. Don't let anyone change the way you rehearsed your lines. Like when you have to say. " They are beautiful. Are they Spainish." Give it some feeling like your really shocked. I hope this helps!!!!!!!!
2006-10-12 18:45:35 · answer #4 · answered by DANCER12 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must schmooze with the people who make the decision, that means you your family. Make sure you buy them a gift for the holidays, do what ever it takes.
When they make a decision they are taking intoaccount how they like you your talent, etc
You should also ask them for constructive criticisms, "What can make me better?" Dont feel shy about going to another school and getting a professional viewpoint from someone even better.
2006-10-10 16:33:51 · answer #5 · answered by god knows and sees else Yahoo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First strecth and get comfortable in your skin/clothes.
Than practice what your gonna do
remember it never helps to be nervous
chat w/ a friend don't worry about it
good luck!
2006-10-15 19:56:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
smile nice but not too big-- have a good ballet smile =] always follow your hand with your eyes... stand tall...know the moves and your good to go!
2006-10-10 19:36:34 · answer #7 · answered by christine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
live the role be the role you want to play rehearse and rehearse and when you can't do it anymore - rehearse again
2006-10-10 16:38:35 · answer #8 · answered by worldstiti 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋