The primary time Jessica Tong auditioned for Hubbard Road’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 word from then-artistic director Julie Nakagawa telling her to be in contact. 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 up to date dance. Watching Hubbard Road onstage had helped spark her curiosity a few new course, and the auditions helped her notice she wanted extra coaching in numerous 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 facet 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 also can 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 way of Expertise
Auditions may be revealing, mentioning gaps and areas for development. “I’ve discovered that I must 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 position of Victoria within the CATS nationwide tour.
Going by way 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 during which she unintentionally kicked a desk whereas hanging a closing pose, caught it because it toppled, stayed composed, and bought a callback. Her experiences have taught her that decision-makers are watching—from the second dancers stroll in—observing the power they bring about and the way they work together with others.
Auditions are additionally a chance for performers to make their very own observations. “You need to discover how you’re feeling within the room,” says Jess Spinner, a well being, diet, and way of life coach and former skilled dancer. “Should you don’t really feel protected or comfy in that setting, odds are, should you have been to work for them, it will be an analogous feeling.”
Reflecting on Rejection
It may be tempting for performers to go away an audition that didn’t go their manner 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 write down down what they really feel went properly, what they want to enhance upon or do otherwise, 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 blissful 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 individuals working the audition? “Writing all of this down goes that will help you get a little bit 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 may occasionally not magically advance approach in a single day, Spinner says, it may possibly 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 Abilities
Bond was shocked that, even after about 450 performances of CATS, she was nonetheless harassed at auditions. “I’ve gotten loads higher with performing properly underneath strain, 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 fashion—or mixture of types—dancers might be anticipated to nail within the studio.
Apply will help hone abilities vital to auditioning properly, like choosing up choreography rapidly sufficient that the main target can prolong past the precise steps. Tong says she doesn’t essentially take 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’ll be able to actually personalize it and provides it a little bit 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 individuals rapidly 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 observe.”
