With Psalm 85 as our guide, this month our classes have been focusing on the word “prepare.” New dance years bring about new goals, and we’re working to prepare our hearts for His plans. Of course, new goals also bring about new sets of nerves! If you’re making plans to audition for any of our companies and programs this year, we’re here to help. While we’ve already gone over our top five tips for a successful audition, this week, our directors offer their best tips and tricks of the trade to help you prepare for your dance or theater audition.
Sara Murdaugh, Director, Training Division/Pointe Program:
“For the Training Division, attend your weekly class(es) consistently and with focus. Come to the audition as if ready for ballet class—leotard, tights, shoes, hair in a bun, water bottle. Know when essays are due and when results will be out; read the material on the website and ask questions. Give yourself grace when you don't know something and celebrate when you do well!
To prepare for your pointe evaluation, attend your twice weekly classes and pre-pointe with consistency and attention to improvement. Just like Training, come to the audition as if ready for ballet class—leotard, tights, shoes, hair in a bun, water bottle. Come early to warm up, read your emails and mark calendars! Know that everyone's journey toward pointe is different and that's ok!”
Mimi McKinnis, Director, FYDC:
“The best thing you can do before any audition is to make sure you’re prepared. There’s nothing worse for your nerves than surprises! Everything you’ll need to know should be posted or communicated ahead of time, so be sure to read everything thoroughly. If you’re asked to wear a certain type of dance wear, make sure you do it! If you’re asked to bring items like forms, headshots and resumes, make sure you do it! Showing that you can take responsibility for requirements and follow directions can be just as important as your physical ability.
But most of all, make sure you’ve invited God into the audition with you, whether that’s by praying alone, praying with friends or just listening to worship music as you warm up. In FYDC, we want to be sure we’re shining His light, and that His presence is felt by our audience. We want to make an impact in His name, not make a name for ourselves, and that starts with the audition process. Do your very best and enjoy the experience, but know that He is working in ways we can’t always see, through roles we might not always see ourselves in. As with any dance or theater production, each performer is a part of a much bigger picture, so make a way for Him to move through you! Count it all joy, even if you’re disappointed or frustrated, and give Him the glory through every part of the process.”
Laura Bergen, Artistic Director, STARZ Theater Company:
“One thing I encourage all students to do when it comes to auditioning is to remember that this is just an opportunity for you to share your love of singing, dancing and acting with the Creative Team for the show. For up to 90-seconds, that stage is all yours and you are in the spotlight! Let yourself have fun and make it the greatest show! When we take the pressure off of ourselves that there's something to prove, earn or achieve and instead let our audition showcase our love of storytelling, singing or dancing, the entire mindset surrounding an audition process can change.
A STARZ Theater Company audition is 90 seconds to do what you love and show us how it fills you with joy. As someone who regularly sits on audition panels, I can assure you everyone on our panel is cheering for you and, regardless of how things play out on a cast list, we are enormously proud of you!”
Taylor Ellen, Training Division/Pointe Program:
“To prepare for a Training audition, confidence is key! Whatever you do, do it confidently, even if you mess up! This is great to practice in any class, but especially as you prepare for an audition.
To prepare for your pointe evaluation, make sure you come early enough to warm up all your muscles! A lot of the evaluation is very slow and controlled movement that’s repeated several times, so making sure everything is fully warm is important to help you and your body do its best work.”
Abbie Van Horn, Leadership Assistant, Fidéle Youth Dance Company:
“Having been a part of Fidéle for three years, and now as Leadership Assistant, I have learned a lot about auditioning for a dance company! My first and most important piece of advice is: PRAY over your audition! Fidéle is all about performing for our audience of One. As the company verse states, "Not to us, Lord, but to you alone, be the glory forever and ever." If you get nervous over an audition, this is a great way to help with that. It takes the pressure off of you and lets God set the tone.
Secondly, be confident in what you bring to the table and start preparing early—even if you are unsure about any part of your audition. Don't be afraid to try something new. Fidéle auditions are not a competition! They are poured over in prayer, and you are seen as a whole person in our community. Since our performances are first and foremost worship to our King, we want them to be excellent for Him. So try your best! If not everything is going right for you on audition day, don't worry! Ms. Mimi can see the difference between an off day and a lack of technique. It is more important to see your heart than a perfect triple pirouette. So if you audition, pray, be confident, prepare early, and try something new! Do your best, trust God with the rest!”
Jenna Moore, Lead, STARZ Rising & All STARZ:
“Auditions can be nerve wracking and intense, but my best advise is to remember that the people you are auditioning for are most of the time on your side and are cheering for you!! My favorite thing to do before an audition is to listen to worship music and close my eyes. Practice before you get to the audition, and then worry about warming up and getting in the right headspace when you get there. You got this!!”