Auditions

As a dancer, I know this is the time for auditions. Plays, musicals, summer intensives...all that good stuff. At Connections Studio, we encourage our students to audition for ALL those things. We also do our very best to prepare them for those auditions, mentally & physically. It can be hard to go through the "rejection" part of auditioning, especially for young artists aspiring to become professionals or wanting to go on to study the performing arts in college.

We've seen our students through the years nail those auditions, and at times, walk away "empty handed". However, as an instructor, I've learned that it's not about "what you get out of it", it's about having the gu

ts to try.I'd rather try and fail, then live life not knowing I didn't try at all. I'd rather hear a "no" or even never hear back, than to have never tried.

Auditioning for Connections Studio's Spring Play "New Cat on the Block"

Auditions can be lots of fun! Making new friends, connections, & gaining new experience. You can learn a lot, too. For example, what to do better next time, what NOT to do next time, how to handle the nerves & also learn about the company, organization, or team that you are auditioning for.

Here's some advice for any of you out there who are listening: Don't imagine what it's going to be like. It's not going to be anything like what you're imagining. The environment won't be what you expect. The people won't act the way you expect, especially if you've never met them. Remember you're dealing with PEOPLE, and they want you to do well at your audition, the same way you want to do well. Prepare yourself for what YOU have to do; don't plan out anything else, because YOU are not running the audition.

"New Cat on the Block" Auditions 2019

Remember, that not all companies/schools run their auditions for the same reasons. Perhaps it's a mandatory annual audition and they aren't necessarily "looking" for new dancers/students, but they must hold an audition as part of studio/company policy.

Some companies/schools aren't looking for anything specific, and others are what we call in the industry "cookie cutters"....what does that mean? It means if you're the type that wants all your cookies to look EXACTLY the same, then you'll use a cookie cutter to make them a specific shape. Others will make all different kinds of shapes when they bake cookies. For some people, it's not about what the cookie looks like, it's about how they taste. For some companies/schools it's not about what color your hair is, how tall you are, or your name, but it's about how you dance, how you move and the type of person you are. Does that make sense? I hope so.

Are you preparing for an upcoming audition? We'd love to help you prepare! Use our contact page to get in touch with us and we can start helping you prepare for those upcoming auditions.

- Jessica Alatorre