There are many hurdles in life, and overcoming them means reaching a new chapter. For dancers, these may be in the form of staged performances, being able to don a most awaited pair of dance shoes or clothes, or of course, maybe something that's not directly related to dancing at all. For us, nothing really quite translates growth and victory the same as passing a dance audition does.

So if you're scheduled or are planning to sign up for a dance audition, we understand the anxiety. Don't worry. We have some tips to help ease those audition jitters.

1. Practice, practice, practice!

        Number one on the list is practice. Never underestimate what an extra hour of practice can do. Just think that even the best dancers and singers must practice before the curtain calls, so why shouldn't you? The time you allot for practising is when you can learn new skills or moves to improve what you already have. By practising, you lessen the possibility of creating a mistake because the more you get used to doing something, it eventually becomes second nature.

        To quote Malcolm Gladwell, "ten thousand hours is the magic number of greatness", but not everyone has the time in the world, and if it's about the hours put into practising, then someone who had spent all their life dancing would always come on top, no? Aside from being born flexible, no one's a good dancer the moment they come into this world. One can become flexible over time by stretching and yoga. The only difference is that some people are able to learn new concepts faster than others, and while some are just keen, you could also keep up by doing things in a way that's more effective for you.

        Don't just practice more. Practice smart, too. Muscle memory does serve its purpose, but mindless repetition isn't going to further your career. During practice, you must act as you would in actual performance. If you make a mistake, go back and ask yourself: "How did I make that mistake, and what can I do to prevent it?". Or you can ask this instead: "Is there anything that I can add or do to improve my performance?". Don't be afraid of failure. Instead, see it as a learning opportunity. With this mindset, you will find your strengths and weaknesses, and eventually, greatness. 

2. Do your research

        Surely you didn't sign up for something without knowing its complete details? You have to put your eyes on the prize. Double down on sharpening the skills and moves that you will utilise during the audition. Look into what the judges keep track of so that you can prepare accordingly. 

3. Make sure your body is in tip-top shape

        Okay, so you did your research and practised hard for what you're auditioning for. Unfortunately, you practised yourself to a fault and worked your bones out. That's gonna be a problem. What good does mastering your dance piece do when you're a sleep-deprived zombie who can't perform?

        More than anything else, you have to take care of yourself. Working past your limit will not get anything done. Wasting your energy and effort will leave you tired, which may further hinder your practice.

        Since dancing is a physical activity, dancers are expected to live a healthy lifestyle and take good care of their bodies. While not everyone can live the ideal lifestyle, just make sure to choose healthy options and go for other physical activities in your free time. As mentioned earlier, you could do some stretching routines to become more flexible. By doing cardio exercises, you could also increase your stamina and endurance, so you can practice more or perform longer.

4. Mark the date

When all is said and done, all you have to do is wait for the day you are scheduled for your audition performance. Make sure to mark it on your calendar or set the alarm. It would be a tragedy if all your effort would be for naught because you overslept! We get that you may not be able to sleep because of anxiousness or sheer excitement, but you're going to need it.

Make sure that you're prepared! Do you already know what you're going to wear? You have to dress and look well if you want people to notice you. Also, consider how far you travel to get to the venue. Make sure you get there early to do some warm-up and prepare for some unexpected changes (if there are any!)

5. Have fun! 

        During practice and the actual performance, do your best to keep a cool head and enter zen! Staying calm and focused on your performance will certainly help you avoid making mistakes. However, sometimes, no matter how hard we practised, mistakes still happen. Don't worry about it too much. Relax and move forward with your audition. You got this! 

Don't forget to have fun!

During the audition:

• Remember what you practised. Introduce yourself politely and with a smile.
• Overall, be prepared, consider all factors, and show up on time. Comply with the rules.
• Show off, stand out. Not in an aggressively boastful way, but make sure you display all your good points and what makes you different from the others.
• Don't stress out so much. Just enjoy the experience!

After the audition:

No matter the result, pat yourself on the back. Good job! You deserve to rest and celebrate because you have certainly put a good amount of effort into the performance. Auditions serve as checkpoints for performers. It can mark the start of a new chapter in your life, or it's something you look back to remember how far you've gotten!

If you got in the production or have been granted a role in a show, congrats! If you did not get selected, keep your chin up, champ. Maybe it's not just your time to shine right now. What's important is you stay consistent in practising and looking for other opportunities.

If you need help sharpening your skills or just want some advice, consider calling us at 0422 939 749 and let's boost your dance career together!