Summer Intensive Auditions

Summer auditions have finally come this weekend there were many auditions around the US. Along with many of my class mates I auditioned for SAB (The School of American Ballet). The audition was stressful as always but fun. If you have never auditioned for a summer intensive they are almost always the same. This is how a basic audition goes. First you get up and get ready making sure you look perfect. Once you have your hair done absolutely perfect, you've found the perfect leo and you have cute warm ups to sike out the competition on you're ready to leave. I like to eat a really small healthy breakfast like and apple. You leave over budgeting about 45  minuets. Then you get there and you see everyone. The feeling you get is a strange mix of desperation, cockiness and a hint of fear. Then, You go get your number and pin it the front of your leo like 15 times until its perfect.  It is always really crowded but somehow cold. Its almost silent and there is this weird who is the most flexible contest going on while every one is stretching. (Although no one every says anything about it, you just know.) Finally when your group is called in you all get up and stand up as straight as possible to walk in, because first impressions are everything! Then it really gets intimidating. You all stand at the bar while three to five judges stare you down watching your every move. Once you finish the bar sometimes they let you grab a drink or they just move straight to center. It depends on the level you are if they ask you to put on your pointe shoes or not. Some auditions the entire class is on pointe.

Photo by Ballet Strength

 After center is over you clap and line up to thank the teacher then you go home and wait. Waiting is the worst for a couple of day then you forget about the whole thing or go to another audition. Usually you do not her back until April or May to see if you got in. All this waiting then you have about two weeks to decide which one you will attend. This particular audition was weird because it was in one of our own studios that the school rented while the Capital theater was under construction.  It was held there because when schools hold auditions for summer programs the tour the country and have to use what ever venue is best suited in that city. It was held at the Marriott Centre for Dance at the University of Utah.  Auditions are really intimidating but the are also really exciting. I personally do better at auditions because I try much harder. Although you probably won't get into every single school you ever audition to it is still great practice and a good experience to audition as much as possible, also aren't auditions and performances what you trained for?