Dance Article
Into the Jaws of the Beast: The Audition
an excerpt from “So You Want to Dance on Broadway?”When you walk into the hallway of the audition studio, your senses will undoubtedly be assaulted. Sally Stretch will be polishing her earrings with her kneecap, Peter Pirouette will be spinning in a two-by-two space and bashing his knee into Alex Arrrogant who will roll his eyes and snarl, "Grow up," Carrie Catatonic will numbly go wherever a shoulder nudges her, Danny and Donna Done-Three-Shows-Together will be dishing, Tony Tap will be shuffling away even though it's not a tap call, Silent Susie will be eying the contenders, Ilsa Intimidation will treat everyone as gnomes. Busy Barry will talk too loudly on his cell phone, poor Sammy Sullen will sit in the corner wondering how he is going to pay his rent, and all will be exuding nervous energy.
Who cares? You sign in, get your number, fill out whatever card they hand you, and do whatever you personally need to do to get ready. If you have to go to the bathroom, close your ears to the rumors that bounce off the tiled walls of what the audition will entail and how many people they are looking for. If the choreographer comes into the bathroom, let her cut ahead of you in line. Then return to the hallway to wait for your group to be called.
While you wait in the hallway, there is an unspoken etiquette you should observe. Let's suppose there are so many people at an audition, they take you in groups of twenty and you are in the third group. When the first group exits the studio and the second enters to audition, don't ask anyone from the first to teach you the combination. You'll be resented. Some of the dancers may show their friends or go over the combination by themselves, but you are not allowed to join in. It's fine to watch to get a feel for the style, but don't try to pick up the exact steps and counts. The dancers may have learned it wrong or slathered on their own stylistic tendency.
On the other hand, after the first cuts when everyone has learned the combination, there is a new camaraderie between friends and strangers - like soldiers who have all faced the trenches together. No matter the reality of the competition, many dancers will join forces to review the combination in the hallways or studio before the next go-round. It's quite wonderful.
Your actual audition begins the moment you walk into the studio. Someone at the table will notice your height, weight, coloring, dress, and demeanor. That first impression will draw either a positive or negative intuitive response before you've executed one step. No matter the nerves, place your dancebag on the side and wait courteously for instructions. Be pleasant, friendly (but not chummy), and glad to be there. The director and choreographer are not only looking for talent, but also for people they would enjoy working with; people who will be receptive to the many demands and changes that happen when putting together a show. Treat the audition like a class, sans warm-up. You will have more fun and your abilities will shine. There are three undeniable facts to remember. One, it is absolutely true that the casting people want to like you. They need to hire people. Two, you will not do your best if nerves scatter your concentration. Three, nobody on either side of the table really knows anything. There's an inkling of the type they want and the standard of technique, but who will ultimately fit the bill remains to be seen.
You can purchase So You Want to Dance on Broadway? through the Heinemann Drama website by clicking on the book cover below.
So You Want to Dance on Broadway
by Tina Paul
Heinemann Drama
ISBN: 0-325-00536-2
©2003, All rights reserved.
Veteran performer and choreographer Tina Paul dispels myths and delivers the inside dope about achieving your dream of dancing on Broadway. Tommy Tune, Chita Rivera, Bebe Neuwirth, and eleven other dancers join Tina in sharing their diverse experiences to help you make the right choices, avoid embarrassing mistakes, and prepare for the challenges that lead to a Broadway career. All of them agree - they love theatre and that love got them over many hurdles. Through tips on survival, discipline, and protocol, these professionals offer encouragement, bolster determination, and guarantee that you will be one step ahead in your quest for the lights and life of Broadway.
Above excerpt reprinted with permission.
