Tips for College Dance Department Auditions
Preparing for university dance department auditions while staying on top of applications can be overwhelming. We gathered tips for success from current dance majors, and for an insider perspective, we asked Rosanna Seravalli, professor of dance at SUNY Purchase about what she looks for during college auditions.
Do your homework
-Get in touch with dancers in the program to ask them about their experience. You can call the school to ask for a student contact or even find one through Facebook. See if they have any advice to offer about what the professors want.
-Ask a teacher to help you select a solo and for coaching advice. “Stick to what you know, and what you feel comfortable with,” said Rosanna Seravalli of Purchase College. “We want to see you perform, we want to see a display of artistry.” Then rehearse as much as you can in the weeks leading up to the audition. Record yourself so you can review the tape to focus in on the nuances. In addition to executing the steps, make sure you’re projecting your personality.
-Many college auditions include modern dance. If you don’t have extensive experience, try taking a few classes to help familiarize yourself. You will pick up the choreography easier in the audition if it’s familiar.
Be prepared
-The day before the audition lay out what you are going to bring with you. Double check to see if the school requires you to bring a resume, headshot, or letter of recommendation, or if they have a specific dress code. Bring extra dance clothing with you so you’re prepared for any last minute surprises.
-What should you wear? “Dancers should dress in traditional dancewear with absolutely no warm ups or other clothing that might cover the body. You want the professors to be able to see your entire facility,” says Seravalli.
-Have a cued backup copy of your solo music and know the name of the piece, the choreographer, and the composer.
At the audition
-The audition starts the moment you walk into the room. Act professionally, but don’t be afraid of showing your personality.
-If you’re uncomfortable with modern dance, don’t worry. The faculty will be looking to see that you have strong training and potential. Try your best to pick up the combinations and dance with confidence.
-If a dancer is incredible during the ballet audition but has a difficult time with modern, most schools will not disregard them. As Seravalli says, “the audition tends to be more directed to ballet because in order to be successful in the program you already need the fundamentals of ballet technique. A dancer who is trained in ballet will pick up modern more easily.”
