7 Tips for Running a Successful Dance Audition

Dance is an integral component of a variety of showcases – and ensuring you find the right talent is crucial in allowing your work to shine. That means hosting an organized, dynamic, and entertaining dance audition! 

Whether you’ve run a million auditions or a whopping zero, one fact remains: the more organized you are, the better results you’ll find. If you aren’t sure where to start as you kick off planning, On The Stage offers 7 tips to keep in mind for a successful day of auditions. 

7 Tips for Running a Successful Dance Audition

Get Logistics Out of the Way Early

While you may be super excited to see new talent dance, you need to ensure everyone involved knows exactly what to expect on audition day. This means that in prior communications to auditionees, you should address these important questions:

• What, if anything, do dancers need to prepare for auditions?
• What style of dance should they learn and perform?
• What will the audition process look like? Will everyone learn several eight counts and perform in groups? How big are the groups? How long is the choreography sequence?
• What should dancers wear to auditions, and what gear should they bring?
• Are certain skills required to audition – i.e., a triple pirouette, general tap dancing knowledge, or tumbling abilities?
• Where will dancers be performing, and for whom? 

Giving your auditionees all the answers they need before auditions helps in many ways. First, it allows them to be fully prepared – and a prepared dancer will give a better audition. Secondly, it establishes a sense of trust between you and those auditioning, raising morale and beginning the experience on a positive note. 

Consider Your Venue

Whether you’re a dance studio owner or a creative renting a space temporarily, make sure the venue is appropriate for your auditions’ size, scale, and contents. Before sending out audition details, examine your space and ask yourself these questions: 

• Is the size of your venue sufficient for the audition?
• Is there a place for you and other judges to sit?
• Is there space for auditionees to sit before they get on stage or in the performance area?
• Can all potential auditionees fit onto the stage at once, or will you need to break into groups to learn the material? 
• How many days will the venue be in use?
• If you’re doing floor work, can the venue handle wear and tear? More generally, is the floor suitable for dancing? 

Confirm Your Equipment Works

So you’ve got enough space, and your logistics are all ironed out. Now, it’s time to consider and confirm the reliability of the amenities within your venue. While this may seem like a no-brainer, it’s always a good idea to physically check all the elements in your venue to ensure they work. A few questions to ask include: 

• Is the electricity reliable in this venue? 
• Is the lighting sufficient enough so that dancers can see you instructing and you can see auditionees during the performance?
• Is the sound equipment high quality? Will dancers be able to hear the music over you? How are the acoustics in the room?
• Is the heating and cooling sufficient for a large number of moving bodies? Do you need extra fans to ensure no one gets overheated? 

Market Your Dance Audition Well

If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a million times. You can prepare the most wonderful dance auditions in the world with the most stunning choreography, but it means nothing if no dancers show up. That said, marketing your auditions well is critical. Consider the following:

• Who is your target demographic? How do they tend to get their information? (For example, Gen Z is all over TikTok. If you want that generation to audition, consider posting marketing efforts on that platform.) 
• What forms of marketing can you enact? These can range from sponsored posts to fliers, posters, posts on community forums, shout-outs from community partners, advertisements on radio or TV, or other avenues you deem relevant. 
• How up-to-date is your studio’s website? Are audition details at the front and center of all your marketing efforts? When checking out the info, are dancers able to see the time, date, location, and other pertinent details of your audition easily? 

Know What You’re Looking For 

Before your dancers begin their performances, make sure you know what you’re looking for. This means you know the number of dancers you’re casting, the required skills they need to have, and the type of dancer you want. Technical? Passionate? Versatile? Able to convey emotion? If you know what you’re looking for before auditions begin, you’ll have a much easier time in the casting process.

If you add other judges into the mix, they must also know what you want and have a measurable rubric to use throughout the process. Make sure judges aren’t going off personal preference and are measuring the dancers by the standards you’re setting. 

Streamline Your Check-In and Dance Audition Process

Aside from prior marketing efforts, your check-in is the first impression dancers get of your studio and offerings. That said, make sure you’re as organized as possible. A few ways to create a smoother check-in and audition process include:

• Online check-ins: Allow dancers to register beforehand for a no-fuss entry. You can also better understand how many dancers are interested in auditioning so you can adequately prepare. 
• Organized Number and ID Systems: Whether you’re doing day-of or in-advance check-ins, make sure every dancer gets some visible ID to help you stay on track. Numbers, letters, or a combination of both is a great idea. 
• Stick to a Tight Schedule: If you’re scheduled to open at 10 a.m., unlock the door at 9:59. If check-ins are set to last thirty minutes, don’t extend that time in hopes more dancers will show up. Remaining rigid in your schedule will allow you the best chance of seeing all dancers and remaining in control of the process. 

Consider Running Warm-Ups Yourself

While you may ask your dancers to warm up before arriving, it’s always a good idea to present yourself to everyone in an approachable way. A great example of this would be running a short warm-up or across-the-floor exercise yourself. 

You’re allowing your potential dancers to get on your level, see your skills, and view you as an approachable leader who also loves the art form. Loosening up your dancers physically and mentally will help them perform to the best of their abilities. 

How On The Stage Can Help 

While helpful tips are great, you may be looking for a little extra assistance as you delve into dance auditions. Luckily, On The Stage has you covered, ensuring your hard work doesn’t go to waste with our all-in-one platform that streamlines every facet of your studio. We can help with:

• Fundraising – You can take control of your dance studio’s financial destiny with a comprehensive fundraising suite where you can launch campaigns, track one-time and ongoing donations, manage and grow donors, and access reports.
• Ticketing – You can increase your dance recital ticket sales by 20-25% with an all-in-one ticketing platform that is free to your organization.
• Marketing – With a comprehensive marketing suite, you’ll be able to generate awareness, increase conversions, and sell more tickets.
• Box Office – Consider elevating your studio experience and streamlining the arrival process with an all-in-one Box Office tool.
• Add-Ons – Maximize your studio’s profits without increasing ticket prices via various add-on features. 

If you’re ready to take your dance studio to the next level, book a personalized demo with On The Stage today.