1. Wear appropriate clothing. We want to see your lines. Take off any baggy sweats or t-shirts. Wear something that gives YOUR body a nice shape.

2. Pay attention. Listen carefully to what the choreographer says, especially to what is repeated multiple times (i.e. where arms are, or how many pirouettes).

3. Open your eyes. Keep your eyes on the choreographer or assistant. The first time the combination is demonstrated, watch, don’t dance (unless instructed otherwise by the choreographer). You will not learn the choreography efficiently when trying to look over your shoulder when facing back or bent over.

4. Don’t mark. If space allows you to dance full out while learning – do so. If space doesn’t allow for full movement do your arms full out. You will get a better sense of the movement and the tempo.

5. Did I mention pay attention? If it is said by the choreographer, “I want a single pirouette”, and you can do four, do the single. If you are used to doing your arms in second on a second jump, but the arms are asked for over your head… don’t think you know better, put them over your head. No matter how brilliant the dancer, if they do not do what is asked I will always vote to cut them.

6. When learning the combo if you make a mistake in the same place more than once, put a little focus on that section. Ask a question, if permitted.

7. About asking questions… have I said pay attention? Don’t ask a question that has already been asked. When other dancers are asking questions listen to what they are asking and what is said in return. If once you have a question, look the next time the combination is shown and see if you can figure it out on your own, all the better. 

8. What if a mistake is made during the actual audition? Don’t freak out. I don’t expect perfection in an audition; I look to see what you do with that mistake. Can you play it off or does it affect the rest of the combination?

9. No matter what happens hit the end pose. There have been instances in my auditioning career that I have flailed the entire combo, but hit the end big and that happened to be the moment the choreographer looked at me.

10. If you get cut, stay and watch. You will always learn a lot by watching.

Smile and have fun!