Is My Dancer Ready For Company?

Is My Dancer Ready?

A lot of parents who are beginning this process have this question.  Especially, if this is your first experience with a competitive dance or performing team and you are unsure what to expect.

 

Typically dance studios handle their auditions either by invitation only or an open audition.

1.  Invitation Only – You must be invited to be a part of company or you are invited to audition for a spot in company.

If your dancer receives an invitation to audition, it typically means that what the teachers are seeing in class matches that of what they look for in a company dancer.

2.  Open Audition – Anyone who wants to try out and meets certain requirements, may audition.  Requirements are often related to experience i.e. “Must have at least 2 years of ballet”  This is just an example.  Every studio is different and requirements may vary by age.

What if my dancer wants to be in company and he/she doesn’t get an invitation?

If your dancer has expressed an interest in company, send the studio owner an e-mail or schedule a meeting with her to find out what the requirements are and what skills need to be mastered.  An e-mail allows the studio owner the opportunity to give some thought to the situation prior to responding.  Trying to speak with the studio owner or dance teacher in between classes is not a good time to have this conversation.  If your dancer does not take classes from your studio owner, she will need to speak with your child’s teacher(s) before she can offer you feedback.

Our studio has open auditions, but I am not sure if my dancer is ready.

Again, I would check with your studio owner for feedback.  If the studio owner says your dancer is not quite ready, it is better to know this before sending her into an audition with her hopes up.

She is not ready…

Remember, not ready does not mean not ever, it just means not right now.

It may be a situation where with some private lessons over the summer, or additional classes the following year, your dancer will be on track to participate next year.  Or, if your dancer is younger, she may have wonderful potential, but doesn’t have the attention span he/she needs just yet.

If this is something your dancer really wants to do, listen to the feedback and advice your studio owner offers you on additional classes or summer intensives.  Develop a plan that will allow your dancer to improve in the areas necessary.  Stay positive and encouraging, it is amazing the difference you will see, in a year, in a dancer who is dedicated and focused on improving.