Hello again! I think you know how this will go...
Prior to the Audition
I'm pretty sure I arrived about a 1/2 hour early. I was already pre-registered, so registering was simple, I just told them my name, and they had a card all filled out for me.
During the Audition
The combinations they had us do at this audition were pretty hard compared to other auditions. And they definitely love turnout. At the barre, during developpes, the women teaching the class went along to everyone along this really long barre (including me) and when we plie-d and flexed our foot, she would really turn it out.
I felt the difficulty of the class was overall like a regular technique class for me, and that was unusual because auditions are usually simpler than that (if you didn't know). Pointe wasn't terrible, but we did do this kind of hard combination involving echappes and a developpe.
Results
The day after the audition, I got an email telling me I was accepted! I was very surprised to have heard so soon, but at least there wasn't too much suspense. I really want to go to this intensive, so I hope it will work out!
Thanks for reading!
<3
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
The Rock School Audition Review/Experience
You should know the drill by now if you've read my previous posts... :)
Prior to the Audition
I had to go straight from a technique class with my friend to the audition, and since the audition was 7:00-9:00, I ate dinner on the way there. Then once we got there, we registered and got our numbers. After that, my friend and I went through some strengthening exercises, and then stretched. Eventually, we were called in.
During the Audition
When we were at the barre, they didn't require us to stand in any number order, which I found a little strange, but it didn't really matter. The one thing I really liked about the audition was as we went through all the exercises, they gave us really specific corrections, and it felt like a real class, and not just an audition. The people at the audition were the heads of the school (I think) and married, and they both taught the audition. After showing the grand allegro combination, the man said "C'mere number 14." and I walked over to him, and realized we were going to demonstrate. It was really fun, because I felt like I was flying.
Pointe wasn't terribly hard, but it wasn't like SAB (see 2(?) posts below).
Results
At the end of the audition, they told us to group up near the front of the room where their table was, and when they called your number, come forward. When they called each person's number, they handed them a folded piece of paper, which told us right then and there whether we had be accepted or not, and if we had, which level. I was accepted, and was placed in level 3, which was very exciting!
Prior to the Audition
I had to go straight from a technique class with my friend to the audition, and since the audition was 7:00-9:00, I ate dinner on the way there. Then once we got there, we registered and got our numbers. After that, my friend and I went through some strengthening exercises, and then stretched. Eventually, we were called in.
During the Audition
When we were at the barre, they didn't require us to stand in any number order, which I found a little strange, but it didn't really matter. The one thing I really liked about the audition was as we went through all the exercises, they gave us really specific corrections, and it felt like a real class, and not just an audition. The people at the audition were the heads of the school (I think) and married, and they both taught the audition. After showing the grand allegro combination, the man said "C'mere number 14." and I walked over to him, and realized we were going to demonstrate. It was really fun, because I felt like I was flying.
Pointe wasn't terribly hard, but it wasn't like SAB (see 2(?) posts below).
Results
At the end of the audition, they told us to group up near the front of the room where their table was, and when they called your number, come forward. When they called each person's number, they handed them a folded piece of paper, which told us right then and there whether we had be accepted or not, and if we had, which level. I was accepted, and was placed in level 3, which was very exciting!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Boston Ballet Audition Review
Hi everyone! It's actually been almost a week since my audition for Boston, but here is the review!
Prior to the Audition
I arrived about a half an hour early. There was no pre-registration, so instead they took all of us into a studio and had us fill out a form. Then we lined up according to age, and line by line, went up to the table at the front of the studio to turn in our money and forms and get our numbers. After all of that happened, they called numbers 1 through 64 to another studio for the audition while the rest of the people waited for an hour and 20 minutes. Thank goodness I was number 17 or something like that, so I didn't have to wait.
During the Audition
The woman who taught the class was a company member in the Boston Ballet, a soloist I think. The other person observing the audition was the director of the school, or someone near that job. The company member was funny and made the experience more relaxing, which was nice because it was easier to focus on my technique. The funny thing is, we never got to pointe, but I guess they might assess that in the intensive,
Results
I learned a few days after the audition that I was accepted into their program in Newton, which is just outside of Boston (I wasn't eligible for the program in Boston because you have to be 15). It is being considered that I go there because my aunt and cousin live in Boston and I could stay with them.
Prior to the Audition
I arrived about a half an hour early. There was no pre-registration, so instead they took all of us into a studio and had us fill out a form. Then we lined up according to age, and line by line, went up to the table at the front of the studio to turn in our money and forms and get our numbers. After all of that happened, they called numbers 1 through 64 to another studio for the audition while the rest of the people waited for an hour and 20 minutes. Thank goodness I was number 17 or something like that, so I didn't have to wait.
During the Audition
The woman who taught the class was a company member in the Boston Ballet, a soloist I think. The other person observing the audition was the director of the school, or someone near that job. The company member was funny and made the experience more relaxing, which was nice because it was easier to focus on my technique. The funny thing is, we never got to pointe, but I guess they might assess that in the intensive,
Results
I learned a few days after the audition that I was accepted into their program in Newton, which is just outside of Boston (I wasn't eligible for the program in Boston because you have to be 15). It is being considered that I go there because my aunt and cousin live in Boston and I could stay with them.
Friday, January 11, 2013
SAB Results
Hello everyone,
Just updating on the results for my SAB audition...I didn't get in. I'm a little disappointed, but I have another audition tomorrow, one next week, and three the next, so I don't have time to dwell on the past.
Happy auditioning to those who are!
<3
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
SAB Audition Review/Feelings
Hello everyone! Today I have a review for you for SAB's, or the School of American Ballet's, summer intensive audition. Well...I'm going to call it a review, but basically it's just my experience. I'll be doing this for all my other summer intensive auditions too, so I hope you enjoy!
Prior to the Audition
I arrived at the audition a full hour early, even though I was pre-registered. I prefer to be there early to make sure I have enough time to stretch and get myself mentally prepared. There I was given a few things, including a number and two safety pins to pin it onto my leotard. When the audition was about to start, they had us line up outside the studio, so we could file into the studio in an orderly fashion.
The Audition
Once in the studio, we were sorted by number at the barre. The combinations were pretty simple, they were just looking for the level of technique we had.
Center was pretty much the same difficulty. They had us go in groups, and after we finished each combination, the man who was giving us the combinations and the women who was watching would whisper and stare at the students. That was probably the scariest moment, when you realized the were looking at you. I also had an extremely difficult time turning for some reason. Unfortunately, I hadn't taken any class yet, just coming off of break, so I didn't have a whole lot I could do to prepare.
There was only one or two combos across the floor, grand allegro, and then came pointe. Surprisingly, all we did was echappes. I expected that we would have to do more, at least piques, but I guess not.
Results
I don't know yet, but I will on Friday probably. I don't expect to get in, seeing that they didn't see my best, but I still have five more auditions to pull my act together (I added PNB to my list), and hopefully impress someone.
Have you auditioned for something yet/will you be auditioning in the future? Comment below your experience, or any requests or questions!
<3
Prior to the Audition
I arrived at the audition a full hour early, even though I was pre-registered. I prefer to be there early to make sure I have enough time to stretch and get myself mentally prepared. There I was given a few things, including a number and two safety pins to pin it onto my leotard. When the audition was about to start, they had us line up outside the studio, so we could file into the studio in an orderly fashion.
The Audition
Once in the studio, we were sorted by number at the barre. The combinations were pretty simple, they were just looking for the level of technique we had.
Center was pretty much the same difficulty. They had us go in groups, and after we finished each combination, the man who was giving us the combinations and the women who was watching would whisper and stare at the students. That was probably the scariest moment, when you realized the were looking at you. I also had an extremely difficult time turning for some reason. Unfortunately, I hadn't taken any class yet, just coming off of break, so I didn't have a whole lot I could do to prepare.
There was only one or two combos across the floor, grand allegro, and then came pointe. Surprisingly, all we did was echappes. I expected that we would have to do more, at least piques, but I guess not.
Results
I don't know yet, but I will on Friday probably. I don't expect to get in, seeing that they didn't see my best, but I still have five more auditions to pull my act together (I added PNB to my list), and hopefully impress someone.
Have you auditioned for something yet/will you be auditioning in the future? Comment below your experience, or any requests or questions!
<3
Monday, January 7, 2013
How to Prepare for an Audition
Hello everyone! I had a request (I love saying that!) to do a post on how to prepare for an audition, specifically summer intensive auditions (for ballet, if you happen to be someone who stumbled upon my blog just now). I'm just going to list-in order-how to prepare...so here we go!
1. Eat well. You don't want to feel crummy going into an audition, because that can definitely affect your performance. You don't want any foods that may make you feel slightly bloated, so if your audition is in the morning, I would suggest eating something like yogurt and granola, or even vegetables if you feel up to it. If your audition is afternoon/evening, I would suggest both carbs and vegetables. My audition yesterday was at three yesterday, so my lunch was caeser salad and a pita bread half with cucumbers and hummus. It was definitely very filling, yet I didn't feel like I had eaten too much.
2. Shower right before you get dressed. Even if you just did the night before, its always good going in feeling fresh.
3. Get dressed. Pink tights and pink flat shoes are pretty much always a given, as well as bringing pointe shoes, unless the audition requires you to do some other type of dance. For a leotard, I would just go with simple and black. If the website for the company says that you can wear any color leotard, wearing something slightly less ordinary, like maybe white or navy. This can call a little more attention to yourself without being too flashy.
4. Do your hair/makeup. I would recommend thinking, hair-wise, of it as a performance. Have it tight, with all extra baby hairs hairspray-ed or gelled. Makeup wise, go simple. A little concealer and mascara will be fine, but nothing too extravagant.
5. Get together an photos/important papers. Often in auditions they will ask you to have some sort of photos or photos. The most common is first arabesque, but also echappe (did I spell that right?) and headshots are also sometimes required. Other possible papers are proof of birth (ex. birth certificate), proof of pre registration (if that was possible and you did).
6. Pack your dance bag carefully. Double check you have your flat shoes and pointe shoes (if you need to do some of the audition on pointe), and anything else necessary to bring.
7. Smile and feel confidant. Auditions are fun! Sure, it's nerve wracking, but if you if you let it get to you too much, it will show in the audition. Breathe, and enjoy it!
I hope this was helpful! Comment any other post suggestions :)
<3
1. Eat well. You don't want to feel crummy going into an audition, because that can definitely affect your performance. You don't want any foods that may make you feel slightly bloated, so if your audition is in the morning, I would suggest eating something like yogurt and granola, or even vegetables if you feel up to it. If your audition is afternoon/evening, I would suggest both carbs and vegetables. My audition yesterday was at three yesterday, so my lunch was caeser salad and a pita bread half with cucumbers and hummus. It was definitely very filling, yet I didn't feel like I had eaten too much.
2. Shower right before you get dressed. Even if you just did the night before, its always good going in feeling fresh.
3. Get dressed. Pink tights and pink flat shoes are pretty much always a given, as well as bringing pointe shoes, unless the audition requires you to do some other type of dance. For a leotard, I would just go with simple and black. If the website for the company says that you can wear any color leotard, wearing something slightly less ordinary, like maybe white or navy. This can call a little more attention to yourself without being too flashy.
4. Do your hair/makeup. I would recommend thinking, hair-wise, of it as a performance. Have it tight, with all extra baby hairs hairspray-ed or gelled. Makeup wise, go simple. A little concealer and mascara will be fine, but nothing too extravagant.
5. Get together an photos/important papers. Often in auditions they will ask you to have some sort of photos or photos. The most common is first arabesque, but also echappe (did I spell that right?) and headshots are also sometimes required. Other possible papers are proof of birth (ex. birth certificate), proof of pre registration (if that was possible and you did).
6. Pack your dance bag carefully. Double check you have your flat shoes and pointe shoes (if you need to do some of the audition on pointe), and anything else necessary to bring.
7. Smile and feel confidant. Auditions are fun! Sure, it's nerve wracking, but if you if you let it get to you too much, it will show in the audition. Breathe, and enjoy it!
I hope this was helpful! Comment any other post suggestions :)
<3
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Happy Holidays + New Years Update
Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't made a post in forever! I typed one out, but then lost it before I could post it...anyway, I just want to start out by saying Happy Holidays to everyone! I had a very good Christmas, because that's what I celebrate, but whatever you celebrate, I hope it was amazing!
As you guys know, today is the first day of 2013, and to many that means trying to keep their New Years Resolution(s), but to many dancers that means.......audition season!
As you guys know, today is the first day of 2013, and to many that means trying to keep their New Years Resolution(s), but to many dancers that means.......audition season!
So, if you have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm talking about summer dance intensive auditions. Most of them are held in January, though a few fall in February. This is my first year really trying to get into somewhere. In the fall was when I realized that ballet is what I want to pursue, but I often have thoughts of whether that is possible or not. But I'm not going to let that stop me from going for it and trying to improve as much I as I can. If you are curious, here are the places I am auditioning for:
-SAB (School of American Ballet)
-ABT (American Ballet Theatre)
-Boston Ballet
-Ballet Chicago
-The Rock School
Finally, I will finish this post with my New Years Resolution. In 2013, I resolve to do my exercises (crunches, plank, releves) and stretch as much as possible so I can become stronger and more flexible and move forward more in my ballet training.
I hope you all enjoyed reading this post! 2012 was a good year, but I'm hoping for an even better one in 2013. Happy New Year, and good luck with your resolutions!
<3
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