Faculty dance auditions usually require college students to current a brief solo. Whereas this solo may be a great approach for aggressive dancers to indicate their expertise, a university audition room isn’t the identical setting as a contest stage. How can dancers repurpose competitors solos successfully?
It begins by figuring out your viewers. “You must analysis this system you’re auditioning for,” says Lindsey Klein, an affiliate professor of dance at Boston Conservatory at Berklee who additionally teaches at Patti Eisenhauer Dance Heart in Franklin, Massachusetts. “The fabric you predespatched must align with the coaching on the faculty.” Contemplate what method kinds the division provides, in addition to the place college members have danced—after which get to work adapting your solo to match.
Selecting a Piece
Jenny Hogan, director of Brava Dance Heart, which has places in Rye and Port Chester, New York, says her college students usually select a contest solo from their junior yr for faculty auditions. “That makes it a chunk they’re very comfy with,” she explains. An exception to that rule is perhaps if a dancer’s senior-year solo highlights one thing notably particular, or in the event that they’ve grown dramatically for the reason that earlier piece was choreographed.
Whether or not you go for tried-and-true or one thing new, the solo needs to be one which makes you’re feeling your finest. “You wish to symbolize your strengths as a performer, mover, and artist,” says Amanda Kay White, an assistant professor of dance at Chapman College in Orange, California. “We will inform which college students really feel a way of possession over their motion. It’s partaking to witness that management and confidence.”
Making It Match
Most faculties ask college students to carry out a 60- to 90-second solo. In the meantime, many competitors solos are not less than two and a half minutes lengthy. As a substitute of merely chopping off the start or finish of the piece, “attempt to create a condensed model of the entire,” says Klein. “Eliminate repetition and variations. Shave down transitions. Typically we’ll see quite a lot of in-between steps, however not sufficient meat and potatoes. In 90 seconds, you don’t have the luxurious of a sluggish construct.”
As you trim the choreography, you’ll doubtless have to trim the music to match. Preserve these edits as clear as doable. One high quality school dance applications search for in an applicant is musicality, and if the music flows, the motion can too. If you happen to can’t lower the music cleanly—or if you happen to fear that the present tune may result in the solo being taken much less critically—it’d make extra sense to decide on a wholly totally different rating.
Enhancing What’s There
Repurposing a solo isn’t solely a matter of slicing. You might also wish to add materials. Take into consideration whether or not the piece reveals your full vary of expertise—however keep away from the temptation to insert each trick you realize. Your method might be on show through the class portion of the audition. The solo provides an opportunity to indicate your artistry, versatility, and individuality.
Attempt to show dynamic vary. “A number of aggressive solos house in on one motion vocabulary and do it rather well,” says White. “Is there a spot the place you could possibly add the other vitality? As an illustration, if you happen to’ve received a fluid up to date solo, are you able to insert some tight, fast, sure motion, as a distinction?” White additionally recommends contemplating the way you make the most of the area. “Competitors solos may be very performative, which might translate to frontal and downstage,” she says. “With the ability to use each quadrant of the room lets us know that you simply’re eager about area another way.”
In Hogan’s expertise, it hardly ever takes quite a lot of additional one-on-one rehearsals to organize and polish the brand new model of the piece. Strive to not get hung up on excellent execution. As a substitute, work together with your lecturers on making the motion your individual. “What’s most essential is to indicate who you’re as a dancer,” Hogan says. “Everybody who’s making use of to those applications is gifted. What else do you carry to the desk?”
“Enter the room as a novel mover, slightly than making an attempt to suit a sure mildew,” White says. “Present us the kind of artist you’re—and the kind you wish to be.” If you happen to accomplish that, the audition solo could have performed its job.
Video Submissions
If a faculty accepts auditions by video, observe the directions to the letter. Examine for necessities about apparel, background, and digicam angles, in addition to cut-off dates and what needs to be proven. In sure circumstances, akin to a pre-screening earlier than an invited in-person audition, you might be able to submit a recording from an precise competitors—however earlier than you press “Ship,” take a second to evaluate whether or not that video presents you as you wish to be seen. “The glitz and glamour of a contest solo may not work for whoever is reviewing these movies,” Lindsey Klein says. “That’s why it’s a must to do your homework.”
