Dance solo audition?

College Majors Musical Theater Major
1

<p>Hi, all!</p>

<p>I've been browsing/searching CC for a while and I haven't found any threads specifically related to dance solos, so I figured I would start one.</p>

<p>There are several schools I've looked into that require a dance solo audition either on campus or at Unifieds, including UArts in Philadelphia. I know for UArts the requirement is that the solo be under 2 minutes and demonstrate movement proficiency, but that's all the information that's really given on the website!</p>

<p>I'm hoping there are folks out there who can answer my questions or at least point me (and others I'm sure!) in the right direction, so... Do auditors expect a modern jazz/musical theatre style solo, or is it more along the lines of 'anything goes'? Should the music be instrumental, or are lyrics okay? </p>

<p>Also, I heard that most of the rooms at Unified auditions are carpeted, which in my experience is difficult to dance on. Is this true? Can anyone who's been to Unifieds and performed a dance solo for MT comment on their experience?</p>

<p>I know this is a lot of questions, but I haven't been able to find much information. </p>

<p>Thanks for reading!</p>

2

<p>Is this for MT or to major in Dance? My S didn’t run into this request last year. He did have to do a solo for a prescreening video (off hand I can’t remember which school, might have been U Mich or PSU). He did perform a modern/jazz type number for that and passed the prescreen.</p>

<p>Are there any specifics other than the solo needs to be 2 minutes?</p>

<p>As far as Unifieds we didn’t attend those so I can’t comment on that part.</p>

3

<p>It’s for MT! UArts says this on their performing arts audition requirements page:</p>

<p>“Applicants who receive a callback will also participate in a group dance audition. Appropriate attire (tights, sweats, gym shorts) and dance footwear must be worn. Applicants auditioning on campus have the option of supplementing their group audition with a solo dance performance, which may not exceed 2 minutes in length.”</p>

<p>However, requirements for off campus are different:</p>

<p>“In lieu of a group dance audition, you must present a prepared dance solo that demonstrates your level of proficiency in dance and movement. This solo, which may be choreographed by you or someone else, must not exceed two minutes in length.”</p>

<p>There were other schools that had the same requirement but that might have been pre-screen only, unfortunately I’ve been on so many school websites recently that I can’t recall which they were!</p>

4

<p>In that case I would demonstrate your level of proficiency in a style you are most comfortable with. Every school is different on how they weight dance, some the audition is just for placement purposes, CMU doesn’t have one at all and others weight it even with acting/singing or heavily depending on their needs that year. I am sure somebody experienced with UARTs will weigh in on this. S didn’t audition there so I’m not sure.</p>

5

<p>It is true that most room were carpeted. I believe in my D’s year it was Syracuse that brought a dance floor to work on. </p>

6

<p>Here are some typical dance requirements for prescreen dance solos:</p>

<p>Elon</p>

<p>Dance – present a 60 second clip of yourself moving, full-body, any style</p>

<p>Optional: execute a set of plies, tendues, grande battements, pirouettes, and grande jetes. This cannot be a video from a stage performance, unless it is your solo performance. It MUST be accompanied by music.</p>

<p>If you are an advanced tapper, add a short tap combination TO MUSIC not to exceed 30 seconds.</p>

<p>Texas State</p>

<p>You may include a previous dance performance, a one-minute combination that you prepared, or you may just demonstrate your ability in any or all of the following areas: (it is okay to include multiple clips):</p>

<p>In Jazz demonstrate any or all of the following: triplets, jazz square, isolations, leaps, jumps, battements and/or turns.</p>

<p>In Tap demonstrate any or all of the following: shuffles, flaps, buffalo, Irish, maxi-ford, time-steps, waltz, clog, riffs and drawbacks.</p>

<p>In Ballet demonstrate any or all of the following: pirouettes, jete, pas de bourree, waltz, pique turn, battements, and/or fouettes.</p>

<p>Michigan</p>

<p>The movement/dance portion of your audition should reflect who you are as a performer. We will accept a wide array of presentations that demonstrate your abilities.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Required for all applicants: present a 30-60 second clip of yourself moving/dancing. Your full body should be in view at all times. You may choose a cut from a musical or a dance performance in which you participated, or record something original. Any style is acceptable: musical theatre, ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, etc. Wear appropriate dance attire that will show clean line.</p></li>
<li><p>Optional, for applicants with dance training: execute a set of plies, tendues, grand battements, and pirouettes. Straightforward, simple exercises are preferred. (side view is best).</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Music may be live or recorded.</p>

7

<p>At Chicago Unifieds last year, UArts had a solo dance as part of the audition on carpet and Northern Colorado had an optional solo dance audition also on carpet.</p>

8

<p>D did the UArts dance solo at unifieds. She used the same jazz solo she had prepped for prescreens. Dancing on carpet was a bit challenging, but not impossible. The hardest was deciding how to dress for that audition… Songs/mono/dance all happen in the same 20 min slot. She wore dance clothes under a dress…</p>

9

<p>UArts said the same thing 2 years ago when my daughter auditioned there on campus. She did get a callback, but they never mentioned the solo dance (which was good because she hadn’t prepared one). She got in with a big scholarship! </p>

10

<p>Also keep in mind that some of these rooms are very small and/or have low ceilings-- So keep the routine tight. My son used his 2-minute routine last year at Unifieds for UArts and RCS.</p>