Proper attire for dance auditions?

<p>Hi everyone. As you can probably infer from my post count, I’m new here. I hope it’s okay for me to make a new thread on this topic; I searched and came up with a multi-page thread on audition clothes, but it mostly covered acting/singing auditions, plus it was old and I’m not sure what the generally accepted ettiquite is on this board in regards to bumping old threads.</p>

<p>I’m going to be auditioning for MT schools this upcoming school year. I have experience auditioning for professional theatre (mostly open calls at a nearby regional theatre), but I get the feeling that college auditions are different. I’d like to get everyone’s opinion on attire now, while the dancewear store nearby is having its summer sale. (:</p>

<li><p>In general, what color leotard would be best? I’m leery of wearing black, because in my experience the majority of people at auditions wear black; I usually wear red or blue. However, in regards to college, would standing out from the crowd negatively affect my audition? (please consider that though I have prior training, I’m not naturally a dancer.)</p></li>
<li><p>Are legwarmers okay, or should I take them off after I warm up?</p></li>
<li><p>I usually wear tight capri-style dance pants to auditions. Would it be a better idea to wear shorts or a ballet skirt, so that the people holding the audition can see my knees?</p></li>
<li><p>Generally, would you say that kneepads are needed for college auditions?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks for taking the time to read and (hopefully!) respond! This seems like a very informative place, even though after reading a lot of the posts I feel woefully unprepared for applying and auditioning! Luckily it’s only July. (:</p>

<p>Hi ChellyBelly and Welcome!!</p>

<pre><code> Most of the girls attending the auditions last year wore black leotards and jazz pants. My D wished that she would have worn something other than black, but not bright red. She's a good dancer, but it's not her biggest strength. If you look good in a wine color or a midnight blue, go with that. Most girls wore tight fitting jazz pants or leggings/capris with their leotards, but I did see some shorts over leotards and tights. Choose something that flatters your figure. My D found that a halter style leotard was very flattering. Leave your knee pads at home, but if you are a tapper, you might want to bring your tap shoes. At Syracuse the girls were told to take off jazz pants and skirts. It's probably a good idea to take off your leg warmers after warm up.
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<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>at Syracuse, I wore a red leotard with black tights. In my singing audition, I had changed into a top that was also red. The same guy from the dance audition was in the vocal room and he said "were you wearing a red leotard in the dance audition?" and i answered yes, and he pointed at me and said "Smart"</p>

<p>My daughter is a strong dancer and wanted to make sure she was noticed at the auditions (of course since she is tiny and Asian she kind of stood out anyway...we only saw one other Asian girl at twelve auditions, LOL). She wore a burgundy or bright purple camisole style leotard, with black tights worn over the leotard (I think that's weird, but it's a dancer thing apparently because that's what all her dancer friends do). Several of her auditions were at schools that truly value dance, and she felt that was appropriate attire (and was accepted to several). She brought pink ballet slippers, black jazz shoes and tap shoes (just in case, since most schools don't have tap auditions--she used them at Elon and UM I think when the kids were asked to stay after the audition class if they could tap). I would suggest tights or very fitted jazz pants (although some schools discourage them). The audition folks will want to see your body, your alignment, technique, etc. Also, if you wear leg warmers, or shorts over your tights, while you are warming up, I think you should take them off before you start the class. My daughter's school doesn't allow them in class, so better to be safe than sorry. I guess I'm trying to suggest as professional an impression as you can give, even if you do not consider yourself a dancer. Couldn't hurt. Have fun!</p>

<p>VtBroadway, I forgot about your red! That WAS smart! D had a really cool magenta, but it shrunk and ended up being too short. Teal is another color I've seen a lot at the local dance store.</p>

<p>My daughter , a strong dancer, wore a leotard and skin tone tights to go with her shoes. She liked the way it kept a "long line " for her. If you wear black tights, be sure to have black jazz and tap shoes; tan shoes for tan tights. She also wore the same color top for her singing auditions with a neutral color skirt ( gray or taupe) that she wore for her leotard so she was basically in the same color for the entire audition.. She had good success and this seemed to work for her.. Do not cover your body with loose sweat pants or a scarf tied around your middle as this will draw unwanted attention to that area. Good Luck!</p>