<p>Samia:
how much dance training have you had??</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I just want to agree with every one that ballet provides the technique, posture, balance, etc - and is the best beginning. I would add that, if you have time, TAP will help you with rhythm - it can provide the "pop" that ballet lacks - so if you can - squeeze in some tap. I agree that jazz is great - but, yes, all too often, with poorly trained teachers, technique is sacrificed for the tricks and the "fake dancing" some have referred to. On a short scedule - ballet (and some tap if you can).</p>
<p>It would be fantastic if we could get a running list of schools who require dance auditions and those that offer optional ones as well. This would be really helpful to me and to others, too. For those of you who experienced the auditions, adding what level of difficulty you found them to be would also be great. Thanks a lot!</p>
<p>While this seems to be a good idea, I'm afraid people will come to depend upon the list and not check the requirements for the particular year for a school. In my time of reading this forum, I've noticed that requirements to dance or not to dance can change from year to year. I'm sure other audition requirements change also. Your best bet is to check with the individual school for your given audition year.</p>
<p>I think I read where BOCO previously did not dance but they did dance this year. OCU used to dance for placement purposes and stopped this year at audition time.</p>
<p>I've shared before, and I'll share again - for 2005 - 2006 auditions, the schools I'm aware of that did not dance at the audition or where it was optional were Elon, OCU, Ithaca, Webster, and NYU Tisch. Some of the schools may be different between going on campus and going to unified auditions. I'm also sure there would be other schools without dance because I did not study every school, nor did my son end up auditioning for all of the above.</p>
<p>I just thought I'd share with you that dance will no longer be optional at Elon's audition beginning next year - starting in September '06 all auditioners will be required to go through a dance combination audition as well as the vocal and acting portions.</p>
<p>Elon was interested in discussing dance training at this year's auditions, so the news from mtdog is not surprising. Mtdog, are you affiliated with Elon?</p>
<p>This is a perfect example of why such a proposed list may not be a good idea! Things change from year to year. You are much safer to check the school's web site or other material or call them in the fall.</p>
<p>I suppose that the list could be used as a crutch but if anyone still wanted to post any personal experiences with dance auditions that would be great. But I guess my question now is more along the lines of do most schools make you dance or are those that make it mandatory in the minority?</p>
<p>My daughter auditioned at 8 schools last year. Five required dance at the auditions. One was optional (she did it). Two did not have them dance (BUT one of those now DOES include dance at its BFA audition this year). So, a majority do include it. But if you are not a dancer, try to take some ballet now to at least be comfortable at auditions. Another option is to apply to more schools that do not have dance at the auditions but that is limiting yourself in terms of leaving out schools you might really like otherwise. If you get into a BFA program, you will have to dance once you are there so why not start now? Do everything you can to train and be ready for this. You don't HAVE to be an amazing dancer to get in but every little bit helps because MT is a field that involves singing, dancing and acting so you really do need to learn at some point. For schools that have no dance at auditions, they still ask for and look at your dance training on forms at auditions and/or on your resume. Again, it need not be advanced but some training is better than none. It is really for your own benefit to be able to move well, have some basic technique and even knowledge of the dance vocabulary. It will make you more confident in a dance call. But you don't have to be tops at dance to get into many programs. Some programs will take you if you are a very talented singer, good actress and show potential in dance, not excellence. Keep that in mind. By the same token, if you are a triple threat, there are more opportunities that can open up for you in musical theater overall.</p>