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For many dance students and their parent’s graduation from high school poses a serious question. Should the student, who has devoted nine or 10 years to serious dance training audition for companies and try to get a job in the profession or continue with their education in a college or university setting.
Realistic questions to for students and parents to ask themselves and their teachers:
QUESTION OF ABILITY
Do they have the skills, at this time, to pursue a serious career?
BODY TYPE
As we know this varies tremendously from company to company. One has to be realistic again regarding, height, weight and proportion. At an audition, you ARE judged on the way you look, not only the way you dance. I will repeat myself by saying that if you go to see a performance and find someone who looks like you and dances at your level, there is obviously an opportunity.
COMPANY OPENINGS
Recently dancers seem to stay put and not move from company to company as in the past. Even ladies, who get married and have a family return, to the company after maternity leave. So company openings are not as easily available as they were.
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The dance publications, especially Dance Europe list auditions in their magazines and on their websites. At the beginning of each year, the American dance publications list company auditions in their magazines. In the UK, The Stage newspaper is useful and in America Backstage lists union company auditions.
TOOLS FOR A SUCCESSFUL COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY AUDITION
Being accepted as a dance major, one also must have the academic requirements to enter the institution. Should the student follow the dance path as a major or get a degree in a related subject and minor in dance to keep their foot in the door for a possible performing future is something to explore.
Not all dance departments in colleges and universities have a major in dance. Not many have strong ballet departments. Please remember that it is the teacher that trains you, not the college or university.
At a company audition, they are not interested in your degree. Conservatories, offer an entry into the college and university teaching profession should you want to go in that direction.
In summing up, it is truly a personal decision to go either the professional or educational route. One must be honest with ones self.
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