The time has come! You are ready to nail your first audition—prepped with your dance shoes, a head shot, and the fierce determination of a dancer who has trained their whole life for this moment…
Those main stage dreams won’t wait around. You’ve got to go out and get them! That means auditions—dancing in front of the people who have the power to make your dreams come true.
There are two ways to find auditions—online, or by signing with a talent agency. Any pro dancer will tell you your best bet is to utilize both methods, that means searching for yourself and hiring an agent to search for you.
But today let’s focus on what you can do right now to start filling up your calendar. Audition postings for dancers are easy to find if you know where to look.
Below is a list of websites that regularly post up-to-date audition notices. Some require a monthly fee to view their notices in full, while others provide their postings to readers for free. Scrolling through both kinds of websites will ensure you don’t miss the audition of your dreams. No matter who you’re itching to dance for, be it Broadway, TV, or regional theatre, you can find the opportunity fit for you.
Don’t worry! These sites are not New York exclusive. Most of them filter searches by geographic region, so you can find a professional dance audition near you.
If you’re not feeling performance ready just yet, but are still looking to break into the biz with an internship, part-time job, or a training scholarship, these websites have you covered with opportunities in the entertainment industry that don’t have you directly in the spotlight.
Websites to check out:
A4D is every dancers’ homepage, and where I go first to get a broad look at what’s happening in the dance world. Their audition calendar is color coded by region (New York, Los Angeles, Other States, Oversees) making it easy to spot auditions near you. Most auditions found on A4D are for stage theatre, but you can also find notices for ballet companies and cruise ships. For a small monthly fee, you can access all audition locations, times, and breakdowns. Without the monthly membership, you can still see the audition postings, but they lack vital details you need. In addition to culling dance calls from around the world, Answers4Dancers is also an excellent resource for networking thanks to their recently launched social network—Forum4Dancers.
Unlike Answers4Dancers, Backstage gathers audition notices for all types of performers—dancers, actors, singers and more. They have plenty of filtering options to highlight only what you wish to see by location, talent or skill. Backstage also gathers a high number of postings for film, tv, and commercial work. If you are looking for your career to head toward the screen, this is a great place to begin.
Head to Calltime if you’ve prepared a show reel or video material of your skills and talents. Calltime posts a wide variety of notices, from teaching jobs, seasonal theme park jobs, and general entertainment-related work. With a fully personalized profile, you can submit to many calls digitally—no nerve-wracking audition necessary!
Aside from being a great stop for getting the latest buzz in Showbiz, Broadway World also has a “Jobs” section right on their homepage. Here you’ll find listings focusing mostly on stage theatre in the USA, auditioning in New York but also all over the country. Go to Broadway World to brush up on your theatre gossip. Snag an audition while you’re there.
Nod your head if you’ve got a scrapbook full of Playbill covers to remind you why you started performing. The iconic yellow program covers have come to characterize New York’s theatre district. But on their website, there is more than just cover art. Navigate to their “Job Postings” page, and you’ll find listings for auditions in New York and all over the States. Postings for internships, entertainment desk jobs, and teaching jobs can be found here too.
Maybe you’ve moved to New York with one specific dream in mind—to kick high and celebrate the magic of New York with fifty other dancers 5.7” or taller. You’re not alone. I’ve met many dancers who have their heart set on being in New York’s iconic line-up. If that’s you, then don’t miss Radio City’s yearly auditions in the Spring for their Christmas spectacular. Shorter dancers do not be deterred; there’s also an audition for ensemble dancers. Expect lines that curl around the block and competition to be fierce. Slide into your LaDuca’s and slick your hair into a French Twist to earn your spot on the Radio City Stage in one of New York’s most popular performances.
In alliance with Dance USA, the national service organization for dance, Dance NYC is a great place to start for pre-professionals and young professionals alike. Here you can find auditions, choreographic opportunities, and volunteer engagements. Do not shy away from unpaid shows and internships, for they can often be great opportunities to network and get experience in the business.
Though you may hear of an occasional audition through word-of-mouth (or on one of those decaying cork boards every dance studio seems to have), you’ll have the most luck finding the audition suited for your talents by harnessing the power of the web. Take control of your performance career with these websites. Break a leg!
Kelsey is a classically trained dancer and Actor’s Equity performer. She has performed for companies such as Central Florida Ballet, Tokyo Disney, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and at sea with leading luxury cruise lines. A dancer by day and a writer by night, when Kelsey is not performing she shares her love of dance, travel, and finding a good cup of coffee on her blog Wend Away Travels. Find her full performance bio and show gallery at www.kelseyannglennon.com.
