Audition Prep: Familiarity and Routine

"Last time I auditioned, I was up till midnight printing out my resume. I had totally forgotten to do it earlier."

"Last year, I didn't wear my usual class skirt to one audition and it completely threw me off."

I've already started talking about how auditions can be scary, unpredictable experiences — see here — which upset your normal schedule and mindset. Your brain likes routine; it enjoys being able to predict what's coming up. When it gets jostled by sudden last-minute changes, your brain can either get pumped at the challenge or totally freak out. Hopefully you know yourself well enough to know which camp you fall into. Either way, you can reduce anxiety by making the audition process as familiar as possible, before the actual audition.

What does that mean?

Stress and anxiety are born from many things, but some last-minute, unexpected changes to routine can be anticipated and controlled by you. For example, take the second quote and imagine this is you. Every day, all year round, you wear a similar outfit for class: a leotard and a skirt. You are used to seeing your reflection in the mirror with a skirt on. While it might seem like a minor detail to a non-dancer, dancers know that altering your own reflection can be as disorienting as dancing without a mirror. For the dancer quoted above, it proved to be a major distraction for the duration of the audition.

Distraction = lack of focus = stress and anxiety. 

The solution is simple: start dressing now the way you will dress for your next audition. If you never wear pink tights, but know you'll have to for auditions, then start as soon as possible; get used to the reflection of yourself you're about to see in the audition. It's one less distraction and one less source of possible stress.

Another upset to your routine is the extras that come with auditioning: maybe you'll have an extra long commute to the audition, or need to pack extra food; you'll definitely need things like resumes, cover letters, and pointe shoes that are ready to go. Leaving these details until the last minute and then not expecting them to stress you out is a little crazy. (See first quote, above.)

So start planning now. If you'll need extra snacks, figure out what and plan to shop ahead of time. If you don't have a printer (or even if you do), get those final drafts written and printed at least two days before the audition. The sooner it's done, the calmer your brain will be, and the less it will weigh on you.

Familiarity + routine = calmer, happier brain = calmer, happier you. 

Good luck to everyone auditioning this weekend!