Mindset Matters: How to Keep Perspective During Audition Season
Audition season - two words every dancer dreads.
Audition season can be incredibly exhausting. The travel, expenses, strain on your body, constant scrutiny, and emotional toll of rejection can absolutely wear you down. It can also lead to your dream job and the career you’ve been working toward for years.
So what’s the secret to getting to the other side of audition season (relatively) unscathed? Your mindset.
As dancers, we tend to focus primarily on our physical abilities. However, any seasoned professional will tell you that your mindset is just as vital to enjoying a successful career. Here are four ways to keep perspective and stay in a healthy mindset this audition season:
Remember that auditions are a two-way street
You’re not just auditioning for companies - they’re auditioning for you. That means when you walk into an audition, you get to decide if the company is a good fit for you. Ask yourself: “Do I feel aligned with the culture, leadership, repertoire, schedule, or even location?” It’s easy to get so wrapped up in what a Director thinks of you - but what about what you want for your career? You have the power to choose what job offers you accept. Reminding yourself that you have autonomy puts you back in the driver’s seat of your career. It's not just about impressing the director; it's about finding the right fit for your career. You're the boss!
Focus on what you can control
The truth is, there is a lot out of your control during the audition process. You can’t control if you are the type of dancer the company is looking for, the combinations that are given, if the Director likes you, or if you’re the “best” dancer in the room. Fixating on these things will lead you right down a negative thought spiral. Instead, focus on what you can control:
Working smart in classes and training ahead of time to prepare yourself for auditions
Doing your research on companies so you have an idea of what to expect
Getting plenty of rest and fuel to sustain yourself
Knowing your strengths and sharing the unique talent only you have to offer
Showing that you are resilient and able to recover from mistakes in the moment
There’s so much more you have control over than you realize. Do what you can and leave the rest behind.
Make time for life outside of dance
This season of life can feel completely all-encompassing. As dancers, we don’t have an “off-season” - our schedule doesn’t slow down everywhere else just because auditions come along. We’re expected to keep up our regular training plus school and add in auditions on top of everything else.
Be realistic about what you can handle and intentionally schedule time in to spend time with friends, family, or even by yourself doing things that you enjoy outside of dance. Taking time away won’t make you fall behind - on the contrary, you’ll come back to the studio more focused and energized when you give your brain and body a break.
Schedule time for reflection
There are going to be major ups and downs during audition season. If you find yourself ruminating over that pirouette that didn't go well or the choreography you messed up, it might be time for some intentional reflection. After each audition, I encourage you to get out your journal and reflect on:
What went well - what parts of the audition did you feel really good about? Where did you shine?
What didn’t go as well - what areas do you need to work on? Formulate a plan/seek out help to make improvements
What you learned - what did you learn from this audition that you can take with you into future auditions?
Work with a dance career mentor to get an outside perspective from an industry insider
Ultimately, I want you to remember - you are doing an incredibly hard thing. It is no small feat to put yourself out there again and again. You’ll hear hundreds of “no’s” in search of that one “yes”. It’s not easy, but you’re doing it. And you don’t have to do it alone.
I am currently offering 1-1 Dance Audition Power Ups - 45-minute mentoring sessions to get individualized audition coaching from a former pro ballerina. I’ve been in your shoes and I know exactly what it feels like. I also know how amazing it feels to come out on the other side of audition season with your dream contract.
Tap here to book your session and put your mind at ease with the real, no-fluff advice you actually need to give you that added boost of confidence.
You don’t have to see the end of the staircase - you just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and trust that the work you are putting in is going to pay off big time.
If you’re struggling with finding that next step, let's chat, and I'll give you the real talk you need to rock those auditions. You've got this dancer. 🌟
Meet the Author
Caitlin Sloan is a Dance Educator and Career Mentor based in Madison, WI.
Caitlin received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Grand Valley State University and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Missouri.
She danced professionally for nine years with companies including Ballet Tucson and Missouri Contemporary Ballet (now Mareck Dance). Caitlin has taught at schools all over the Midwest, most notably serving as Director of The School of Missouri Contemporary Ballet and Youth Company Director for Central Indiana Dance Ensemble. She is currently on faculty at the School of Madison Ballet.
Caitlin founded The Brainy Ballerina® in 2019, a virtual resource providing support and guidance for aspiring ballet dancers. Follow @thebrainyballerina on Instagram for your daily dose of dance career guidance and inspiration.
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