How to Be Successful at a Dance Call
The chimney sweeps in Mary Poppins sing about scampering across the rooftops, letting that lift their spirits in the rousing dance number “Step in Time”. Sometimes a dance call can be intimidating which can get you down, but that shouldn’t stop you from doing your best. We are going to discuss how YOU can be successful at a dance call. So, get ready to brush away the cobwebs of doubt, because after this you will be ready to leap into your next dance call.
Outfit
Always wear something that you feel comfortable in for a dance call. First of all, make sure you are able to move and stretch in all directions. Second, think about the shoes you wear. Sneakers are usually best, unless it is a show that requires something like jazz or character shoes- there might be directions in the information for the call if they intend for you to bring something specific. Next, wear clothes that fit you and show how your body moves. It doesn’t need to be skin-tight, but try wearing a t-shirt instead of a sweatshirt, and leggings or basketball shorts instead of baggy sweatpants. Lastly, make sure the outfit makes YOU feel good. You don’t want to be self-conscious about your clothes when you are already stressed about the call. So, wear your favorite shirt or your lucky socks!
Warm Up & Stretch
Don’t forget the importance of warming up your body and stretching out before a dance call. Sometimes the choreographer may warm you up, but that won’t always be the case. So, take some time before you leave the house. And if you arrive early, check in and find your own space to stretch.
Be Familiar with the Soundtrack
So many musical soundtracks are online these days so take a bit of time to familiarize yourself with the songs. Usually, the song you learn the combination to is from the show you are auditioning for. So, having a general knowledge of the songs may come in handy when you have to dance to it.
Pay Attention
Make sure you listen up when anyone is giving directions or information- the stage manager, the director, or the choreographer. Also, stay focused when the choreographer is teaching because you want to make sure you know all the steps. It can be tempting to speak to people around you and comment on the experience, but it’s much more beneficial to pay attention to what you are being taught. Depending on how many auditioners there are, you may end up standing at the back of the room from time to time (though they should rotate lines so you’ll get a chance to stand at the front). When you end up in the back, you need to pay extra attention to what the choreographer is doing all the way at the front.
Ask Questions (but not too many!)
One important thing to learn is that you should never be afraid to ask questions! And dance calls are places where you may have many of them. Make sure that you are reading the room before asking questions though. In this situation that would mean you are taking note of how quickly the choreographer is teaching and being aware of their current mood. You should make sure that you are asking questions when you need to. However, if they have commented on how quick they need to get through this or how they are behind schedule, take a moment and decide if you can figure it out yourself. Also, don’t ask a question that someone else has already asked or the choreographer will think you haven’t been paying attention, so listen up!
Know Your Number and Listen For It
You may or may not receive a number at check-in, but if you do, it will basically be your name for the day. Memorize your number and keep your ears open. Another thing to check is that your number is visible and isn’t covered up by your hair or another piece of clothing. Make sure they can clearly tell what number you are at a glance without having to search for it.
Don’t Be Distracting
Usually, when other groups are dancing you will have to stand off to the side and wait your turn. It’s tempting to dance along and get a bit more practice before you have to go and perform; however, make sure you are not being distracting! Dancing too full out and big when you’re on the side may make it difficult for the choreographer and director to concentrate on the auditioners they are supposed to be watching at that moment. So, it’s all right to think through the steps and do them very small, but make sure you aren’t pulling focus from those who are doing their audition.
If you’re nervous about the actual dancing and want more tips for how to succeed, keep reading!
Make the Pictures
Just what does that mean?! Making the pictures is a way of showing that you understand the choreography and what it looks like even if you don’t totally nail it at the audition. For example, pretend you’ve gone to a dance call and you are asked to do a triple time step. You’ve never tapped before in your life and you’ve never even seen a triple time step. It’s a complicated step and may take some time to master, so you may not figure it out by the time you have to perform at the call. So, just what do you do? Make the pictures. Take a look at what the arms are doing. Can you move them in the same way? You notice that the way the weight shifts in the step makes the person bob up and down to the beat. Can you move up and down on the right counts?
So, making the pictures means studying the steps you are asked to do, and if necessary, simplifying them. Picking out the pieces of the step that you can do. Choreographers understand that you won’t get everything perfect and remember it all from the short time you have at a dance call. But showing them you know at least the basics of the step makes them think that with some practice you could totally figure it out and nail it. So, instead of stressing about those difficult steps, simplify it and make the picture.
Act!
Acting at a dance call may seem like a given, but when you start to focus on the steps it’s easy to forget to act. Obviously you want to show off your dancing skills, but you are also going to be in a show as an actor so don’t minimize the importance of acting. I’ll let you in on a little secret: if you are being animated and energetic, a lot of times the choreographer will be so mesmerized by your performance, they won’t even notice if you make some mistakes along the way.
If You Mess Up, Keep Going
Learning a new dance in a short amount of time and then having to perform it can seem like a lot of pressure, and inevitably you will probably make some mistakes along the way. You aren’t supposed to be absolutely perfect, and that isn’t expected of you. You are expected to keep dancing and performing even if you mess up! Don’t get stressed out and upset if you forgot a step or weren’t on beat. Just pick up in the next place and forge ahead. And if all the steps totally left your brain and you have absolutely no idea whatsoever… just jam out! Who cares if it isn’t what you learned? Being able to have a good attitude about your mistakes and continuing to perform is an incredible skill.
So, while you “never need a reason, never need a rhyme [to] kick your knees up step in time”, hopefully you’ll be doing it after your success at a dance call!