As each semester begins, conservatory students spend days auditioning for dance concerts and theater productions. These performances serve as the primary way students apply their training beyond the classroom. Collectively, we all want to be cast or considered so badly, training relentlessly for even the possibility of being involved in a production.
In its entirety, audition week is emotionally exhausting. The sheer time-commitment of attending a full day of classes followed by hours of auditions is extremely stressful. In addition, the posting of cast lists, revealing what your semester will entail, is difficult to process. Whether you are now juggling rehearsals, handling disappointments or finding ways to be a supportive friend, it’s okay to be physically and mentally overwhelmed right now.
Still, these demanding auditions are what define the Point Park experience, offering students real-world training that goes far beyond the classroom. Life post-graduation is full of endless auditions, facing 100 “no’s” for one “yes.” Ultimately, auditioning is a skill that COPA students have the incredible opportunity of practicing in real time.
So how do we optimize our audition learning experiences? Fortunately, the art being performed in each audition room is what students hone during class every day. Over my three semesters at Point Park, the improvements I have seen in my dancing are exponential.
And one of the only times I see my improvement is in audition rooms. The trust I have built in my abilities is one of the pillars to mastering auditioning success.
Regardless of this improvement, I still have my bad auditions. This is when mentality is key. It is critical to expect nothing and appreciate everything. Truthfully, how you perform or are seen in an audition room can be a gamble. Over time, I have found that the only way to quiet any fear is to stop treating auditions like verdicts and start treating them like chances to perform.
As artists, we create for both ourselves and others. Auditions are simply an opportunity to share this art. When the focus shifts from being chosen to simply being seen, the pressure begins to lift. Sharing work becomes an act of communication rather than competition.
By committing to your work in an audition, the space will become inviting. Naturally, your brain will not prioritize getting cast, rather having fun. Letting go of the outcome does not mean caring less; it means trusting that the work itself is enough.
When you leave the room knowing you shared your best work, not being cast becomes less a reflection of your ability and more a missed opportunity for those who did not choose it.
