Dance Calls in Theatre Auditions: Getting Past the Nerves

If the words “dance call” make you nervous, you are not alone. Many performers feel uneasy the moment choreography comes into play. Maybe you do not consider yourself a dancer. Maybe you worry about keeping up. Or maybe you simply feel less confident moving across the floor than you do standing at center stage belting your heart out. All of that is normal.

Here is the truth: dance calls are not about perfection. They are about potential, presence, and personality.

What Casting Teams Actually Notice

One of the best ways to shake off nerves is to take the mystery out of the process. When you understand what the casting team is looking for, you can walk into the room more confident in your choices. While I can’t speak for every casting team, I’ve worked with several creative team members and have noticed we are usually on the same page about a few key things beyond technique: What could you add to the show? Can you tell a story? Are you kind?

When casting a dance-heavy show, I do look at technique. I notice who understands weight shifts and who has a basic foundation. But that is only one part of it. I also pay attention to how people interact with each other. Are you kind? Do you help someone who is struggling? Do you connect with the room? Those things matter.

I look for who performs. You do not have to get every step right. If you are telling me a story and pulling me in, you stand out. A friend once told me, “Everyone can sing, but not everyone can act.” The same is true for dance. Anyone can learn steps, but not everyone can live in them.

Most of all, I treat all auditions with an "addition mindset".  I learned this from the late Patriots coach, Tracy Sormanti, who started every one of her auditions saying, "I'm not looking for who to cut, I'm looking at what you can add to this squad".  I've adopted that same mindset and truly look for what everyone's potential contributions to the production would be if we were to cast them.

10 Tip for Getting Past the Nerves

So how do you calm your nerves enough to actually perform in a dance call? For most people, nerves come from feeling unprepared or out of practice. There are ways to work on that.

1. Treat auditions like a free class. Every audition gives you a new combination. Drop the pressure and just treat it like a class. (One of my friends booked The Prom on Broadway while doing this approach. He showed up for the "class" as an opportunity to work on dancing and ended up booking the show.) Obviously, in NY, there will be endless auditions to attend, but in the MA/CT area, there are still several per quarter that you could get to. Show up without the casting outcome as your focus, and you'll gain so much...you may even relax enough to give your best audition performance thus far!
2. Take different kinds of classes. There are plenty of drop-ins and adult classes in MA and CT. They do not have to be Broadway jazz. Broadway jazz itself is super broad. Hamilton pulls from contemporary lyrical. & Juliet uses hip hop and street jazz. It's all relevant. The more you know, the more confident you will feel.
3. Cheat code for learning fast: Pay attention to weight changes. The number one thing that trips people up is not knowing which foot they should be on. If you focus on weight shifts, the choreography connects faster and feels more natural.
4. Learn basic vocabulary. Step touch, pas de bourrée, pony, turns, salsa, pivot turn, dig, leap, etc. Think of these as your alphabet. You do not learn to read by memorizing thousands of words. You learn the letters and then put them together. Dance works the same way.
5. Use TikTok and YouTube. Both platforms are full of free tutorials and combinations. TikTok is especially useful because the videos are mirrored, just like standing in a studio with a teacher.
6. Eat food. Drink water. Your brain needs fuel to learn fast. I recommend eating a solid meal about 90 minutes before an audition that includes carbs, fat, and protein so you have enough energy to sustain you throughout the entire process. I also always bring snacks and tons of water with me to auditions because I'll be damned if I'm not going to do my best simply because I didn't eat enough. 
7. Pack all the Things. Again, nerves come from feeling unprepared. It's better to be overprepared and have extra shoes, socks, clothing options, etc., than not have enough options. Overpacking is your friend.
8. Make friends. Speaking of friends, introduce yourself to people at auditions. Auditions are so weird, and everyone there is feeling the same nerves. That camaraderie amongst the auditioners can really help to minimize the anxiety of it all.
9. Slow your heart rate. You can physically control your nerves by taking slow, deliberate breaths. Breathe in for 10 seconds, hold for 10 seconds, and then let it out for 10 seconds. Then repeat this process a few times. Your heart rate will literally slow down. Voila, calmed nerves.
10. Superhero pose. We all learned this from Amelia Shepard in Grey's Anatomy: Superhero pose. Feet apart, hands on hips, shoulders back, chin up, for two minutes before a big moment can boost confidence. I power pose all the time when I am nervous and I'm not ashamed to admit it lol.