Trying-out with a new dance partner can be a lengthy and involved process. However, your potential partner’s first impressions of your personality, work ethic, and dance abilities are lasting ones. So when you audition, it’s important for you to choose an audition modality that fits your style and strengths. The more creative you can be with your audition, the greater the chance that your audition will go well.
1. Create Your Own Routine
Pros: Creating your own routine is a great way to display your creativity and mastery of dance. New choreography will give your partner time to “feel you out,” and will give you the opportunity to highlight your own, unique skills such as flexibility or rhythmicality. If all goes well, it will also give your partner a chance to recognize your ability to collaborate.
Cons: Sometimes the collaboration process isn’t successful depending on the personalities involved. It might leave a bad impression with your potential partner. Many partners don’t like the conflict and would rather receive choreography from a coach anyway to bypass this process.
2. Use an Old Routine
Pros: You have the option of sending an old routine to your potential partner before you meet. A lot of couples favor this method because it allows you to explore your advanced styles together. It also allows you to learn timing and movement in-depth.
Cons: Using a pre-used routine can automatically create tension for both parties when trying to audition. The person who sent the routine, is already familiar with how it should feel, an unfair advantage to the person learning it. Oftentimes, the person who used the routine will unconsciously compare your abilities to their other partner, regardless of whether they like your dancing.
3. Work on the Basics
Pros: Working on the basics is a safe way to explore the compatibility of your technique and styles. Many pros and amateurs always start with the basics because it is easy to tell whether you will be compatible as partners.
Cons: Basics will not allow you to go into depth regarding your partner's dance abilities or personality abilities. Any trained dancer can replicate good, quality technique so it is difficult to assess natural ability. Advanced dancers can also get frustrated because they feel like they have more to offer than what they are able to do in basics.
4. Find a Coach
Pros: Having a coach on your first audition is a wonderful way to mediate any potential dance or personality conflicts. A coach will quickly be able to assess whether you two are compatible and sends a message to your partner that you are serious about your dancing.
Cons: Having a coach can sometimes prevent you from exploring other aspects that are necessary for a successful dance partnership. Since communication and personality are important components of a partnership, it is important to explore those as well.
Regardless of which modality you use to audition with your partner, make sure that you sit with them to have an honest conversation about your dance goals, needs, and wants. Making sure you are on the same page as your partner is a prerequisite to a successful dance partnership.
