Audition HACKS & Advice | Kathryn Morgan 

I'm an actor, not a dancer, but the one piece of audition advice I always give is that every interaction you have from the moment you step in the building matters. If you're rude to the receptionist, the person checking you in, the other people auditioning, even if you're rude to the custodian, it will get back to the people behind the table and they won't want to work with you.

"Don't wait to shine!" BOOM!

Another tip I would say is that if you are going to a company audition would be to practice the barre on pointe. Not eveybody is used to make the barre on pointe so be prepare as the director might decide last minute to do it on pointe even if they don't put it on the audition information.

Can you make a barre video that focuses on bring artistry into tendus and all of barre really?

Thank the accompanist.

I’m auditioning for Nutcracker today. Soooo nervous I’m not going to make it, I’m fine with any role I just want to at least make it 😫 Update: I made it! I’m a lady in waiting, a soldier, and a Russian dancer. So excited!

You should make a video about costume fittings and what to wear to fitting possibly( not a hoodie with no shirt underneath or baggy clothing with nothing underneath but undergarments we may not always have clean Maillots for you to put on!). I work in a ballet company wardrobe and I see all the young girls and boys sometimes are so nervous and awkward about their first fittings, first set of measurements etc. But also on the flip side, how to care for costumes, uniforms, that you always wear panties under costumes! That is accidents happen, like when you suddenly get your period in class or in rehearsal( because we tell girls to never wear tampons when you're not on your period) ....we will never be mad, were mostly women we will understand. just come see us as soon as possible! don't wait and try to hide it! especially if your sharing costumes!

I recently rewatched your barre hacks video, and you talked about every exercise at barre having a function beyond just warming you up. I'd love to see a video focused on explaining those functions. As an adult dancer without years of background and an analytical person in general, I would find it really useful to know which of those movements from barre I should be applying to which steps/jumps/etc. in center.

I'm auditioning for 8 intensives this year (hoping to go Houston, Ballet Chicago, & BAE this summer!) and this video was so helpful! Thanks so much, Kathryn!

Thank you very much for the tips! My 15 yr old daughter has been taking ballet (amongst other dance classes) for 10 yrs now, but living on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean limits her access to help her further her training; and, we’re trying, at the recommendations of several of her ballet instructors over the past 5 yrs, to submit her video application in January to one of the schools on the U.S. west coast. In doing that, we’re really hoping she’ll learn so much more so that she can eventually apply to a more prestigious school; at least, we are really hoping. So, thank you so much for sharing your experiences & tips! 🙏🏻

Great tips for ANY auditions! As an actress, so many of these tips apply in the theater world too. Be prepared, do your research, use every second, dont harass the directors afterward, use the experience to learn and dont be afraid to not be perfect. Replace "combination" with "monologue" or "sides" and its theater advice.

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to keep helping us. It's so appreciated!

Great advice, Katie! Also, red is a lovely color on you

Yay!!! I’m hoping to audition for the first time this year so this is perfect! ❤️😍😁

I find your videos so interesting! I love ballet but i am not a dancer myself:) would love a "life hacks" video one day! As a single mom struggling with my career i could use all the advice i can get, lol. I know you have overcome lots of adversity, so i would love to hear your take on getting through the days and how to find joy and happiness even in the darker times:)

Your advice at 11:20 is so valuable. Dancers need to realize that an audition is not a class in the usual sense. It is for the auditioners to choose not to personalize evaluate. By asking for feedback, you come off as self-centered in this situation. In classtime-- great! :) Thanks, Kathryn! Good tips :)

the video is so interesting! I find that many of your tips have a good mathematical explanation behind it. The tip of doing the audition in the middle seems to be related to the 1/e-law of best choice, which is quite interesting.

I love this video and the tips! Could you please do a video tutorial on YAGP makeup for classical variations? Thank you so much, Ms. Kathryn!

I have tests tomorrow and im not even into ballet. Wtf am i doing here? 😂Im enjoying this tho 😂

I have my first audition for a company today! I'm so excited I've been watching your videos to prepare

lol I auditioned for SAB and I was number 5 😮. It was scary being in the first group.

Hello, Kathryn, I must tell you; you are a very elegant and classy woman. I appreciate your advice and workout routines, they are all very helpful, you are an inspiration. Keep up the great work. Love and best wishes from Egypt.

You are resplendent today! Red is definitely your color!😍❤

So happy for your success ! You are positively Glowing!🙌🏻☺️

Wow, thank you Kathryn! ❤️

Hi! I know you are gearing up for a busy season. I’m so excited for you! Could you add musicality tips on a future video list? You mention it in several videos, and I’d love to see some examples of good or bad. Thanks!!! Happy dancing!!

Please make a follow along video for higher extensions!!!!!! There is only like 2 on RU-vid. Please! Thanks. I need serious help in the extensions department. I can’t raise my leg above 90 degrees. Tips please!

Thank you so much for the advice!

Yes! Thanks for the great tips. This year I'm auditioning for the National Ballet if Canada and I'm so nervous 😬. Thanks again ❤️❤️

Thx for the tips!!😊

This is so helpful ❤️. I’m going to create and send my audition video for companies soon I would love to see a video on tips for making a video for companies

God, I hope you know how much you have influenced my life! Thank you so much Kathryn!

Needed this!!

Thank you for this, it was very helpful! Would you be able to do a video specifically about video auditions, especially for companies?

Thankyou for this video!! I’m auditioning for summer intensives again and I was hoping you would post something for advice.

Very timely! Thank you so much, Katie! Love you!!!

i'm auditioning for an associates programme tomorrow and i'm REALLY nervous,so this really helped! 😊

Probably the only reason I got into SAB last year was because I got a really high number. I got to watch the kids in front of me and do the combination like 8 times in the back before it was actually my turn. Edit: I'm not going to audition there again, does anyone have tips for other places to audition (summer intensives)?

Your makeup looks amazing in this vid!!

About to go to my company (pre-professional) audition so thanks for this!

Thanks! This is so helpful. I’m going to be abroad during audition season, so I am considering sending in video auditions. Do you have any thoughts on video auditions?

Any videos/tips for extensions? My teachers tell me I have good artistry and foundations but my extensions are only at my shoulder (on my good side at barre, lol). Would that have a huge impact?

Thank you for this video! A video specifically on video auditions would be very helpful.

before i try to audition for the big roles in my company I need pointe shoes and my ankles are still kinda weak :(

my last summer intensive had a placement class on the first day. i tried to use every audition tip and trick, and after the class i thought i had done pretty well. next day, found out i was placed in the lowest level. only two days pass and im moved up 2 entire levels. second two weeks i was moved up ANOTHER level. why did this happen??

When are you gonna do another one of those scholarships? I would really love to apply

How can I stay in shape over winter break? I have 3 auditions right after break

LOVE YOU

Great advice!!!!

I have one next week !!

These are ALL FACTS!

Hey Katie! I was wondering if you have any advice for a late starter to ballet like me! I started ballet about 3 years ago at the age of 17. Last year I found out about a conservatory program at a local ballet school near me. I was wondering if you had any advice on how to stand out at auditions and hopefully get accepted next year. I'm most nervous about auditioning next to 13 year olds and older and a possible center pointe combo. I asked last year about the audition and the director said they could make an exception for me. As of now I haven't been accepted for pointe work yet. Also how do you approach going about trying to pursue a dance career at an older age? If this dance program doesn't work out I'm hoping to audition for a college dance program or get into a different type of dance such as contemporary ballet, jazz, or musical theatre. I love dance so much much! It would mean the world to me if I get accepted into this dance program! I would appreciate a reply. Thank you!

I'm not sure that's true about SAB. My daughter got in last year from the very last audition, January 31st, and there was no indication from the acceptance email that I had to act fast or it may fill up. I do believe you're correct about PNB filling up.

Hi, Kathryn! I'm Akanksha from India and I am learning Bharatnatyam (an Indian classical dance) since from almost 9 years. I want to ask you a question that how can I learn ballet ? I love the dance form. I started learning bharatnatyam thinking of it as ballet as a child. I'm now 16 and we don't have any facilities for learning it in the city I live. All I want to know is that can I learn ballet as an adult? You know like when I'm 20 or some thing. Please tell me. If not then please recommend me the most likely situations for least in which I can learn ballet. Plzzzz🙏🙏

What if I am doing an arranged audition in a regular class? I’m the only one auditioning at that time. It’s for a ballet summer intensive.

i have my first summer intensive audition tomorrow. deathly nervous

have u ever worn ballet boots with a heel be for

Hi Katie! Thanks for this video I think it’s really great advice. I had a question regarding musicality. I have a hearing disorder so I can’t hear speech very well and I can hear music but not at the same timing as everyone else, my processing speed is a bit behind. I have a device called an fm processor that fixes this problem, the only thing is that the teacher has to wear a microphone around their neck that then transmits to my hearing aids. I have always used it for summer programs and I use it in the company that I am an apprentice in now and I don’t have problem. I don’t use the device for auditions though because I’m afraid I’ll be written off because of it, but then I can’t hear much in the audition. As I am going into audition season for companies, do you think I should ask the teacher if they would be willing to wear the microphone so I can hear them or just not use it and hope I’m counting really well and stand in front to hear best? Thanks!

Could you do a video for late starters please that would be amazing! Thank you ! I love your videos ❤️

Drink tonic water, especially if it is very hot. The quinine in it, helps prevent cramp.

So helpful! Thank you! I have a sprained ankle. Do you have any injury hacks?

Lovely video

this is SO HELPFUL! love this and u

What is a good summer intensive for a 13 year old who wants to go to a very intense summer?

Keep strong. Dont forget that despite the evil in this world, God is full of justice, mercy and love. Justice said we broke His perfect law - causing the world's previous perfection to be destroyed - and therefore we deserve Hell (like a punishment in any legal system but this is eternal as His perfect law is eternal too). Don't think you fit in that category? Ever done one of these?: lying, stealing - regardless of how small the object EVER, hating others - which is murder in God's perfect law, lusting (plus God sees our entire thought life). Justice says "the soul that sins shall die" - if we break one in thought/word/deed it's as if we're guilty of all of them. Quite simply, living by the law (which is doing everything perfectly) is impossible for sinful humans . The law shows us that 1. We will die in Hell if we fail to follow it and 2. We cannot save ourselves BUT, 3. God's perfect, immovable law points us to Christ, who followed and fulfilled the law in thought, word and deed perfectly in our place. He did what we couldn't and did it on our behalf. He was then sentenced to death on a cross, and took our personal punishment for our sin, paying our penalty (like paying our fine) completely FOR us, and has given us freedom. If we turn from the sins we have committed and repent (pursue the opposite direction of love through Christ) He will, overtime, recreate us into His image through The Holy Spirit which Jesus sends to all who accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior of their life. We cannot purify ourselves, but Christ lived that perfect sinless, pure life and then allotted it to our "account". That's where our righteousness comes from. Not from any good, works that you or I could do. It is not based on the amount of good works we do. God starts the changes, He carries it on, and He completes it in those who let Him. It's about letting Christ in to guide and teach you and obeying Him, again, through His power and instruction). He is our substitute in His life, death and resurrection. He essentially rewrote history in our place so that, if you believe in Him, it will be as if YOU had never sinned if you accept Christ's death as our own in our place. He is in Heaven right now preparing a place for us so that He can take His faithful, believing children home with Him when He returns. He will ressurrect us from death when He returns, giving mercy to those who accept His love, forgiveness, instruction and teachings in their life, and give justice to those who refuse it. He doesn't want ANY of us to go to Hell and die for continuing in evil and rejecting His way to life, thats why He died FOR us. Hes giving EVERYONE a chance, He wants everyone to take the free gift of salvation from Hell. He wants us to be His and begin to follow His life of love and service through His power and abiding (staying) with Him. So long as we keep our hearts near to Christ through His strength, strive to follow His will of perfect love revealed in the Bible, and let Him lead in the midst of (very certain) pitfalls and struggles, we will, in time, win the ultimate victory over sin, pain and DEATH through Christ. Even if you are willing to be made willing, pray for Jesus to come in and He will do what we can't. Give us The Holy Spirit who will guide us in the right way. NOTE: You are NEVER too sinful or messed up that God cannot turn your life around through Jesus. EVER If you have any questions let me know xx

This makes me so scared bc I’m afraid I can’t remember the combo, or not be on the music even tho I’m trying the hardest I can

Hi I was wondering if dancers audition for various operas like Verdi s Aida or Goimods Faust?

can I audition for an intensive or masterclass even if I'm a beginner who hasn't been reccomended for pointe?

What's the maximum age to get in a company?

If you are allowed to wear a colored leotard should you?

would a hair clip be unprofessional?

Howdy!

Hi hannah! I’m going to be doing 3 associate program auditions in June, and I’ve never had an audition before. I’m really nervous as I want a space on a program. What are associate programs looking for the most? I have good technique but I recently went to YBSS and a lot of the girls were way more technical than me. How can I prepare?

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Can I start on point just to build strength

Katie❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😄

❤️🙏

You were up at 5am?

You've got some great tips but you dont have to repeat all of them three of four times ;)

Is that Justin Peck at the back of the thumbnail?

Ok, what can a man wear as an accessory to stand out a little bit?