AUDITIONS
Below you will find information on all the amazing programs we offer, what you need to do when auditioning and the audition schedule. If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out via email. We are always happy to help!
Company Program
Our competitive program is an intensive training program aimed to train students in a positive, safe environment, as they strive for excellence in dance. Throughout the year, students will be entered into regional competitions, recommended dance conventions, as well as one travel competition. Our 2025 travel event will be announced soon! Dancers are expected to commit to their pre-requisite classes, Company Preview Show (February), and ALL competitions. Jazz Competitive dancers are required to take our Summer Company Technique classes on Tuesdays. And we are bringing back our Junior Accelerated Dance Camp for our Mini and Junior company dancers!
Comp Lite Program
Our CompLite Program is for dancers who wish to participate in dance competitions, but with less weekly class commitment. This program moves dancers along at a comfortable and steady pace, yet pushes them to set goals and achieve them. We will be offering CompLite programs in Jazz and Hip Hop. CompLite dancers will participate in 2 local competitions and our year-end recital. They are not included in our travel events.
Studio West Musical Theatre Productions
Our Musical Theatre Program is for all aspiring triple threat singers, actors & dancers! Students hone their skills in a safe and welcoming environment while learning the professional ropes of live theatre!
Students wishing to audition for our musical must attend the Dance and Voice call to learn a short and fun dance combo as well as learn a short song to song as a group. Those students wishing to audition for a singing or speaking part must sign up to sing for us. This is typically 8-10 bars of a song that shows off their vocal range! Students may sing a capella or they can sing along to an instrumental version of their song.
Callbacks: Callbacks will be held on Sunday June 1st and Monday June 2nd. If your child doesn't get a callback, that doesn't mean they wont be cast in our shows. However, if we feel your child isn't suitable for one of our shows, we will inform parents by email.
Rehearsals for Frozen Jr: If your child is cast in Frozen Jr, rehearsals will take place the week of September 3-6 after school from 3:30-7:30 pm and then continuing on Fridays after school starting September 13 - December 13, 2024. Sunday rehearsals will be added in November and tech week and shows are from Dec 15-22, 2024. *All dates and times are subject to change*
Rehearsals for Something Rotten Jr: If your child is cast in Something Rotten Jr, rehearsals will take place on Saturday Jan 4th and Sunday Jan 5th (10am - 4pm) and then continuing on Fridays after school starting on Friday Jan 10th - April 18th, 2025. Sunday rehearsals will be added in April and tech week and shows are from April 22-27, 2025. *All dates and times are subject to change*
JAZZ COMPANY AUDITIONS
Tuesday, May 21st @ Studio 3
3:45-4:45pm - Mini Skills Assessment (ages 5-7)
5:00-6:30pm - Junior Skills Assessment (ages 8-11)
Wednesday, May 22nd @ Studio 3
6:00-7:30pm - Intermediate and Teen Audition (ages 11-15)
7:30-9:00pm - Senior Advanced Audition (ages 15 +)
Jazz Company Info
Mini and Junior dancers will be assessed on their fundamental Jazz and Ballet technique. Intermediate, Teen and Senior dancers will be assessed on their fundamental Jazz and Ballet technique as well as learn a short dance combo of either jazz, lyrical or contemporary.
The Jazz company audition covers the other styles of dance that we compete in including; lyrical, contemporary and stage. Jazz company dancers have a minimum of mandatory technique and choreography classes that they are required to take during the year if they are selected to be on one of our company teams. More info can be given upon request!
Attire: Please wear form fitting dance attire, hair in a bun and jazz, or ballet shoes. Please bring a water bottle.
HIP HOP COMPANY AUDITIONS
Thursday, May 23rd @ Studio 3
3:45-4:45pm - Mini Skills Assessment (ages 5-7)
5:00-6:00pm - Junior Skills Assessment (ages 8-11)
6:15-7:15pm - Intermediate Audition (Ages 10-13)
7:30-8:30pm - Teen and Senior Audition (Ages 14 +)
Hip Hop Company Info
Mini and Junior dancers will be tested on Hip Hop foundations and Intermediate, Teen and Seniors will learn a short hip hop combo. Students do not need to prepare anything!
Attire: Please wear comfy dance attire, clean sneakers and bring a water bottle.
ACRO COMPANY AUDITIONS
Wednesday, May 22nd @ Studio 3
3:30-4:45 pm - Mini and Junior Skills Assessment (ages 5-10)
4:45-6:00 pm - Intermediate and Senior Skills Assessment (ages 11+)
Acro Company Info
All dancers will be tested on Acrobatic skills and flexibility.
Mini Acro Requirements: bridge with straight elbows and cartwheel with straight legs
Junior Acro Requirements: bridge from standing. Cartwheels (2 handed, one handed) strong side, bridge kick-over
Inter Acro Requirements: bridge kick-over, a strong balance, cartwheels (2 handed, one handed, cast over)
Senior Acro Requirements: walkover front and back, a strong balance, one tumbling element preferred.
Attire: Please wear a form fitting leotard or tank top and dance shorts. Hair must be secured in a bun and dancers will be in bare feet. Please bring a water bottle.
MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITION
Frozen Jr (Dec 2024): Accepting students ages 8-19
Something Rotten! Jr (April 2025): Accepting students ages 11-19
Audition: Monday, May 27th @ Studio 3
Callbacks: Sunday, June 1st and Monday June 2nd @ Studio 3
3:30-4:30pm - Junior Dance and Voice Call (ages 8-11)
4:30-5:30pm - Teen Dance and Voice Call (ages 12 +)
5:30-9:30pm - Singing Auditions
To book a signing audition, please click here
Musical Theatre Info
We are auditioning for both shows, Frozen Jr and Something Rotten! Jr, at the same time. Students will be able to specify to us which show they are auditioning for. Students may audition for both shows if they fall into the assigned age bracket. Please see our website for the character break down and synopsis of each show.
Please note that all roles are ANY GENDER so please feel free to audition for any character you identify with most.
Singers auditioning must prepare 8 bars (or verse and chorus) of a musical theatre or pop song of their choice and sing acapella or with music accompaniment on phone or iPad.
In the Dance and Voice call, students will learn a short movement combo and sing as a group with our creative team. Students do not need to prepare anything in advance however all students must attend the Dance and Voice call to be considered for a part in the musical.
Attire: Please wear comfortable non-restrictive clothing, socks and clean sneakers and bring a water bottle.
Click here for the Frozen Jr Synopsis and Character Breakdown
Click here for the Something Rotten! Jr Synopsis and Character Breakdown
Auditioning at Studio West
What you need to know!
Students who wish to be considered for any of the above Programs must audition for placement. Teachers can also recommend and invite students to audition or join a Company or CompLite program. Auditioning can sound scary, but this is a part of being a dancer and performer! It lets us know you want to be here with us! And please don't worry… we make auditioning super fun!!!
Here's an example of what will happen in the dance auditions. It's just like taking a regular dance class… but with a few teachers watching! Students will be taken through a warm up and stretch as well as "across the floor" combinations to showcase skills in the specific genre. Intermediates, Teens and Senior dancers will learn a short dance combo. Dancers do not need to prepare anything!
Auditioning lets us teachers know where a child is at with their skill development. It also lets us see their growth throughout the current year. At Studio West Dance, we take pride in making auditioning fun! All we want is to see each dancer try their best and have fun!!
Dancers must audition every year. Auditions are open to ALL dancers, not just dancers currently enrolled at Studio West Dance. We welcome anyone who wants to join our team!
Placements
How do placements work? We keep it very simple. For competitive dance, it is important that each child gets to dance with other children who have skills that are alike their own. This way we do not place a dancer who is too advanced or not advanced enough together. We do not want to have any dancers feel like they are struggling, nor do we want a dancer to be bored and not feeling challenged enough. Our team of professionals have had a lot of success in this industry, and we are confident that we will place your child in the best group for their own success in development. Please understand that we may not have a company that is a good fit for your child. If this is the case, we will happily place your child in a class where we can develop their skills more, whether it be the Comp Lite or a Recreational Program.
Once decided, placements will be FINAL. A great deal of time from our staff goes into carefully placing the kids where they individually will be the most successful. We base our decision on where the kids are technically at the time of the audition. We also factor in their progress in class throughout the year, attendance, attitude, intensity level and performance. We will also take another look at the dancers in September, after they have taken any summer technique classes to see if we need to make adjustments for the competitive dance season ahead.
Placements will be announced for the 2024-2025 Dance Season in mid June 2024.
Parents, once placements have been sent out, please feel free to reach out to the studio if you have any questions or concerns regarding placement. We would love to schedule a meeting to discuss things with you personally. Please do not reach out to individual teachers privately. All meetings need to be organized through the studio, so we can ensure all the required parties are in attendance. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation regarding this matter.
Mini Dancers Ages 5-7
We have arranged for dancers in this age group to come to their own Mini Skills assessment! If you are interested in having your mini dancer be a part of our program, please send them to one of our Mini assessments! Mini Jazz will be taught by Miss Manelle and Miss Mikaela, Mini Hip Hop will be taught by Miss Jyla and Miss Manelle and Mini Acro will be taught by Miss Melissa. Come dance with us!
Audition Requirements
Please show up to the appropriate day & time and allow your child to sign in and receive a number to wear. Please make sure they are dressed appropriately for their specific audition and bring a water bottle with them. Audition attire is listed to each specific genre.