Dance Talk

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Audition Looks That Will Steal The Spotlight

05/16/2018
kids leotards

You've got a big dance audition coming up. Congratulations! You're probably spending plenty of time in the studio practicing to make sure that you shine, but are you also thinking about what to wear to your audition? If not, you need to start preparing now. After all, the world of dance is all about aesthetics, so you need to pick the right outfit! If you don't, it could impact the outcome of the audition. Whether it's a simple girls leotard or something different depends on who you're auditioning for. However, there are some tips to keep in mind to ensure you put your best foot forward with the dance apparel you wear. Here's a look at a few of them:

Keep clothes tight and fitted.

Unless the instructions for the audition call for baggy clothes, avoiding wearing them. This means no oversized sweatshirts or pants. Instead, make sure you're wearing something that's fitted and tight, and that accentuates your body and your lines. The casting director will want to see as much of your shape as possible. When you cover it up, that makes it hard for them to truly judge you.

If you're not sure what looks best on you, ask a friend or fellow dancer. Try on a few dance outfits ahead of time and ask for thoughts and suggestions. Once you have your audition outfit picked out, make sure it's cleaned, pressed and set aside ahead of time. That way, on the big day of your audition, you don't have to worry about scrambling at the last minute. Your outfit is all set and ready to go.

In addition, make sure whatever you do choose fits you well. Just because you found the perfect audition leotard -- but it's a size too small -- doesn't mean you should wear it. Instead, it's vital that you not only look good during your audition, but also your clothes fit you properly, too.

Keep it simple.

kids leotards

During auditions, you want the casting director to focus on your dance technique, not on the flashy sequins on your girls leotard, or the metallic yellow crop top you decided to put on. That's why it's important to keep it simple and not try to wear a costume.

This also extends to how you do your hair and makeup. For instance, if you wear your hair in a big, ostentatious way, then it could mean you get pigeon-holed for certain parts you don't necessary want. Instead, you want a casting director to be able to envision you in a wide variety of roles. That means keeping colors neutral and clothing clean and tight, as well as taking a more classic approach.

Keep accessories to a minimum.

It's best to keep any accessories to a minimum, or even avoid them altogether. That means don't wear an armful of bangles or big earrings. You might get the attention of the casting director, but not in a good way. Also, don't tie your sweatshirt around your waist, or wear anything that overshadows your shape. Casting directors want to be able to see your legs and how you move, not a sweatshirt flapping around as you're trying to dance.

Keep it classic.

Too many times, dancers think they need to go all out in order to get the attention of a casting director. But really, it should be your technique and performance that stands out, not the too-sexy or overwhelming outfit you decided to wear to the audition. If you're not sure what to wear or if you weren't given any specific instructions, your best bet is to always keep it classic with a simple girls leotard. You can't go wrong with this approach.

The same goes for your hair and makeup. You might think bright red lipstick will help you stand out. But on the stage and under the lights it can actually make you look too theatrical and even garish. Likewise, when it comes to your hair, anything overdone can force the casting director to focus on your head, rather than your dance moves. At the same time, if your hair isn't tight and pulled back, it will get in your face, causing you and the director both to lose focus.

Finally, if you want to deliver a classic performance during an audition, you need to think beyond your hair, makeup and leotard to your tights, as well. If you really want to show off the muscles and form of your legs, then consider white or pink tights. Black tights, on the other hand, will camouflage them too much and make it hard for casting directors to view your technique in an optimal way.

Ready to shop for audition-ready girls and kids leotards?

If you have an audition coming up and you want to look your best, without breaking your budget, Just for Kix can help. We offer a wide variety of audition-ready girls and kids leotards that can help ensure you feel comfortable and look great on the stage on your big day.