Auditions

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Audition registration for LCB's 25th anniversary production of Ballet Shoes is now open! Auditions are taking place in Autumn 2018 (dates below).

For this spectacular celebratory year, LCB is looking for 60 talented young dancers (girls aged 9-14, boys aged 9-16) to star in its beautiful production of Ballet Shoes in London’s West End. There are many wonderful roles for dancers of all ages. LCB offers a truly unique opportunity for dancers to gain valuable early experience of life as part of a professional company, alongside their regular classes. Company members receive over 100 hours of FREE expert coaching on Sunday afternoons; there is NO FEE, making LCB accessible to all. LCB welcomes newcomers and dancers of all levels at audition.

A company of 60 dancers will be selected at auditions in Autumn 2018 and a further 48 dancers will be offered places in one of LCB's four LCB Touring Companies.

About this season

In July 2019, as part of our 25th anniversary celebrations, LCB will be staging one of its most popular original two-act ballets, Ballet Shoes, which will be performed to the music of a live orchestra at The Peacock in the West End from 4-7 July 2019. Birmingham Royal Ballet First Artist, Ruth Brill, will be reviving Cathy Marston's original 2001 choreography. Ruth played the leading role of Pauline Fossil in the 2001 when she was just 12 years old and credits her experience with LCB as why she decided to pursue her career in ballet and we are delighted to have her on board. 

Audition dates

Audition registration deadline: 10am, 15 October 2018
First round auditions: Sunday 28 October & Sunday 4 November
Final auditions: Sunday 18 November

Please check the rehearsal schedule and production dates before registering to ensure there aren't clashes with yours or your child's schedule. 

Would you like to share the word about LCB auditions? You can find a flyer with all the information about our 2018 auditions here. 

About LCB auditions

LCB holds open auditions each year for girls aged 9-14 and boys aged 9-16. We welcome audition candidates of all levels of experiences and all shapes and sizes. The judging panel looks for good technique, but they also look for that extra something special that makes a dancer beautiful to watch regardless of shape or size. The stories we choose are full of different kinds of characters, and this is taken into account when selecting our Company.

Auditions are held annually from the end of October and over November. Preliminary auditions are split over two weekends and involve two rounds. Candidates receive a results email or letter in the post, depending on how they registered. Depending on the numbers of children auditioning, final auditions will either take place on the same day or on a dedicated finals day. The new company is selected from this final audition.

Though auditions are competitive, judges are not looking just for technique; they are also trying to spot children who have a wonderful star quality that makes them appealing to watch. Children of all shapes and sizes are welcome to audition. Judges also take into consideration a child’s experience and level of training. If you are thinking about auditioning, take a look at some of our top tips!

Audition Tips
 

The LCB judging panel is not looking for perfect dancers with perfect ballet bodies. Though they do look for good technique, they are also spotting things like a dancer’s ability to learn new steps, personality, grace, musicality and that special something that makes a dancer beautiful to watch.

Many dancers who come to audition with LCB don’t make it to the second round for very simple and avoidable reasons. Here are a few things to think about.

1. If you don’t have amazing ballet feet, that’s ok, but you must make sure that you are using what you have as best you can. Stretch your feet in every step and jump. The judges are never impressed with flapping feet, no matter how old you are.
2. Try to learn the steps while they are being demonstrated so you can really perform them when it comes to your turn. It is obvious to the judges if you are copying other people in your line or if you have your eyes fixed on the teacher at the front. If you are copying, it also ruins your line and your ability to perform.
3. It is ok if you make a mistake or forget a step. It is obvious to the judges if you are a beautiful dancer who just makes a mistake, and you won’t be penalised for it.
4. If you have a natural smile, use it! However, a peaceful lovely expression is much more appealing than a forced grin, so enjoy the experience and show how much you love dancing. Being part of LCB is a huge privilege, so the judges want to make sure that they choose children who will get the most out of the opportunity. Although you may love to dance, if you have a worried or very serious expression the judges won’t know. Ask your teacher or a parent to watch you while you dance and let you know if you look worried or not.
5. For those in the 9 and 10 year old categories, take some time to look at your posture in the mirror before you come to audition. Are you holding your stomach in? Do your shoulders stay down when you do a port de bras exercise? Are your knees pulled up? When you jump, are both of your legs straight and your feet pointed? These are some basics that will help you look like a dancer from the start.

Good luck!

Visit YouTube to view some our audition clips and other LCB videos.