Auditions
LCB auditions are now closed!
Registration for LCB's 2018 production of The Canterville Ghost is now closed! Auditions are taking place in Autumn 2017 (dates below).
We look forward to seeing all registered dancers at the auditions in October and November.
About the ballet
In April 2018, LCB will be staging one of its most beautiful original two-act ballets, The Canterville Ghost, which will be performed to the music of a live orchestra at The Peacock in the West End from 19-22 April 2018. The music for The Canterville Ghost was written for LCB by composer Artem Vassiliev in 2006, and the original choreography was created by David Fielding, a former Birmingham Royal Ballet dancer, and will be revived this season.
A company of 60 dancers will be selected at auditions in Autumn 2017. A further 48 dancers have been offered places in one of LCB's four LCB2 Touring Companies.
Audition dates
Please note, audition groups are set according to a child's age on 1 January 2018.
- Sunday 29 October 2017: First Round: Girls aged 9, 11,13
- Sunday 5 November 2017: First Round: Girls aged 10, 12, 14 and Boys all ages
- Sunday 19 November 2017: Finals
- Sunday 3 December: Casting
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.