⏸️ Auditions coming up? Press the “Unpanic” Button
August 2026
You have been enjoying your summer, as you should…
Huntington Library
…but you are starting to see “back-to-school” supplies and ads pop up everywhere. Some stores have Halloween displays up. It might as well be Thanksgiving, December holidays, or New Year’s decor at this point, oh no, I’ll never be ready for my high school or college audition…
Stop! Put on the brakes!
Press the “unpanic” button.
Try this reset I learned from Dance Educator Dr. Diane Duggan at NYU called the 4 B’s: Brakes - Breathe - Brain - Body.
Put on the brakes and pause yourself right where you are and press your hands against each other in front of your chest for about 10 counts. (isometric/equal pressure)
Take 3-5 intentional breaths. Focus on your inhale and exhale.
Put your hands on your head and put slight pressure on your skull to calm your brain for about 10 counts.
Give yourself a hug, yes really squeeze your body, for about 10 counts.
You have time.
Yield to the process.
There are deadlines for auditions that you have to keep on top of for sure. I like to use a 3-Month Audition Prep Timeline for high school and college auditions, but don’t be worried if you feel like you are behind. You got this!
The 3-Month Audition Prep Timeline
Work backwards from your application deadline:
(If you don’t have three months, compress the following timeline to fit your remaining weeks until the due date.)
Step 1 (Month 1 of 3)
Take dance technique class at least once each week, and treat it like an in-person audition
Read through the entire application
List out the requirements
Learn any mandatory choreography
Record any mandatory choreography, watch it back, and make any necessary adjustments to performance and technique
Begin creating original choreography
Keep a notebook of your ideas
Step 2 (Month 2 of 3)
Take dance technique class at least once each week, and treat it like an in-person audition
Review the application requirements
Record final version of mandatory choreography (make sure you are in a space in which you can perform fully)
Complete original choreography
Record original choreography, watch it back, and make any necessary adjustments to performance and technique
Step 3 (Month 3 of 3)
Take dance technique class at least once each week, and treat it like an in-person audition
Record final version of original choreography (make sure you are in a space in which you can perform fully)
Upload your recorded videos and finalize the application
Review the required choreography and your original choreography in case you have an in-person callback
Double check and submit your application before the deadline (if there are glitches, you will have time to figure it out)
Celebrate! You did your best!
Still feeling some pressure, or want to get ahead of it? I get it - all of this is much easier said than done.
If you’re looking for accountability, guidance, and hand holding for you or your soon-to-be high-schooler or college student, fill out this form and let me know!
I would love to learn more about your goals and see how I can help. With 18+ years of teaching, choreographing, guiding students through this process, I have a full audition prep blueprint, customizable to your needs.
Looking forward to hearing from you!