Audition 101: It takes confidence and passion

Singing, dancing or acting in front of an anonymous panel of judges can be nerve-wracking.
But nerves rarely know best.

Panels are forming across campus to select a new batch of talent, and the last thing they want is for potential recruits to be nervous. UNC performance groups say confidence and passion are as important as talent for a successful audition.

Preparation

Susan Klebanow, chair of choral activities and head of choral auditions, said her process is very informal.

“We ask students to sing something that they know,” she said. “That ranges from a piece they know or have sung in a previous choir, to Happy Birthday or Amazing Grace.”

The Loreleis, UNC’s oldest all-female a cappella group, also hold their try-outs in a casual atmosphere.

Before asking a girl to sing a pop song of their choice, the Loreleis want to hear about her life and interests.

“We like to know a little bit about the girl, that they’ll get along with the group and that we’ll enjoy their company,” assistant music director Mindy Roth, a sophomore, said.

Klebanow and Roth both note that they are looking for comfortable, confident singers.

Performance

T“he Kamikazi Hip Hop Dance Team”:Kamikazi Hip Hop Dance Team, which focuses on Japanese-based hip-hop dance, asks its recruits to attend choreography sessions.

The dancers are taught a short routine, which they perform from memory in front of the judges. Each dancer is also allotted two eight-count beats for a freestyle dance.

“We look for attitude, performance styles, the general aura,” said sophomore Lexi Sydow, communications coordinator for Kamikazi.

The 30 or so dancers who make the final cut are clean and precise in their movements, and show a creative personal style that will add to the group dynamic, Sydow said.

Patience

After seeing between 20 and 100 auditions each, these groups are as ready to make their final decisions as candidates are to hear them.

“I will be auditioning from morn until evening Monday through Friday,” Klebanow said.

The Loreleis, too, see masses of students trying out. Despite the overwhelming numbers, Roth encourages prospective singers to come out.

“A great thing to keep in mind is that everyone in the room has been in that position, we have all felt that nervous,” Roth said. “We feel the best about you when you feel the best about you.

“Even if you don’t think you have it, we’ll find it.”