X-TENSION DANCE COMPANY
OBJECTIVE: X-Tension Dance Company is an intensive, performance based company geared toward training those who aspire to dance professionally, be accepted into a college dance program, teach dance or simply for those who love dance, enjoy discipline and hard work and want to be pushed to reach their full potential while gaining strong bonds with dance friends. Community outreach performances as well as dance concerts, field trips and other activities to further educate in the art of dance are part of the company’s agenda.
DIVISIONS: X1 & X2
X-Tension 1 (X1) is open to dancers in 7th - 12th grade who demonstrate a high level of skills determined through the audition process. They have a more intensive rehearsal and class schedule than X-Tension 2 (X2) and have more performance opportunities. X2 is open to dancers in grades 5 -12. Their rehearsal schedule is a little less intense than X1. Being in X2 is a great start to the dance company experience and includes additional performing opportunities.
DIVISIONS: X1 & X2
X-Tension 1 (X1) is open to dancers in 7th - 12th grade who demonstrate a high level of skills determined through the audition process. They have a more intensive rehearsal and class schedule than X-Tension 2 (X2) and have more performance opportunities. X2 is open to dancers in grades 5 -12. Their rehearsal schedule is a little less intense than X1. Being in X2 is a great start to the dance company experience and includes additional performing opportunities.
Audition Details
What to expect at the Audition:
Auditions will begin with a Ballet Class. Barre, Center and Across the Floor combinations will be taught. Next, dancers will be asked to perform combinations that were taught ahead of time during the "Audition Preparation Workshop". If you can't make it to the "Audition Preparation Workshop" on Tuesday May 24th from 5:30-8:00pm, let us know and we will send you links to videos so that you can learn the combinations on your own. An improvisation exercise will be included. Dancers may be asked to perform specific skills and will also have an opportunity to show us any skills they want us to know about!
What to Bring:
1. Audition form (See link below.)
2. A non-returnable Head Shot
3. Resume (No more than 1 page. Scroll for Resume Tips.)
4. $10 Audition Fee
5. All dance shoes
6. Water Bottle
7. A Great Attitude!
CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO GO TO THE AUDITION FORM. Please print and bring it with you to the audition.
docs.google.com/document/d/1gqKASuTr7ON7eHyxcidPK70zfBEJ4054ufFk8Xb7Pk4/edit?usp=sharing
What to Wear:
Girls: Solid colored leotard and tights. Hair should be completely pulled up off of face and neck. No long ponytails please. No bras or underwear should be visible. Sports bras are OK as long as they are a solid dark color (black is preferred).
Boys: Solid colored, form fitting t-shirt or tank top, and solid colored bike shorts.
X-Tension 1 Dancers should have all or most of the following skills:
All of the listed skills for X2
Consistent Double or triple Pirouettes (turned out and parallel)
Splits
Grand Jete
Grand Battement
Strong Ballet technique w/ understanding of various positions, jumps, turns, petite allegro and adagio
Good performance skills including facial and body energy
Strong background in Jazz or Modern
Willingness to get out of comfort zone and try new styles
Strong sense of Musicality and connecting movement with music
Strong Improvisation skills
Specific skills also include Calypsos, Toe Touches, Switch leaps, C-Jumps, Partnering or a willingness to gain partnering skills
X-Tension 2 Dancers should have all or most of the following skills:
Basic Ballet technique including Tendu, Degage, Ronde Jambe, Pique, Chaine & Sutenu Turns
Ballet Jumps (Changement, Sissone, Assemble, Glissade)
Good movement quality (hitting specific lines, moving smoothly from one position to the next with the music)
Facial and body energy
Strong single or double pirouettes in parallel or turned out
Basic Jazz technique skills (Chasses, Grapevines, Pas de Bouree, Contract and release, Use of levels, Jazz splits)
Bonus skills include Toe Touches, Leaps in 2nd, Splits on both sides
10 Audition Tips:
1. Be early and start warming up on your own. This says a lot to us about your reliability.
2. Happily try everything even if you have never learned the steps before. We can learn a lot about you and our ability to work with you by your enthusiasm and effort.
3. Make eye contact. It lets us know you are really paying attention.
4. Don’t stand with your arms folded. It comes across like you are bored.
5. Smile a lot and be friendly to the other dancers. We want to know you will be a good team player and supportive of everyone.
6. Don’t make excuses for not knowing something or for doing it wrong. If you’re going to mess up, do it big and with a lot of energy. Holding back and giving excuses is a sign that you may not be willing to give your all when learning new things.
7. Come dressed appropriately with no jewelry. It shows that you take pride in your appearance and respect our requests.
8. If you have a question, don’t be afraid to ask at an appropriate time. Chances are someone else has the same question. Be sure to listen when others are asking questions.
9. Be polite and respectful. Don’t talk.
10. Take a few minutes prior to the audition to get yourself in the right frame of mind. Be positive and visualize yourself being successful at everything. Try not to let other dancers’ abilities intimidate you. If that is hard for you, try not to watch anyone else and pretend you are the only one in the room. Sometimes watching others can help you, but every person is different.
**If you do all of these things and you do not get into the company, don’t give up. Continue to perfect your technical skills, practice more at home and take as many classes as you can. Ask us for feedback. For several reasons, we have a very limited number of spaces in the company. Please try again next year! Your chances for success will improve with each year as long as you continue to work hard:) We have had dancers audition several times before getting into the company. They are always the hardest workers!
Resume Tips: Include as many of the following as you can:
* Any shows or performances you have been involved in & what you did in the show
* Your training - with whom, what styles and for how long.
* Training in other art forms – singing, acting, martial arts, painting, etc.
* Involvement in sports or other non-arts related activities
* Any special academic awards or other awards
* Any special skills you have – examples: speak another language, hoola hoop, skate
board, gymnastics, etc.
What to expect at the Audition:
Auditions will begin with a Ballet Class. Barre, Center and Across the Floor combinations will be taught. Next, dancers will be asked to perform combinations that were taught ahead of time during the "Audition Preparation Workshop". If you can't make it to the "Audition Preparation Workshop" on Tuesday May 24th from 5:30-8:00pm, let us know and we will send you links to videos so that you can learn the combinations on your own. An improvisation exercise will be included. Dancers may be asked to perform specific skills and will also have an opportunity to show us any skills they want us to know about!
What to Bring:
1. Audition form (See link below.)
2. A non-returnable Head Shot
3. Resume (No more than 1 page. Scroll for Resume Tips.)
4. $10 Audition Fee
5. All dance shoes
6. Water Bottle
7. A Great Attitude!
CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO GO TO THE AUDITION FORM. Please print and bring it with you to the audition.
docs.google.com/document/d/1gqKASuTr7ON7eHyxcidPK70zfBEJ4054ufFk8Xb7Pk4/edit?usp=sharing
What to Wear:
Girls: Solid colored leotard and tights. Hair should be completely pulled up off of face and neck. No long ponytails please. No bras or underwear should be visible. Sports bras are OK as long as they are a solid dark color (black is preferred).
Boys: Solid colored, form fitting t-shirt or tank top, and solid colored bike shorts.
X-Tension 1 Dancers should have all or most of the following skills:
All of the listed skills for X2
Consistent Double or triple Pirouettes (turned out and parallel)
Splits
Grand Jete
Grand Battement
Strong Ballet technique w/ understanding of various positions, jumps, turns, petite allegro and adagio
Good performance skills including facial and body energy
Strong background in Jazz or Modern
Willingness to get out of comfort zone and try new styles
Strong sense of Musicality and connecting movement with music
Strong Improvisation skills
Specific skills also include Calypsos, Toe Touches, Switch leaps, C-Jumps, Partnering or a willingness to gain partnering skills
X-Tension 2 Dancers should have all or most of the following skills:
Basic Ballet technique including Tendu, Degage, Ronde Jambe, Pique, Chaine & Sutenu Turns
Ballet Jumps (Changement, Sissone, Assemble, Glissade)
Good movement quality (hitting specific lines, moving smoothly from one position to the next with the music)
Facial and body energy
Strong single or double pirouettes in parallel or turned out
Basic Jazz technique skills (Chasses, Grapevines, Pas de Bouree, Contract and release, Use of levels, Jazz splits)
Bonus skills include Toe Touches, Leaps in 2nd, Splits on both sides
10 Audition Tips:
1. Be early and start warming up on your own. This says a lot to us about your reliability.
2. Happily try everything even if you have never learned the steps before. We can learn a lot about you and our ability to work with you by your enthusiasm and effort.
3. Make eye contact. It lets us know you are really paying attention.
4. Don’t stand with your arms folded. It comes across like you are bored.
5. Smile a lot and be friendly to the other dancers. We want to know you will be a good team player and supportive of everyone.
6. Don’t make excuses for not knowing something or for doing it wrong. If you’re going to mess up, do it big and with a lot of energy. Holding back and giving excuses is a sign that you may not be willing to give your all when learning new things.
7. Come dressed appropriately with no jewelry. It shows that you take pride in your appearance and respect our requests.
8. If you have a question, don’t be afraid to ask at an appropriate time. Chances are someone else has the same question. Be sure to listen when others are asking questions.
9. Be polite and respectful. Don’t talk.
10. Take a few minutes prior to the audition to get yourself in the right frame of mind. Be positive and visualize yourself being successful at everything. Try not to let other dancers’ abilities intimidate you. If that is hard for you, try not to watch anyone else and pretend you are the only one in the room. Sometimes watching others can help you, but every person is different.
**If you do all of these things and you do not get into the company, don’t give up. Continue to perfect your technical skills, practice more at home and take as many classes as you can. Ask us for feedback. For several reasons, we have a very limited number of spaces in the company. Please try again next year! Your chances for success will improve with each year as long as you continue to work hard:) We have had dancers audition several times before getting into the company. They are always the hardest workers!
Resume Tips: Include as many of the following as you can:
* Any shows or performances you have been involved in & what you did in the show
* Your training - with whom, what styles and for how long.
* Training in other art forms – singing, acting, martial arts, painting, etc.
* Involvement in sports or other non-arts related activities
* Any special academic awards or other awards
* Any special skills you have – examples: speak another language, hoola hoop, skate
board, gymnastics, etc.
