How to Dance With a Ballroom Dance Team

Getting Ready for the Audition

Search for ballroom dancing teams in your area. Look for universities, community centers, or other local teams that focus on ballroom dancing. Check to see what requirements these teams have for auditioning and joining, so you can find a group that’s a good fit for your personal interests and goals. A lot of ballroom dance teams are connected to universities, and require you to be enrolled at the school in order to audition. You may have more luck finding ballroom dancing clubs in your area. These organizations are more focused on ballroom dancing as a hobby, and less about competing.

Check to see if there are any skill level requirements. Read the fine print on the team’s website and see if they accept dancers of all skill levels, or if they only want experienced dancers to apply. Don’t worry if you don’t have a lot of experience under your belt—some teams will accept and coach people who are still learning the basics of ballroom dancing. If the team’s website doesn’t specify a skill requirement, reach out via email or social media to double-check. For instance, you can say something like: “Hello! I’m very interested in joining your ballroom dance team, but I didn’t see any information about skill requirements. I’m a beginner at ballroom dancing, but I’m looking to expand my repertoire.”

Sign up for auditions if the company is holding them. Look online for a sign-up sheet, or see if you need to register for auditions in-person. Take note of your audition date and time so you can prepare ahead of time! Make sure you have enough time to prepare for your audition. If you’re a beginner at ballroom dancing, you may not want to sign up for auditions that are a week away. Study the specific types of ballroom dancing required for the audition, like the cha-cha and American-style waltz.

Register for dance classes if the organization hosts them. Check the ballroom dance team’s website to see what kind of resources they have available, like dance classes. Sign up for the class if there’s room available, so you can get to know the instructors and leaders of the organization. Keep in mind that these classes won’t guarantee you a spot on the team, but will help you network with others and improve your skills! Dance classes are a great way to practice and ask for pointers if you’re thinking about joining the team.

Train for your audition in the weeks beforehand. Set a practice schedule for yourself depending on how complex the audition is. Practice the different styles required for the audition until you feel comfortable and confident. For instance, you can spend 1-2 days each week practicing the cha cha, and another 1-2 days practicing the waltz.Tip: If you’re really committed to your audition, you may want to cross-train so you’re in good shape for your audition! Try biking, swimming, running, and weight lifting to improve your dancing physique.

Nailing Your Audition

Arrive at your audition early and well-rested. Try to get 8 hours of sleep the night before, even if you’re nervous. Set an alarm on your phone so you remember to show up at least 15 minutes early. Take this extra time to stretch and get focused, so you’ll be ready to go when your name is called. It’s also important to stay hydrated and eat healthy meals throughout the day so you feel stable when you start dancing.

Show off your moves at the audition. Follow the judges’ instructions and show off the requested dance. The audition format will likely vary depending on the specific team you’re auditioning for, so try to go into your audition with an open mind. For instance, they may ask you to start dancing the cha cha, and then end your audition by doing the waltz. Some auditions may have you dance with a partner, while others may look at your solo skills. Talk to a member of the team to get an idea of what process to expect during your audition.

Wait to hear back from the dance team. Give the team a week or 2 to put their final roster together after the auditions are over. Try not to stress about the final results too much. If you don’t make the team, ask an instructor or leader for tips on how you can improve your audition next time around. For example, you can say something like: “Thanks so much for your consideration during the audition process. Is there anything I should focus on in future auditions?”

Attend rehearsals and competitions if you make the team. Speak with the leaders of your dance team to find out what the rehearsal schedule is, and how often you meet to practice. Meet and practice with your team on a regular basis, then attend competitions to show off your skills!

Go to social dances even if you don’t make the team. Check the dance team’s schedule and see if they’re holding any social dances, or dances that are held for fun instead of competition. Show up at these dances to have a relaxing, fun time with your peers and fellow ballroom dancing enthusiasts!