Hey i'm going to audition for the central ballet school next year and was just wondering if anyone has before ? If you have could you please give me any information about auditions ? Like what level is the ballet class or certain things they expect from you, and look for ?

Thanks in advance xxxxx

I auditioned for Central. The audition takes the format of a class with a barre, centre port de bras, adage, pirouettes, petit allegro, allegro and grand allegro. Then you do a stretching section and a short contemporary section. You have to do some pointe work too.

They look for a really solid technique but also a dancer with some flair and personality.

I think the steps of the enchainments in the audition are pretty easy but they expect them to be done PERFECTLY! Most people who audition are Advanced 1 or Advanced 2 RAD level.

In pointe work you'll be expected to be able to do pirouettes on pointe, chaines on pointe and basic releve exercises.

In adage they get you to hold everything for AGES to see how strong your technique is so you will be holding your arabesques for what seems like hours! For me this was the hardest section!

In allegro everything was pretty easy and finished with grand jetes one-by-one from the corner.

If you get throught the first audition there is a final audition and an interview. The final audiiton is much more challenging and they push you really hard to see how you react.

The most important thing to remember in auditions is to keep focused. Concentrate on your own tecnhique and performance and do not be phased by others. Arrive early and give yourself plenty of time to warm-up. Find somewhere on your own to warm-up, put in headphones and again ignore everyone else. Its very easy to get intimidated and if you lose your focus you don't stand a chance!

Best of luck in your auditions!