Auditions

KEY DATES

Preliminary auditions: By video

Deadline for audition applications: January 24, 2021 (at 11.59 p.m.)

Final audition: update

Written confirmation of final results: Mid-March, 2021

registration to the audition

Photo: Adéral Piot | Dancer: Brontë Poiré-Prest

PRELIMINARY AUDITION by video

Please send us a complete application no later than the date mentionned at the top of the page, along with the link (Youtube, Vimeo...) of your 15-minute video. The video must include the components below. 

FINAL AUDITION

Whether candidates are accepted or not, all are informed in writing of the results of their preliminary audition. Two weeks before the preliminary audition in Montreal, approximately fourty people will receive a written invitation to take part in the final audition, which is held over three days. Candidates must be present for the entire event.

1- Technique class 

The combinations for the technique classes for the final audition are more difficult than those for the preliminary audition, but the evaluation criteria remain the same.

2- Repertory class 

A choreography from the School's repertory is taught to the candidates by a faculty member. This activity serves to verify the candidates’ sense of movement, performance qualities, memorization abilities, coordination and musicality.

3- Improvisation class 

4- Composition class 

The composition activity is a collaborative exercise in which candidates are asked to create a short choreography both in smaller groups and as a whole. It serves to evaluate the candidates’ ability to work as a team, their communication skills and their openness.

5- PHYSICAL EVALUATION

6- Solo

Each candidate invited to the final auditions must perform a two-minute solo in contemporary dance before the evaluation committee. This may be their own creation or that of a choreographer. For the solo, the candidate may send their music digitally or bring it on a cellular, a CD or a Mp3 player. Wearing a costume is not permitted.

7- Individual interview 

The interview is intended to determine the motivation and personal objectives of the candidates. This is also an opportunity to answer their questions and provide information about certain aspects of the program.

Limited enrollment: twenty spaces are available in total. Twenty candidates will thus be invited to register for the program and a certain number of qualified candidates will be placed on a waiting list. Candidates on the waiting list will be called if any of the accepted candidates decline.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please wear the appropriate attire (unitard, leotard, etc.). Applicants may change and leave their street clothes in the changing rooms during the audition. Applicants are required to dance barefoot. However, please bring appropriate footwear for walking between studios. We strongly recommend that you bring your own water and food with you. A microwave oven, refrigerator and beverage vending machine are available for your use.

A maximum of 25 students will be invited to enrol in the program. A certain number of qualified candidates will be put on a waiting list and contacted should a place become available. Please do not call for your audition result.
Considering the large number of applications and the nature of the information in question, no audition results or feedback concerning the auditions will be given over the phone.

Photo: Luc Lavergne | Dancers: Catherine Dagenais-Savard, Sovann Rochon-Prom Tep

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Physical potential

• Posture Mobility of torso, limbs and pelvis
• Neuromuscular control and tone
• Coordination
• Efficiency of movement

Technical skills

• In-depth knowledge of the basic vocabulary common to modern, classical and jazz techniques (pliés, legwork, turns, jumps, adages and floor work)
• Ability to dance to different tempos
• Dynamics
• Memorization

Creativity and originality

• Ability to improvise through exploring personal gesture

• Ability to interact with other dancers, space and music while still focussing on one’s own movements

Personal expression

• Expressiveness
• Ability to express oneself through improvisation
• Ability to convey feelings, emotions and ideas through movement

Open-mindedness

• Responsiveness
• Sensitivity to others
• Ability to listen actively and be open to others’ ideas
• Experimentation and willingness to try new things