Ask and you shall receive! We asked our readers what they’d like to see more of and audition tips was the #1 answer. Here are some fabulous tips from our favorite musical theater intensive director, Matthew Prescott!
1. What was your path to becoming a professional?
I grew up in a small rural town in Idaho. I started taking classes at my local studio when I was pretty young. I left home when I was 15 to attend Interlochen Arts Academy, a performing arts high school in Michigan. Either small regional summer dance camps or summer ballet intensives have always been a part of my summers including both the Joffrey Midwest and Joffrey Ballet School NYC summer intensives. I attended the Joffrey/New School University in its inaugural year before joining the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago directed by founder Mr. Arpino.
2. What inspired you to be a professional dancer?
My first inspirations were the old Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire movies. I was also very moved by Gene Kelly.
3. What are a few tips for attracting positive attention from the auditioner?
Smile!!! So many times the nerves of auditioning take over and the dancers can become very cold. Brighten yourself with a smile. Light makeup also helps achieve this for the ladies. KNOW THE COMBINATIONS!!!! Being the smartest/quickest person in the room always gets my attention.
4. What’s your trick for pre-audition anxiety?
There aren’t really any tricks to auditioning. Take a deep breath and just do it! Practice helps. The more you audition the more you find what works for you. Ultimately, you should highlight the brightest thing about yourself. You are unique. Your individuality is what you are selling.
5. If you could give an audition tip to moms, what would it be?
Relax! Your child feels your emotions. Be supportive of them 100%. We couldn’t do it without you.
6. What are the qualities that stand out most to you?
A dancer’s commitment to be themselves and to go for whatever task they are given 100%. I want to see attention to detail and the hunger to work hard in a student’s eyes.
Matthew Prescott
Instagram: @musicaltheaternyc Twitter: @BroadwayMT_NYC
NYC Musical Theater Intensive
Founded in 1953 by Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino, Joffrey Ballet School maintains the vision of its founders to transform passionate dance students into versatile, individualistic artists able to collaborate and evolve fluidly in a fast-changing society. With an accredited dance program that offers two core areas of study – ballet and jazz/contemporary – JBS is known for its diverse curriculum and has the largest summer intensive training program in the country.
