Navigating Dance Auditions: From High School to College to Pro
This blog explores the evolving landscape of dance auditions, from high school to college to professional teams, highlighting key differences in expectations, competition, and preparation at each stage. Featuring insights from experts like Denver Broncos Cheerleader coach Emily Gibbs, it provides actionable strategies to help dancers successfully navigate these transitions and stand out in competitive auditions.
The world of dance auditions changes dramatically as you progress through different stages of your career. What works for high school team auditions often falls short when you're trying to make a college team, and the professional world is an entirely different playing field. Understanding these differences is crucial for dancers who dream of taking their passion all the way to the professional level.
High School to College: The First Big Leap
High school dance teams typically focus on technical basics, enthusiasm, and potential. When you audition for your high school team, coaches are often looking for dancers who show promise and dedication, even if technique isn't fully polished.
In college, however, the expectations shift significantly:
Technical requirements intensify: College teams expect strong technical foundations already in place.
Competition heightens: You're now competing against dancers from across the country, many with years of studio training.
Stylistic specificity: College teams often have very particular stylistic requirements that align with their performance identity.
Physical fitness standards: Collegiate programs place much greater emphasis on athleticism and stamina.
Professional presentation: Your entire package matters—from how you communicate with coaches to your social media presence.
College auditions also tend to be more structured, often involving multiple cuts over several days, learning combinations at a much faster pace, and sometimes including interview portions that high school auditions rarely feature.
College to Pro: Entering the Business
The jump from college to professional auditions represents an even more dramatic shift. As Emily Gibbs, current Denver Broncos Cheerleader coach, emphasizes, you're not just trying out for a team—you're applying for a job.
Professional auditions for NFL, NBA, and similar teams involve:
Identity as an entertainer: Being comfortable in your own skin and knowing who you are as a performer.
Game knowledge: Deep understanding the sport is essential—knowing when to cheer, when to be quiet, and respecting the flow of the game.
Crowd leadership: Demonstrating your ability to engage and lead fans rather than just showcasing technical skills.
Well-roundedness: It's no longer just about tricks and turns but about your complete package as an entertainer.
Marketability: Professional teams consider how you'll represent their brand on and off the field.
Business understanding: Deep knowledge of the specific sport, organization history, and professional expectations.
Multi-stage processes: Pro auditions can span weeks or months with training camps and probationary periods.
Expert Insights: Bridging Different Worlds
To successfully navigate these transitions, dancers need insight from those who have firsthand experience at multiple levels. In our Pro Pointers series, we've been fortunate to feature experts who offer invaluable perspectives on what it takes to succeed at each stage.
Emily Gibbs brings particularly valuable insight as someone who has coached at both the University of Colorado and now with the Denver Broncos. She emphasizes that the jump to the pro world is significant. While college teams focus on developing dancers' technical skills while representing university spirit, professional teams like NFL and NBA squads are looking for confident entertainers who understand their role in the larger game experience.
One of Emily's key insights is that pro auditions aren't always about being the best technical dancer in the room. Instead, judges want to see if you're well-rounded, have knowledge about the sport, and can translate your collegiate experiences to the professional environment. For example, a dancer who has performed at College Game Day can highlight that experience to showcase their ability to perform in high-pressure, high-energy environments in front of large crowds.
Preparing for Your Next Level
Regardless of where you are in your journey, preparation is key to successful transitions. Here are some strategies for approaching your next-level audition:
Study the team extensively: Understand their specific style, team “look,” community involvement, time commitment, and what makes them unique.
Connect with current or former members: Insight from those who've been there is invaluable.
Work with coaches who understand your target level: Training with someone who knows the specific requirements makes a tremendous difference.
Develop appropriate supplementary skills: Public speaking, media training, sport knowledge, physical fitness, and interpersonal communication abilities are a few examples.
Highlight relevant experiences: As Emily suggests, emphasize experiences like College Game Day that demonstrate you can perform on big stages.
Be authentic: Know who you are and be comfortable in your own skin as an entertainer.
Understand the sport: Demonstrate knowledge of the game and your role within it.
At Studio 2 Stadium, we're committed to helping dancers navigate these critical transitions successfully. Our upcoming Virtual Workshop & Workbook will provide detailed guidance specifically targeted at the high school to college transition, helping aspiring collegiate dancers understand and prepare for this significant jump. Unlike other resources, this program is designed to break down the nuances of recruitment, training expectations, and key decision-making factors that dancers need to consider when moving to the next level.
Through resources like our Pro Pointers series, featuring experts like Emily Gibbs, we continue to bridge the knowledge gap between different levels of the dance world, ensuring our community has access to insights that can help them advance their careers with confidence.
Whether you're preparing for your first college audition or setting your sights on professional opportunities with NFL, NBA, or other pro teams, understanding these differences in expectations, preparation, and execution can give you the edge you need to stand out in increasingly competitive environments.
Remember—success at any level comes from a combination of talent, preparation, and understanding exactly what the specific opportunity requires. The more you know about the world you're trying to enter, the better positioned you'll be to make your mark.