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Our Contemporary category includes: ​
  • Contemporary
  • Lyrical
  • Modern
  • Improvisation
Five dancers perform contemporary dance on stage.

CONTEMPORARY AUDITION

Level 3

To place in a Level 3, dancers must demonstrate: 

  • All of the above. 

  • Plus: battement and extensions at maximum height (~ 180 degrees)

  • Exceptional height and positioning of leaps

  • Additional skills such as: tilts, fouettes

  • Demonstrates advanced understanding of movement texture ie. smooth vs sharp

  • Exceptional ability to emote throughout all movement

  • Can properly execute advanced and experimental/improved floor work

  • Ability to effortlessly transition between levels smoothly and with control (ex. floor to stand)

  • Exceptional ability to pick up choreography quickly

  • Advanced ability with improv

  • A minimum performance score of 4 out of 5

Level 2

  • All of the above. 

  • Plus: double turn, battement and extensions at above 90 degree height

  • Correct positioning of turning jumps (i.e. calypso, turning jete’s, etc.)

  • Additional skills such as: penche arabesque, tour en l’airs, tour jetes

  • Above average understanding of movement texture ie. smooth vs sharp

  • Emotes throughout all movement

  • Can properly execute basic floor work (ex. shoulder roll) 

  • Ability to transition between levels smoothly and with control (ex. floor to stand)

  • Ability to pick up choreography quickly

  • Comfortable with improv

  • A minimum performance score of 3 out of 5

To place in a Level 2, dancers must demonstrate:

Level 1

  • Single turn (including spotting technique and clean/controlled landing)

  • Feet in proper position (pointed/flexed or placement of 1st, 2nd, 4th & 5th positions)

  • Legs in proper position (straight on leaps and kicks unless in attitude or developpe)

  • Correct arm location and positioning in choreography and skills

  • Proper form on leaps (ability to execute a straight leg and a developpe leap/jete)

  • Battements and extensions at a minimum height of 90 degrees in all directions

  • Proper alignment and posture

  • Ability to transition between levels (ex. floor to stand)

  • Ability to demonstrate appropriate movement texture ie. smooth vs sharp

  • Ability to convey emotion while dancing

  • Ability to pick up choreography

  • A minimum performance score of 2 out of 5

To place in a Level 1, dancers must demonstrate:

The Contemporary audition will begin with a short series of skills and progressions. These are performed across the floor in groups of 2-3. Dancers will then learn a combo and perform it twice, in groups of 4-6. The combo will also include a few counts of 8 of improvisation.

Dancer in Alice costume performs on stage with other dancers.
"I finally made the decision to audition when I was looking for something to call my own after having my first child. I didn't realize how badly I missed being a part of a dance group until I joined OnStage. Now I can't envision life without it."

Melissa D., joined 2018

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