Frequently Asked (Audition) Questions

Who may audition?

Any current UNI student who loves to dance and perform and is interested in becoming part of both a performance company and a social organization may audition for Orchesis. There are no weight or height restrictions and differently-abled dancers are encouraged to attend auditions. Orchesis members must audition and be accepted as full company members (a dancer may be accepted into Orchesis as an apprentice) for two years -- four consecutive semesters. Once a member has been accepted into Orchesis for two years, then she/he may opt out of the audition.

What is involved in auditions?

Auditions consist of a ballet barre, modern dance problem solving exercises, a jazz combination and a tap combination. All dancers are required to participate in the ballet, modern and jazz portions of the audition. Dancers are encouraged to try the tap for fun. Open auditions are held for two nights and dancers are encouraged to attend both nights of auditions, if possible. Please bring ballet slippers and/or jazz shoes to the audition (tap dancers bring tap shoes as well). Clothing can consist of non-restrictive dance pants and camisole or tank (please no baggy shirts, skirts or pants). Each dancer must complete an audition form and receives a corresponding number to wear for identifying purposes only.

Who does the judging?

Auditions are adjucated by a panel of judges made up of the Orchesis director, IDT director, YPDT director, past Orchesis president and one person outside of the dance program.

What are the judges looking for?

Each judge is looking for something different, based on her or his own dance experience. Some judges look for an overall technical dance ability, others look for a dancer's problem-solving skills, still others look for how a dancer handles stress or unfamiliar movement. The number one quality that is important to all judges is the dancer's willingness to tackle any movement, regardless of the dancer's skill level or knowledge of the dance style, and the dancer's attitude (a positive attitude is best, of course).

Do I need to know all dance styles to make it into Orchesis?

You need not know all dance styles to make it into Orchesis or to audition for Orchesis. Again, we are looking for a willingness to dance, not a "know-it-all" dancer. Attitude is more important than arabesque!

Do I need to be at both Open Audition nights?

We encourage you to attend both audition nights, but it is not required that you be there. Remember, the more we see you, the better we get to know you as a dancer and the better qualified we are to judge your abilities.

If I don't make Orchesis, what are the other opportunites for dance at UNI?

Orchesis is only one of four dance companies at UNI. Anyone may join International Dance Theatre or Young Peoples Dance Theatre without audition. Repertory Dance Theatre is another option for dancers interested in art dance. RDT has no audition requirement, but instructor permission is necessary to join. If you are interested in dance classes, the dance program offers a variety of art, folk, ballroom, composition, production and improvisation classes, and the student-run Movement Outlet series.

When and where are auditions?

Auditions are held at the end of the previous spring semester for the fall semester and after Thanksgiving for the spring semester. An audition waiver is based on a dancer successfully auditioning and being accepted as a full Orchesis member for two FULL years. Dancers who successfully audition in the spring for the fall semester are accepted into Orchesis for one full year. Those who audition for the spring semester are accepted for the spring semester only and will need to audition again for the next fall semester and then again for one more fall semester to fulfill the two year requirement (four regular semesters). The spring audition is also an opportunity for apprentices to audition for full membership. Auditions are held in the WRC rooms 185/187 (the dance studio). For specific days/times, please CLICK HERE.