The stupidest question ever posted

[??]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 10:18am

Hi folks,

I am off to an audition in the big city in a few days and the letter I got says to bring appropriate dance clothes in case of a call back. My question is.

What are appropriate dance clothes?

I'm thinking my basketball shorts and a sweatshirt is fine. Don't tell me to buy those shoes because I have size 16's and good luck finding that.

[tcoppola]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 10:31am

Comfortable, non-restrictive clothing, although short and sweatshirt combo you are planning really won't do. You'll be sweating in 5 minutes.

As for the shoes, "appropriate dance attire" ABSOLUTELY means you need to have appropriate dance shoes--regardless of your shoe size. Start doing some online research to find them. Above all else, the shoes are most important.

[peach]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 10:33am

If you don't know what appropriate dance attire is, are you really qualified to be in a production of this scale?

I don't mean that to be sassy, but honestly - if this is a professional production, and requires dancers, I imagine they will ultimately cast people who have some experience dancing.


Updated On: 3/20/06 at 10:33 AM

[??]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 10:45am

considering I was chosen to audition with the understanding that I have little real dance experience....yes, I believe I am qualified.

Most auditions will contain some dance, whether it is a dance heavy show or not. I had to dance for a production of Fiddler once and then for a production of "Music Man" did not.

Therefore, I am not that concerned about it.

[??]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 10:47am

Thanks tcopp, I will have to have a search.

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 10:56am

Also, basketball shorts may be too long, and could restrict your knees/legs depending in what they are made of. You should probably wear a tank top. Good luck! Just give the dance audition your all and focus. Dancing takes more smarts than most give it credit for. What are you auditioning for exactly?

[tcoppola]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 10:58am

Let me clarify by saying the shoes are the most important for your comfort--I am a choreographer and if I was holding a dance call and someone showed up in sneakers, or a non-dance shoe, before I ever started a combination, it would cross my mind how much experience someone had who didn't come appropriately dressed.

However, stranger things have happened and maybe you're incredibly talented with just little audition experience.

But for your own sake, get yourself a pair of character shoes for auditions. If you plan on continuing to audition, they're a necessity.

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of dance ARE you trained in, if you don't already own a pair of shoes or dance attire?

[??]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 11:28am

I should be more specific....but I'd rather remain in anonymuity as much as possible. Anyway.....

This is my first foray into professional theatre .... it is for a summer stock company. I have never had to really dance before because all my roles have been no dance, manly, character roles. So therefore as for dance training.....none.

To be honest, I don't know what classifies as dance shoes, but searching online has given me no results as to size 16's.

[kasim]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 11:38am

my god size 16?????

How freakin tall are you????

[Calvin]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 11:40am

BTW, this isn't the stupidest question ever posted. You're going to have to try a lot harder if you want to earn that distinction.

[peach]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 12:18pm

?? - Really, I wasn't trying to be mean (really, i wasn't). It just seemed very curious to me that someone would be considered qualified for a dance program if/he she had never danced. But since you've clarified....

Like tcoppola said - you are going to need the dance shoes, if you want the producers to think you know something about dancing.

I am not sure if you are a boy or a girl? For a boy, I would recommend getting a ballet slipper or soft jazz oxford. If you are girl, depending on the type of dance that will be required, you may want to consider character shoes with perhaps a 1.5 inch heel.

If you are having trouble finding the appropriate size - is there a dance supply store in your town? Go in and speak to the sales associates there. They may know how to order you the appropriate shoes in your size. Special orders are quite common in dance shoes - the store will help you if they can. Also, fit is very important, especially for beginners (and sizes for many dance shoes run differently that street shoes). If it is an option, get them in a store so you can be fitted properly.

For clothing, I would skip anything too baggy. You don't necessarily have to wear leotards and tights if you are not comfortable with that. A not too baggy yoga-style or stretchy pant is appropriate - with a non-restrictive top - even a t-shirt is fine if it not too baggy.

Good luck with the audition!


Updated On: 3/20/06 at 12:18 PM

[tcoppola]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 12:48pm

Reading your post again--you received a letter about the audition?

I haven't auditioned in a long time, but do summer stocks send out letters inviting you to an audition after receiving your pic/resume? I recall getting a letter like that for Strawhats and college auditions, but not for summer stocks. Those auditions are usually posted for cattle-call or appointment only auditions or the like...

And if you are a boy, get the jazz shoe. You wouldn't need the ballet shoe unless you were doing a ballet combo--and that would be specified in the audition info. If you were given a ballet combination, you can absolutely do it in a soft jazz shoe or jazz sneaker.

I guess same thing if you're a girl too--get a character shoe as opposed to a ballet slipper.

If they want to see ballet technique, it could be after an initial cut. If you don't really have dance background, I would think they'll notice and not ask you to do a ballet combo.

[??]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 1:13pm

Kasim, I am 6'4...thanks for asking!

Peach - I know you weren't being mean but I was trying to be witty, which doesn't come across well when one types. Thanks for advice and good wishes!

I've been flooding this board with posts recently looking for advice. The company is doing "Grease" and "Annie Get your gun".....I would really like to shoot for Grease and am still trying to find a baritone song that is similar to that style of music. Damn all you tenors and your options!.

I am off too Google those jazz shoes, many thanks folks!

Posted: 3/20/06 at 1:16pm

just FYI...a lot of dance studios do not allow regualr sneakers on the floors.
DEFINATELY take an opportunity to get some good "dance" shoes.
did you call capezio or bloch? you're not the only person in the world with size 16 shoes i am sure.

[kasim]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 1:31pm

do you guys realize how BIG size 16 is????

I mean you guys are acting like its easy.

I wear 12/13 ... and i know even that can be hard to find normal shows.

heck i just did a quick search at capeziodance.com for a dance shoe and hte largest they listed for a leather jazz shoe was 14. Getting 15 and above he is really treading on big big shoes.

So even if he COULD special order it, odds are he wouldnt get it in time. Nor does he probably want to pay that much EXTRA for an auditon. Just a guess.

Soo maybe if someone has a link to a dance shoe that is that big? or a good alternative that would be more fruitful.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 1:51pm

Size 16?? BRAGGER!!!!

You are going to be so popular on this board...

[showinoff]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 2:18pm

If this is for a regional summer stock audition I would not worry about it that much. A white tee shirt and some running pants should be fine. As far as shoes go... if you cannot find them, do not stress. I am sure that the producers have far better things on their minds. As stated before in this post, it may strike up some questions as to your dance background.... but really what can you do about it.

Most of the rehersal rooms that are used in the city are also used for auditions. People show up in sneakers or dress shoes all the time. If anyone has a problem with it, they will let you know. I would assume that seeing as how you have a size 16... they will know how difficult it can be to get shoes. When you are in the city drop by a dance store and see what you can find!

Bottom line, go, dance your heart out, and have a great time!

Break a leg!

[??]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 3:08pm

Kasim, you are a prince among men!

I struggle to find any type of shoe really, so I just rolled my eyes when the dance shoe thing caught my eye.

Tell me if this is stupid. What if I got black ankle socks that have the tread on the bottom...I have used them before.

[The W.A.N.D]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 3:24pm

I have crazy wide feet so I know what a hell it is trying to buy shoes for my whales down there. (Wow that sounded sexual!)

[peach]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 3:31pm

?? I am guessing you are a boy (at 6'4" and with size 16 feet!).

OK, I imagine finding a dance shoe (or any shoe) in that size is tricky. I think, if you cannot find a dance shoes, instead of wearing the ankle sock, you might be a bit safer in a pair of sneakers after all. My advice - Don't wear clunky basketball-type sneakers. Try to find one of those "slip on" type sneakers if you can (you know the trendy ones that serve very little athletic purpose?), or even chuck taylor type sneakers. Bottom line, something light-ish. Or, if you opt for the socks, make sure they have that tread so you don't slip!

ETA: I found out from a colleague that Capezio does indeed do made to order dance shoes in certain styles. If you determine you need them after all, they might be helpful.




Updated On: 3/20/06 at 03:31 PM

Posted: 3/20/06 at 4:17pm

showinoff couldn't have said it better.
who cares..go and have fun!
then let the costuming people worry about getting you shoes! LOL!