*audition-londonchildrensballet.com*

Registration Fee: £10

https://londonchildrensballet.formstack.com/forms/auditionregistration

LCB is looking for 57 talented young dancers (girls aged 9-14 and boys aged 9-16) to create a new Company that will perform at The Peacock Theatre in London's West End  LCB chooses children based on more than just technique; children are selected for that special star quality that makes a dancer irresistible to watch, regardless of their shape, size or previous dance experience.

*About LCB auditions*

LCB holds open auditions each year for girls aged 9-14 and boys aged 9-16. We welcome audition candidates of all levels of experiences and all shapes and sizes. The judging panel looks for good technique, but they also look for that extra something special that makes a dancer beautiful to watch regardless of shape or size. The stories we choose are full of different kinds of characters, and this is taken into account when selecting our Company.

Auditions are held annually from the end of October and over November. Preliminary auditions are split over two weekends, with between 500 and 600 children auditioning for 56 places. Candidates receive a results letter in the post, and roughly one in five are invited to the final audition. The new company is selected from this final audition. The judging panel aims to select 7 girls in each age group and 15 boys in total.

Though auditions are competitive, judges are not looking just for technique; they are also trying to spot children who have a wonderful star quality that makes them appealing to watch. Children of all shapes and sizes are welcome to audition. Judges also take into consideration a child's experience and level of training. If you are thinking about auditioning, take a look at some of our top tips!

*audition tips*

The LCB judging panel is not looking for perfect dancers with perfect ballet bodies. Though they do look for good technique, they are also spotting things like a dancer's ability to learn new steps, personality, grace, musicality and that special something that makes a dancer beautiful to watch.

Many dancers who come to audition with LCB don't make it to the second round for very simple and avoidable reasons. Here are a few things to think about.

1. If you don't have amazing ballet feet, that's ok, but you must make sure that you are using what you have as best you can. Stretch your feet in every step and jump. The judges are never impressed with flapping feet, no matter how old you are.

2. Try to learn the steps while they are being demonstrated so you can really perform them when it comes to your turn. It is obvious to the judges if you are copying other people in your line or if you have your eyes fixed on the teacher at the front. If you are copying, it also ruins your line and your ability to perform.

3. It is ok if you make a mistake or forget a step. It is obvious to the judges if you are a beautiful dancer who just makes a mistake, and you won't be penalised for it.

4. If you have a natural smile, use it! However, a peaceful lovely expression is much more appealing than a forced grin, so enjoy the experience and show how much you love dancing. Being part of LCB is a huge privilege, so the judges want to make sure that they choose children who will get the most out of the opportunity. Although you may love to dance, if you have a worried or very serious expression the judges won't know. Ask your teacher or a parent to watch you while you dance and let you know if you look worried or not.

5. For those in the 9 and 10 year old categories, take some time to look at your posture in the mirror before you come to audition. Are you holding your stomach in? Do your shoulders stay down when you do a port de bras exercise? Are your knees pulled up? When you jump, are both of your legs straight and your feet pointed? These are some basics that will help you look like a dancer from the start.