Audition

General Audition Criteria:

• No Audition Fee

• 11+ years by Dec. 31 of current year

• Training en pointe at least one year (minimum) for Senior Company; 1 year of introductory pointe for Apprentice. (For clarification, this may include pre-pointe and/or class focusing on pointe strength & conditioning.)

• Submit a photo in first arabesque via email to academy@classicalballetmobile.org prior to in-person audition

• Enrollment with Classical Ballet of Mobile is not required to audition.

• Notify CBM of recent injury/illness

• Do not attend audition if an illness or injury requires a petition to reschedule private audition.

• Audition results will be emailed within 7 days or less.

Audition Attire:

• Ladies’ attire:

• Conservative black leotard, pink tights under leotard, over toes

• Hair in bun, tasteful makeup

• No jewelry beyond (one per lobe) earrings

• Pink slippers, pink pointe shoes

• Gentlemen’s attire:

• Black tights/dance pants with dance belt for safety

• White t-shirt

• White/black socks

• Black or white ballet slippers

Technical proficiency must include:

• Correct technique and strength in barre work and center work

• Pirouettes from fourth and fifth, both en dehors and en dedans

• Controlled petite and grand allegro

• General, controlled flexibility

• Knowledge of specific ballet terminology, demonstrating understanding of difference between en dehors, en dedans, a terre, en l’aire, croise, en face

Artistic qualities must include:

• Natural musicality

• Ability to learn combinations of steps quickly

• Graceful movement quality

• History of strong work ethic at Classical Ballet of Mobile in class, rehearsals and on stage 

• Enthusiasm for personal development and growth as a ballet dancer

Requirements

Entrance into the Senior Company will be by audition, promotion or, in exceptional cases, at the invitation of the Artistic Ballet Advisor. A dancer must be at least 11 years of age by December 31 of the year of his/her eligibility. Senior Company members must have had one full year solidly en pointe (not pre-pointe).

All Senior Company members must be taking a minimum of six (6) dance classes each week: 4 ballet technique classes, 2 or more pointe classes, pilates/strength & conditioning and additional classes offered throughout the season.

Apprentice members are required to enroll in a minimum of four (4) classes per week.

All Senior Company members must train year-round either at Classical Ballet of Mobile or an approved summer program out of town. If an auditioning dancer trains at another studio and is accepted into the Senior Company, that dancer must take at least 2 classes at Classical Ballet, and the other classes must be approved by Classical Ballet.

2024/25 Senior Company dues are $250 per year.

Company Class is required for all and is not included in the multi-class discount.

Commitment to looking your best speaks a lot about a dancer. Being consistently well-groomed is defined by having hair in a sleek ballet bun; a bit of makeup; clean tights; ballet slippers and pointe shoes, ready to go. Only conservative leotards are permitted at Classical Ballet of Mobile - no cut-outs or low-cut neck/back lines permitted.

The only jewelry allowed are small earrings and tasteful rings. No bracelets, Apple watches, or heavy necklaces. Company members set the tone for the standards of appearance, work ethic, and behavior at Classical Ballet.

Lovely dancers come in various forms. A dancer’s body is their instrument which must be cared for by proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.

CASTING:

Casting for performances will begin with Senior Company members. Apprentice Level will be cast next. If young children are needed who are not yet eligible to be in the Company, they will be selected based on their ability to fill the need. All casting is subject to change and is at the discretion of the Artistic Ballet Advisor.

It is Classical Ballet of Mobile’s policy that casting is based upon:

• technical and proven performance qualities

• attitude and work ethic in class

• dependability to give 100% in class attendance

REHEARSALS:

Attendance is required. There may be three (3) excused absences per production. CBM must be notified in advance of the rehearsal to be missed.

Acceptable reasons for missing rehearsal include: illness, family emergency, or to fulfill an academic school requirement (eg. school performance, not a test).

Leading up to a production, class time may be used for rehearsal only if it involves the entire class, such as Showcase.

All absences must be documented by a parent. If a Company member is unable to attend class/rehearsal due to illness, please contact CBM before the class or rehearsal is scheduled to begin. This is extremely important for planning purposes.

At Classical Ballet of Mobile, we will always present excellence in age-appropriate settings, and in so doing, we honor our art and each other. Every dancer is important at Classical Ballet. Our goal is to teach classical ballet technique that improves their movement quality. We want them to have a wonderful experience so they will have a lifelong love of this art form.

It is an honor to be selected to be a member of the Classical Ballet of Mobile Company. We cannot wait to see how far our dancers will soar!