It is never too late to audition for George Brown Dance and Jörgen Dance Academy’s Programs
Pre-Registration for Your Audition is Greatly Appreciated.
Some Programs Need Only an Application
For questions about auditions please email auditions@balletjorgen.ca.
2022/23 Audition Cities
Upcoming Auditions
Toronto, ON – Jan 22
Windsor, ON – Jan 22
Calgary, AB – Feb 2
Cranbrook, BC – February 7
Vernon, BC – Feb 10
Toronto, ON – Feb 12
Vancouver, BC – Feb 17
Zoom, Online – Feb 26
Toronto, ON – Mar 12
Saskatoon, SK – Mar 20
Toronto, ON – Apr 16
St. John, NB – Apr 28
Charlottetown, PE – Apr 30
Halifax, NS – May 2
Toronto, ON – May 28
Toronto, ON – Jul 6
Video Auditions
Send us in one email:
1) Your dance resume – preferably as a pdf
2) A head shot and a dance photo
3) An audition video link with the specifications listed below
Send your email auditions@balletjorgen.ca with the subject heading for the program you are auditioning for.
*The length of the video should be no more than 15 minutes. Exercises only need to be shown on one side and some exercises can be combined to save time.
- Please provide a video link that does not exceed 15 minutes in length that includes the components listed below – please note videos will not be reviewed unless they have all required components:
- Introduction: State your name, where you are from, where you currently live, and why you want to dance for Canada’s Ballet Jörgen.
- Ballet Technique (Required): 3 short exercises at the barre of your choice and 3 short centre exercises consisting of adagio, pirouettes, and grand allegro. In the centre, women must show some exercises on pointe and men must show tours.
- Classical Variation of your Choice (Required): Performance or studio footage (preferred).
- Improvisation (Required): 1 continuous minute of improvisation without edits that shows floor work, range of motion, plus articulation in feet, hands, and face.
- Pas de Deux Section (Optional but recommended): Performed on stage or in the studio .
- Introduction: State your name, where you are from, where you currently live, and why you want to be part of the Junior Company.
- Ballet Technique (Required): 3 short exercises at the barre of your choice and 3 short centre exercises consisting of adagio, pirouettes, and grand allegro. In the centre, women must show some exercises on pointe and men must show tours.
- Performance or Studio footage (Preferred): of a classical Variation of your choice.
- Improvisation (Optional but recommended): 1 continuous minute of improvisation without edits that shows floor work, range of motion, plus articulation in feet, hands, and face.
- Barre work: Plies, Tendues, Dégagés, Fondue, Rond de Jambe, Adage.
- Centre work: Adage, Grand Battements.
- Female Applicants: please include pointe work – simple rises rolling up and down through the feet and some relévés.
- If you have any previously recorded footage that shows any of the following elements please include some additional clips of them in your submission:
- Pirouettes, Petit & Grand Allegro and more pointe work
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In addition to sending your resume and headshot, you will also need to write an essay on why you wish to join the program at George Brown (1 page maximum).
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There is also a $60 audition fee which is payable online. You only need to pay once per audition, not per program.
- Barre work: Plies, Tendues, Dégagés, Fondue, Rond de Jambe, Adage.
- For P101 & P105 Applicants: Centre work – Adage, Grand Battements.
- A short jazz or contemporary combination (about 30 seconds)
- For P105 Applicants: please include pointe work – simple rises rolling up and down through the feet and some relévés
- For P106 Applicants, please include the following jazz steps as individual exercises:
- Center turning combination
- Center floorwork combination
- Kicks across the floor
- Jumps across the floor
- Short Jazz or contemporary combination
- Short Hip Hop combination
- Performance footage (3 min max) (optional)
Zoom auditions will be run in a class format with an interview portion (if needed) in the following days. Please email auditions@balletjorgen.ca if you have any questions.
Important Audition Information
- Auditions are dance classes and/or our choreography is taught to participants – registrants do not need to prepare their own audition material.
- Auditions for George Brown Dance require a fee payment and an essay; there is no fee or essay required for any other auditions.
- Auditions for George Brown Dance, Junior Company, and Summer Intensive IV all require that you bring a resume, head shot and dance photo to the audition. And a short interview may be conducted with participants after the audition.
- Once you register for an audition, you will not hear back from us right away. You will hear back from us to confirm your registration and attendance at the audition by at minimum two weeks prior to the scheduled audition.
- For any questions regarding auditions please email auditions@balletjorgen.ca
What Can I Audition For?
George Brown Dance – for post secondary students looking to gain a college diploma or certificate, graduating for a career in dance
- Dance Performance Preparation (P101) Ballet, Modern, Jazz
- Dance Performance (P105) – Ballet, Modern
- Commercial Dance (P106) – Jazz, Hip Hop
Junior Company & Canada’s Ballet Jörgen Apprenticeships – for dancers aged 18+ looking for their first professional job in classical ballet
Summer Dance Academy Intensive IV – for dancers aged 16+ looking to train for a career in dance
The NUTCRACKER Youth Touring Participation – performance opportunity for aspiring dancers aged 12-17yrs looking to tour with the Company
The NUTCRACKER Youth Local Participation – local performance opportunity for aspiring dancers aged 8-17yrs
Anne of Green Gables – The Ballet™ Youth Local Participation – local performance opportunity for aspiring dancers ages 14+.
Application Information
APPLY to dance in:
Summer Dance Academy Intensive III – for dances aged 15 +
Summer Dance Academy Intensive II – for dancers aged 12-14
Summer Dance Academy Intensive I – for dancers aged 9-11
CBJ Appropriate Physical Contact in Dance Policy
Please view the document below for the policy
5 Tips to Ace your Next Zoom Audition
COME TO YOUR AUDITION PREPARED – There is nothing worse than arriving late and frazzled to an audition, and the same goes for a Zoom audition. Give yourself enough time to get ready, set up your dance space, warm-up, and login and test your video and sound. Feel free to check in with us about your sound and camera angles. This will allow you to begin your audition with a focused mindset so you can dance your best!
COMMUNICATE AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK – We want you to do your absolute best in any audition. If you have a question or need clarification on a step or exercise, don’t hesitate to ask! Zoom has some great features such as ‘raise hand’ and the chat box that you can use to ask questions. Plus – we always have an administrator online for each audition who is available to help!
HAVE A CLEAR SET UP – We are often watching quite a few little boxes on the screen during an audition and it can get busy. Make sure your space is clear of any unneeded items and that you are wearing proper attire so that we can clearly see your dancing. Also, ensure that your camera is set up to show your whole body – we need to see your head and upper body just as much as your feet!
IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG, DON’T PANIC – Everyone involved in running the audition has been where you are and we know it can be stressful. Adding the unpredictability of technology can make it even worse! If you experience any tech problems during your audition, simply log back on when you can and jump back into the class. We always have an administrator online to help with these situations, so you can send them a message via the chat or an email. We’ll help you get going again so you can finish your audition strong!
ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE AND LEARN FROM IT – As a dancer, you will attend countless auditions. As nerve wracking as they can be, treat every audition as a learning experience. Each audition is a chance to take a class and learn from a new teacher. Dancing should be fun! If you enter the room with a positive attitude and a mindset to learn, those who are watching will be sure to notice!