Ah yes, audition season is upon us. Whether you're auditioning for a collegiate or professional project or team, it's time to go and learn some pieces, practice your butt off, audition, and hopefully join a new dance family/return to your family for the year! Maybe you're auditioning for your dream team – the team you've been watching on YouTube for the past few years.

‍Prep with this: How To Make Your Dream Dance Team

‍Or maybe you're re-auditioning for your current team, ready to be with the people you hate to love for hours on end. With both processes in mind, we present to you the differences between auditioning as a new member versus auditioning as a returner (with random gifs).

Groups during a pre-audition workshop

New member:

Ok I kind of know it, I'll stand in the front ish center ish. Don't want to look too cocky, but confident. I think. If I blank out it's no big deal... What's the first move again? Wait WHAT'S THE FIRST MO- oh wait I remember.

Returner:

Ok I can't mess up cause I'm on the team and I need to set a good example for newbies and the team image. Unless I don't make it back on the team. Shoot. Yeah ok I'll just stand in the corner while other groups are going and half mark/half judge the newbies.

After the workshop

New member:

Should I go up to them and say thanks? That's the right thing to do. K, let's go up to the friendliest looking returner... Maybe we'll become friends. I should actually try and make some friends... I don't want to go to the audition alone. Carpool anyone?

Returner:

BeTChEZ BETTER taLk 2 Me.

Just kidding, I remember when I was a newb. I'm going to go talk to some prospectives. Hope they don't think I'm weird or scary. I want to intimidate them just enough. Ah perfect, I'll take another returner with me and walk around – it's foolproof!

Day(s) before auditioning

New member:

Watching videos on YouTube over and over, practicing my ass off. What am I going to wear? Should I go for the classic jersey? What about the flannel, is that still cool? Chachi pants? Swacks? Might I sport a kendama around my neck? Should I bring a vape to spark conversation? Should I wear a shirt from another competition to subtly hint that I have some knowledge of the dance community, or is that too conspicuous? Wait there's a freestyle?! What do I do for freestyle?! I'M A CONTEMPORARY DANCER OMG HALP.

Returner:

So guys... can we wear matching outfits at auditions and do something fun for freestyle? Jw.

Auditioning check-in

New member:

Audition form, check. Picture, check. Outfit, yas. Music, on myPhone. K good thing I came early to review. Oh wow they're so nice to me at the check in table, I hope I make it- NUMBER 1?! I'M IN THE FIRST GROUP?! I knew I should have waited in the car. Dammit. I don't think I can do this anymore.

Returner:

So... are we in a group with returners? Or like one returner per group? Oh we're doing that whole "professional" thing and not being friends today, exec board? Ok I see you, I see you. Good thing I practiced. And also great thing I didn't wear team gear in case I mess up cause that would be emberrrrrrrrrrsing.

Auditioning time!!!

New member:

I want to be in the back line first so I can switch to the front line the second time, in case I mess up the first time. Noooooo, I'm in the front! Ok well don't forget the choreo. Breathe. Make eye contact to show confidence. Don't look down. Listen to the music. Don't rush. And above all... pray DO NOT freak out on the freestyle section and end up twerking or doing things that are not at all sexy but actually quite disturbing.

Returner:

Back right corner, aww yee that's my spot. Let's do this. Don't mess up or else you'll get a callback and it'll be weird. Or maybe it won't. I'll be funny for a few moments during freestyle but I have to take it serious. Remember what happened last year with all of those returners who messed around the whole freestyle? They didn't return, that's what happened.

Learning the piece

New member:

Alright. Must learn piece. Focus. Oh my gah that's _____ I loved his piece at VIBE last year holy crap ok LEARN. I SHOULD HAVE EATEN MORE FISH TO HELP WITH MY MEMORY.

Returner:

Alright. Must learn the piece. Focus... because they might call all the returners for a group or something. Hey that girl is cute, we need more cute girls on the team. I mean. Uh. She seems to have good pick up.

Auditions are over!

New member:

WOO it's over! Now I get to chill out, phew. That was fun though! I hope I did okay. Hopefully they didn't see me mess up/admired my confidence and ability to jump back into the choreo.

Returner:

Woo it's over! Now I get to drink boba with judgey alum behind the exec board's table.

Callbacks?!

New member:

OH MAN THEY JUST WANT ME TO PERFORM AGAIN SO THEY CAN LAUGH AT ME LATER. AM I THAT BAD. DID I MESS UP. I THINK I FORGOT THE CHOREO ALREADY. OH MY GOSH NUUUUUUUU.

Returner:

I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE THE TEAM AGAIN. THIS IS SERIOUS. OK FOCUS. THEY CAN'T DO THIS TO YOU MAN, THEY JUST CAN'T. I SPLIT CENTER LAST YEAR IN OPENER, I HAVE TALENT!

Auditions are over (for reals)

New member:

Well all I can do is wait for the call/text/email/postcard/fax. Must stay positive. Hope I make it. I have an epic Facebook status waiting to be posted: What has two thumbs and made the team?

Returner:

I hope #1 makes the team, she was bomb. At the choreo. K cool. Time to drank. Whuuuut.

Did your auditions go something like this? Share your auditioning experience with us by commenting below!This post was originally published on August 20, 2014.