Jerry Mitchell’s Audition Tips

Jerry Mitchell is a Tony Award-winning choreographer, who’s work has been seen in thirteen Broadway shows, including Catch Me If You Can, Legally Blonde (also director), La Cage aux Folles and Hairspray. The following is an except from a Podcast interview I did with Mr. Mitchell, for Broadway Buzz in 2008.

JM: “When you audition for me, and that’s specifically for me, you should come into the room and do whatever shows you off the best. Don’t second guess the material that is necessary for the audition. If it’s a call and we’re asking you to bring in a piece, do whatever shows you off the best. Usually people are singing first for principles, and if you’re dancing−if you’re going to a dance audition−watch carefully to what is being taught and try to get the style, because there are a lot of dancers who come in and quickly get eliminated because they don’t seem to have the right style for the piece, that we’re auditioning for.

And speed is of the essences nowadays! There’s not a lot of time to rehearse a new production, so you have to be on your game. You have to be able to pick-up quickly. If that’s a problem for you, you need to get into class and challenge yourself to be able to pick-up quicker, because ultimately that’s an important element.

Most important in a dance audition for me, is to dance like it’s the last day of your life. Like, ya know ‘I have got to dance!’ Because I can teach you to do the steps that I want. So if you make a mistake, I don’t care. What I can’t give people is passion. You have to come into the room with passion.”

Interview by Paul Winkler, PaulWinklerBlog.com