Episode #357
Air Date:
In The Room-DANCERS
Casting Actors Cast – ECC & EPA Audition Tips
INTRO: Hey there, fabulous performers! Welcome back to Casting Actors Cast, the podcast that helps you navigate the wild world of auditions with confidence and skill. I’m Jeffrey Dreisbach, your casting director, teacher, and industry cheerleader, here to give you the inside scoop on what really goes down in the audition room.
Recently, I had the pleasure (and challenge) of sitting behind the table at both Equity Chorus Calls (ECCs) and Equity Principal Auditions (EPAs). Wow—I saw some fantastic talent! But I also noticed a few common habits that could be holding performers back from booking the job. So, let’s break it down. If you want to up your audition game, stay tuned because I’m about to share some audition gold!
Dance Audition Tips (ECCs)
1. Walking into the Room – Your First Impression Matters Before you even dance a step, you’re being evaluated. How you enter the room sets the tone. Stride in with confidence, a relaxed smile, and an energy that says, “I belong here.” Avoid the awkward shuffle, the over-apologetic “oh-my-God-what’s-happening” energy, or looking completely terrified. Even if you’re nervous, fake it till you make it! You’re a performer—own the space.
2. Clothing – Dress for the Role, Not for a Rehearsal Your outfit should be a blend of professional, movement-friendly, and character-appropriate. Baggy clothes? Not great—we need to see your body lines. Overly revealing or costume-y? Also a no. Find that sweet spot that shows off your form while being appropriate for the style of the show. And shoes—make sure they are broken in and suited for the choreography. The wrong shoes can sabotage even the best dancer!
3. The Mirror Dilemma – It Won’t Help You Get Cast When it’s time to perform the combination, stop dancing for the mirror and start performing for the casting team. I can’t tell you how many times I see dancers still checking themselves out, making sure they have the steps. At that point, we need you to be engaging with us, not with your reflection. If you’re still relying on the mirror, it means you haven’t fully internalized the choreography—so practice breaking away from it early in the audition process.
4. Positioning in the Room – Be Seen, But Be Smart The phrase “out of sight, out of mind” is painfully true in dance auditions. If you’re hiding in the back or letting others block you, you’re making it easy for the panel to forget you. However, being front and center when you don’t fully know the combination? Also not a great choice. Find a position where you can be clearly seen, but be strategic—make sure you have enough space to execute movements fully and confidently.
5. Energy While Learning vs. Energy While Performing There’s a noticeable shift in energy when dancers go from learning the combo to performing it. Some come alive, while others seem drained and robotic. Keep your energy up throughout the process! If you look exhausted while learning, we’ll assume you’ll look exhausted in the show. Stay engaged, show us you can pick up choreography quickly, and let us see that spark from the very beginning.
6. Master the Footwork First, Then Bring the Acting We love dancers who can bring character to their movement—but not at the expense of technique. If you’re adding flair but your steps are sloppy, you’re drawing attention to the wrong thing. Nail the footwork first, then layer in your personality, performance quality, and storytelling. It’s like building a house—you need a strong foundation before you decorate.
7. Your Headshot Must Look Like You in the Room Here’s a big one. Your headshot should actually resemble you! If you’ve dramatically changed your look—different hair color, weight, facial hair—update your headshot. We reference them after auditions, and if you don’t look like your photo, we may struggle to remember you. Make sure you’re easily recognizable.
FINAL THOUGHTS: Approach ECCs and EPAs with preparation, confidence, and the mindset that casting directors want to cast you. Stay focused, bring your best self into the room, and make us remember you for all the right reasons!
That’s it for today’s episode of Casting Actors Cast! Subscribe, leave a review, and visit CastingActorsCast.com for more. Until next time—break a leg and keep shining!
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