A great ballet audition video follows each school’s instructions exactly, shows your technique clearly from the right angles, and looks clean and professional without being flashy. In practice that means filming in a bright studio with a plain background, keeping your whole body in frame on a steady tripod, wearing a simple leotard and tights with a neat bun, choosing short, well-rehearsed combinations that show your strengths, and editing only as the school allows, usually with simple cuts between exercises and no effects. Faculty watch many videos, so clarity, correct content, and good technique matter far more than cinematic production.
This guide explains what audition videos typically include, how to set up filming, how to plan and rehearse content, editing and submission tips, a filming-day checklist, and the mistakes that get videos overlooked.
What audition videos typically include
| Section | Examples | What faculty look for |
|---|---|---|
| Barre | Pliés, tendus, ronds de jambe, frappés, développés, grands battements | Alignment, turnout, placement, pointed feet |
| Center | Adagio, pirouettes, port de bras | Balance, control, épaulement, musicality |
| Petit allegro | Small jumps and beaten steps | Speed, precision, light landings |
| Grand allegro | Traveling jumps and leaps | Elevation, extension, coordination |
| Pointe or men’s work | Relevés, bourrées, turns on pointe; or tours and big jumps | Strength, control, level-appropriate technique |
| Variation | Classical or contemporary solo, if requested | Artistry, stage presence, stamina |
Requirements vary widely. Some schools ask only for barre and center, some specify exact exercises, and many set time limits. Read every instruction before planning.
Filming setup
Location. Film in a dance studio with a clean, uncluttered background. Avoid mirrors behind you if they create distracting reflections.
Lighting. Use bright, even lighting from the front. Avoid strong backlighting from windows, which turns you into a silhouette.
Framing. Film horizontally with your whole body, including feet, in frame at all times. Leave space above your head and below your feet.
Camera position. Place the camera at roughly waist or hip height, far enough away to capture traveling steps.
Stability. Use a tripod. Shaky handheld footage makes technique hard to judge.
Angles. Follow the school’s requested angles, often facing the camera for some exercises and in profile for barre work.
Audio. Record clear music. Avoid background noise and talking.
Planning your content
1. Read the requirements. List every exercise, angle, time limit, and format the school requests.
2. Ask your teacher to help. Teachers can set short combinations that show your strengths and meet the requirements.
3. Keep combinations short. Clear, concise exercises are easier for faculty to evaluate.
4. Show both sides if asked. Some schools want barre exercises on both sides; others only one.
5. Choose a suitable variation. Pick a variation appropriate to your age and level that you can perform cleanly.
6. Rehearse on camera. Do a practice recording and watch it back to check framing and technique.
Presentation
Clothing. Wear a simple, well-fitting leotard and tights in colors that contrast with the background. Men usually wear a fitted top with tights or shorts, as requested.
Hair. A neat bun or tidy hair that stays off the face and neck.
Shoes. Clean shoes that suit the exercises, with ribbons tucked in.
Introduction. If requested, briefly state your name, age, and current school. Keep it clear and friendly.
Expression. Dance with focus and presence as if in a live class or performance.
Editing and submission
Keep edits simple. Most schools allow cuts between exercises but not within them. Avoid filters, slow motion, or effects.
Label clearly. Add a title card or file name with your name and the content if requested.
Check format and length. Follow file type, resolution, and length requirements.
Upload early. Submit well before the deadline in case of technical problems.
Check privacy settings. If using a video platform, set the link as required, often unlisted, and test it.
A filming-day checklist
| Before filming | During filming | After filming |
|---|---|---|
| Warm up fully | Check framing before each exercise | Review every clip for quality |
| Set up camera and tripod | Use full music for each combination | Select best takes |
| Test lighting and sound | Stay hydrated and rest between takes | Edit simply and label |
| Prepare music list | Film extras in case of mistakes | Upload and test the link |
How to look your best on camera
Focus on clean basics. Solid alignment and placement impress more than risky tricks.
Finish every movement. Hold final positions briefly before the music ends.
Use your eyes and face. Expression helps faculty see your artistry.
Choose your best takes. Film several attempts and select the cleanest.
Equipment you need
Camera or phone. A recent smartphone usually records high enough quality. Clean the lens and use the rear camera for better resolution.
Tripod. Essential for steady footage. A phone clamp attached to a standard tripod works well.
Lighting. Studio lights are ideal, but daylight from windows in front of you or inexpensive LED panels can also work.
Music player and speaker. Clear, steady music helps both your dancing and the recording.
A helper. A teacher, parent, or classmate can start and stop recording, check framing, and play music.
Photos alongside the video
Many applications also request still photos in positions such as first arabesque, tendu à la seconde, and a pose on pointe. Use the same clean background and lighting, shoot from the angle requested, and choose images that show clear lines, pointed feet, and good alignment rather than extreme flexibility. Avoid heavy filters or retouching.
Timing your filming
Plan to film several weeks before the deadline. This leaves time to reshoot if something goes wrong, to ask your teacher for feedback on your takes, and to handle editing and uploading without rushing. Filming after a good night’s sleep and a full warm-up usually produces the best results.
Common mistakes
Ignoring instructions. Missing required exercises or angles can disqualify a video.
Feet out of frame. Faculty need to see your feet at all times.
Poor lighting. Dark or backlit footage hides technique.
Over-editing. Effects, filters, and heavy cuts can look unprofessional or break the rules.
Showing tricks instead of technique. Clean fundamentals matter more than difficult steps performed poorly.
Distracting backgrounds. Clutter, bright posters, or people walking behind you pull attention away.
Uploading at the last minute. Technical issues can cause you to miss deadlines.
A note on health
Filming days can involve many repeated takes. Warm up properly, take breaks, drink water, and avoid pushing through pain to get a perfect shot. If you are recovering from an injury, check with your teacher and a medical professional before filming demanding jumps or pointe work.
Frequently asked questions
What should be in a ballet audition video?
Usually barre, center, petit and grand allegro, pointe or men’s work, and sometimes a variation, but always follow each school’s specific requirements.
Can I edit my ballet audition video?
Most schools allow simple cuts between exercises but not within them. Avoid effects, filters, or slow motion unless allowed.
What should I wear in an audition video?
A simple, well-fitted leotard and tights in a color that contrasts with the background, neat hair, and clean shoes, unless the school specifies otherwise.
