All Dance Forms

YoungArts welcomes applications from dancers who demonstrate the understanding of the foundational principles and technical components of their chosen form, while showing emotion, telling a story and connecting to the audience through movement. Please indicate the dance form you’re submitting when prompted within the application. All submissions must be recorded within the last year. (For dancers who create their own original work, please refer to the Choreography requirements below.)

• A digital video recording of a two (2)-minute selection of movements that demonstrate technique, skill, practice, rehearsal and/or phrase work of the dance form you’re submitting.
  • Rehearsals should be defined as anything that demonstrates the knowledge in your body movements for the specific form you’re applying in.
• A digital video recording of a two (2)-minute solo piece of your choice in the dance form you’re submitting, with a clear beginning and ending. Solos should be accompanied by music that is being played in the room with the dancer and should not be overlaid.
• Going slightly over or under the 2-minute mark is acceptable but not encouraged.

Choreography Application Requirements

• Two (2) separate pieces are required.
  • The first selection must be a solo piece where you are the dancer.
  • The second selection must feature a minimum of two and a maximum of five dancers.
• Pieces should be from two to five (2-5) minutes in length. Total submission should not exceed eight (8) minutes.
• You must be the lead choreographer for both selections.

NOTE: If selected as a winner with distinction, you will be required to perform your submitted solo live on stage for the performance during National YoungArts Week and, therefore, must have rights to the choreography for that piece.

Audition Apparel

Dancers should choose garments that support the judges’ ability to see how the body creates shapes and lines in space. We strongly encourage you to select fabric and colors that create contrast to the background and remove excess layers of warmups, costuming and jewelry unnecessary to the performed choreography. Artists may wear regalia appropriate for the rehearsal process of their cultural traditions and forms.

Guidelines for Recording Your Audition

• Record your audition in a clearly defined space with neutral lighting and background that is free of distractions. The choreography should not be site-specific.
• Shoot straight on, leaving the camera in one position. The camera should be placed sufficiently close to the performer so that positioning and movement of all parts of the body and face are clear and visible.
• Unnecessary panning and moving the camera to follow the dancer is strongly discouraged.
• Record with the camera framing your entire body to capture movement in place as well as movement in and through space.
• Ensure recording captures good quality sound and image.
• Music should not be overlaid.

Media Submission Requirements

• Save and name your files individually.
• Upload each audition selection as a separate video file in the correct space provided.
  • Total size for each file cannot exceed 2 GB.
• For the solo, please indicate the title, composer of music used (if applicable), and choreographer in the space provided in your application.
• Do not put your name or any identifying information in or on your submission.
• When uploading, be sure that the video frame is upright (not sideways or upside down) and plays smoothly.
• Do not edit within the solo.
• Do not submit pre-recorded live performances, such as recitals, concerts, or competitions.

Intellectual Property and Copyright Requirements

• For choreography, all submitted work must be entirely original and must not infringe on the copyright, trademark, or intellectual property rights of any other individual or entity.
• You are welcome to submit materials that have been part of other applications, competitions, or projects. YoungArts does not own any works submitted to its competition, however if your work has been submitted to other competitions, you are responsible for obtaining permission to submit to YoungArts, if necessary.