Performance Team Audition Information

NOTE: This form is for current PCPA dancers that are new to performance teams, as well as dancers that are new to PCPA in general. Current team dancers should not complete this form. Your process for auditions is separate.

If your dancer(s) is interested in joining one of our performance teams, you’re in the right place. Read through the process below and be sure to check the FAQs. Complete the form below and based on the information provided, we will recommend which level to audition for in each style you’re interested in. There will be a $20 fee per team you audition for that week. If you cannot make it to the scheduled audition time, please include that in the comment section below.

When are auditions?
Auditions will be the week of May 13-16, 2024. The auditions will take place during the weekly class time for that particular team. (see schedule here)

Where are auditions?
Principal Creative & Performing Arts. 1528 S. El Camino Real, Ste 208, San Mateo.

What happens at auditions?
Dancers should expect to learn a combination in the appropriate discipline. Dancers may be asked to introduce themself, show movement across the floor, and possibly individual skills. The exact plan may vary across ages and styles. We pride ourselves on an age appropriate application of this process.

Audition Fee
There is a $20 fee for each team you audition for. If you are new to the studio we will help you setup an account prior to the audition. We have several different payment options. Audition fees must before the audition date. Dancers already on a team DO NOT pay this fee.

Reminders and notes for preparation: 

• Arrive early and warm up/stretch on your own in the lobbies. If you are coming from another class, you should already be warm. We will go right into the audition process to save time.
• Please wear solid black to auditions. (low body and upper body please) The items and silhouette are your choice. You will need to pin your number to the front of your body please.
• Hair, if long, should be pulled back away from the face.
• We will supply each dancer with a bib/number and safety pins
• You will need to wear the same number to all your auditions May 13 – May 16. Please keep it in your dance bag for the week if you are auditioning for multiple teams.
• Please be on time to your audition pocket. We are squeezing a lot of to dos into 1 hour.
• Bring water and have a snack prior to audition time.
• Prepare to be and stay focused intently for the whole hour.
• wear footwear based on the style of your audition. please coincide with the studio dress codes. https://www.principalarts.com/dance-dress-codes/
• Dancers do not need to prepare choreography or a number to show.
• Dancers will learn a movement combination and then in most cases be asked to perform that combo in smaller groups. (patterns may vary per discipline)
• Please know teachers may cast your dancer in a team different from the team you are auditioning for.
• Final cast lists will be emailed to parents about 2 weeks after the final audition.

What happens after the audition?
We will reach out as soon as teachers have had a chance to meet and make decisions. There are a few different possible outcomes.

1. You make the team you auditioned for and are offered a spot. You can then decide to accept or decline the spot you’re offered. We will give you a deadline to reply.
2. You make teams, but are offered a different level than the one you auditioned for. You can then decide to accept or decline the spot you’re offered. We will give you a deadline to reply.
3. Your dancer may not be ready for teams. If that is the case, we will recommend a “ramp up” year. A ramp up year is designed to prepare you for auditions the following season. Our staff can recommend the classes you need to take to reach your goals.

What is the commitment?
Teams are an 11 month commitment. Our season starts at the top of August and runs through our recitals in June. July is your off month. Throughout the season there are mandatory and optional events. These consist of both competitions and dance conventions. Additional performance opportunities may also pop-up throughout the season. We typically know all our mandatory dates by the time we return in August. Those are added to our team handbook. We recommend looking over our handbook to give you a better idea of what’s involved.

If you make a team, you will have additional class requirements to supplement your training. Each level and style has different requirements. At minimum you can expect to be in the studio 2-3 hours per week at the lower levels, and slightly more for the upper levels.  We release next season’s class schedule the weekend of recital, June 22-23, 2024. You can begin to plan your schedule that weekend. Registration for classes will open for team dancers in mid-July.