All the information you need to get moving this semester!

We’re so lucky to have so many amazing dance groups on campus, and many of them hold spring auditions, some of which are coming up very soon. Here’s our comprehensive guide to all the information you need to know about auditions. (If you’re a dance group on campus and you’re not here, please email us at arts@bwog.com so we can add you to our list!). Some groups, including Orchesis and CUBE, cast everyone who auditions, so if you’re nervous or new to dancing, check those out.

THIS WEEKEND

  • Barnard/Columbia Dance Department: Barnard/Columbia Dances is the dance department’s semester showcase, performed at New York Live Arts in the fall and Miller Theatre in the spring. While two auditions have already happened, there are two more tonight. Audition for a new staging of Trisha Brown’s “Line Up,” a postmodern dance that incorporates improvisation and collaboration, tonight, January 18, from 6 to 7:30 pm in Barnard Hall 305. Or, audition for a new ballet piece choreographed by Barnard dance professor Antonio Carmena, also tonight, January 18, from 7:30 to 9 pm in Barnard Hall 305. Pointe shoes are required. Both pieces count for academic credit as DNCE BC 3607. Be sure to check your schedule to make sure you can make the rehearsal times. Students will only be cast in one piece but can audition for multiple.
  • Columbia Ballet Collaborative: CBC is a ballet company that invites choreographers to create new works, typically contemporary ballet. Auditions for their spring performances are this Saturday, January 20, from 12:30 to 4 pm at Bridge for Dance (Broadway between 104th and 105th Streets). Video auditions are also accepted. Register through this form, due tonight, January 18, at 11:59 pm. 
    • CBC also has an outreach program where Columbia students teach ballet classes to nearby public school students. Register through this form, due January 21 at 11:59 pm. 
  • Columbia Repertory Ballet: CRB is a ballet company that performs classical and contemporary ballet pieces. Auditions for their spring performances are this Sunday, January 21, at 2 pm at Manhattan Movement and Arts Center (W 60th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues). Video auditions are also accepted. Register through this form.

COMING UP

  • CU Sabor: Sabor is a Latinx dance troupe that typically performs at Glass House Rocks and their annual fall showcase. Auditions are January 23 from 10 pm to 12 am in Lerner’s Broadway Room and callbacks will be January 24 (time and location TBD). No registration is necessary. They have two open workshop classes tonight, January 18, from 9:30 to 11:30 pm, and January 22 from 8:30 to 10:30 pm, both outside Lerner’s Roone Auditorium. 
  • Columbia University Ballet Ensemble: CUBE is a ballet company that rehearses and performs a full-length story ballet each semester, and this spring will be “Swan Lake.” Auditions are the weekend of January 26 (exact time and date TBD) at Bridge for Dance (Broadway between 104th and 105th Streets). Video auditions are also accepted. Everyone who auditions is cast, and absolute beginners do not need to audition and only need to register. Register through this form, due January 26 at 12 am. 
    • CUBE also has board positions open this semester for Assistant Executive Director, Costume Coordinator, and Répétiteur positions. Those applications can be found here and are due January 19 at 11:59 pm for Répétiteur and Costume Coordinator, and January 21 at 11:59 pm for Assistant Executive Director.
  • CU Generation: CU Gen is a multi-style dance group, including K-pop, hip-hop, and jazz. They typically perform at Night Market and Glass House Rocks. Auditions will be January 27 from 7 to 10 pm on campus, but location and registration have not yet been announced. They also have an open workshop January 19 from 6 to 8 pm in Lerner 555. 
  • Columbia Orchesis: Orchesis is Columbia’s largest performing arts group and presents a showcase each semester featuring student choreographers and dancers of all levels. Everyone who auditions is cast, and prospective members are not required to dance at the auditions. Auditions are January 28 from 12:30 to 2 pm in Lerner 555. No registration is required.
    • Dancers who have been in Orchesis for at least one semester can also apply to choreograph a piece. That application can be found here and is due by January 20 at 11:59 pm.
  • Columbia China Dance: China Dance is a traditional Chinese dance group and typically performs at Night Market, Glass House Rocks, and their annual spring showcase. Auditions will be February 3 (time and location TBD). 
  • Columbia/Barnard Tango: Columbia/Barnard Tango is a dance group that hosts tango lessons for both beginners and more advanced dancers. Lessons are Wednesdays from 7 to 8 pm with practice from 8 to 9 pm for beginners, and Wednesdays from 9 to 10 pm with practice from 10 pm onwards for more advanced dancers. While lessons cost $10/class or $100/semester, your first class is free. If you are a beginner, you can only join during the first three classes of the semester (January 17, January 24, and January 31), locations TBD, and no experience is necessary. 

TBD

These groups typically have spring auditions but have not yet sent out information about them. Follow their Instagram or join their mailing list to stay updated.

  • CoLab: CoLab is an interdisciplinary performing arts collective that focuses on dance and choreography, but also includes other forms of performance. They work closely with Barnard’s Movement Lab and hold their showcase each semester. Everyone who auditions will be cast.
  • CU Ballroom Dance Club: CU Ballroom is a group that focuses on ballroom dance and competition. They typically perform at their showcase each semester in addition to several competitions and social dances throughout the year. While they do not require auditions and no experience is necessary, you do have to register.
  • CU Dhoom: CU Dhoom is a Bollywood fusion dance team that typically performs at Glass House Rocks in February and several other showcases throughout the spring semester. No dance experience is required. 
  • CU Lion Dance: CULD is a lion dance group that typically performs on campus at Night Market in the fall as well as various performances on and off campus. Auditions are not required and interested students can simply attend meetings, but spring meeting times have not yet been announced. 
  • CU Raqs: Raqs is a Middle Eastern and world fusion dance group, focusing on belly dancing. No experience is necessary to join. They typically perform at Night Market, Glass House Rocks, and their annual spring showcase.
  • CU Swing Dance: CU Swing is a club that offers Lindy hop lessons for beginner swing dancers as well as more advanced dancers. They also host social dances throughout the year. No experience is required. They typically have a few free lessons at the beginning of each semester where you can try out the club before you register. 
  • Columbia Untapped: Untapped is a tap group that typically performs at a showcase each semester and offers lessons from absolute beginner to advanced levels. 
  • Ijoya Dance Crew: Ijoya is an African dance group that typically performs at Night Market, NYC’s Nigerian Day Parade, and Glass House Rocks as well as other performances and competitions. 
  • ONYX: Onyx is an all-femme hip-hop group that typically performs at Night Market, Glass House Rocks, and their annual spring showcase. 
  • Raw Elementz: Raw is a hip-hop crew that typically performs at Night Market, Glasshouse Rocks, and their annual spring showcase (RAWCUS). They have an open class January 21 from 8 to 10 pm in AR3 (Dodge gym), and no registration is required.

Some groups only have auditions in the fall, but make sure to check out their performances this spring: Columbia Bhangra, CU Raas, and Columbia Taal. Also, keep an eye out for information on CUPAL‘s spring auditions, which will likely include some dance-related projects. We hope to see you leaping and twirling on a stage soon!

Orchesis via Bwarchives