Audition without Fear - Neuroscientific and Psychological Tools

You know the choreography. You have trained for years. You know you can dance. And then you walk into an audition. Your heart races. Your body becomes tense. You start comparing yourself to everyone around you. You suddenly forget combinations you would normally remember. You overthink every correction. You worry about being watched, judged or rejected and somehow, the dancer you know you are disappears under pressure.
 
This masterclass is about changing that.
 
Audition anxiety is not simply a lack of confidence. Pressure changes what happens in the brain and nervous system, influencing attention, memory, decision-making, coordination and the way we perform movement.
 
The good news is that these responses can be understood — and trained.
 
In this practical 1-hour masterclass, we will explore the neuroscience and psychology of performing under pressure and translate it into tools you can actually use before and during auditions.
 
We will explore:
• Why you can perform perfectly in rehearsal and struggle when someone is evaluating you
• What happens in the brain and nervous system during audition anxiety
• Why pressure can interfere with choreography memory and attention
• How fear of judgement changes the way you move
• How comparison with other dancers affects confidence and performance
• Perfectionism and the fear of making mistakes
• How to regulate your nervous system without trying to eliminate nerves completely
• Where to direct your attention when anxiety begins to rise
• Psychological strategies for recovering quickly after a mistake
• How to walk into an audition mentally prepared rather than hoping confidence appears
• Practical scientifically proven techniques you can use immediately before and during your next audition
 
Most importantly, the goal is not to teach you to "stop being nervous." It is to teach you how to perform well even when you are nervous.
 
Because successful auditioning isn't only about becoming a better dancer. It is also about training your brain to access the dancer you already are when the pressure is high.
 
You will leave with a practical audition toolkit you can use for upcoming auditions, performances, competitions and other high-pressure dance situations.
 
Sunday 30 August | 8:00–9:00 PM BST
Live Online
€20
Replay included
 
Train your mind. Show what you're capable of.