Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Advice for auditioning crews - "Bigger, Stronger, Better"

America's Best Dance Crew audition judge Michelle McNulty has advice for crews auditioning for ABDC Season 5. The goal is to be "Bigger, stronger, and better":
  • Key success factors are the same as earlier seasons: branding, versatility, being true to yourself, engaging the audience, staying non-defensive. Details here.
  • Who should audition: Diversity is still important. They encourage larger crews to come (and can even bring up to 10 members PROVIDED IT IS CLEARED AHEAD OF TIME by contacting MTV), and welcome crews that auditioned for earlier seasons. Details here.
  • Advice to new crews: If you are forming a new crew, make sure that all performers are at the same high level. One weaker dancer can pull down the entire crew
  • Show something new! Traditional hip hop styles are welcome -- they want the b-boys and choreo crews to come out to audition. But crews have to show something different than what's already appeared on the show. Example: since Ringmasters were successful in Season 3, several crews auditioned for Season 4 showing similar bone-breaking moves. MISTAKE!
  • NO BYTING of other crews' signature moves, whether or not the original appeared on ABDC!
  • Common mistakes: here are three common problems with audition routines that should be avoided