• YAGP Outstanding School Award

• YAGP Outstanding Teacher Award

• YAGP Grand Prix Award

• YAGP Outstanding School Award • YAGP Outstanding Teacher Award • YAGP Grand Prix Award

Audition

In person

Illinois Classical Ballet is conducting ongoing auditions for aspiring young ballet dancers aged 10-16 interested in enrolling in our Pre-Professional or Summer Intensive programs.

Auditions occur at the Illinois Classical Ballet studio at 667 Central Ave, Highland Park, IL 60089.

To participate in the audition, online registration is mandatory. Please note that walk-ins will not be allowed to audition.

There is a $40 audition fee, which must be paid during the registration process.

Girls are required to adhere to the following dress code: black color leotard, full-length pink or skin-tone tights, ballet slippers, and pointe shoes.

Boys should follow the dress code: white t-shirts, full-length black tights, and ballet slippers.

We look forward to welcoming dedicated and passionate young dancers to join our auditions and explore the exciting opportunities available at Illinois Classical Ballet.

Video Audition

Video auditions are accepted for the Pre-Professional and Summer Intensive programs at Illinois Classical Ballet.

Please be aware of the following guidelines:

  1. Submission Method: The School accepts only electronic online submissions through YouTube or Vimeo. DVDs or email submissions will not be reviewed.

  2. Accessibility: Video submissions must be accessible and not set to private on the chosen platform.

  3. Age Requirement: Ballet dancers aged 10–16 can submit an online video audition.

  4. Duration: Video auditions should last between 10–15 minutes. Please refer to the audition guidelines for assistance in preparing combinations.

  5. Location: Ideally, videos should be filmed in a studio. However, you may film at home as your only option.

  6. Audition Fee: A $40 audition fee is required and must be paid during the registration process.

  7. Girls' Dress Code: Girls should wear a black leotard, full-length pink or skin-tone tights, ballet slippers, and pointe shoes.

  8. Boys' Dress Code: Boys are expected to wear white t-shirts, full-length black tights, and ballet slippers.

  9. The video must be taken recently and not more than three months before submission.

  10. The video frame should show the full body throughout and not include any dancers other than the applicant.

  11. Videos of performances or solo variations will not be considered.

  12. Deadline: The deadline for submitting video auditions is May 1st.

Ladies ages 10–11 should only include pointe work if they have already started pointe training.

Ladies ages 12-13 should wear technique shoes for all combinations, except for the pointe work combination, which should be completed on pointe.

Ladies ages 14 and up should complete all combinations on pointe.

Barre Exercises

Plié, Tendu, Rond de Jambe (à terre & en l’air), Frappé, Développé, Grand Battement

Center Exercises

Tendu Battement, Adagio, Pirouettes (en dehors and en dedans), Petit Allegro with Battu, Grand Allegro

10–11-year-olds:

Show the following with two hands on the barre.

- Relevé in 1st, 2nd, and 5th

- Echappé to 2nd and 4th

- Passé Relevé

Pointe

12–13-year-olds:

Show the following in center.

- Relevé in 1st, 2nd, and 5th

- Echappé to 2nd and 4th

- Passé relevé

- Pirouette from 4th

14–16-year-old:

Show the following in the center.

- Single or double pirouette from 4th and 5th

- Echappé to 2nd and 4th

- Relevé in arabesque

- Piqué turns across the floor.