Each Spring and Summer, hundreds of dancers gear up for NFL Cheerleader Auditions and NBA Dance Team Auditions. If you've gone through the audition process before, you may know what to expect. If you're new to the audition experience or you're looking to amplify your audition game, we're giving you our Pro list of everything you'll need for a successful audition.

As much as we love to give away freebies, we're going to be straight up: there are some things that you'll may need to buy for your upcoming audition. We have some discount codes, Pro Tips for saving money, and we'll urge you to get a head start on your prep and purchasing to avoid everything hitting at once and feeling overwhelming. Especially in this economy - we FEEL you (hello, price of eggs!!)

BUT, when you really want something. We mean REALLY want something, you know that you need to invest in it. If you're ready to do whatever it takes to accomplish your biggest dream, you may need to do things you haven't done before, programs you haven't tried, processes you haven't heard of. This means, it's time to invest in yourself.

Isn't it crazy that sometimes you need the biggest push to invest in the most important thing in our your life.. aka YOURSELF? But when you remember that you are your biggest asset, you'll start to realize that investing in yourself should be your first step. This is essential in life, and not just in Pro Dance. At the end of the day, how do you expect judges and future employers to take the leap and invest in you, if you're not willing to invest in yourself?

Here are the 5 things you need to buy before your next audition:

1. AUDITION OUTFIT
This is the fun part! Do some research and find a style, fit, and color that best compliments you and allows you to feel most confident. We always recommend Dallaswear for excellent Pro-Style costumes that range in styles and levels of ✨bedazzle✨. (Check out our Get The Look Guide for an exclusive 20% Off Dallaswear discount code).

If you have auditioned before, you can absolutely wear the same audition outfit for a different team's audition. However, try not to wear the same audition outfit to the same team's audition multiple years in a row. The judges often remember - and it could show lack of care and prioritization when you don't take the time to switch up your look each year.

PRO TIP: Borrow audition costumes or do a trade with your friends! Just be sure your friend's pieces fit your body and style well. Remember to practice dancing in your audition outfit BEFORE audition day to make sure you're locked in!

2. DANCE CLASSES AND MASTERCLASSES
Of course, taking a variety of dance classes is an important part of your dance training. Being able to pick up new choreography and perform it with a quick turnaround time is essentially the baseline of what every audition day will consist of. Being consistent in taking your dance classes will increase your retention and performance skills.

While we love that you have your favorite class you take every Monday, we also encourage you to get outside your comfort zone, and try taking new classes regularly. Go to a new neighborhood studio, take a challenging different style of dance, or look for masterclasses with Pro choreographers. This is a good way to practice learning and performing in a slightly uncomfortable or new environment. As audition day will be full of "new", it's essential that you start learning how to perform well even through uncertainties and levels of discomfort.

Luckily, this one is not too heavy of a burden on the old wallet. Classes range from $10-$15 per class, and can go up to $20-$50 for a professional masterclass or longer dance intensive. If you're looking for a variety of styles taught by Pro Dancers and Choreographers, we've got you covered! For $10 per month, you can have unlimited access to our arsenal of classes including jazz, hip hop, technique, mindset, and fitness. Kickstart your training, get your reps in, and dabble in variety with us ON DEMAND.

3. HEALTHY FOOD
You may have read our previous blog about Healthy Audition Day Snacks, so you already know you'll need to stock up on nutrient-dense foods for the big day. But training for your Audition means beginning MONTHS, if not an entire year beforehand and getting into healthy eating habits that become a lifestyle. This means paying attention to what you put in your body and may require extra time and money to shop for nutritious foods, plan, and meal prep. A big mac may be a cheaper meal, but going the cheap route with food will only hinder you in the long run.

PRO TIP: You can save money buy being resourceful and intentional about your shopping and prepping. We've all been there at the end of a long day, when we're starving, have nothing in the fridge, no energy to cook, and the easiest thing to do is have a pizza delivered. The delivery fees, service fees, and restaurant prices add up. So do yourself a favor and plan ahead.

4. QUALITY HAIR AND MAKEUP TOOLS
If you're like us, we had our 5-minute make up routine and let our hair air-dry every day. We had no idea how to do glam "Game Day" make up to make our features pop under bright lights, and how on earth were we supposed to curl our hair well enough that it stayed through sweating and whipping our heads around dancing for hours?

The key to both is quality tools. Hair styling tools are NOT created equal, and it's time to invest in a higher quality tool that will give you the hairstyle that will last all day no matter how much it's whipped around. This includes heat protectant sprays, volumizing powders, and nourishing shampoos to keep your hair healthy through the high-heat and constant styling.

The same goes for your makeup! Unless you want your foundation to drip down your face when you sweat, you're going to need waterproof and long-wearing makeup for all-day sparkle and glam.

PRO TIP: Many dancers opt to get their hair and makeup professionally done on the morning of Audition Day. This allows you to relax and show up looking and feeling your most confident self. Don't forget to bring your own tools for touch ups throughout the day! And if professional styling isn't quite in your budget, check out our GUIDE for all of the pro-recommended hair and make up tools you'll need in your bag

5. MAKING THE SQUAD PROGRAM
By now you have your Audition Day bag ready to go, and you've taken all your dance classes to get your skills ready. But there are a few things left to prepare - your resume, application, headshot, and interviewing skills. These "assets" are often overlooked when dancers prepare for their auditions, but being able to communicate who you are, your interests, and your career goals to the judges is extremely important as you're not only auditioning, but applying for a job position for a national organization.

You need the Making The Squad program. It is a comprehensive program with everything you need to show up confidently at every step of the audition. Nutrition and mindset courses? Check? A 6-week strength building consecutive program? Check? Resume templates, sample pro dance interview questions, application tips? Check, Check, Check. Walk into your next audition already knowing what the judges are looking for. Making The Squad details here!

If there's one thing you'll never regret - it's investing in yourself. The time for skimping is NOT on your journey to reach your dreams. It is choosing to make coffee at home instead of spending the $8, or going on a walk with your friends instead of an expensive Happy Hour out. It's time to put your time, money, and effort into becoming the best version of yourself.