Trainee Program Auditions

About The Audition

The Ballet Magnificat! Trainee Program audition is designed to help our faculty get to know each dancer as both an artist and an individual. We are looking not only at technical ability, but also at musicality, artistry, work ethic, teachability, potential for growth, and a dancer’s desire to use his or her gifts for the glory of God. During the audition process, dancers are considered for placement within one of the Trainee Program’s three levels. Placement is based on each dancer’s current training, experience, strengths, and areas for continued development.

Because the Trainee Program combines professional-level dance training with performance, ministry, discipleship, and practical touring experience, we desire dancers who are eager to grow in every area, not simply technically. Our goal is to create an environment where dancers can be challenged, encouraged, and equipped as artists while also growing in character, faith, and their understanding of how dance can be used in ministry.

Prospective trainees do not need to arrive as “finished” dancers. We value strong foundations and work ethic, and a willingness to learn, and we recognize that every dancer enters the program at a different stage of development.

For dancers who hope to eventually pursue a professional position with Ballet Magnificat!, participation in the Trainee Program is also an important part of that process. Dancers must spend at least one year in the Trainee Program, and typically two or more years, before being considered for a professional Company position, allowing time for continued artistic, personal, and ministry development.

Audition Eligibility

  • Applicants must:

    • Be 17–24 years of age and have completed high school by September 1 of the year they enter the program.

    • Submit a complete Trainee Program application and all required audition materials by the stated deadlines.

    • Be prepared to participate fully in the training, performance, ministry, discipleship, and community life of the Trainee Program.

    Acceptance into the program is contingent upon completion of all required enrollment forms, agreements, and fees.

    Ballet Magnificat! reserves the right to make exceptions to program requirements in special or extraordinary circumstances at the discretion of program leadership.

Audition Process

Step 1: Submit Your Online Application & Video Audition

By November 16, 2026, submit all required Trainee Program audition materials. Applications will only be considered complete once all items below have been received.

Completed Online:

  1. Trainee Audition Application Form

  2. Audition Fee

Emailed: Please include the dancer’s full name in the subject line, emailed to traineeprogram@balletmagnificat.com

  1. Headshot

  2. Full-body dance photo in profile, in first arabesque

    Ladies: En pointe, wearing a leotard and tights, with no skirt/costume(s)

    Men: On demi-pointe, wearing black tights and a fitted black or white shirt

  3. YouTube link to the audition video*, uploaded as “Unlisted”

  4. Pastor’s or small group leader’s recommendation letter, serving as a personal reference. The reference may be sent straight from the pastor or forwarded via the dancer.

*The audition video should include the required exercises listed at the bottom of this page.

Applicants will be notified by email by December 18, 2026, regarding whether they have been invited to continue to the second phase of the audition process.

Step 2: In-Person Audition

Dancers selected to continue to the second phase will be invited to attend an in-person audition at Ballet Magnificat! in Jackson, Mississippi, January 21–22, 2027. Ballet Magnificat! will provide housing and local transportation for dancers invited to the audition. Family members or friends who choose to accompany the dancer are responsible for arranging their own housing and transportation. Travel to and from Jackson is the responsibility of the dancer

  • The audition video serves as the first round of the Ballet Magnificat! Trainee Program audition process. It allows our faculty to evaluate each applicant’s current technical foundation, artistry, musicality, and potential for continued growth.

    Please follow the requirements below when preparing your video.

    Video Guidelines

    • Applicants may create their own combinations using the required steps listed below.

    • Combinations may be recorded separately and edited together into one audition video.

    • Please ensure the dancer’s full body remains visible from head to toe throughout each combination.

    • Barre work should be recorded from the side, and center work should be recorded from the front.

    • Each combination may be performed on one side only, if desired.

    • Please use a clear, well-lit space with enough room for the dancer to perform safely and fully.

    • Music may be selected by the applicant or teacher as appropriate for each combination.

    • Please avoid special editing, or effects, filters, or camera movement. The purpose of the video is to allow faculty to clearly evaluate the dancer.

    • Please keep the completed audition video to 20 minutes or less. Applicants are encouraged to keep combinations concise while including all required elements.

    • The completed audition video should be uploaded to YouTube as “Unlisted.”

    Attire

    Ladies: Leotard, pink tights, ballet shoes, and pointe shoes for the pointe portion and classical variation. Hair should be secured neatly away from the face. Please do not wear skirts or costumes.

    Men: Black tights with a fitted black or white shirt and ballet shoes. Please do not wear costumes or loose-fitting clothing.

    A. Introduction:

    At the beginning of the video, please state:

    • Your name

    • Your age

    • Where you are from

    B. Ballet Technique:

    Barre:

    • Plié

    • Battement Tendu/Battement Dégagé

    • Rond de jambe

    • Grand Battement

    Centr:

    • Adagio

    • Battement Tendu with Pirouette en-dehors

    • Balancé combination with Pirouette en-dedans

    Allegro:

    • Petite allegro with battu

    • Medium allegro with sissonne

    • Grand allegro with entrelacé and grand jeté

    Pointe: ‍ ‍

    • Échappé with pirouette en-dehors

    • Piqué turns with tours chaînés

    C. Variation

    Ladies: Classical variation en pointe

    Men: Classical variation

    The video should demonstrate the dancer’s current level of training rather than a perfectly polished performance. We encourage applicants to focus on clear technique, musicality, artistry, and their best representation of the required material.