There are a lot of decisions to make during audition season—and many factors to consider about each potential job beyond whether the dance style is a good fit. Even if you’re sure a choreographer or company is perfect for you, it’s smart to do some additional research before the audition. Going in prepared can help you land on your feet.

Dancing across a hotel ballroom in small-town America seems a world away from performing on Broadway, but for some students, competitions and conventions are an important step toward realizing that dream. Skills honed at these events—the ability to quickly learn choreography in a wide range of styles and perform it immediately afterward—are valuable in securing work in musical theater.