Getting hired at a club

How auditions usually work

Most clubs do not run auditions like a casting. You walk in, ask for the manager, and they either look at you right there or ask you to come back on a quieter shift. Some will have you dance one or two songs on stage during a slow afternoon. Others will skip the stage entirely and just talk to you. There is no standard, so call ahead and ask what they want.

What a manager is weighing is simple: can you hold yourself on stage, are you comfortable talking to strangers, and are you going to show up. Dance ability matters less than you think. Confidence, a clean look and reliability matter more. A club is a business and the manager is guessing whether you will make them money and not cause problems.

Clubs vary a lot in what they are looking for. A club that turned you down is not a verdict on you. Try another one, or the same one on a different day with a different manager on.

What to bring

• Government ID that proves your age. Every club will check it and most will photocopy it.
• Two outfits and a pair of shoes you can actually walk in. A full set is not needed for an audition; something you feel good in is enough.
• Basic makeup and whatever you need to feel put together.
• A song or two in mind in case they ask. A DJ will usually have anything mainstream.
• Cash for house fees if they hire you on the spot and want you to start that night. Ask first whether that is expected.

Do not bring anyone with you into the club. Have a friend wait nearby if that makes you feel better, but walk in alone.

Licences and permits

Some cities and counties require an entertainer licence, permit or card before you can work in a club. This usually involves a fee, a background check and a photo, and it can take days or weeks to come through. Other places require nothing at all. The club will know what applies locally, so ask at the club before you spend money on anything.

If a licence is needed, it is usually tied to you, not to one club, so it can move with you. Keep a copy somewhere safe and note the renewal date.

Questions worth asking before you say yes

• What are the house fees and tip-outs, and when are they paid.
• Which shifts are available to new dancers and how scheduling works.
• Whether you are treated as an independent contractor or an employee, and what paperwork that means.
• The dress code, music rules and anything the club is strict about.

A manager who gets irritated by sensible questions is telling you something about how the club is run. A good one expects them.