Familiarize yourself with Balanchine technique. There are many styles and methods of ballet training, but your audition class will be in the Balanchine technique. The way the arms, head, and chest are held, as well as techniques for rolling up on pointe and preparing for turns, may be different from what you are used to. If you don't have access to a teacher who danced with the NYCB or studied Balanchine technique you can familiarize yourself with the Balanchine technique with books and videos. Suki Schorer's book "Suki Schorer on Balanchine Technique" is an excellent resource.
Watch videos of Balanchine's works to see how his technique is integrated into choreography. Copies of the NYCB doing Balanchine classic works from the Dance in America series are available on DVD. "George Balanchine's The Nutcracker" was released as a feature film in 1993 and is also available on DVD.
Register for the audition. The summer course holds an audition tour that offers auditions in many cities around the country. Winter term auditions are held at SAB in the fall. Pre-registration for auditions to the summer audition tour as well as the winter term are available online at the SAB website. Foreign applicants may send in a video. SAB only accepts applications from dancers between ages 6 and 18.
Prepare your audition materials. Remember that SAB is a pre-professional training academy. Because the purpose of the school is to prepare dancers for work in a professional company, treat the audition as you would a job interview. Come prepared with a dance resume, a professional headshot and a full body shot in first arabesque. Be sure to use a specific resume format for dance (see Resources section). Include your years of training, the name of your school and teachers, and any performing experience, including acting and singing.