Here is a list of some of the things you're going to need when you go audition. Enjoy!
WHAT YOU'LL NEED WHEN YOU AUDITION
GENERAL
- A good attitude is by far the most important thing you can bring to an audition. Nobody likes a diva, and if you want to be one of the few students accepted, then show yourself to be a hard-working professional.
- Water, water, water, water! For every audition, you should have at least 3 waterbottles: one for the dance, one for your monologues, one for your songs...and more if you think you'll need it.
- Bring some generic over-the-counter meds. Advil, Tylenol, Dimetapp, Sudafed, etc. will come in handy if you get a sore throat or sprained ankle.
- There might be a lot of waiting around, so take some voice-friendly, healthy snacks. Stay away from dairy or citrus, as they can cause phlegm, but go for whole-grain and protein, as they will help sustain your energy.
- A small personal hygiene kit will come in handy, particularly when you have to change quickly from your sweaty dance clothes into your nicer outfit. Some items to consider include a washcloth, soap, deodorant, comb, hair product, and makeup.
- Even if you already sent them in, be sure to have plenty of resumes and headshots handy.
- An extra set of audition clothes is always a handy thing to have in case of emergency (e.g. food/beverage spills, lost suitcase, makeup stains, etc.).
SHEET MUSIC
- Although a few schools frown on photocopying sheet music, you as a performer need to do whatever it takes to make sure the accompanist plays your music correctly. One accepted way of having sheet music is to photocopy whatever pages you need. Glue-stick or tape these pages onto cardboard or cardstock, and tape the cardstock together accordion-style. You may also put photocopied pages into a rep binder. If in doubt as to what format a school requires, call and ask.
- Highlight or circle anything important or unusual in your music: key signatures, key changes, time signatures, odd flats/sharps, fermatas, dynamics, octave jumps, repeats, codas, etc. If you do not read music, find someone who does and have them go over your music in this manner.
- Don't put your music into a binder with protective sheeting, as this only makes for more pages the accompanist must turn, and the sheeting will cast a glare and the accompanist will be blinded. There is non-glare plastic sheeting, but this can still cause glare in some lighting. In the same vein, only tape over the corners of your pages; don't tape over the actual music as this will also cast a glare.
ATTIRE
DANCING
- For the dance audition, any type of dancewear is usually appropriate. However, when choosing dancewear, lean towards jazz attire rather than ballet attire unless otherwise specified (this is just my opinion judging from what I saw). Simply from observing last year's auditions, most people will be wearing any combination of the following: leotards, dark-colored footless/convertible tights, jazz pants, jazz capris, dance sweaters, or dance camisoles. If you have a great figure, this is the time to show it off!
- If you are not comfortable wearing this type of dance attire, do not simply wear baggy sweats or (God forbid) jeans. Jazz pants/capris and a solid color, fitted T-shirt can also be appropriate.
- No matter what you're wearing on your body, it is important to have a good pair of dance shoes. Jazz slippers or jazz sneakers are the most appropriate, but ballet slippers or even character shoes are also acceptable.
- If you do not own a pair of dance shoes, invest in some jazz slippers (don't forget to break them in a little bit). You will use them in college and later on in your career, and showing up to a dance audition wearing only athletic shoes is a dead giveaway to the fact that you have never had dance training. Plus, it's unprofessional.
- If you have had tap, pointe, or other types of specialty dance training, it is always a good idea to have your shoes with you.
- It is not necessary to have two separate outfits for the singing and acting portions of the audition. In fact, they are usually conducted consecutively. However, what you wear should be different from what you wore for the dance portion...it is not advisable to simply throw on a wraparound over your leotard. Dress casually, but neatly and professionally. Do not dress for the character, but you may find it more comfortable to wear something that suggests the character or is in the same vein of the type of clothing your character would wear.
- Appropriate attire for women would include a dress, or a blouse/sweater, skirt/slacks, and heels. A full-on business power suit or formal wear is taking it a little too far.
- For men, a long-sleeved, button-up, collared dress shirt, slacks, and dress shoes would be appropriate (don't forget a matching belt and socks!). A tie and jacket are not necessary, but if you do have a suit, it looks very professional. A polo shirt is too casual, while a tuxedo is far too formal.
- Make sure your shoes are comfortable and relatively easy to take off. Some acting instructors prefer you to do a particularly active monologue without shoes.
- Above all, make sure that what you wear is neat, clean, respectful, and flattering to your figure.