Clueless about Auditions!?

Question

I'm heading for my first official audition in community theatre, and I don't know what I'm doing. I have a monologue and a song, and I have a resume and headshot. What I need to know is: What should I wear? Do I announce what I am performing, or do I just do it? Do I take the book of music, or photcopied sheets that will lay flat? What else am I forgetting?

Answer 1

Dress nicely, but comfortably.  Watch others to see what the format is.  Most importantly, rehearse until you cannot make a mistake, then ease up.

Answer 2

Wear something that is smart casual but that you're comfortable in - you'll perform much better if you're comfortable.  It can be a good idea to tie your hair back, but don't put too much makeup on as the panel will want to see your features.  Chances are they'll ask you what you're going to sing anyway so you shouldn't worry about that; I'd take the original copy of the music (if you have it) plus a couple of copies of it - the panel may want a copy, and it's a good idea to have a copy for the pianist which doesn't require any nasty page turns - so a photocopy may be a good idea.  Always be nice to the person who's looking after the waiting room - their impressions are often asked for by the judges, as in community theatre you don't want to work with people who are diva-ish and difficult!  Be polite to other auditionees as well.  Just be yourself, and break a leg!

Answer 3

As others have said I recommend wearing something that would be labeled "business casual." If you are doing a monologue you may need to move a bit so you will want to wear shoes that are also comfortable. I think comfortable shoes are the key. Personally, I can't wait heels in an audition because I don't feel steady enough, but that is a judgment call. I usually wear black pants or any time of dress pants and a nice top. Nothing too revealing (i.e. low cut tops; short skirts), though. And also I have read from a few audition books that you don't want to wear anything too bright or distracting (like big earrings or a large necklace) because sometimes those watching your performance will be more distracted by the jewelry than actually focusing on your performance.

  If they give you a form to fill out in advance chances are you will have to list on there what you are performing for them, so you won't have to tell them. Sometimes they ask and sometimes they don't. It's really a judgment call. If you don't write it down prior to the audition and they don't ask I would announce it and go quickly into your monologue or song from there.

  For music, it is important that you have the music neatly organized so that the pianist isn't lost. I have my music in a three-ring binder and in plastic protective cases so that they can turn the music easily and so there is music written on the front and back of each page (less pages for them to turn in the long run). I recommend using a binder over the full accompaniment book as these books are often hard to keep flat on a piano. Also have a steady rhythm that you want for the song you are singing, as you may have to hum or softly sing  a bar or two of the music for the accompanist to know how fast or slow you want  to sing.

  Also be prepared to only sing 16 or 32 bars of a song. In community theatre they are a bit more lenient, but sometimes if they find they have a lot of people to audition they will cut you off or tell you to chop your song down. So be prepared to only sing 16 bars of a song. I would pick the part of the song that shows off your voice the best. And if they don't ask for 16 bars but cut you off don't take it as an insult...they usually never listen to a full song.

Hope this helps!

Break a leg at your audition!