<p>Hi! I've read some threads from earlier about how schools are looking to build a company out of the people they admit. A couple of my instructors have indicated to me that I may have a hard time getting into a program because there are a million girls who look just like me: blonde hair, blue eyes, 5'6 and 110 lbs, and that I'd have a better chance if I were a different 'type.' They say that too many people of my type audition (and that less people audition of other types) and that they only accept a couple. Is this true? One even suggested I dye my hair! Is my appearance that important compared to my talent? What should I wear to my audition (besides the dance portion, for which I know I will be wearing dance attire)? Any advice you could give to clear this up would be extremely helpful.</p>
<p>My D is 5’ 4" and blonde and we have heard the line that directors do “not want too many short blonde sopranos” more often than I care to say. However, at the first two college auditions last fall I promise you I didn’t see many blondes, short or otherwise. Perhaps they will appear this month in the next round of auditions. ;)<br>
Do a search on the forum and you will find lots of suggestions on what to wear. Dr John at Otterbein wrote something very recently that is the ultimate guide to what to wear. My D is wearing a simple dress and heels. The outfit has worked so far. When you decide what to wear, practice in it. Now is not the time to color your hair - it’s the time to be the best 5’ 6" blonde in the bunch! Have fun and maybe we’ll see you.</p>
<p>Just let your true self shine though and have fun! I know some schools do accept students with the thought of types to build a company, but not all by any means. And talent and a great personality will help you stand out regardless of type.</p>
<p>Classicalbk and SRW have wonderful advice! DO NOT dye your hair!! Be yourself and you will show them why you are the one they need in their program. It is helpful to be aware of each programs requirements, they do differ somewhat, having that knowledge will help you to proceed with confidence and shine.
I also agree that Dr. John’s advice is wonderful. Dress neatly, be comfortable and yourself, and let them see you. When my daughter auditioned she also wore a simple and tasteful dress and heels she was comfortable in.
Have a good time and best of luck!! :)</p>
<p>My D (college freshman) was tired of being lost in a sea of brunettes, so she dyed her hair red (after she was accepted, but before school started) and is now known as “the redhead” and finds that she is being cast for roles that she might not have been considered for last year (femme fatale, leading lady, etc). So, looks do count for something, but not everything. </p>
<p>On the other hand, my poor S (15 yr old with a long professional resume) has suddenly found that he isn’t being cast anywhere except for voice over roles, because his “look” (think Justin Bieber) doesn’t fit his voice (think Paul Robeson). It will be many years before he can be cast in any musical theatre production and will probably have to go the VP route for college.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the advice, I really appreciate it. I think I’m going to wear a dress and heels. And I certainly won’t be dying my hair!</p>
<p>megpmom - My daughter was talking about dying her hair just the other day - from brown to red! She had red hair when she was Annie many years ago and kind of liked it. The problem is her headshots, she’d need to redo them and that process just wasn’t going to be able to happen in time. Oh well, maybe over the summer!</p>
<p>As far as your son; are you old enough to remember Jim Nabors? He played Gomer Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show and some other 60’s tv shows? His voice was absolutely gorgeous, deep, soulful, so different than his speech or general persona. I wouldn’t eliminate MT in college at this point.</p>
<p>amtc: Yep, my D had to have her headshots redone. Fortunately, she has a friend who is a fantastic photographer and did them for free. Re my son: Gomer Pyle would suit him just fine (after all we are Southern!)</p>
<p>My D was one of the few petite blonde legit soprano types auditioning last year. She is also one of just 2 in her MT program and I believe she was chosen for that reason. Most of the program consists of brunette belters. Think along the lines of R&H classic musicals and that would be my kid. Although she can still hold her own in contemporary works her obvious forte is classic (especially pre-1960) musicals. Despite what many would say, there is a market for these types. It’s all in the total package…just be the best at whatever it is you are good at and don’t try to change to fit the into the majority. Practice and be familiar with all styles but make the best one your signature style and really shine with it! Best of luck!! As a side note…my D just dyed her hair from light to dark blonde. Her headshots are of her with long light blonde hair…she will be auditioning at Strawhats in Feb using these headshots. I’m curious to see if it makes any difference. :)</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s a matter of trying to change who you are or your look (other than making sure your outfit is professional), but of presenting your best you to a wide audience – there are so many rumors about the various schools – this one only takes tall kids, this one only wants legit voices, etc, etc. Maybe there’s a history of this…but this year they’re looking for short belters! And we’re not going to know what the school is looking for to fill that class…not ever. But if you make a rational list of schools, and present a well-prepared, genuine “you” (whatever that is!) I do believe there is a place. </p>
<p>Be proud of who you are and be OVER prepared, so that your skills and “youness” shine.</p>
<p>Wish it were time for my DD to audition for college if this is the year of the “short belters!” We’re hoping she hits 4’11" by the time she graduates from HS… Hopefully the year she graduates won’t be the year of “tall legit.”</p>
<p>Just a follow up–at my BoCo audition…no blondes. I was shocked!</p>
<p>I agree with mommafrog - JUST BE YOURSELF! Whatever type that might be. Obsessing about what types schools are looking for is a pointless and overly-stressful game. You will NEVER know exactly what is going on inside the minds of the people behind the table. All you can do is be you.</p>
<p>GREAT advice, graciejo. As a coach who works with me and is also a seasoned Broadway actress teaches our students, “YOU are enough.” Also - you can always CHANGE THE MINDS of a school about what they “want” if you are interesting and skilled and prepared! Another one of my coaches went in for a major Broadway role in an upcoming show where the breakdown called for an African American, Tina Turner impersonator - and he’s a white guy with curly blonde hair and blue eyes!! Fast forward past several callbacks, and he was one of the final men in consideration for the job at the “final final” callback. He did not end up getting it, but the fact that he got so far shows that when people see something they like, they can be very flexible in their thinking about what they “need.”</p>
<p>Many thanks CoachC for your wise advice! As always, you know exactly how to guide us through this crazy process.</p>
<p>stagemom23 - my D is a “tall” (5’6") brown haired legit soprano. She is one of only 2 sopranos in her musical theatre program this year. Like your D she shines in all the old roles, but holds her own very well against the belters in the newer shows.</p>
<p>Hair is way too easy to change, dye, or “wig.” My Ds hair has been brown, red, blonde, you name it, for different roles. I would not worry for one minute about it. It’s your talent they are looking at.</p>
<p>A lot of great advice here already…just wanted to add - yes, programs do admit using “type” as a criteria. However, talent and preparation are far greater considerations. Regarding your “type” please just be who you are - that is all you can ever be, and that is who gets into the school, company, production. Young people have a hard enough time figuring out and accepting who they are much less complicating it by who they think someone else wants them to be.</p>
<p>mtdog - excellent advice^</p>
<p>You can’t have a good football team with 22 Quarterbacks. And you can’t put on a musical with 22 blonde blue eyed leading ladies.</p>