<p>Ok, I've been reading all the threads about what to wear or not to wear I'm honestly conflicted. We just bought D a simple navy dress, very flattering on her, not too short and no plunging neckline. Her style though tends to be louder-bright colors, patterns should she wear something more her style? She has told me she wants to wear heels, something about helping w/her singing, but other than that I'm unsure of how to guide her for this.</p>
<p>Also, have you worn the same thing for the prescreen & the actual audition? Yes, we have not done our prescreens yet. I feel so behind from most of you, but we are working at it!</p>
<p>The rule of thumb for audition attire is to be sure her outfit does not draw attention away from her talent. When my D showed her audition coach two dresses, one plain color and one patterned, the coach immediately nixed the patterned dress. If you look at individual school websites they give specific instructions on attire, and many will say something similar.</p>
<p>So I’d suggest the plain color, and to wear the same thing for pre-screen and the actual audition.</p>
<p>Don’t feel about about not having the prescreen done yet. My daughter won’t be doing hers until next Saturday. I too am feeling behind everyone here, but we’re so far ahead of all of my daughter’s classmates. I have a feeling that many seniors across the country are like my daughter’s classmates and we’ll be okay!</p>
<p>I’ve posted the link to this before, but it probably bears repeating; it’s from Otterbein’s audition guidelines, and I think the suggestions about clothes are applicable to most schools:</p>
<p>“AUDITION ATTIRE<br>
Remember what we said before about not wearing clothes or jewelry or shoes that distract us from your face and what youre saying or singing? While you may normally sport lots of rings or military boots or long hair falling across your eyes, those things can be so distracting that its all we see. Same for too much exposed skin, or flip-flops, sandals, and most athletic shoes.<br>
At the same time, an audition is not a business interview, so please do not wear a suit and tie, or a suit and pumps. The intent of those clothes in a business interview is to prove that you can fit into a business environment. Thats not helpful to us.
But an audition isnt a picnic or a party, either, where you might wear torn jeans or cargo pants or shorts or t-shirts with cute logos. Dont wear those. And its not a prom, so please dont wear cocktail or prom dresses. And dont wear spike heels. If youre comfortable in heels, and think they make you look good, wear character shoes or something with a similar heel.
So what can you wear? Clothes that fit well, that you feel comfortable in, that you look good in (and feel that you look good in), and that draw our eyes to your face and hands. Shirts and pants work for men and women alike. Skirts are fine for some women, and for some, a dress can work very well. So can classy jeans. We want to watch you, not your clothes.”</p>
<p>A little tongue and cheek, but if their acting cannot bring the auditors away from what they are wearing (i.e. a print or color dress) then maybe the kid has chosen the wrong profession. I think as long as the dress isn’t too sexy a color or a mild print can be fun and interesting. JMHO</p>
<p>I know this goes against the grain, but I disagree with a lot of what is said here about audition clothing. My D went thru the audition process twice, both mostly at Unifieds. The first time, she auditioned as a freshman and was accepted to all of her schools. She ended up transferring and auditioned again as a transfer. This time she was accepted to all but one and she graduated recently. She has pretty quirky sense of style and definitely shies away from the norm. She originally looked at the “recommended” audition style and then told me she would not feel comfortable if she wore something not her style. The one thing I will say is that when she showed up at Unifieds (the first time- I don’t remember what she wore the 2nd time), she stood out. She has always had very short hair. Almost every girl there had long hair. She wore a brightly colored patterned dress with huge earrings and mid length “army-type” boots. She got several compliments from auditioners regarding her unique style. I am not saying everyone should show up like that, but I do think that everyone should show a little bit of their own style. If all the girls show up wearing long hair and A-line knit dresses, I would think they might start all running together. I also think most kids will have a better audition if they are comfortable with what they are wearing. If that means a simple, monochromatic dress, then that is fine, but if it is something more outlandish, they should go for it. Theater kids tend to be very unique individuals and a lot of them express themselves with their clothing. I think that any kid who can’t stand out in an audition because their clothing is different probably is going to have a hard time in the real world anyway.</p>
<p>We’ve only been to one audition so far but my D said of the 15 girls there 5 had on bright blue A-line dresses with pumps. She said they looked like clones. </p>
<p>I generally agree though that you don’t want your clothes to be a distraction. If you think about a group of people waiting for a job interview, they will probably look like clones too! It’s not really a bad thing. It’s just a clean slate in a way, and then the students’ performance and experience stands on its own. </p>
<p>If style is important to the student and he/she wants to go a different direction than the typical audition attire, that can be done well. The student will likely be more comfortable too. </p>
<p>My D doesn’t care much about clothes and just said she didn’t want to wear a dress because of movement warm-ups, and then asked me what she should wear. </p>
<p>Another way to look at it - you are not going to get in because you had the prettiest A-line dress or the best khaki slacks or because you look like the cover of Vogue. Just don’t wear something that leaves the auditors thinking “why did he/she wear that” for half your song, instead of thinking about evaluating your performance!</p>
<p>I agree that you should wear something that you feel confident in and that doesn’t distract. Whatever that is for you.</p>
<p>But I do think there are clothes to avoid. I have seen all of these (for the record, this is my <em>third</em> child auditioning! Hard for me to believe!)</p>
<ol>
<li>No dresses/skirts that are too short (near the crotch) combined with high heels. Really, no. Also, please, don’t put on too much make up, unless it’s really ‘you.’</li>
<li>No outfits that infantilize the girl, making her look like a baby-doll. Hair OFF your face, boys and girls.</li>
<li>Boobs, bra straps, bellies, undies, butt cracks hanging out when moving is vigorous. Do a jumping jack and lie on the floor and do push ups. If you can do these things without parts of you falling out, good. If not, avoid the outfit.</li>
<li>This probably doens’t apply here but just in case: No sloppy street clothes. No dirty, worn jeans, no bulky acrylic sweaters, no wrinkly T shirts or dirty shoes.</li>
</ol>
<p>Some different opinions here. Let me expand on my earlier comment where I said you want simple, something that does not draw attention away from your child’s performance.</p>
<p>I would check each school website on audition instructions. Most have instructions on not only song/monologue number and length but attire and appearance. Now imagine you decide to forego the suggestions for attire. That would come across as if you were told you have a minute for a song but decide you’ll do 90 seconds. If I’m one of the auditioners I would question whether, if you can’t follow simple directions for attire, whether it’s a sign you wouldn’t take direction if accepted into the program. And I would maybe move on.</p>
<p>I will never forget going to a talk given by the current department chair for my D’s program, the summer before she did her auditions. He was very clear; they are watching and observing the moment you walk in the room. If you walk in the room wearing something against their guidelines, odds were good they just cross you off their list before you even started. As he put it, they were going to have 700 kids auditioning for 20 spots; they don’t need to deal with people that can’t follow instructions.</p>
<p>So while I’m all for people expressing their individuality, it might be a good idea to think whether holding off for 5 min might be advisable.</p>
<p>Such good advice jeffandann. My D is applying for BFA in Acting and not MT so this may be where the programs differ. I have scoured each website for dress info and I can’t find any specifics. Now I am nervous.</p>
<p>Bisouu: go simple and tasteful. Can’t miss with that. All I can tell you is that my D’s audition coach spent a good amount of time making sure her outfit was appropriate and did not overshadow her actual audition. And every kid she’s ever coached has gotten accepted.</p>
<p>Now that you have mentioned that specific schools may want specific clothing I want to make sure my D is following their directions and is not going against what they ask. If you come across the schools that want a certain type of clothing would you mind sharing that info? Thanks</p>
I think as long as the dress isn’t too sexy a color or a mild print can be fun and interesting. JMHO</p>