<p>Do you think that girls should wear pumps, or are flats or character shoes just as acceptable? I want to look professional, but I also want to express myself and not worry about my shoes inhibiting my movement.</p>
<p>I think you should wear whichever shoes you feel most comfortable in and ones that you can move in while you sing/act. </p>
<p>D has done 2 auditions and she wore her favorite tall black boots with funky black flowered tights and a solid red or cobalt blue dress. She looked a little different than some of the other MT girls but was 100% herself. Not sure if she’ll change it up as she goes but so far she feels that the outfits have been working for her (if she doesn’t get in where she wants I’m pretty sure she won’t be able to blame it on the boots! LOL)</p>
<p>Spanx are a girl’s best friend under knits- they smooth out lumps and bumps and yes, slips are a good idea, but make sure that they don’t droop out of the hemline. Pantyhose or tights are a must. Hair off of the face and a neckline that draws attention up to your face.
Guys auditioning in cold climates- and Chicago in the winter is COLD,no two ways about it (and NYC can be also)- might want to consider grey slacks rather than khakis because they’re more seasonally appropriate and if they are wool flannel, they won’t wrinkle nearly as much. Make sure to take a warm coat, hat, scarf, gloves and boots if heading to Chicago and NYC too, because you don’t want to arrive at the site chilled to the bone and it’s nice to be able not to freeze when you get a chance to explore the city at day’s end.
We’ve been through this twice, undergrad and then grad school last season and although my D is a classical singer, she was often at auditions with MT kids. I have to say that the latter were usually dressed better and were much more friendly! Good luck to all this season.</p>
<p>I think people opt for simple audition wear not to be “cookie cutter” but to keep the focus on their actual audition, not on what they are wearing. Yes it needs to be flattering and comfortable. And it’s ok to put your own personal twist on your attire in a subtle way. But be careful of being too “unique”. You don’t want them paying more attention to your outfit than your audition.</p>
<p>I’ve posted the link to this info before (and just copied it onto another thread) but it seems to be useful info, so here is the section from the Otterbein audition guidelines pertaining to clothes and shoes! </p>
<p>"AUDITION ATTIRE
Remember what we said before about not wearing clothes or jewelry or shoes that distract us from your face and what you’re 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 it’s all we see. Same for too much exposed skin, or flip-flops, sandals, and most athletic shoes. </p>
<p>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. That’s not helpful to us. </p>
<p>But an audition isn’t a picnic or a party, either, where you might wear torn jeans or cargo pants or shorts or t-shirts with cute logos. Don’t wear those. And it’s not a prom, so please don’t wear cocktail or prom dresses. And don’t wear spike heels. If you’re comfortable in heels, and think they make you look good, wear character shoes or something with a similar heel. </p>
<p>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>Note the specific reference to heels (character shoes, not pumps or spikes), and the request that you not wear party clothes or play clothes. I think this is clear and thorough–hope it helps!</p>
<p>I’m not sure I posted this in the MT thread or not, but I was shocked to see two girls at my D’s first audition wearing flip flops and REALLY short dresses. I think the flip flops bugged me more than the length of the dresses.</p>
<p>Flip flops? Were they at least substantial fashion flip flops and not the rubber beach variety? You know who everyone ALWAYS blames when the kids aren’t dressed appropriately…THE MOTHERS!! “Why would her mother let her come to an audition wearing that!!!” Our kids will be properly attired!! And then we will talk about the mothers of the kids who didn’t get it right! LOLOLOLOL</p>
<p>I think they had a bit of bejewling going on…LOL</p>
<p>My D has been telling me that their weekly performance class-which, as they are VP grad students, is held as “mock auditions”- is held on the main stage. Because of this, they are noticing all kinds of things that might not have occured to them otherwise, such as guys wearing mismatched socks or brown socks with a dark suit, a dress that is just “that much” too short or heels that cause a girl’s pants to break wrong on the foot.
That made me remember a story that I was told by a well-known adjudicator about how a young woman came out onto a stage for a major audition and she was wearing a lovely green gown; unforunately, she was sporting rubber flip-flops and the entire panel fixated on those because if was wildly innapropriate for the occasion. She didn’t win, but the memory stuck with everyone!</p>