<p>All that said, a friend of mine got into CMU (missryahcmu) wearing jeans. go ryah. :)</p>
<p>Soozie, you're quite right - there are MANY different looks that "work," and CMU is well-know for taking people like Ryah (who did a nice job in LYSISTRATA at CMU, btw!) who come in jeans or other very "real" clothes - but most of those are actors (like Ryah), not MT's - and there IS a diff in those distinctions at CMU as far as type. I stand by all of the times I have heard from top NYC casting directors what I posted earlier about heels, however. In fact, there is a funny story about Billy Porter arriving to direct COMPANY at CMU and one of the senior MT's (who now wears nothing but heels even when walking around NYC but at the time was going through an "organic phase," as she tells the story) taking off her shoes to feel more "grounded" for her audition for him, at which time he simply flipped out and said, "GIRL - what are you DOING???" He actually had all of the girls' very high heels custom made for that show, to reflect a New York sensibility. I also stand by what I said about what the MAJORITY of girls WILL wear at college MT auditions and especially once they are admitted to top programs and begin auditioning for summer stock - I don't claim to know anything about non-MT programs except CMU, which I know extremely well. And I know that CMU grads who coach alongside me are VERY picky about heels for MT girls. UM grads are less so - but they all WEAR heels as they make their NYC rounds. So...there are exceptions to every rule...but the current "rule" for young women auditioning PROFESSIONALLY in NYC IS heels, unless the show is something edgy like RENT. The same is true for any big summer stock jobs. These are NOT my words, BTW - they are the words of Dave Clemmons - and I don't question him, since he casts many of the currently-running Broadway and off-Broadway shows and national tours. Trust me, I don't own a shoe company :) - I wouldn't "care" so much about the issue of heels if I hadn't heard it referred to SPECIFICALLY so often since I started working a lot coaching in NYC. Anytime I have served as the vocal health consultant to a casting workshop over the last 3-4 years, heels are the first thing mentioned when audition attire is discussed - how to walk in them and the clunky types that should be avoided. (It seems shoes are a particular pet peeve of many directors.) Just file that away in your vast MT knowledge brains, girls.</p>
<p>Right...I'm in agreement about heels for professional auditions. In terms of BFA auditions, my D ALSO wore heels because of wearing more "dress" shoes. I thought she should look "put together" and a bit "professional" and even "older" or worthy of the situation. She dressed her age while looking more "grown up" even if that sounds odd. I'd say more sophisticated than her every day school look here in rural VT, lol. I saw some kids dressed too casually in my opinion. I still believe dressy pants can work. Many were dressed that way at auditions. My D still wore heels with the dressy pants. In fact, she was not that fond of walking around campus in them, plus it was winter, so she changed into them AT the audition place and carried them in her bag. I think the heels do make them look more professional or "polished". As I said, I almost died when she took them off and went in barefoot in the NYU audition ONLY because they were suggesting it to the kids but normally I'd have told her, no way. </p>
<p>While I agree with Mary Anna about classic clothing and basics, I also am not into "boring". Some girls looked like clones. I recall at CMU audition, they called a few in and it was like a uniform, black skirt, same sort of shirt, etc. This works well when my kids have done music adjudications but I think for MT, you don't want to look like the next person in the same "uniform". Keep it simple but still show some style. Show your personality a bit but don't make it fussy or don't make it too much of the latest teenage look....look professional but you don't have to keep to basic black and a blouse or something. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>I just have to share a short story from auditions last year. After putting much thought into clothes for auditioning, the dance leveling at OCU went extra long. Dr. Herendeen came out in the hall and said that the people helping with auditions should just send the auditioners in sweaty and in dance clothes because that is how he would see them when they were students anyway. I am not saying that is the way to go, but just sharing a funny story.</p>
<p>That's hillarious and a great example of how all these rules can go out the window at any time. </p>
<p>This business is no science and the students have to remember to BE FLEXABLE. It's a great lesson to learn now because it will be true their whole careers. </p>
<p>Thanks for the story.</p>
<p>xxx,Mary Anna</p>
<p>Lots of things will just happen. And students will wear awful stuff and still get in. But, rather than think, she got in and she wore such and such. Just don't take any risks in that area. Do you need any more worries. Let that area be taken care of and then forgotten. I think these two coaches have given great advice. You have to stay very safe. Think about what you're wearing and ask youself if any judge anywhere could have a complaint and if the answer is yes, don't wear it. My personal opinion is to dress conservatively, tastefully, slightly fashionable and very nicely. Judges will want to know you cared enough to present your best. No sparkly or cocktail, of course, but I do think what I would call Sunday clothes are nice. I realize that's a different interpretation in different regions, but I think you know what I mean. I also think it's nice to wear something that complements your song or monologue if possible. Now don't go off on me thinking I mean "costumey." Not at all, just if your song is very feminine, dress a little more feminine and vice versa. I really think everyone on here is pretty much correct. I think the key words are good taste.</p>
<p>I agree the safest way to go is to dress nicely (I'm sure I will) but just for the record Ryah IS in musical theatre. MTs often are cast in straight plays at CMU (which you probably know) and vice versa.</p>
<p>My mistake - I have a student who is a freshman actor and he talks about Ryah, so I assumed she was an actor also - but of course, actors and MT's have some classes together, since both are acting majors and MT's have the additional major. I apologize. :)</p>
<p>So since I'm prepping for my OCU audition on the 18th, I went shopping yesterday and put an outfit together. How does this sound: black pinstriped pants, black ballet flats, and a kind of dark ruby 3/4 sleeve lace top over a black camisole. To top it all off, at least when I'm outside, like on the tour, I got this gorgeous mid-thigh length black woven jacket that makes me feel like a princess. </p>
<p>So how does that sound?</p>
<p>Oh, and I decided to go with the flats because a) I already had them, b) when I went to go get the pumps I was looking at at Payless, they had stopped carrying them, and c) I'm tall anyway and don't need the extra height.</p>
<p>I had wanted to ask someone that as well about the high heels. I know it is said on this site that high heels look nice...showing the leg, etc. I do agree they do look so professional, but my daughter is 5'7". Would wearing heels to an audition make her too tall?</p>
<p>Hi! my daughter at UofA (MT major) is 5'8". Her professor--a broadway actress--took her out shopping for shoes at some point after she cast my D as Adelaide in Guys and Dolls. they went through dozens of pairs of pumps until she found the pair that made my D's legs look like betty grables. she told her to never be without the heels that make you legs look like they should be insured by lloyds of london. these heels are part of my D's audition kit. auditioners have your daughters height on her resume, and they can see she is wearing heels, so they know she is not as tall as she appears to be in heels. the only thing an auditioner cannot tell is what gorgeous legs your daughter has if she is not wearing heels. just one take on the topic!</p>
<p>Saraccasmom - By the way, that Broadway actress professor just landed a pilot for ABC, and is flying to LA this week to shoot it! She wrote me an awesome recommendation for my transfer applications, and it is just so wonderful to see such a kind, giving, and MAJORLY talented person score a great gig! I hope the show gets picked up, I really do!</p>
<p>And about the heels - TOTALLY. Except for at NYU. :)</p>
<p>Be A Star....I like the sound of your outfit! I likely would have worn a heel with that but overall it sounds lovely and polished. What's even better is that you feel real confident about your look in it!</p>
<p>Break a leg!</p>
<p>Well here's what I've finally decided</p>
<p>I'm wearing a deep, rosey, pink long-sleeved shirt and a dark brown skirt, with dark brown pumps and a simple pink pearl necklace. Very basic and classic looking. My favorite part is the skirt, which I just bought last weekend. It's made out of this really light, floaty fabric and has a slight flare out at the bottom so it twirls very nicely</p>
<p>I know I'm not an expert or anything, but here's my little piece of advice to people- Find atleast one piece in your outfit that's really you and makes you just feel absolutely gorgeous. Like Be A Star said about her coat that makes her feel like a princess. It's probably even more important that you FEEL pretty than that you look pretty. I guess I'm trying to say that it's all about boosting your confidence.</p>
<p>Best of luck to everyone heading into their audition season</p>
<p>And treat yourself to a mani/pedi and eyebrow wax the day before!</p>
<p>As a novice MT parent, I've welcomed the wealth of advice offered here. I was a little surprised when, at my D's audition (at a frequently cited "reach" school), several weeks ago, only one female (of about 23) wore hose, only 2 wore heels, and the look went from jeans to cocktail dresses. Although many looked lovely, this was a bit different than I expected based on the pointers offered here. In light of the reaction several of the young women were eliciting from the group in the waiting area, I feel compelled (if also totally embarrassed) to add a sugggestion that I haven't seen posted yet. Please choose the right foundation garment (yes, I mean "bra") for your audition outfit. While clingy jersey tops may be popular, they can be distracting if you have generous figure. Perhaps a mirror that allows you to see yourself "in motion" would be helpful? It would be a shame to have THAT be the gift that was remembered rather than your wonderful performance......</p>
<p>Bestshot, in my experience you'll find an entire range of wardrobe at auditions. Even knowing this from last year, I was suprised at the last audition my D did in NY seeing jeans on the auditionees! and sweats....</p>
<p>so. I was trying to find an outfit that would show my personality a bit and make me be a little bit unique.... I have a knee-length (I roll it a little above because it looks better because I'm short) black Girbaud skirt (circa late 90's early 2000s lol) which if you don't know-his stuff is usually off-kilter a little bit, so it's like that, and then a brick-colored long sleeve top with a v-neck, and this kind of multi-colored three-quarter silk sweater/robe-type thing with a wrap around tie. It's a little bit fussy to put on, but I think it works because I can move in it and I feel comfortable. I did feel a little bit clone-like at my Syracuse audition though because everyone was wearing a black skirt or something really formal...while mine was a little different, it still felt...sunday(not like I would really know, being Jewish and all, but yknow). ...... I don't know what I'm saying anymore, but whatever.</p>
<p>oh and for girls who are short (like me) I suggest getting LaDuca character shoes (2.5 inch heels)- they have different straps that you can try out to get the ones that make your legs look the nicest....but point is they make you taller (obviously) and they are SUPER comfortable to wear through an audition. </p>
<p>hope this helps. kind of.
...I'm tired and babbling. done now.</p>
<p>OH!! and for dance attire, I also have another recommendation. </p>
<p>Check if there is a store around you called LULULEMON (<a href="http://lululemon.com/%5B/url%5D">http://lululemon.com/</a>) . They have AMAZING pants and tops and matchy stuff in some GREAT colors and it's always fun to dance in something you feel great in. Another plus? They hem for free.</p>
<p>Lululemon stuff is AWESOME. It's adorable, comfy stuff that fits really well. I feel so great in their clothes whether I'm working out or dancing or whatever. And yes, free hemming is a plus for a short-stop like me. :D</p>
<p>There was no dance audition at NYU though... I wore jeans and a nice crisp white shirt with a black sweater over it. I thought I looked good, and I felt good, which is never a bad thing!</p>