Audition outfits

<p>jeans? really?
oh gosh. Now I just don't know what to do with myself!</p>

<p>I think if someone chooses to wear jeans and feels good about that, that's fine. However, that's a little risky. To be safe, I would follow the clothing advice on this forum already given. I think you always want to take the safe route in any of your decisions.</p>

<p>I planned on wearing a skirt for my Emerson audition. And it is a striped skirt, does it absolutely have to be all solid colors?</p>

<p>STBFamous....I don't think it absolutely has to be all solid colors but I'd have to see the skirt. A subtile print or a pinstripe, etc. is fine. You just don't want something really busy or that "screams" out at you. Your outfit should be presentable and polished and can be a little fashionable to show your personality but it should NOT be real full of details that it detracts from them really listening to you, as opposed to staring at your outfit, etc. Funny thing is that last year, I recall my daughter wearing a short charcoal grey skirt with a faint pinstripe and very faint floral etching and some trim work at the hem to her Ithaca audition, with a burgundy sheer top with a tank top underneath, opaque tights and black heels. She told me that the auditor said to her, "like your outfit", LOL. I guess they notice :D It was pretty plain but I guess had a cute "kicky" style to it. She got in. I doubt that had anything to do with it, LOL. She wore that skirt with a different top and shoes recently to a theater audition that went very positively. So, my feeling is that a skirt is fine and the stripe would be fine if a subtle stripe and not very "loud" colors. I guess I'd have to see the skirt. I think plain type clothes are good but a little flair or style is OK but shouldn't be so overdone as to be the first thing they notice. Tone down the jewelry and accessories too.</p>

<p>I have an interesting audition outfit story to share...I don't think I shared this previously on line, but if I did, please just ignore it! My D auditioned last year for a school at the Unifieds and she woke up feeling very sick that morning. She auditioned, but it was pretty awful. In fact, they could tell she was sick and offered for her to tape her audition and send it in. Obviously, she didn't get in last year. This year, she went back to re-audition and the woman who first greeted her said she recalled her from last year. My D said "I was the sick one". And she said "Oh, I remember you had that really nice tan outfit on". Can you imagine that someone who sees all these kids at the Unifieds would actually remember what my D had on! The only reason I remember is that we bought 2 of the same top, so that she could keep switching it with 2 pairs of pants. She looked presentable at the auditions, but I was amazed that someone at a big school could actually remember what she wore! So it does matter how you present yourself. (BTW - when she came out of the audition this year, the woman said "You're definitely not sick this year". - We're hoping that's a good sign!)</p>

<p>Lynn....that is an amazing story! I guess they notice more than we realize! I recall your beautiful daughter and how great she looked and dressed last year. She made an impression. And I would say that the comment from the auditor this year is indeed a very positive comment.</p>

<p>Thank you. My Emerson audition was today and I ended up wearing brown dress paints with a peach top. I think that overall I looked pretty presentable. Many of the girls there were wearing jeans and t-shirts, like things I would wear to school. After seeing how the others dressed I felt I really stood out, which is a good thing. My friend told me he had his BOCO audition yesterday and almost everyone there wore jeans, so to be dressed up really made you shine through the crowd.</p>

<p>STB...you wore the right kind of clothing, trust me. I can't believe how many you saw in jeans and school clothes. I can't see making that choice for a college audition or a college interview. I'm sure they can still be admitted but really it is not proper audition clothing. What you wore sounds perfect to me. My D wore something like that to several auditions....brown dress pants with a pinstripe with a peachy/pink sheer top over a tank top, which like you, was not what she normally wore to high school on a regular basis. So, don't necessarily go by what you saw those kids wear because you showed a sense of professionalism and dressed fittingly for the situation. Most kids we know dressed along the lines of what you did. But I guess you see everything at auditions. We saw one girl at the Emerson audition in what I would term a "business suit/skirt and blouse" and frankly that seemed TOO dressed up (let alone didn't seem to "fit" Emerson). I haven't seen many teens who own that type of clothing and it seemed more fitting for a office job interview. I think for college auditions, you should look yourself but give the situation a sense of proper dignity and professionalism that the situation calls for.....thus wearing nicer clothing than one would wear to hang around in or go to school in.</p>

<p>ATTIRE from the FAQS link
ATTIRE</p>

<p>DANCING</p>

<p>For the dance audition, any type of dancewear is usually appropriate. However, when choosing dancewear, lean towards jazz attire rather than ballet attire unless otherwise specified (this is just my opinion judging from what I saw). Simply from observing last year's auditions, most people will be wearing any combination of the following: leotards, dark-colored footless/convertible tights, jazz pants, jazz capris, dance sweaters, or dance camisoles. If you have a great figure, this is the time to show it off!
If you are not comfortable wearing this type of dance attire, do not simply wear baggy sweats or (God forbid) jeans. Jazz pants/capris and a solid color, fitted T-shirt can also be appropriate.
No matter what you're wearing on your body, it is important to have a good pair of dance shoes. Jazz slippers or jazz sneakers are the most appropriate, but ballet slippers or even character shoes are also acceptable.
If you do not own a pair of dance shoes, invest in some jazz slippers (don't forget to break them in a little bit). You will use them in college and later on in your career, and showing up to a dance audition wearing only athletic shoes is a dead giveaway to the fact that you have never had dance training. Plus, it's unprofessional.
If you have had tap, pointe, or other types of specialty dance training, it is always a good idea to have your shoes with you.</p>

<p>SINGING/ACTING</p>

<p>It is not necessary to have two separate outfits for the singing and acting portions of the audition. In fact, they are usually conducted consecutively. However, what you wear should be different from what you wore for the dance portion...it is not advisable to simply throw on a wraparound over your leotard. Dress casually, but neatly and professionally. Do not dress for the character, but you may find it more comfortable to wear something that suggests the character or is in the same vein of the type of clothing your character would wear.
Appropriate attire for women would include a dress, or a blouse/sweater, skirt/slacks, and heels. A full-on business power suit or formal wear is taking it a little too far.
For men, a long-sleeved, button-up, collared dress shirt, slacks, and dress shoes would be appropriate (don't forget a matching belt and socks!). A tie and jacket are not necessary, but if you do have a suit, it looks very professional. A polo shirt is too casual, while a tuxedo is far too formal.
Make sure your shoes are comfortable and relatively easy to take off. Some acting instructors prefer you to do a particularly active monologue without shoes.
Above all, make sure that what you wear is neat, clean, respectful, and flattering to your figure.</p>

<p>I just pasted the ATTIRE link above. It is a great guide</p>

<p>Now I will give my own opinion about clothes for auditions. I am kind of a Natzi when it comes to my students audition outfits. (if they are reading this, they are LOL)</p>

<p>GENERAL RULE:
Think Banana Republic, Gap, J. Crew or Ann Taylor. Solids only, no stripes, floral or patterns. Nice, pulled together, polished, crisp. Fabrics that won't wrinkle.
NO JEWELRYor perfume/cologne.</p>

<p>Something that is flattering but doesn't draw attention to itself.</p>

<p>This is what I tell my students... I don't want the auditioners saying (after you leave the room) LOVED that SHIRT, I want them to say LOVED that ACTOR!</p>

<p>Girls:</p>

<p>Solid color top that is flattering in FIT and COLOR. Here is your chance to use your most flattering color (which you should have also used for your head shot). Sweater set, collared blouse. Fabric that won't wrinkle.</p>

<p>Skirt (not pants) unless absolutely impossible because of blocking. Fabric should have some stretch. Dark color and knee length or slightly below. Show your figure, please!
No bare legs. Cover your legs with opaque or solid colored hose. Shoes should be dark and disappear. Mary Janes or flat pumps. If you MUST have a heel, a very low one, like a character shoe.</p>

<p>Guys:</p>

<p>Layered top is a good look. T-shirt under a nice collared shirt. Solid color, please. Or V-neck sweater over a solid T.
TUCK IN SHIRT and wear a belt. Dark trousers. Black pant, dark khakis, grey, navy slacks. Well fit, not slouchey. Dress shoes or loafer. Dark socks</p>

<p>Make up and hair for girls:
Hair out of your face and styled. Make up, just enough to look your prettiest, don't overdo it.</p>

<p>I can answer any specific questions, if you have any.</p>

<p>xxx,Mary Anna</p>

<p>i may have posted this sometime before, but let me tell you what i wore (at felt COMPLETELY appropriate in):</p>

<p>a brown, knee-length herringbone skirt (ann taylor) with a green satin ribbon down center front. a green button-down shirt with a brown v-neck sweater over it (both jcrew). brown heels (probably about 3.5 inches -- i'm EXCELLENT walking in heels, though).</p>

<p>just thought i'd add my two cents!</p>

<p>maggie</p>

<p>Interesting, there was nobody with jeans or school-type clothes at the LA Unifieds (amazing here in casual Calif.). Most of the guys wore clothes as Mary Anna has suggested. One had on a white shirt, black slacks, and dark tie. He definitely stood out (overdressed?).</p>

<p>The range of clothing for the girls was wide. Some of the choices were not flattering in style, fit, or color. My favorite outfit was a long-sleeved burgandy wrap dress that was lacy but not at all reavealing. It was streatchy and perhaps a "dance dress." This outfit showed off the girls figure, yet was very classy and alowed movement.</p>

<p>Yesterday at Marymount there were a LOT of kids in jeans. I was very surprised. Last year I can recall one girl whose outfit was absolutely beautiful. She wore a peachy colored skirt and matching sweater. She had beautiful blonde hair and pale skin. (I imagine she looked like the girl in Lights in the Piazza - even though I haven't seen it) Let me tell you, she stood out and looked soooo professional. I would have admitted her, just based on her outfit!</p>

<p>I guess I'm just old fashion, but I cannot imagine anyone wearing blue jeans at a college audition! When my d auditoned ED for Tisch, I couldn't believe how many kids wore jeans. I'd guess close to half of them in her group had them on. On the other hand, there were a few dressed up like they were going to a formal event, and looked out of place as well. I'd be curious to know if it matters? My d and janenw d both were accepted into CAP 21, and they both dressed as requested on the Tisch website. Neutral clothing with flat shoes. They both looked very nice, but didn't draw attention to themselves by their clothing. Interesting that they were both in the same group and auditioned back to back and both were accepted. They also dressed appropriately for the dance component. Some kids had on baggy sweats and tops. </p>

<p>I'd love to know how others dressed who were accepted into MT programs...</p>

<p>My daughter dressed as yours and Jane's did, Jashner. She either wore dress pants or a skirt (I think she wore pants more often than skirts but it varied from place to place). Each time the outfit was pretty plain, nothing fussy. Solids or light pinstripe. Did not wear black so had some color. Wore black heels. At NYU, before going into the audition, they said they preferred bare feet or flat so she took off her shoes (I didn't know that before we went but you are saying you read about flats online but I didn't see that last year mentioned, maybe it was?). For dance, she wore her dance clothing...leotard and jazz pants. For ballet, it may have been tights, I don't recall. She had on tights under the jazz pants and I'm not sure where she wore jazz pants or tights, but it was proper dance wear and shoes. Definitely nothing baggy or sweats. I'd say her audition outfit was not her regular school clothing but definitely not her dressiest clothing....certainly not a dress. I also interview applicants for college (not BFA) and in fact, am doing one today and most kids dress in the way I just said though some are too informal or sloppy or wear jeans. My kids always went to college interviews in attire like I am describing....more proper than their school clothing but not super dressy. Definitely nice shoes. I think students should dress as is fitting for the occasion and show they cared and gave it the proper respect. And when they have had to do music adjudications, they have also had to dress nicely. It is required and expected. I think it says something about how you view the process. The observations that you guys are making of all these kids in jeans is surprising to me actually.</p>

<p>I could not believe how many kids at the Chicago unifieds had on warm up suits!!! and lots of jeans.....but for he most part I saw skirts, and nice pants with tops. I was surprised at some of the make-up and jewelry that I saw though....</p>

<p>NOCCAmom makes a good point about makeup</p>

<p>the adjudicators will NOT be sitting that far away from you, so full stage makeup is DEFINITELY not necessary. you want them to be able to see YOU -- not what MAC and Maybelline's versions of you are!! of course, tasteful makeup is necessary, but don't go over the top!!</p>

<p>I don't think jeans are apporpriate, but I don't think I could go into it in a plain skirt and top. That's just not me, and they want to see a slightly dressed up version of you, so that's what you should do! </p>

<p>I wore a dark and light blue striped casual dres from urban with really cute gold/copper heals with a gold/copper/blue necklace. It breaks a lot of the rules, but I felt really comfertable and a little stylish and dressed right for me.</p>

<p>My favorite audition last year (and the school I'm at) had us dress in warm up/dance like clothes that we could move in for the warm up, which was great, and I wore strechy, but nice black pants and a blu fitted sporty top. Some people changed for there monologues, but it was my first audition and I didn't know that was even an option so I didn't and it didn't matter at all.</p>

<p>A friend of mine who got into (for acting) Evansville, DePaul, Boston U, The Guthrie, and Syracuse has crazy personal style and she wore like an orange casual dress, and a bright green skirt and a white vintage sweater for some of hers, so that shows that it doesn't matter all that much, the most important thing to do is be YOU, granted a sharper version....</p>

<p>I say MORE than jeans, LESS then formal wear!</p>

<p>NYU -Tisch Drama artistic review guidelines "Your clothing should be casual and neutral. Audition in low-heeled shoes or in barefeet." I just can't imagine how anyone would not follow these printed guidelines...To me it was like a test to follow directions! Again, I'd like to know how the students who have been accepted to Tisch dressed at their auditons to see how much it matters!</p>

<p>UGH! My daughter definetely did not see that! She had her audition last week in NY city and wore a skirt and high heels. Most of the kids there were wearing jeans, or jean skirts or pants with heels, but it was a very casual group. That was a contrast to the Chicago Unified Auditions where most people were in skirt/dress pants/gauchos, nice shoes-flat and high. There was one girl in Chicago who was wearing a long black dress but she clearly looked out of place!!!!!</p>

<p>I have had 5 students at Tisch over the last 4 years, male and female, and they all dressed as I instructed above.</p>

<p>xxx,Mary Anna</p>