<p>I know my fellow CCers will come up with something I never thought of. We have 2 1/2 weeks until S's Wright State audition and 3 1/2 for Baldwin Wallace. Umm...where has the time gone?? I am a list maker by nature. Below is what I started:</p>
<p>Resumes
Headshots
Dance attire and shoes (is tap part of the dance auditions? I will pack regardless but was wondering)
Audition attire and a spare, including dress shoes and socks
Book of sheet music
Folder with copy of app and specifics from school
Mucinex - S has seasonal allergies
The plays the monologues are from</p>
<p>Other than general overnight bag stuff what am I missing?</p>
<p>Along with your mucinex (gotta love that name): cough drops (we like Ricola!), saline nasal spray (some people like the Netti pot), a steamer, Advil, several bottles of water, Clif bars or similar, and something (iPhone/Pod/Pad) to access internet if necessary. </p>
<p>We also brought extra copies of transcripts and artistic recommendations, just in case–I think the transcript came in handy once or twice, if only as reference.</p>
<p>I also put every copy of every imaginable correspondence with the school (plus printed directions, hotel info, etc.) into a folder that lived in the bag. I’m a naturally disorganized, seat-of-the-pants person, but I wasn’t taking any chances! :D</p>
<p>Directions to hotel, directions to campus, campus maps including showing where to park, parking pass if you were given one, audition credentials if you were given some, hotel reservation confirmations, if flying copies of itineraries and reservations, car rental reservations, etc… Phone numbers for the school/audition coordinator in case there is an issue during travel. If you can try to go by the night before o you know how to get to campus, where you are going to park and which building you are going in.You don’t want to be anxious in the morning trying to figure out where you are going.</p>
<p>It’s also a good idea to have copies of your resume, headshot, and monologues online somewhere (e-mail them to yourself at a web-based account). This will give you mystical protection against loss.</p>
<p>May I recommended dropbox.com for online storage of all things college? I use it for EVERYTHING that I do and it’s been an invaluable tool. I can always access files with my phone on the fly.</p>
<p>This list can be helpful for the 'fieds too!</p>
<p>Last year there were a lot of people contending with colds and sinus infections. Some swear by neti pots, I myself like the sterile saline that comes in single-use pods from the drug store. Nasal irrigation is kind of icky but it helps immeasurably. Some people do it in the shower.</p>
<p>^When my son had the flu at the time of his biggest audition, we armed ourselves with saline and–forgot to say this earlier–that “Emergen-C” stuff. It probably is pure superstition, but it made him feel better, and he swears it’s what got him through! Saline spray and one of those little portable steamers that you use with bottled water were also great (both acquired at CVS the night before the audition), but his secret weapon was a long, hot, steamy bath, both the night before and the morning of the audition. The steam cleared out his sinuses and the bathwater helped him relax and feel less achey; from the hotel room, it sounded like I was next to the Shamu tank at Ocean World, but after he wallowed and splashed around for 45 minutes, he felt so much better. I strongly endorse the hotel room bathtub! :D</p>
<p>Snacks! Keep some in your bag and some in your child’s. They could be off in a holding area for a long time, or you could be waiting somewhere and not want to leave to get food.</p>
<p>Bumping this up for Unifieds and everyone heading out this weekend…cause I needed it again LOL</p>
<p>Adding to this we’ve experienced it twice so far. Sweatpants or cover up…something to throw on if the dance call is last so they don’t have to change back into the audition attire if you are heading out the door at that time. S could be seen last Saturday walking to the parking garage in Pittsburgh in shorts, black sock and his jazz shoes…14 degrees out…SIGH</p>
<p>I’m probably going to out myself as being a moderately insane germaphobe, but hey, we do what we gotta do, and if this helps your kid stay healthy, that means we all have a better chance of staying healthy. Since my D will do 9 auditions back to back, she has to stay healthy. So this process has turned me a little crazy. Here’s some stuff we’ll have with us:</p>
<p>Zicam rapidmelts – if you feel the very beginnings of a cold, these things are like gold. The citrus flavor tastes the best (it actually tastes pretty good).</p>
<p>Nozin Nasal Sanitizer PopSwabs – not as gross as it sounds. It’s like hand sanitizer for the exterior of your nose, but it has oils in it for moisturizing, and only about $6 for a pack of 10 (each swab offers protection up to 6 hours).</p>
<p>Anti-bacterial scarf (Germbana) – for the plane. Way more fashionable than a mask! (see? I’m a weirdo. I admit it.)</p>
<p>Ayr Saline Nasal Gel – the voice instructor swears by it for traveling</p>
<p>Purell – lots of it.</p>
<p>The great news is that my D understands how important it is to stay well and is on board with all of this until she’s done with auditions.</p>