(If there’s a thread with this topic, just direct me to it. I however didn’t find one with search)
Background: I am currently finishing up an associate’s degree in theater with a certificate in musical theatre. I’m already applied and auditioned up for all of my schools in 2016. And for all intents and purposes, I’m basically Danielle Brooks.
I’m 20 years old and live on my own, I applied to school by myself. I have a mother who is wiling to come to auditions with me. Is it worth it?
I know there’s a whole thread dedicated to what parents should do during auditions. It seems that parents are integrated into the process.
Do I have to bring a parent? Should I bring a parent? Pros? Cons?
I think as an independent 20 year old. you are good to go with or without your parents. The only reason I have been with my D for her auditions is because they are all 5+ hours from home, and she’s still a high schooler, so I prefer to go with her. As for the auditions themselves, I have not been with her for those - in fact, the Moonifieds didn’t encourage parents to even step foot onto the floor where auditions were occurring (may even have prohibited it). I watched a lot of TV and read the whole day, and only saw my D for lunch. When I was a high school senior and auditioning for college choral programs, I went on my own, b/c my Dad didn’t have time, and frankly didn’t care. I’ve enjoyed the forced quality time w/my daughter, and she hasn’t complained, so there’s that if you are looking for “pros.” Whatever works for you!
@Danilton - as an independent 20 year old, you definitely don’t have to bring a parent. Unless you want the company, you can certainly handle everything on your own. I basically dropped my daughter at the door at auditions last year and picked her up when she texted me that she was done. It is convenient to have someone to help schlep extra stuff, maybe pick up a sandwich, or help replace some forgotten critical item, but it is not necessary by any means for an auditioner who has completed a year or two of college.
At some on-campus auditions (and in some cases at Unfieds) they have info sessions for parents that may be of interest to your mom, although, from the ones that I attended, nothing significant was conveyed that couldn’t be gotten from reading the basic information provided by the school in brochures and on the school website. In a very few cases, it was entertaining and somewhat enlightening to hear the department heads describe the program and there were some details about how many auditioned, etc., that were interesting, but, honestly, it was just more or less a way to pass the time (especially since they are very likely going to be presenting all the same stuff again at orientation). I don’t mean to imply that these sessions are not very helpful to some/many parents, and I certainly readily sat through any and all that were offered, but I have to admit that after a few of these I started playing, “Guess the Next Powerpoint Slide.”
Similar to EmsDad, I was there to make sure she got to the site on time and registered, then mostly just keep stuff my D didn’t need. Given that there are usually a lot of people around (especially at unifieds) that can be helpful. But if you can pack such that you can manage everything then there certainly is no requirement to have a parent there. I think it is a little more needed for a high schooler. But since you are more used to being on you own after a couple years of college, you should be good to go.
Does your mom want to come, or is she just offering to be nice? Do you want her to come? Would it be nice to have the company, or would she make you more nervous? If she wants to come and you’d like the company, by all means bring her. It can be a great bonding experience no matter how old you are.
Also, if you don’t have someone to schlep your stuff, be prepared to leave valuables in a safe place - including anything you need for your auditions. There have been stories of of students’ song binders “disappearing”. In the one instance we followed a program’s preferences and stayed away from the actual audition venue, my S’s coat was stolen (in January) from the hallway right outside the audition room (auditionees were directed to leave everything except their books outside the audition room - either in the hallway or in an unsecured “holding” room). As a 20-year-old, you’re probably used to keeping track of your own stuff and figuring out where to be at what time, but many HSers aren’t that together yet. If you know you can handle any “emergency” that might arise on your own, there’s probably no need for mom to come - except for company and moral support. But if you tend to panic when you can’t remember where you left your tap shoes, or can never find a safety pin/band-aid/cough drop/hair product when you need one, having mom along might be useful.
You can usually find a parent to watch your stuff during your audition. We did that a couple of times for kids flying solo and it’s no trouble at all. Good luck.
While auditioning for VP, not MT, my daughter left her audition dress in the restroom. She went back less than ten minutes later, but it was gone! Not turned in anywhere. She had finished her audition, but it was still a horrible experience. We had bought the dress on a trip to NY and could not find another like it–plus it was not cheap, for us anyway. So, keep an eye on your stuff–it’s ruthless out there!
At Unifieds, person had one of each type of dance shoe stolen, and another had a music sheet ripped completely in half.
99% of what I saw and experienced at all auditions, including Unifieds, was awesomely positive (including an incredible fellow auditioner in all seriousness offering to fix my D’s broken leotard strap right there or let D borrow an extra of hers), but caution is wise! Spread joy, help, and encouragement…
@myloves, you’re right. We’ve had way many more positive experiences to make up for the lost dress. Most people are kind and supportive. It is a wonderful community, with just one or two people who are too stressed out and scared to handle themselves well.
I think a lot depends on the audition and your relationship with your mom. Will you be squeezing in 1-4 auditions a day at Unifieds? If so it would be nice to have a support person there, even if it’s just someone to run and get you tea, lunch or whatever you may need. Things happen, and you should be just focused on your audition and not stressing about the details. If an audition runs late and you’re concerned about not getting to your next audition on time, it’s nice to have someone there to inform them that you are running behind. Now some kids may find having their moms there may actually make the process more stressful- in which case you may want to ask a friend, sibling or another relative.
Thanks all for the advice. I’ve decided that she’s coming due to the fact that all my auditions are out of state, and I don’t have to drive the whole way this way.
She feels very excited to be included in this process.
I’ve enjoyed the forced quality time w/my daughter, and she hasn’t complained, so there’s that if you are looking for “pros.” Whatever works for you!