<p>Weird parent question: I know at auditions (Unifieds, on campus) parents do ALOT of sitting around. What do most parents wear? Sounds silly, but I am really curious...don't want to "embarrass" my auditionee...lol.</p>
<p>Folks are very casual, many in jeans, and dress for warmth. We all looked like a bunch of ‘sherpas’ hauling around all the stuff that accompanied our kids! A Kindle reader is a great investment! You’ll meet lots of great folks to talk to!</p>
<p>Awesome! I figured but wanted to be sure. I am excited to meet people on the same journey as we are :)</p>
<p>Not a weird question at all. You are right- there is a lot of sitting around. At the LA Unifieds, some of that sitting involved sitting on the floor outside of audition rooms, so definitely go for comfortable. Fortunately, we did not have to worry about cold weather, so at least we didn’t have to haul around heavy jackets! The time goes surprisingly fast- I know I had a book, but there is so much going on around you that sometimes it is more fun just to watch and listen. There are always other parents to talk to. Definitely take some quick nutritious snacks with you as sometimes the auditionee needs a quick pick-me-up when there is no time to go grab something!</p>
<p>Parents and kids also do a lot of WALKING. Comfortable shoes. And ditto the part about having a book but mostly talking! You will be amazed at how many of the same parents you will see at multiple auditions. It is fun to share “war stories” there, too!</p>
<p>I always found a friend or two with whom to explore the area. Funny story - while in LA (we’re from NY) we started talking with a local dad and his son while waiting for everything to happen. When the parents were dismissed this dad asked if I wanted a quick car tour of LA. Sounded great to me so we went. We had fun and got back in plenty of time but when I told my daughter she was appalled. Why? Because I broke the number one rule every parent tells their kid when they are little - NEVER go in a car with a stranger! It didn’t even occur to me; he was a mutually suffering parent not a stranger. Boy would I have fallen for the “my cat’s in a tree” or “want some candy” line when I was a toddler. From then on it was only walking tours with strangers.</p>
<p>Do something to release your stress and frustrations with this horrible process.</p>
<p>amtc, your story about the LA driving is so funny.
I actually found I connected with other parents so strongly that now, close to a year later, I still find myself thinking about them and wondering what program their son or daughter ended up going to. </p>
<p>For instance, there was one parent I met whose older son was an artist (not the one auditioning) and was working with this new company which had done Coraline, which he’d done too. She mentioned him because we got to talking about pursing an artistic career (in any of the arts) and how possible it was and what sacrifices it involved. Several parents joined in. You find (at least I found) that a lot of the barriers are down because you’re all in the same hugely stressful situation; also that you have a lot in common and there is often an immediate connection. The weird thing is that technically your kids are competing with each other, but it honestly doesn’t feel like that. Anyway, this mom said her older son (not the one auditioning) was currently working on a new feature called Paranorman. So I was SO excited when I saw Paranorman come out! I was like, 'Wow, this is done by that parent’s son!" I don’t even know her name but because I sat with her for a few hours waiting as my daughter auditioned, I felt that connection. </p>
<p>I had a lot of really cool interactions like that. it was a lot of fun. I did bring a book, but barely read it. I’d wear clothes that you could sit on the floor with–much of the waiting involved sitting on floors in hallways. If you have a weak back and/or care about your clothes not getting dusty, bring something to sit on besides your coat (my coat got very dusty). Most parents seemed to be dressed in nice casual.</p>
<p>I LOVE hearing all of these stories 
I agree that it is probably “war stories” and tales of survival. I especially liked the “in the car with a stranger.” LOL that is EXACTLY what I would have done :)</p>
<p>I had an “audition outfit” too! That made it less stressful for me getting ready/packing as well!</p>
<p>It has been 5 years since it was my turn, but I was DEFINITELY a sherpa in NYC! And wherever we went in midtown that entire weekend, we saw adorable teens, exquisitely turned out, followed by harried parents hauling stuff.</p>
<p>Yes, casual clothing is great. I didn’t bring anything to do and it went just fine because I enjoyed talking with all the other parents. My D preferred I stay in one of the common lobbies instead of accompanying her to each audition hall, so make sure you respect your S or D’s wishes with that.
The best thing to do is just plant yourself somewhere with:
Snacks
Water
Throat lozenges
Copies of their monologues and music
Extra pantyhose, safety pins, hair ties for gals</p>
<p>…and offer to watch the “dance” bag and anything else the auditionee doesn’t need at that moment. Just be “present” and “available” AND don’t ask how the audition went because if your S or D wants you to know they will tell you. It is very stressful for them and prodding doesn’t make it any better.</p>
<p>I dressed for comfort and warmth, and made sure I had a book and my ipod. Reason being – if I didn’t feel like talking to anyone (and it depended on the venue, and the vibe in the room), I could turn on the music, read my book, and go to my own private oasis. Or the book could become a conversation piece. </p>
<p>There were several families who became familiar faces along the tour, and with those, we’d often sit with a coffee or snack.</p>
<p>Just remember to take care of both of you – it’s an exciting, stressful, crazy-making time. Best of luck!</p>
<p>LIke MrsDrz, I staked out an area and pretty much stayed there as a home base, rather then follow my D around- I could keep all of her junk with me while she hit the audition rooms without leaving anything behind. There are a LOT of very nice parents, and it’s fun to hear where everyone is from and hear their stories! I do remember one parent from whom I quickly separated myself. All she talked about was how wonderful her D was and how they had no doubts that she would be accepted to every program. I always wondered how that went???.. Anyway I remember other parents left her quickly also so I guess everyone else had the same thought. However, overall, there are a lot of great people and they all seem to be rooting for each other’s kids!</p>
<p>My D went thru the process twice as she ended up leaving her first school and re-auditioning. She went with 2 friends who were also a little older and they got a room at the hotel for the second time around. I remember her saying that it was so much easier the second time as she was more confident and had already been to college. I had to laugh when she said that everyone seemed so young! I guess that 1-1/2 year age difference is a lot when you are 19 or 20! Anyway, I would have gladly gone the second time also, as the first time was so much fun, but she probably had more fun with her friends!</p>
<p>I don’t know if college auditions are exactly the same, but I imagine it’s like sitting with parents while your child is at all-day professional auditions. Take everything you hear from other parents with a grain of salt. There is always someone who will try to “psych” you out with their child’s supposed talents, relationships with the director, what inside info they know,(“I heard they are only looking for blondes”) etc. Or those who just want to compare their child’s achievements with yours, asking to see resume/headshot, etc.
Don’t let them worry you or your kid – no one knows for sure what is going on in the audition room and what directors/schools are looking for. It doesn’t hurt your kid’s chances to be nice and supportive of the other kids – the schools are going to choose who they are going to choose.
Maybe the competitive stage moms are different when it comes to college auditions, but I have a feeling that I will see many of the same type of people when our turn comes next year.</p>
<p>Merlehay - I did find that the parents were very different at college auditions than at professional auditions. Most of the time, not always, they were much friendlier and nicer, not as full of vibrato. I found there to be much more camaraderie and sharing of info, much less competitiveness amongst the parents and students.</p>
<p>Do any dads ever go, or will I be out on an island in a couple weeks?</p>
<p>When my D auditioned (10 years ago!), there was a small group of moms who congregated on some chairs at Tisch and chatted during the auditions, after the group Q & A. A couple of us went out and got coffees for everyone (and I dropped off my D’s application at the same time). One mom took out a little notebook she had and had everyone write down their contact info. A few thought this was a little silly but I can tell you that all these years later, some of us are still in touch via email and we’ve managed to get together for a lunch or glass of wine in NYC several times since. My D was one of the few in that group who got into Tisch ED as a result of that audition so I didn’t get to attend any further ones, something that was always a little sad because that first one had been fun, even if it was nervewracking (for me, not for my D!) </p>
<p>jeffandann, I think there were two dads there at Tisch that afternoon in the larger group. You’ll be in the minority but I would doubt that you’ll be alone in that regard. :)</p>
<p>Like amtc I found the parents at these auditions to be much friendlier and more open than the scary parents I’ve met at professional auditions. I enjoyed myself when talking to the other moms and dads-- it’s just fun to meet new people (like here!) And yes, jeffandann, there are fathers along on these auditions, so you will not feel peculiar.</p>
<p>I am another dad who has been relegated (by my wife) to accompanying my S on the audition circuit. I’m happy to do it and met many nice parents at our two December auditions. The second stretch starts next week for us at UMich and CCM.</p>
<p>Bring a sweater- I’ve ended up next to drafty windows! You just sit around a lot and the parents, for the most part, are great. However, there are always “those” parents and they have “those” kids too</p>