My son and I are headed to Unified this month - and I thought I’d put it out there and find out what folks WISH they would have taken with them and done.
Here’s my list so far:
Headshots with Resume’s on the back
Binder of Music
Snacks and Water, water bottle
Throat lozenges/Throat coat
Dance attire and nice attire
Dance shoes
Books for reading (for me!)
Extra power for phone/tablet
Strategies
Make sure to check out all tables, and be gentle yet persistent to get walk-in auditions
We are headed off in February also, the tips are great. The major issue for my daughter is going to be dealing with sweaty dance calls and then act/voice auditions without time to really clean up. Maybe the dance is just not that intense. We frankly are surprised when the on campus auditions never mention showers being available after dance. She takes dance and in a regular class you are a mess after 30 minutes. What do they do at dance calls? I know they have the kids learn and do some routines but is it so low key you never break a sweat?
I agree with @astute12 about copies. Don’t forget to bring hard copies of your audition appointment confirmation, and any ID #s, etc. for each school you are auditioning before. If you rely on your phone, and there is no wifi, you’re in trouble. One (out of 15) we had to pull out our confirmation to “prove” we had an appointment b/c they had misplaced our info. But thank goodness I had it with me, b/c if I hadn’t…we would have flown there for nothing. Also, alcohol wipes and a Tide-to-go or something…nothing like spilling on your audition attire right before an audition.
No showers, and often the kids have to run, dripping sweat, from the dance call into the changing room, then to the audition room. Ick.
Bring the sheet music for auditions, even if you are directed to use a recording. Son had an audition and used the recording, but they also had an accompanist to assist with the adjustments. Luckily his dad was outside with the binder and sheet music.
Extra dance belts, wet wipes to freshen up after dance calls. Some of the dance calls were right before the audition.
Video clips of your prescreen auditions or your current songs in case you get ill and the auditors request them. Happened to one of my sons a few years ago in LA when school could tell he was hoarse. Two schools requested he send his videos and he was able to do so from his phone. He got into MT at one of those schools – a pretty big name – so it was definitely worth having those clips easily accessible.
