<p>I have a regional audition Monday in Chicago for Boston University. How "dressy" should I dress? I was planning on wearing a black, slightly sparkly dress, tights, and heels. Too fancy, too casual, or just right? I know you have to dress modestly for college recitals, is this true also for auditions? (My dress is high cut and goes down nearly to my knees) Sorry if this seems like a silly thing to worry about, but this is my first live audition and I'm getting nervous about all the little things.</p>
<p>You are correct that you should dress conservatively. Dress like you are going to a job interview instead of a nightclub. </p>
<p>It sounds like your dress might work, considering it sounds modest. Consider switching if you own something more businesslike.</p>
<p>A typical outfit my D wore for auditions was gray slacks, crisp white shirt, a navy sweater and ballet flats.</p>
<p>If you are a singer I think you outfit sounds great; dressy but not over the top.</p>
<p>If you are an instrumentalist, you could get away with something a little less formal, and could definitely wear pants if that makes you more comfortable.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you! I am an instrumentalist (flute). I honestly don’t own dress pants- I’m very girly and I find dresses more comfortable. I also dress fairly nicely for a school day, so I guess to feel dressed up, I need something fairly fancy.</p>
<p>As long as the dress isn’t “over the top” sparkly, you should be fine- and you can tone it down with opaque tights and a simple, suede shoe (patent leather would take it too far). Anything that smacks of “evening dress” should be avoided for auditions (unless you’re on the stage of the Met!) at the student level.
For singers, pants are appropriate if you’re a mezzo and auditioning with “trouser role” rep. One thing about heels, if you can walk in them, they’re just fine, but if you totter around and are really uncomfortable, go with something lower but with some lift, such as a kitten heel or a wedge.</p>
<p>While it probably doesn’t require the formality of a job interview i.e suit and tie for guys, business suit or skirt/blouse/dress for women, it probably is better to go in there trying to look put together. You never know with audition panel members, in theory all they should care about is how you play, but especially given some of the super annuated people doing the auditions it is probably wise to be conservative. I guess the best way to put it is IMO, how you dress will never be a positive, at best it will be neutral i.e the panel doesn’t note it, at worse it can be a negative. </p>
<p>The outfit you describe sounds fine, as long as it isn’t low cut or glittering like a disco dress and is comfortable and doesn’t restrict movement, you will be fine, and with shoes wear what is comfortable for you that isn’t sneakers and such:). Some parents have their kids go over the top in auditions (I am talking instrumental here), I have seen kids at auditions coming in wearing Tuxes and the girls stunning gowns and that is over the top, and some parents think that is required, but it isn’t.</p>