What to wear to an audition is a TOP question performers from all walks of life ask!
Auditions can be stressful enough, mainly 'cause you want to make sure you sound great......but what if I told you that this part of the audition is super super easy?
It's true, a lot of people get this wrong, but I've got five important tips to share with ya so YOU can not only sound your best, but look your best, too!
So, whether you're doing a musical theater audition, opera audition, or rock.....read on, I have advice for all of you!
1) If you are doing ANY sort of audition, footwear matters!
You CAN be stylish and comfortable!
Ladies that are doing classical auditions: heels are not ideal to sing in. It throws off your balance. Opt for a smaller heel, like a kitten heel, or beautiful flats!
Gentlemen, many types of dress shoes can PINCH! Cole Haan and Amberjack are too brands that men find comfortable as well as sharp looking.
If you are doing musical theater, it's a less formal genre, but you still want to be pulled together. The above advice for women applies here too. Men, you can wear stylish sneakers depending on what else you're wearing and what kind of show you're auditioning for.
Rock and pop auditions for gigs: different "rules" apply! You don't want it to look like you're trying too hard. BUT, do make sure you've broken in your footwear so you're comfortable. For example, don't get these incredible rocker boots the day before, 'cause you may not feel great in them when you're singing the next day!
Also, it may not be a bad idea to invest in some inserts for maximum comfort when you sing!
2) Accessorize with caution!
You don't want to go overboard, it will pull focus from YOU!
However, having one particular piece of "flair" is SUPER smart! Let me offer a few examples for some girls I had audition for musical theater productions:
One girl I teach reaaaally wanted to land the role of Ariel in "The Little Mermaid". I told her to send a "hint" so that the casting team could picture her as Ariel. I didn't want her to walk in with a purple top and green skirt as that is way obvious, but instead I suggested she dress simply and wear a big chunky seashell necklace. It worked!
More recently, I sent a talented performer to audition for a holiday show. I told her the same thing-it wasn't necessary for her to be decked out completely in red and green, BUT I asked if she had some big fun Christmas earrings. She did! She wore them, and they remembered her when it was time to do the dance call part of the audition: "Oh, the girl with the cool earrings is over there...."
See? It makes you memorable with one "statement" piece that fits the show!
3) Simple colors are where it's at
Hear me out! I know a lot of you loooove patterns and sparkle and I get it, If all goes well, you'll land the role or the gig and get to go all out.
Buuuut.....you want the main focus to be YOU and your storytelling and your talent.
Picking one bold color (say, a bright dress shirt or blouse with neutral pants or skirt) can look SO pulled together. Just trust me on this. And this goes across all the genres.
4) Be prepared for a fashion mishap
It's always, always good to be prepared for anything. Extra copies of your resume and headshot, for example. Additional songs in your book, in case they would like to hear more.
You should also absolutely be prepared for a fashion fail!
I suggest you bring the following with you in case something goes awry: Shout wipes in case you get a stain, a small pair of scissors in case you forget to remove a tag or have a large piece of thred that needs removing, a few safety pins in case a button falls off or something gets ripped. Oh yeah...a LINT BRUSH too! Definitely a lint brush. Especially if you have pets at home! Who knows, you may be helping out a fellow actor or singer you see there if you have all this stuff for "just in case"!
5) "Rehearse" Your Look Beforehand!
You wouldn't go into an audition without trying your songs out first, would you? No way!
You should 100% try on your audition attire AND sing/act in it , rehearsing your entire audition. Sometimes we don't know how snug a shirt or short a skirt really in until we make a certain move or arm gesture...just sayin'!
Take a picture or video of yourself, too, so you see how you really look in your audition duds, in case you need to make some additions or subtractions or total changes to your look!
Also, it's a great idea to get some trusted eyes to look you over and give their feedback: friends, family, significant others. I also highly recommend seeking out a personal stylist like the ones provided at stores like Nordstrom. My stylist Sharon is INCREDIBLE and has made me feel like a million bucks!
* I would also like to note that there are DEFINITELY exceptions for some auditions. If you're auditioning with your metal or punk or glam rock band, for example, you want to give them the full concert experience and show those in charge of booking the whole shebang! *
I hope you found these five tips about audition attire helpful, singers! Reach out ANY time with questions or comments!
Auditions can be stressful enough, mainly 'cause you want to make sure you sound great......but what if I told you that this part of the audition is super super easy?
It's true, a lot of people get this wrong, but I've got five important tips to share with ya so YOU can not only sound your best, but look your best, too!
So, whether you're doing a musical theater audition, opera audition, or rock.....read on, I have advice for all of you!
1) If you are doing ANY sort of audition, footwear matters!
You CAN be stylish and comfortable!
Ladies that are doing classical auditions: heels are not ideal to sing in. It throws off your balance. Opt for a smaller heel, like a kitten heel, or beautiful flats!
Gentlemen, many types of dress shoes can PINCH! Cole Haan and Amberjack are too brands that men find comfortable as well as sharp looking.
If you are doing musical theater, it's a less formal genre, but you still want to be pulled together. The above advice for women applies here too. Men, you can wear stylish sneakers depending on what else you're wearing and what kind of show you're auditioning for.
Rock and pop auditions for gigs: different "rules" apply! You don't want it to look like you're trying too hard. BUT, do make sure you've broken in your footwear so you're comfortable. For example, don't get these incredible rocker boots the day before, 'cause you may not feel great in them when you're singing the next day!
Also, it may not be a bad idea to invest in some inserts for maximum comfort when you sing!
2) Accessorize with caution!
You don't want to go overboard, it will pull focus from YOU!
However, having one particular piece of "flair" is SUPER smart! Let me offer a few examples for some girls I had audition for musical theater productions:
One girl I teach reaaaally wanted to land the role of Ariel in "The Little Mermaid". I told her to send a "hint" so that the casting team could picture her as Ariel. I didn't want her to walk in with a purple top and green skirt as that is way obvious, but instead I suggested she dress simply and wear a big chunky seashell necklace. It worked!
More recently, I sent a talented performer to audition for a holiday show. I told her the same thing-it wasn't necessary for her to be decked out completely in red and green, BUT I asked if she had some big fun Christmas earrings. She did! She wore them, and they remembered her when it was time to do the dance call part of the audition: "Oh, the girl with the cool earrings is over there...."
See? It makes you memorable with one "statement" piece that fits the show!
3) Simple colors are where it's at
Hear me out! I know a lot of you loooove patterns and sparkle and I get it, If all goes well, you'll land the role or the gig and get to go all out.
Buuuut.....you want the main focus to be YOU and your storytelling and your talent.
Picking one bold color (say, a bright dress shirt or blouse with neutral pants or skirt) can look SO pulled together. Just trust me on this. And this goes across all the genres.
4) Be prepared for a fashion mishap
It's always, always good to be prepared for anything. Extra copies of your resume and headshot, for example. Additional songs in your book, in case they would like to hear more.
You should also absolutely be prepared for a fashion fail!
I suggest you bring the following with you in case something goes awry: Shout wipes in case you get a stain, a small pair of scissors in case you forget to remove a tag or have a large piece of thred that needs removing, a few safety pins in case a button falls off or something gets ripped. Oh yeah...a LINT BRUSH too! Definitely a lint brush. Especially if you have pets at home! Who knows, you may be helping out a fellow actor or singer you see there if you have all this stuff for "just in case"!
5) "Rehearse" Your Look Beforehand!
You wouldn't go into an audition without trying your songs out first, would you? No way!
You should 100% try on your audition attire AND sing/act in it , rehearsing your entire audition. Sometimes we don't know how snug a shirt or short a skirt really in until we make a certain move or arm gesture...just sayin'!
Take a picture or video of yourself, too, so you see how you really look in your audition duds, in case you need to make some additions or subtractions or total changes to your look!
Also, it's a great idea to get some trusted eyes to look you over and give their feedback: friends, family, significant others. I also highly recommend seeking out a personal stylist like the ones provided at stores like Nordstrom. My stylist Sharon is INCREDIBLE and has made me feel like a million bucks!
* I would also like to note that there are DEFINITELY exceptions for some auditions. If you're auditioning with your metal or punk or glam rock band, for example, you want to give them the full concert experience and show those in charge of booking the whole shebang! *
I hope you found these five tips about audition attire helpful, singers! Reach out ANY time with questions or comments!
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