carnivorousplant

What have other people worn for their auditions? What worked and what didn't? solids or prints, skirts or pants, heels or flats, accesories or none. . .

Much appreciated

mtmommy

There's been some detailed discussion about this about two years ago. If you go back and read some of those threads from that time you should find interesting info.

Apparently there is a wide range of what people actually wear. Many CC posters seem to favor a skirt or dress with heels. Wear one tasteful item that distinguishes you. In one case (in those old threads) it was a unique pair of pumps. But go back and read and you'll see the details.

Also, please look at the threads before starting a new one. There's a short thread that is fairly recent entitled "Audition Clothing" which you could have bumped up and used.

nytheatermom

Also, the FAQ website has a section on clothes (under the what should I bring to my audition section).

Newcomers in particular : Please remember to check the FAQ.
I find it's a good thing for the rest of us to c heck periodically as well.

Mary Anna

ATTIRE

DANCING


For the dance audition, any type of dancewear is usually appropriate. However, when choosing dancewear, lean towards jazz attire rather than ballet attire unless otherwise specified (this is just my opinion judging from what I saw). Simply from observing last year's auditions, most people will be wearing any combination of the following: leotards, dark-colored footless/convertible tights, jazz pants, jazz capris, dance sweaters, or dance camisoles. If you have a great figure, this is the time to show it off!
If you are not comfortable wearing this type of dance attire, do not simply wear baggy sweats or (God forbid) jeans. Jazz pants/capris and a solid color, fitted T-shirt can also be appropriate.
No matter what you're wearing on your body, it is important to have a good pair of dance shoes. Jazz slippers or jazz sneakers are the most appropriate, but ballet slippers or even character shoes are also acceptable.
If you do not own a pair of dance shoes, invest in some jazz slippers (don't forget to break them in a little bit). You will use them in college and later on in your career, and showing up to a dance audition wearing only athletic shoes is a dead giveaway to the fact that you have never had dance training. Plus, it's unprofessional.
If you have had tap, pointe, or other types of specialty dance training, it is always a good idea to have your shoes with you.

SINGING/ACTING

It is not necessary to have two separate outfits for the singing and acting portions of the audition. In fact, they are usually conducted consecutively. However, what you wear should be different from what you wore for the dance portion...it is not advisable to simply throw on a wraparound over your leotard. Dress casually, but neatly and professionally. Do not dress for the character, but you may find it more comfortable to wear something that suggests the character or is in the same vein of the type of clothing your character would wear.
Appropriate attire for women would include a dress, or a blouse/sweater, skirt/slacks, and heels. A full-on business power suit or formal wear is taking it a little too far.
For men, a long-sleeved, button-up, collared dress shirt, slacks, and dress shoes would be appropriate (don't forget a matching belt and socks!). A tie and jacket are not necessary, but if you do have a suit, it looks very professional. A polo shirt is too casual, while a tuxedo is far too formal.
Make sure your shoes are comfortable and relatively easy to take off. Some acting instructors prefer you to do a particularly active monologue without shoes.
Above all, make sure that what you wear is neat, clean, respectful, and flattering to your figure.

Mary Anna

I just pasted the ATTIRE link above. It is a great guide

Now I will give my own opinion about clothes for auditions. I am kind of a Natzi when it comes to my students audition outfits. (if they are reading this, they are LOL)

GENERAL RULE:
Think Banana Republic, Gap, J. Crew or Ann Taylor. Solids only, no stripes, floral or patterns. Nice, pulled together, polished, crisp. Fabrics that won't wrinkle.
NO JEWELRYor perfume/cologne.

Something that is flattering but doesn't draw attention to itself.

This is what I tell my students... I don't want the auditioners saying (after you leave the room) LOVED that SHIRT, I want them to say LOVED that ACTOR!

Girls:

Solid color top that is flattering in FIT and COLOR. Here is your chance to use your most flattering color (which you should have also used for your head shot). Sweater set, collared blouse. Fabric that won't wrinkle.

Skirt (not pants) unless absolutely impossible because of blocking. Fabric should have some stretch. Dark color and knee length or slightly below. Show your figure, please!
No bare legs. Cover your legs with opaque or solid colored hose. Shoes should be dark and disappear. Mary Janes or flat pumps. If you MUST have a heel, a very low one, like a character shoe.

Guys:

Layered top is a good look. T-shirt under a nice collared shirt. Solid color, please. Or V-neck sweater over a solid T.
TUCK IN SHIRT and wear a belt. Dark trousers. Black pant, dark khakis, grey, navy slacks. Well fit, not slouchey. Dress shoes or loafer. Dark socks

Make up and hair for girls:
Hair out of your face and styled. Make up, just enough to look your prettiest, don't overdo it.

I can answer any specific questions, if you have any.

xxx,Mary Anna

carnivorousplant

Thanks everyone- and I'll look harder next time

chrism

MaryAnna,

I distinctly recall the discussion a year ago on this board, and most of the young women had worn or were planning to wear dress pants, I think. I sure saw a lot of dress pants on other women when my D auditioned last year.

Why do you say no pants, just skirts? I'm curious.

thanks -

Mary Anna

Good questions.

Because they want to see your legs, your figure.

When girls have the opportunity to wear a skirt/dress, they should take advantage. It also looks nice.

I had a student (who eventually got in NCSA) who was actually asked to re audition in more feminine attire. She had originally auditioned in pants, hair unstyled and little make up. They said they wanted to see her figure and how pretty she could look. This is not discriminaton but a resonable request. They are casting their freshman class, after all!

If pants are necessary because of your blocking, then that is an exception and of course should be yeilded to.

But rule of thumb, MY OPINION, wear a skirt or dress.

You are a girl, not a guy!

Good luck,
xxx,Mary Anna

CoachC

My extensive MT experience tells me heels all ALMOST ALWAYS a MUST for girls in MT auditions, ESPECIALLY if you are in a skirt!!!!! I have heard MANY well-known casting directors (Dave Clemmons, Richard Jay-Alexander, Bernie Telsey, Jay Binder) and directors (Billy Porter, when he was directing COMPANY at CMU, for example) talk SPECIFICALLY about women's shoes. They EXPLICITLY want to see the MOST FLATTERING leg line possible - they HATE any kind of platform or noisy shoes, so any kind of backless mules are usually out, but they WANT to see attractive, NOT low/clunky heels - and "REGULAR" heels (street clothes) heels, not character shoes. If you don't know how to walk in heels, do so now - it IS a must for MT auditions!!! This truly isn't a matter of "opinion" - I see ALL the girls who audition for Pittsburgh CLO every year for example - nearly 250 most years - and I don't recall a flat shoe among them last year!!! I just attended Carnegie Mellon's first MT cabaret of the season on Friday - wonderful heels on the girls - and this is true ANYTIME I see those students in audition clothing or performance clothing of their own choice. I also see most of the UM auditionees in their audition gear, the Point Park auditionees... and I see ALL of their showcases - HEELS HEELS HEELS!!!

carnivorousplant

When costuming a show my highschool director always uses the "three-piece" rule. Some one might wear a dress a cardigan and a hat, or a skirt a blouse and an apron, or slacks a shirt and a jacket . . . It works well, just makes the character's costume look more complete. Does this apply to audition outfits too? Like should I wear a skirt, a nice shirt and a blazer?

Also what about accessories? belts, jewelry, scarves. What looks nice and what's too much?

It's so confusing. How does one be memorable with out being distracting?

Thank you all very much

chrism

From those of us who NEVER wear heels of any kind...the closest to heels I get are if my new running shoes have thick soles...how high are "regular" heels? Isn't it better for a student to be grounded (with low heels) if she is not used to them??

chrism

And what is the problem with character shoes? I'm really curious!

Mary Anna

Character shoes are fine, but no heel any higher than that, and a low heel or no heel is still the best.

My opinion of course, but my students do have an awfully high aceptance rate at the most eilte schools.

Of course, talent is more important than clothes.

xx,Mary Anna

CoachC

I suppose audition attire goes through trends - when I was performing professionally in the late 80's/early 90's, women almost always wore character heels. Now, you almost never see that in NYC, unless it's for a dance audition - perhaps the influence of Sex & the City and like shows which reflect current NYC "sophisticate" fashion ideas- and the NYC trends trickle down to college programs - which then trickle down to savvy high school students. As I said, I know FOR SURE what the girls wear in many schools' BFA Senior Showcases, so I am not simply offering my own "fashion opinion." Last year, I saw the UM, CMU, PPU, and CCM showcases - not one girl among the MT's without heels that were at least 2 1/2 inches. It's just a current fact, ladies - yes, if you hate the idea of heels and will grumble b/c some crazy Coach on some internet message board said they were "necessary," don't wear them, of course. But I know my MALE students often remark, VERY un-sexistly, how the girls in their programs amaze them because they can ALL walk in very high heels. Because they DO IT ALL THE TIME. In fact, in performance class at UM (basically audition technique/song analysis and presentation), girls are required to wear heels and skirts when they are on their feet working, and boys are required to wear dress pants and dress shoes - much like a form of "rehearsal" clothing. It's October, ladies - time to practice walking in heels, especially for post-holidays auditions. You WILL look better in heels with a skirt - that's simply common sense because of the anatomy of the leg - nothing looks dowdier than a skirt and flat shoes when leg length is the desired aesthetic effect. Hence, the combination of tights that are the same color as the shoes in many cases (tan shoes with tan tights, black with black).

Don't shoot the messenger, folks.

And my goodness, of course talent is more important than clothes - however, this is a thread asking about audition clothing. It's clear that many of us have talented students attending top schools.

CoachC

Just so there is no confusion, I meant tan/tan and black/black for performance, not auditions. For auditions, a leg elongated by a normal dressy heel is just fine.