For audition tips for parents, be prepared to:
Hurry up and wait. Then hurry some where else and wait. Repeat.
Be buried in coats and bags on a chair…bored.
Be standing with coats and bags…bored.
Wander around reading bulletin boards…bored.
Talk with other bored, nervous parents…now hungry.
Overhear other auditions…and worry…no longer hungry.
Be on call by your kid for any minor detail but be generally ignored (they are busy and you are not).
Maybe get beat up a bit by your kid if something goes wrong…now annoyed.
Stand around some more…hoping desperately your kid seems happy-ish when they exit the audition room.
Try to be cool when they are done and packing up not to ask too many questions…while dying inside to know every detail.
Go out and celebrate! Finally get to hear the details and thoroughly enjoy yourself.
Repeat at 5 or 6 other auditions.
So bring something to read! And try not to listen too closely to the auditions. They’re not your business.
@runninglate My D used to bring earphones to secluded herself from the nervous energy/talk and other auditions. She still tries to avoid watching/hearing other auditions. It may be worth discussing with your kid if they would prefer to avoid hearing the other auditions when possible. There’s nothing like overhearing your piece right before walking in the door! A parent can watch the spot to allow the kid some space from the audition door. Of course some students don’t care. They enjoy the energy and being social.
So be prepared for lots of down time for both parents and students. Think of positive ways to fill it. Most kids have a “routine” or are developing a routine for auditioning. If you don’t know your kids, you may want to ask…and stay out of their way as they prep themselves for the audition. My D is very unsocial before auditions…and appreciated me giving her a lot of space…and not commenting on other kids/auditions etc.