Stories Demonstrating How to Act (Not "Theatre Act") at an Audition

<p>D had an audition today. I don’t want to reveal at which school this was, as we’ve been warned about certain behaviors she witnessed, and they are not associated with any particular program (although these didn’t happen at the one other audition D has attended so far). Also, I’d like not to reveal the school’s on D’s list now.</p>

<p>Behaviors that Surprised and Humored D Even Though She’s Been Warned, and Suggestions for Those Auditioning (please read this with the humor we found in it all as D re-capped the day–if you don’t read it with laughter, it can come off as bitter, which is not at all the intended tone–although the suggestions are serious):</p>

<p>–After vocally warming up in a warm-up room, D opened the door to walk out and 2 other people waiting to audition literally almost fell into the room! They’d obviously been listening with their heads pressed to the door and were surprised when D suddenly came out. One tried to cover it by complimenting D profusely on her outfit. Suggestion: Just pay attention to your own warm-ups and auditions. What purpose does it serve (besides potential embarrassment) to listen intently to others? </p>

<p>–As part of the dance audition, potential students had to improv the beginning and end of a dance. They were able to practice these a bit. D choreographed her parts and practiced them. A girl who performed her audition dance in the group before D’s did the same exact, distinct beginning choreography that D had just made up! She had obviously been watching D and practicing D’s choreography! D had to quickly come up with brand new choreography in her head before it was her group’s turn to audition, and she didn’t have a chance to practice it, as her group was next. This same “Taker of Choreography” copied another dancer’s exact ending choreography, too! This other dancer saw her practicing it, though, and point-blank asked the “Taker of Choreography” if she was going to take the moves she had just made up herself. The “Taker” confidently said, “Yes, I am!” So, that other girl had to quickly come up with other moves in her head, too, without practicing them, since she was also in the second group and “Taker” was in the first. Suggestion: Be confident enough in your own abilities to not copy others. Also, be prepared to think quickly and not practice in case someone blantantly steals your ideas! Auditors, it might be a good idea to have someone from your group watch for this both to prevent it from happening and to observe the integrity of the people auditioning.</p>

<p>–There was also the usual bragging by some girls who were loudly telling others which camps they’d attended, with whom they’ve worked, and what roles they’ve had, etc. Some others (including my D) just walked farther away when people started doing this. Some, unfortunately, looked freaked out and shaken. One guy shook his head and laughed at some of the braggers. D noticed that just the girls did this today and laughed that (at least today), “Guys are so much more chill!” Suggestion: Leave your resume on your resume for the auditors who might care about it. Also, if someone starts bragging to you or loudly near you, just walk away or put on earphones and shake it off! Concentrate on yourself! </p>

<p>It seems that the basic moral is “concentrate on yourself.” That reminds me of the youtube of a little girl in a car seat repeatedly saying, “Worry about yourself!” Lol</p>

<p>Does anyone else have any stories with suggestions? Or, does anyone have stories of great kindness, instead?</p>

<p>On the whole, most people auditioning so far have been professionally pleasant and have kept to themselves, according to D, who has also kept to herself. These “stand-outs,”
though, were apparently annoying, amusing, and actually sad at the same time! </p>

<p>Son and his dad did the Chicago Unifieds while I stayed home due to work. I carefully ironed and folded his audition shirts with tissue paper, only to hear from his dad that son insisted on rolling up the sleeves prior to the auditions. Son apparently was not an adept sleeve roller, and a kind young lady approached him and said “here, let me fix these” and proceeded to neatly re-roll his sleeves. A small act of kindness that made me smile when I heard about it.</p>

<p>For those interested, here are some similar stories from last year’s audition group.
<a href=“Overheard at the Audition... - Musical Theater Major - College Confidential Forums”>Overheard at the Audition... - Musical Theater Major - College Confidential Forums;

<p>Sorry; I remembered–incorrectly, perhaps–that thread as being mostly about overhearing adults at auditions. I meant this thread to be about students’ behavior at auditions and suggestions or praise for them. </p>

<p>@entertainersmom‌ , how kind of that girl to fix your son’s shirt when you weren’t there to make sure he looked professional! I’m sure he appreciated that. </p>

<p>The only two negative observations I recall from the audition season with regard to students…</p>

<p>I observed something the OP mentioned and that was at one school, the waiting area was near the audition rooms. Some of the auditionees went right up to the door to listen to others’ auditions. </p>

<p>The more bothersome observation that my D told me about was at one highly regarded program where she spent some time visiting twice (once was the audition day itself) and spent a lot of time with the current MT students outside of auditioning, was that when she told them she was applying to NYU, her top choice, they bashed the school a LOT and told her not to apply. I thought that was in bad taste and I could not imagine my own kid doing that. Why bash a school? If it was not one that appealed to you, don’t apply then. Why bash it to others? My D ended up at NYU and she loved it and it is not for everyone (these other students obviously hadn’t attended). </p>

<p>@soozievt we’ve noticed that too – program bashing. Its one thing to comment and say that you chose not to apply because its not a good fit, but another to bring it down/bash its value. I’ve also noticed that with some kids, the school they were not invited to auditon or attend becomes the “cookie cutter” school. One school in particular was given this “tag” by kids who really don’t know the first thing about it. When D subequently spent some time there, she quickly realized it was anything but that. </p>

We were at Unifieds this weekend, and, while I’ve been positively playing them up to my D, inside, I’ve wondered how they’d be because of horror stories. D had a great time and was able to concentrate on her auditions. Whew!

Here’s an example of how to act: During one dance call, a strap on the back of D’s leotard broke. One girl auditioning with her offered her help and even asked if D wanted to use an extra leo she had! Kudos to that girl! I saw her the next day and thanked her. She said that she wants to help make this as positive as possible for everyone and give out good. Hurray for her! D and I agreed that it’d be great if this girl ended up at D’s school, lol. She wasn’t the only one; there were other students and parents who were kind and down-to-earth, and we were helping each other when we could (lending chargers, fixing dress hanging straps that were accidentally showing, etc.) in support without getting into where everyone was auditioning, sizing up each other or other’s kids, etc.

Of course, there were a few others not like that, but it was easy for D to concentrate on herself and the many positive people.

Remember the girl that took D’s choreography and used it in an audition (original post in this thread)? She was there, and, funnily enough, she was warming up outside a room using that same choreography! I guess she really liked it, ha ha!

D also met someone whose friend had her dance shoes on a bench. She turned around, and 1 shoe from each pair was missing! Poor girl. That’s just sad and obviously totally wrong.

Once, on the first day, D let herself start to get a little freaked out by the groups of people who knew each other and were talking loudly about each other’s roles and talents; however, D easily reigned herself in to focus on herself.

For D and me, it was a positive experience overall. Just concentrate on yourselves and only really pay attention to others in order to help them and send out positive vibes, and it’s perfectly fine, even fun!

I just want to say thank you to all the kind parents and their equally kind sons/daughters that I met this weekend at NY Unifieds. I came alone for four days and it was such a comfort and joy to talk to such nice parents who would watch my bag for me, tuck in my tag for me, and even support and cheer on for me throughout my auditions. Truly touched by the kindness I was surrounded by this weekend!

I agree, @attheballet‌! It was fun to be in that exciting environment while being surrounded by such positive, kind, supportive people and to help out and cheer on others!

I agree that we met several sweet and very supportive people at Unifieds as well as reconnecting with a few we had met at early auditions. In retrospect though, I would not have had her do them. The palpable anxiety, nervous energy, crowded hallways, seemingly 900 degree heat, and exhausting schedule did not add up to her feeling like she was at her best. My D is one of those “outgoing” introverts who is very comfortable and friendly with people, but too much stimulation saps her energy. She had a tough time focusing on her performances and being “in the moment” when she stepped into the rooms. I understand that some people need to do Unifieds for financial or scheduling reasons, but I am not a fan. I guess hindsight is 20/20 and you have to know your own kid. For mine, it was a mistake with the exception of the nice people we met along the way.

We were in NY this weekend for two on-campus auditions. My daughter reports that all of the faculty she dealt with and the kids in her groups were all extremely kind and supportive. The only bad behavior I noticed was one mom who positioned herself so that she could observe her daughter while she waited for her acting audition, then had a running commentary to no one in particular on each facial expression, each turn of the head, every time someone spoke to her. Then she’d remark “I see that she’s texting, but she’s not answering me!!” Poor girl. Soon after this, all parents were asked to move to a different part of the building. My daughter did tell me that some of the kids spoke about how nervous their parents make them at auditions. :slight_smile:

If your auditioning D is staying at the hotel, is it even necessary for mom to schlepp downstairs with her? I was hoping to just stay in my room, shop, sightsee, whatever – and avoid the whole scene. Or do I need to babysit her dance shoes so someone doesnt steal one of each pair – and they are LaDuca’s so I am thinking just like you don’t wear a rolex on the subway, maybe you don’t wear LaDuca’s at Unifieds?

I think it depends on your child…our relationship is a very close one and she felt having me close by was a calming affect and it distracted her from the chaos that is Unifieds. We chitchatted and laughed throughout. It was very nice…

Thanks Bisouu, I think you are saying it is not “necessary” but your child may desire your presence. (Or not). I am worried about her having to leave her things unattended during a dance call or is there a secure area?

I found a corner and tucked myself away. He came to me when he was done. I was there as the minder of all things and just in case.

I stayed in the room as I had to work. If there was an information session, The D would send me a text to let me know and I’d go downstairs for it. She took just what she needed for each audition and there were no problems, no missing items, etc. The nice thing, @tramsmom, is that the kids would go to Moo’s room to just chill out after or in between auditions.

Ahh, ok. So she will have a place to go that is near the audition floors to chill. Maybe she can leave her stuff there as well if need be and on occaision? Sounds like the green room at Moonifieds.

I wouldn’t advise that she leave things there, but it’s definitely a room to chill and bond with other Moo Crew. There were a few times that I received a text to bring down a forgotten item

My D found comfort in the fact that I was there to watch over her stuff, be there after auditions, and be there just in case she needed anything.

I don’t like to hear or watch my D audition for anything. Although I’m proud of her and love to hear and watch her, it just makes me uncomfortable at auditions, so I haven’t since she was tiny. I’ve just always thought that this was her thing and wanted to encourage independence and professionalism. Plus, I have this weird idea that I will jinx her by listening, ha ha! So, I stay away from the rooms in which she auditions, and that was true at Unifieds, too. Once this weekend, I ended up closer than I wanted to be and mildly panicked when I realized I could hear her. I must have looked goofy with my hands pressed over my ears so that I wouldn’t hear her as much! I could have moved away, but it was the last audition on Sunday, I was tired (you know–so much auditioning for me, ha ha), and I didn’t feel like carrying everything to yet another spot. Lol!

No where at LA unifieds could you watch your child audition. I was speaking about sitting together outside of the room waiting to go in…