Unified Auditions 2013 @ LAX (Feb9-10)

College Majors Musical Theater Majors
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<p>Anyone attending the Unified Auditions 2013 @ LAX?</p>

<p>This is my first time going and I will have to be arriving along so it would be great to have tips! (My parents cannot go due to their cost of the plane ride since we live in Hawaii, nonetheless the time they will have to take off work.)</p>

<p>Or any recommendations of motels? I need to pick the most affordable hotel or I need to stay with my Uncle, and explaining MT as a major to him will be a bit of a hassle… my parents expect a day/nightly cost/day of $100 or less. Still unsure if my MT friends are going-- I’ve asked them but they didn’t answer yet-- and I need to plan this quick since I am more or less planning this myself.</p>

<p>So helpful tips, guidance, or “last-minute” check-ups/checklists/reminders would be great! I have my own compiled to-do list, but I would like to see what the CC community knows from their past experience.
And this thread is also to see who else is attending!</p>

<p>I am glad and open to meet new people, this is really nerveracking for me as a realization of a MT talent was a late bloom for me and I’ve only auditioned once ever and that was for a musical I am going to star in this spring. I am still fixing up my monologue and still not completely polished on my second/third song, but I am trying my best and I already have back-up songs if those were to fail. I really am a peoples person and hopefully I have the side of “chinese minority” on my side, hahaha… joking. :P</p>

<p>I am so nervous yet excited for this event and I know that not everyone makes it.
(20/1000 people per school is what I heard, GULP!)</p>

<p>Let us share tips/reminders and the CC attendees of this event!</p>

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<p>I am attending the LAX unifieds in February 2013!
I have been to the additions, because i attended them last year. i did not end up going, but i hope to attend school in the Fall. It was a great and nerve racking experience! I learned so much and hope i can be of some help. Last year i stayed the full 3 days. i went with 2 friends and 1 parent. It really helps to be going with someone also auditioning if you can. I know its really scary and hard because i did not get to go with one of my parents last year as well. I would suggest staying at the hotel the auditions are located in simply because it is a ton easier. i know its not a cheap hotel so i’m sure it is manageable to stay somewhere else so i wouldn’t stress about that.
Don’t think about the odds of getting in. that is something i did last year and it did hurt me. i was not able to show schools who i was and what i had and so i did not do my personal best. Stay confident, true, be strong, courageous, and love who you are.
a great book would be: I Got in! by Mary Ann Dennard
i would love to give you tips on the matter:
how many schools are you auditioning for?</p>

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<p>I really hope some of my MT mates at school are attending Unifields so I can go with them. If not I will most likely have to find somewhere to stay/travel all by myself. Quite a daunting experience, haha…
Finances are really an issue. How much are you renting the rooms for? I really hope my MT mates come so I can room with them. Marriot hotels are expensive. x__x well for me.</p>

<p>I am planning on leaving Friday night and leaving Sunday night.</p>

<p>Thanks for the book recommendation!
Last year you auditioned. Did you get into any of the schools? I am assuming you are a transfer student since you auditioned last year and auditioning again?</p>

<p>Right now I am planning on auditioning to 6 schools. I am always looking for more since it isn’t a lot, but I do not want to go crazy applying to schools due to the time (my inexperienceness wouldn’t allow me to apply to like 20) and the cost of applying (part of my family’s financial issues).</p>

<p>I am applying to 3 schools via DVD/youtube (they are not attending unifields so it is either DVD/youtube or go to the school, which would cost like a $800 plane ticket from Hawaii, lol, and almost half a day plane ride).</p>

<p>Hawaii only has a Music major with an emphasis in MT so I am applying there for safety (it is audition, but even if I do not get in, I will make do and transfer if I can/do not make a lot of scholarship for UH, but honestly it doesn’t seem that hard since University of Hawaii is not seeming to be competitive in its Music program… well that much. I think the auditions are just to weed out people that have no talent or practice whatsoever).</p>

<p>Could I please have tips on how to even out my time schedules? Such as how long it takes to get and prepare from 1 audition to another (like in the hotel, assuming they are all at the Marriot, which seems to be my case except one of mines which is at Westin o<em>O). Also, if you perform song from a Musical you starred in, is that looked against (since they can recognize that you were in the musical in your Theatre resume)?
I was also wondering how people can stand out. I mean the auditors are looking at hundreds of students, right? How can they weed out only like 20 out of the hundreds? Do the other hundreds not have talent or commitment? I currently am understanding that everyone that auditions is very talented and most likely have had private training, have great open and vibrant personalities, smart in school, and want to get in for the same/similar reasons. Or I am viewing the auditions as a much more professional place than I think. I don’t know. ></em>< I am not undermining myself but I am just curious at how people can stand out.</p>

<p>Also what kind of lunch/food is recommended to eat? For like breakfast/dinner/lunch snack. I do not want to buy hotel food since my budget is very low. I will probably bring something from home.</p>

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<p>Money is a huge issue for me too. I am only doing maybe 5 schools that weekend. 2 or 3 video auditions and traveling to Texas State one weekend. Paying for things can be huge struggle. I am not a transfer student however. i auditioned last year and didn’t perform to my fullest. I did have a school in California really want me, but it wasn’t what i wanted or needed and i was/am determined to try again. One of the things i did was let the stress get to me. The stress and fear destroyed me that weekend. The key is to stay calm and know who you are and your strengths.
I really hope someone comes with you, but anything is possible. i assume all or most are at the Marriott, because they are the main hub this year. (last year they were all at the westin) it’s about $125 a night (ouch) i believe those attending the unifieds get a bit of a discount. i would def call LAX Marriott.
About the audition song from the musical in your High School. I personally do not think it would hurt you. If you perform the song well, it connects to you, and doesn’t seem over sung go for it. I homeschooled/online schooled so i was not apart of school theatre. I took a lot of dance and singing classes and that’s where i got my training.
I don’t think it is a matter of “standing out” it’s performing and showing who you are. That school then decides if they want you. A lot of it has to do with how you handle and present yourself. There is a lot of stressful energy around cause everyone is nervous. You have to be able to put that in the back of your mind when you walk in that room. Do not put on an act and be someone you think they want. You want them to want “you.” you standout by your professionalism and a person understanding of your pieces. Know about your pieces who wrote them, when, and what the play/musicals plot is. I suggest reading the playwrites for your monologues before hand. Be prepared as well, know the requirements, have your music, headshots, resumes, recommendations in a binder ready to go. Some schools also want you to have a small player for your accomp music.
With food i’m guessing you will not be able to bring food on the plane. There are a few cheaper places to eat close by, but i suggest when you get the chance to buy some healthy snacks like energy bars, juices, sun chips (something with grains) start taking airborne or emergen-C on a regular basis from now till your auditions. Lots of fruit and vegetables of course, Very little dairy the day of your auditions. Just use your best judgement. Do not eat a large meal before a dance call or such. just nibble on some snacks throughout the day. Get lots of sleep. Do not fear those auditioning you. They want you to do well. They want to find those people right for their schools. They only want you to succeed. So sorry it took so long to respond.</p>