Audition Etiquette

Since a lot of you are going to be auditioning for Beauty and the Beast, I thought I'd give out some pointers to follow when you go to audition.

1. What to Wear

• Avoid strong designs, t-shirts with words or pictures, and bold colors.
• Don't come in costume, but wear attire that may suggest the character you are auditioning. Don't get carried away, I would lean toward a plainer outfit that doesn't draw attention to itself.
• Girls, avoid high heels. Comfortable flats are usually best.
• Above all, make sure you are comfortable, yet professional.

2. Before Your Audition

• Arrive 15 minutes early. You'll want to have plenty of time to fill out any papers, so you aren't flustered right before you audition.
• Remember that from the moment you enter the area, you are being assessed. The audition doesn't just judge a person's talent, but their personal character. Is this person gabby? Nervous? Self Conscious? Cocky? Needy? A person who shows up to auditions and sequels with excitement every time they see someone they know depicts an actor who may be hard to work with or in need of constant attention throughout the show. So be quiet while you wait for your turn.
• While you wait you can listen to music to help you calm your nerves, close your eyes and visualize yourself doing your audition, or any other quiet exercise to help you relax.

3. During Your Audition

• You want to appear as professional as possible taking up as little time from the judges as possible.
• Walk in the room with confidence and smile. Act like you enjoy being there.
• Introduce yourself briefly. "Hello, my name is ______, I will be singing ________ ."
• Look at your accompanist or person with the music to let them know you're ready.
• Take a small moment (1 sec). to establish your character. Find your focal point and set the stage mentally. Judges like to see the physical changes that take place in that moment as you shift from you into the character.
• After you sing, hold your character for just a couple seconds. After that, come out of your character and make eye contact with the judges. Say "thank you" and leave. Don't dawdle hoping for any compliments or feedback on how your audition was.

4. After your audition

• You can stick around for maybe 2 minutes to make sure you don't need to stay for anything else.
• Don't be gabby with everyone else. Be respectful to others who are trying to relax and prepare mentally for their audition.
• Don't dawdle. Leave quickly as if you're needed at another audition.

THEN TELL ME ALL ABOUT IT AT VOICE LESSONS!

Good luck to everyone auditioning!