I've had the privilege of attending numerous auditions at my Musical Theatre Colleges over the years. From the delusional and unprepared to the finely tuned and polished, I've seen it all. Whilst it's not the end of the world if you mess up your words or wear the wrong outfit, there are definitely things you can do to give yourself an edge. Here are some do’s and don'ts for auditioning for a Musical Theatre College:
Do’s
- Dress for success: There's an old saying that still holds true. I’ve seen candidates walk in with Ugg boots, dirty trainers, and sweat bottoms. If that’s you, you better have great talent because that outfit says you can’t be bothered, you don’t respect the panel or the process, and most importantly, you don’t respect yourself. Make an effort to stand out. Smart casual is fine, and don't forget to use a hairbrush.
- Walk in with confidence: Even if you’re lacking in confidence, act like you have it. Some people apologize with their body language from the minute they walk through the door. It’s not cute or endearing; it just makes us question if we want someone like that at our school.
- Be early: Not ridiculously early, but early enough. Most drama school auditions are on the weekend, and trains don't always run the same way on weekends, so be prepared and look ahead at your travel options.
- Don’t apologise if something goes wrong: You’re only human. If you fluff your lyrics and can’t get out of it, just stop and ask, “May I start again?”
- Do your homework: Know all about the College and what makes it unique. If they ask, you’ll want a well-versed response.
- Show your personality: It’s not all about talent; they want to see who you are and get a feel for your demeanour.
Don’ts
- Don’t be late: If you are, apologise and move on.
- Don’t ghost the audition: If you decide you don't want to go to the audition anymore, email the college to let them know. Thank them for the opportunity but explain that you've decided not to pursue that college.
- Don’t just not show up: Your name is on their clipboard, and if they see it again, they will likely remember that you couldn’t be bothered to email them. People remember these things.
- Don’t stay silent in the Q&A: If you are at the end of the audition at a Q&A, don’t just sit there. Think of at least one question to show you are engaged.
Final Thoughts
Auditioning for colleges can be daunting, but remember, they need to see what you can’t do as much as what you can. If you were perfect, you wouldn't need to be there in the first place. Everything is about reputation. If you want to be in this business, you’ll have to check emails and respond appropriately (with manners).
At my colleges, I personally look for individuals rather than types. It’s okay if one of your disciplines is weaker than another. It's your attitude and your approach to trying new things that count.
Good Luck!
