Preparing your outfit for the day of your audition can be sTrEsSFuLl. I know. And now that many auditions are all over Zoom or on tape, it can seem like an even more complicated question - what if they only see the top half? What if they accidentally see I'm wearing pajamas on the bottom???
Here are basic tips that will help narrow down your outfit options and boost your confidence on the day where your main goal is to simply be yourself.
1. Wear something that feels like you!
"Be Yourself" will be said a lot throughout the drama school audition process, to the point where it could make you wanna gag. But for the outfit, this is crucial.
You have all been saved from the horrendous era of the jewel tone and high heels. *thank the gods* (it was an unspoken rule that THIS was the audition uniform. If it is your style, you do you. But I remember begging and pleading with my mom that it HAD to be a dress like THIS even though I had never worn something like that and never would wear something like that in a million years.)
You can imagine you are going on a first date, or you are hitting the town with your friends and you have all decided you're gonna "dress up" - whatever that means to you!
Look through your current closet and find the outfit that makes you feel sexy, strong, beautiful, powerful, happy, excited - you get it. I recommend something that makes your natural beauty POP rather than distract. Patterns and logos can be tricky in this regard - be smart, use common sense.
I would stay away from logos/words, but if you love the pattern of a dress or a tie and it makes you feel like royalty, go for it.
2. Not adjusting constantly in the audition!
This is key, both for the quality of your audition and for the quality of your mindset. If you are constantly adjusting and fidgeting for the outfit to look just right, then it is a NO. You should be able to forget about it, and just focus on your breath, your piece, and the people in the room with you.
No straps that fall, no buttons that come undone, no pants that keep needing to be pulled up, nothing to big or too small that makes you feel like you have to check yourself in the mirror every two minutes JUST IN CASE something came out of place.
3. Wear something you can move in!
Ok, you won't have to do this ^^^
But EVEN if the audition doesn't have a movement portion, I recommend wearing something that is not constricting. This sort of goes with the "no adjustments" tenet, but it is that important.
Again, something that makes you feel confident AND comfortable. If they want you to try a note with your monologue that has you laying on the floor - oops! You forgot to wear the biker shorts under the skirt! Your dress shirt will get dirty!
You should not feel constricted by what you wear. You can find an outfit that allows you to authentically, comfortably, and powerfully say YES to anything they throw your way.
(IF you are not comfortable with doing something, and this should go without saying, you have every right to say "No thank you, that makes me uncomfortable. Is there another way you could phrase that note?")
We want you to shine, chickens. Don't shoot yourself in the foot before you walk into the room!