Let’s face it, I think everyone who has ever gone in for an audition has had a rough time of it at least once. (Or maybe a lot more than that…)

For auditions, I have done dancing, singing, reading lines, playing instruments and more. As such, I’d like to pass on a bit of information on how I prepare for an audition. If not for all of you, then largely for me to look back on the next time I am panicking about an audition (it happens to the best of us.)

First and foremost, I find it imperative to drink plenty of water, get a good nights sleep and have some decent food before my audition. These health things actually go a long way for your performance. Hydration ensures you stay in top form and don’t hurt yourself, even when singing and dancing like a madman. The sleep and food helps to make sure you have all the energy you need for everything that comes ahead in the long and stressful day that an audition can turn into.

My next piece of advise might sound odd, but stick with me here. Come to the audition wearing what you would on the performance night. Are you auditioning for the role of prim and proper principal? Then wear something business casual (and use a lint roller.) Are you auditioning for a solo in your next concert? Then wear that concert black, baby! Even if everyone around you is in sweat pants and a dorky t-shirt, you should just own it!

At least for me, this odd change in attire makes me more confident and “in-character” so to speak. It’s like that old saying, “dress for the career you want, not the one you have.” When I am in a costume or wearing something specifically tied to a type of performance, I get into that zone. When I was wearing a nice long skirt when auditioning for the gorgeous French mom in our musical production of Catch Me if You Can, I felt like I was pretty and dramatic. When I auditioned for Vi in our musical production of Footloose, the big, enveloping sweater I was wearing helped me to feel reserved and yet uncomfortable. This helped me to really portray that picture of a wife who is just dying to say something to change the situation she faces, and yet is scared to really do it and doesn’t exactly know what is right to say.

The clothes help me feel in like I really am the character, or like I already got the part.

Now this works fine and dandy for me, but I know that it won’t for everyone. If this sounds like it would stress you out instead of be helpful, then just wear whatever will make you the most comfortable (physically or mentally.)

My third piece of advise, is to have your material down well. (I know, I know, Everyone is tired of being told to practice, I get it.) No one really loves practicing, but it can really help to calm your nerves when you know something well enough to not worry. Memorizing the song or lines can help you to rely less on the paper and in turn give you one less thing to manage (or hide behind. Trust me, I have been that person.)

In fact, at one of my last auditions I sung “Holding out of a Hero.” I put this song on the back burner for quite a while, and so come audition time I needed that paper in order to do it. When I got comments back on it later, I was told that the song sounded pretty nice, but they just wished they could see my face. As it turns out, I prioritize singing posture over being able to actually see me sing. I sung right into that paper in order to avoid bending my neck down to see it…

Though, one thing I advise against is over-practicing. Overdoing it the night before in order to “prep” can actually make your performance worse the next day. You can easily wear yourself out. Additionally, putting too much pressure on practice and perfection can also make the entire experience much harder than it needs to be. All that pressure can majorly stress you out come audition time and end up making your performance worse too.

That brings me to my last major piece of advise. Simply don’t take it too personally or seriously, aim to have fun and get a good experience out of it. Don’t expect anything more. No matter what happens, you will always get experience from auditioning. That experience can help to make your next one better. Whatever the results may be, they are not life and death. You are no less (or really even more) of a person for being cast or being rejected. The only thing that would ever change your worth as a person is how you react to it. So keep your head up! Give whatever comes out of this your all. Support your peers. And most importantly, keep trying! When you aren’t worrying so much about the result, I find that you can be so much more calm and loose. From what I’ve seen this makes for a better audition; both for your emotions and your results.

– Emma Doyle