When auditioning for a theater company, it’s important to wear comfortable, professional, and unique clothing. Avoid tight or loose clothes, denim, and complicated straps or zippers. Wear clean, modest clothing with a subtle hint of period-appropriate attire. Low-heeled character shoes for women and black or brown dress shoes for men are appropriate. Avoid neutral colors and wear the same outfit for callbacks. Looking good can help you make a great first impression and stand out from the crowd.
If you’re auditioning for a play or theater company, it’s important to make a great visual impression. While nothing can compensate for talent or typecasting, the correct attire can help you impress auditors and perform your best. The three keys to a great audition outfit are comfort, professionalism, and unique style.
Comfort is a huge factor when considering what to wear to your theater audition. Clothes that are too tight or too loose will hinder you and make you feel uncomfortable. Materials like cotton, twill, or soft jersey are great for an audition, as they’re easy to move and soft. Remember, you may be asked to dance or show movement at an audition, so wearing comfortable clothes is a plus. Avoid jeans or any denim, as they are stiff and hard to wear.
If you get stage fright or audition fear, take that into consideration when choosing your outfit. Remember that nerves can sometimes cause you to sweat, and avoid shirts that can get stained easily. Also, avoid clothing with complicated straps or difficult zippers. Generally these clothes aren’t comfortable to begin with, and the last thing you need is to worry about clothing mishaps.
In terms of how professional your clothes are, several factors should be considered for your theater audition. Your clothes should be clean and of a fairly modest cut, as if you were going to an informal interview. Knowing what genre it is can be very helpful. While it’s never advisable to go to a theater audition in period costume, consider adding a subtle hint of period-appropriate attire. Try wearing a twin set for a 1950s parlor comedy, a western-style belt buckle for Oklahoma, or a long-sleeved lace blouse for Victorian melodrama.
In terms of professional shoes for women, the most appropriate choice for a theater audition are low-heeled, rubber-soled character shoes in black or tan. These shoes are made for theater style dancing and will mark you as someone with audition experience. If you don’t have a pair, any low-heeled style will do, but avoid stilettos or heels that make loud noises on hard surfaces. For men, black or brown dress shoes are professional.
Listeners sometimes see several hundred hopeful actors in a single casting session. To stand out from the crowd at your audition, avoid neutral colors like black and beige. While your clothes don’t have to be flashy, a plain-colored piece in a flattering shade will make you more memorable. If you’re asked for a callback or a second theater audition, make sure you’re wearing the same outfit you wore for the first one. Unless listeners know you, chances are they remember you by your clothes. If the “girl in the yellow dress” is now wearing a purple sweater, she might forget their first impression of you.
Nothing but listeners’ opinions can land you a role in a production, but actors often forget that looks are a big factor in forming initial opinions. By making sure you are comfortable, you remove further worries from your mind, allowing you to maintain better concentration. By dressing professionally, audiences will recognize that you have some experience and maturity and have thought through your performance. Using color or a subtle design to help you look unique can lock you in the mind of the listener. Even if you’re not in the cast, listeners will recognize your maturity and may keep you in mind for a later production.
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