What to Wear to an Acting Audition

Video Transcript

"I am Dr. Charles Grimes and I am speaking on behalf of Expert Village about how to deal with the day of your theatrical audition. Here is a few words about what to wear to an audition. Again, think of the professionalism, think of this as a job opportunity, and an occasion, a serious and pleasant occasion in your life. So, dress up a bit, appear formal, don't appear loose or sloppy. Think of something that you might wear to impress someone or something that you might actually wear in a job interview. Here is my friend Hank, he showed up in clothes that he generally wears. A T-shirt, jeans and some shoes with skulls on them. It looks fine for a college student, there is just no indication that an audition is going on or it is an important occasion for him and he is not taking any advantage to show himself as a professional person. Now, he's chosen a different shirt, going to try that on. We'll see if he looks any better. As an actor by the way, you should be able to put on and take off clothes pretty quickly. So, now he has a more formal shirt which give it more of an outfit look. I think that is fine, that works. You might want to think to wear a sweater over that, polish your shoes up a bit. You might not want to use black or white, especially for men. If you are auditioning in a theater, there is liable to be a lot of black curtains, a lot of black wood floors, a lot of black paint. You may vanish into the walls if you were black. Make sure that you have your friends tell you what to wear, what looks good on you, ask them with a question like "Should I wear fall colors or not?". Because, again, you have a matter of seconds to look a certain way, to present yourself as a positive person, to look good, this is what it is all about. Hank has picked an outfit that he can work comfortably. I think that works. I rather him have a pair of tackies perhaps and blue jeans, but that is fine. You many want to suggest the part that you are going out for, of course if you have the chance to know what the play is or the part is. So, think about not so much becoming the character as suggesting the character that you want to audition for. And that way you plant an image sublimely in the Director's mind, you are that character, that is who you are. If it is a period play, perhaps as a woman you can wear a long skirt as they were in the 20's and before. You could wear a sweater, a suit if you are going out for more upper and middle class male part. And, importantly, pick something that makes you feel good. You look good in it, it makes you feel good about yourself and it pleases you when you put that on for them. So, these were a few words about what to wear at an audition."