So, during my pre-unifieds steam, I thought I would take a sec to discuss what it's like to socialize at auditions. It was a huge concern for me going into this process because I've heard some horror stories! One director I've had told me that when her daughter was auditioning 3 years ago, people would try to psych you out outside the audition room by telling you what the school was looking for, the wrong length cut, etc. I'm here to tell you that the vast majority of people at auditions are NICE! However, they occasionally bring up topics that are a tiny bit uncomfortable, simply because they are desperate to bond (I refuse to believe anything else). And I'm going to teach YOU how not to be of them!
THINGS YOU SHOULDN'T SAY TO A FELLOW COLLEGE MT AUDITIONER:
1.) "What songs are you singing?" This is debatable, but by far the most common/cliche thing you can get in trouble responding to. Me not giving material choices away is more on principle and less that I'm afraid of judgment, but here are some things you can say if you're asked and don't want to tell:
-"a legit song and a belt song" then quickly change the subject to making fun of your own singing: "except I can't belt lol!" [EDIT: Do not seriously put yourself down. You're just setting them up to say "oh, I'm sure that isn't true!" and/or something negative about themselves. It drags both of you into a pit of self-doubt and despair. MAKE IT VERY CLEAR YOU ARE JOKING.]
-just tell them super quick and then say "you?" Personally, both of my songs are pretty obscure so chances are there will be no response most of the time, except maybe "I've never heard of those!"
-make a joke out of it. "I'm singing I Dreamed a Dream from Les Mis and Defying Gravity from Wicked--you probably haven't heard of them!"
-"I'm singing different songs for different schools. Did you do that too, or keep the same two the entire season?"
-"I haven't decided yet." Which is ridiculous but yeah.
-Pretend to trip.
-"I'd rather not say." Risky because they might think you're a brat or something.
-I heard someone give an excellent answer at Unifieds but I can't remember what it was!
2.) "Who is your coach?" Shit gets awkward fast when you're me and don't have one.
3.) "Where else are you applying?" This prompts a list of schools that will inevitably bore you because they're probably all the same ones you looked at/auditioned for already. It's also an opportunity for judgment on your life choices. Stay away.
4.) "Which prescreens did you submit/pass?" No explanation needed. Also I've been surprised at how many people told me they did not pass prescreens.
5.) Anything about any school ESPECIALLY at Unifieds. Even if it's not negative, it's unwise. The only appropriate time to do this is in a hypothetical situation such as:
Other MT: "I just auditioned at BoCo yesterday. Are you auditioning there too?"
You: "No, I didn't want a conservatory."
Notice a) you were directly asked, and b) what you said was neither positive or negative. (And it was obviously true. You don't have to do research to know that Boston Conservatory is a conservatory.) Remember how I ran into the people who ended up watching my monologues at both SCAD and NYU? Be careful. Even if it's not negative, it might be incorrect.
6.) Be wary of talking about past theatre experiences. This isn't a competition thing (although don't brag). It's just that I, for one, absolutely despised my high school's theatre program. When kids start talking about what shows they are in right now (which is perfectly OK, see below), it can be tempting to be like "oh yeah my director would never do that show because she hates any show without sparkly top hats." Don't do it. I have done it. I am super guilty of it. Don't do it.
7.) Anything self-deprecating about something the other person can see. Like, "my head shot looks nothing like me" or "I barely have anything on my resume." Especially if it's true. You can maybe say stuff about your type if it is incredibly obvious. For example, I, an obviously larger than average and quirky human being, could say, "I'm not an ingenue so I didn't audition for Guinivere in my school's Camelot." If someone says this to you and it is true, say nothing. Unless it's like, "well my dream role is Effie in Dreamgirls and I'm a slender white male." I.e., a joke. Hahahaha. It is always good to lighten the mood in an MT-specific way.
8.) "How long have you been doing theatre/MT?" Opens you up to judgment.
9.) Don't comment on anything you see on another person's resume. Don't look at anyone's resume. It can be tempting for the purpose of formatting ideas or whatever, but it's weird. They will notice if you're looking at their resume. They will definitely notice if you're like, "hey, was that a regional or community theatre?" Don't do either.
1.) "What songs are you singing?" This is debatable, but by far the most common/cliche thing you can get in trouble responding to. Me not giving material choices away is more on principle and less that I'm afraid of judgment, but here are some things you can say if you're asked and don't want to tell:
-"a legit song and a belt song" then quickly change the subject to making fun of your own singing: "except I can't belt lol!" [EDIT: Do not seriously put yourself down. You're just setting them up to say "oh, I'm sure that isn't true!" and/or something negative about themselves. It drags both of you into a pit of self-doubt and despair. MAKE IT VERY CLEAR YOU ARE JOKING.]
-just tell them super quick and then say "you?" Personally, both of my songs are pretty obscure so chances are there will be no response most of the time, except maybe "I've never heard of those!"
-make a joke out of it. "I'm singing I Dreamed a Dream from Les Mis and Defying Gravity from Wicked--you probably haven't heard of them!"
-"I'm singing different songs for different schools. Did you do that too, or keep the same two the entire season?"
-"I haven't decided yet." Which is ridiculous but yeah.
-Pretend to trip.
-"I'd rather not say." Risky because they might think you're a brat or something.
-I heard someone give an excellent answer at Unifieds but I can't remember what it was!
2.) "Who is your coach?" Shit gets awkward fast when you're me and don't have one.
3.) "Where else are you applying?" This prompts a list of schools that will inevitably bore you because they're probably all the same ones you looked at/auditioned for already. It's also an opportunity for judgment on your life choices. Stay away.
4.) "Which prescreens did you submit/pass?" No explanation needed. Also I've been surprised at how many people told me they did not pass prescreens.
5.) Anything about any school ESPECIALLY at Unifieds. Even if it's not negative, it's unwise. The only appropriate time to do this is in a hypothetical situation such as:
Other MT: "I just auditioned at BoCo yesterday. Are you auditioning there too?"
You: "No, I didn't want a conservatory."
Notice a) you were directly asked, and b) what you said was neither positive or negative. (And it was obviously true. You don't have to do research to know that Boston Conservatory is a conservatory.) Remember how I ran into the people who ended up watching my monologues at both SCAD and NYU? Be careful. Even if it's not negative, it might be incorrect.
6.) Be wary of talking about past theatre experiences. This isn't a competition thing (although don't brag). It's just that I, for one, absolutely despised my high school's theatre program. When kids start talking about what shows they are in right now (which is perfectly OK, see below), it can be tempting to be like "oh yeah my director would never do that show because she hates any show without sparkly top hats." Don't do it. I have done it. I am super guilty of it. Don't do it.
7.) Anything self-deprecating about something the other person can see. Like, "my head shot looks nothing like me" or "I barely have anything on my resume." Especially if it's true. You can maybe say stuff about your type if it is incredibly obvious. For example, I, an obviously larger than average and quirky human being, could say, "I'm not an ingenue so I didn't audition for Guinivere in my school's Camelot." If someone says this to you and it is true, say nothing. Unless it's like, "well my dream role is Effie in Dreamgirls and I'm a slender white male." I.e., a joke. Hahahaha. It is always good to lighten the mood in an MT-specific way.
8.) "How long have you been doing theatre/MT?" Opens you up to judgment.
9.) Don't comment on anything you see on another person's resume. Don't look at anyone's resume. It can be tempting for the purpose of formatting ideas or whatever, but it's weird. They will notice if you're looking at their resume. They will definitely notice if you're like, "hey, was that a regional or community theatre?" Don't do either.
THINGS YOU SHOULD SAY TO A FELLOW COLLEGE MT AUDITIONER:
1.) "Are you in a show right now?" Different than "what shows have you been in/can I see your resume." This one provides conversation opportunities. For example:
Me: Are you in a show right now?
Other MT: yeah! My school is doing Young Frankenstein.
Me: I adore Young Frankenstein! [Sings through entire Young Frankenstein soundtrack.] I can't believe you're managing that AND auditioning. I basically had to quit my job.
Other MT: Oh, where do you work?
Me: Local pizza place. It's hard but I get free food!
On goes the conversation.
2.) (If at Unifieds) "Have you walked in anywhere?" This is an equalizer, I think.
3.) Any honest compliment about their outfit! People love to be complimented. You can maybe compliment their headshot, but as I mentioned above, don't add anything disparaging about yours.
4.) "Where are you from?" This is the first thing you ask. It's 1000% harmless. Always ask.
5.) "How did you get here?"/"Where are you parked?"/"Did you fly here?" etc. These are follow-ups to the where are you from question. Also it's interesting to find out!
1.) "Are you in a show right now?" Different than "what shows have you been in/can I see your resume." This one provides conversation opportunities. For example:
Me: Are you in a show right now?
Other MT: yeah! My school is doing Young Frankenstein.
Me: I adore Young Frankenstein! [Sings through entire Young Frankenstein soundtrack.] I can't believe you're managing that AND auditioning. I basically had to quit my job.
Other MT: Oh, where do you work?
Me: Local pizza place. It's hard but I get free food!
On goes the conversation.
2.) (If at Unifieds) "Have you walked in anywhere?" This is an equalizer, I think.
3.) Any honest compliment about their outfit! People love to be complimented. You can maybe compliment their headshot, but as I mentioned above, don't add anything disparaging about yours.
4.) "Where are you from?" This is the first thing you ask. It's 1000% harmless. Always ask.
5.) "How did you get here?"/"Where are you parked?"/"Did you fly here?" etc. These are follow-ups to the where are you from question. Also it's interesting to find out!
6.) Anything at all geeking out. At BU, we were talking about where you can set Hamlet and why Othello isn't taught in schools as often as other Shakespearean tragedies. This was me, one other guy auditioning, and a bunch of current students! I highly recommend bonding with them because I have yet to meet any who aren't super cool and wonderful. Plus it can't hurt in the admissions process, because although I'm not sure many schools ask their students who was the most fun to hang out with, I have heard stories of the opposite!
Hopefully that helps you out! Break legs and do not fear other people!
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