Auditions: Dressing The Part: Serious Question

[KellyGreen23]

Posted: 3/4/13 at 8:52am

I landed an audition for a great role. The character I am going after is much different than me physically. Not by body type, but in terms of hair color and complexion. I have a great skin tone that can tan easily, and I don't have any problems in dying my hair for the part. My question is, do I show up to the audition with my skin slightly tanned and my hair a different color? Or do I just attend my appointment as I am and show them the canvas they have to work with? What would your recommendations be? This is my first experience with something like this. Thank you!

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 3/4/13 at 10:54am

Was this an audition that you got by submitting a headshot? If so then they know what you look like and are ok with that. Keep your look as close to your headshot as possible, that's the person they want to see. Let them decide if there is a change that needs to be made to your hair color, complexion, etc.

Posted: 3/4/13 at 10:58am

Kelly i think you'll make a terrific Sarah in Ragtime- break a leg!

[bdeutsch]

Posted: 3/4/13 at 1:22pm

I agree with AEA AGMA SM -- if the casting director already knows what you look like (and I presume they do because they've seen your headshot), you should show up looking like you do in the headshot. That's the actor they're expecting.


Actor Headshots NYC

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 3/4/13 at 6:06pm

I also agree, but your post is "dressing the part," which is important. Don't wear a suit and tie to audition for Grease and don't wear jeans and a T-shirt to audition for Night Music.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 3/4/13 at 8:43pm

The only time to change your look for an audition is when you are told to. I held an audition a while ago looking for a Sarah Palin, everyone came dressed in character. One of the best afternoons of my life.

There is a fine line between coming to an audition dressed as a type (no suit to Grease) or a character. If you come dressed like a character you run the risk of clashing with the creative team's vision. I had people dress like cowboys when I held auditions for a show with a old-west-ish theme, but that wasn't my thought at all, so it didn't help them, and some came with accents and everything that hurt their chances. On the other side I held auditions for a Christmas show, and one guy came dressed like an elf, sold it perfectly, and was cast before he was out the door.

[KellyGreen23]

Posted: 3/5/13 at 2:42pm

I suppose I should specify a little more. I went to a regional cattle call and one of the directors there really liked me. After I sang, he talked with me for a while about how I was not a 'good fit' for his current show, but that he thought he had work for me. He passed along my name to another director who invited me to come tryout for a production of West Side Story. The sides and songs he sent me are for Maria. I was beyond ecstatic.

So, long story short...this creative team has never seen my face. I am a natural born redhead. I have a nice olive complexion that can tan if need be, but I was thinking of temporarily dying my hair brown for the audition so they could see a little bit more of Maria when I walked in the door. I've dyed my hair once before to play a Native American (Johnna in August: Osage County), and it looked great. Should I do it for this audition? Is it worth it? What do you honestly think?

Any other tips on dress/appearance would be greatly appreciated. :)

[all that jazz]

Posted: 3/5/13 at 9:48pm

t's generally not a good idea to dress up as the character, but if they have never seen you and you're really willing to dye your hair I think it could give you an edge. Mainly because brown hair is not something unusual and it doesn't really indicate anything. That's just my humble opinion

Clothing wise definetely dress pretty and femenine but not too obvious. You could wear like a pretty dress or maybe even a blouse and jeans. Just make sure you don't look too much like Maria! Keep it modern!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/5/13 at 11:14pm

Unless you WANTED to dye your hair, I wouldn't. You certainly can make sure they realize you are more than willing to do so, however.

Any director that is any good will be savvy to see past your natural color. If you are right, you are right. Your hair doesn't make you so.

[all that jazz]

Posted: 3/6/13 at 6:10am

^ Agree.

[pair-o-dice]

Posted: 3/6/13 at 7:14am

Always be yourself at an audition...because as much as they're looking for the character they are also looking for someone fabulous to work with and be a part of their team. If you have a picture of you from August bring that and let them know that you're not stupid and clearly Maria is not a fair skinned red head, but "hey, here's what I look like brunette".

Plus, if you're the only red head there you'll be a million times more memorable and they'll know you are willing and look good as a brunette.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 3/6/13 at 7:43am

I wouldn't dye my hair just for an audition, personally. A role yes, an audition no. And red hair is beautiful--keep it.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 3/6/13 at 10:15am

I agree that dying your hair is probably not necessary for an audition. Don't forget, the director could always make you wear a wig or something. Even professional actors who may have similar hair to the character they are playing do that.