Auditions: Dressing The Part: Serious Question

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!

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

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.

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. :)

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.

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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.

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.

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