Resource Guide

Notes from Resident Costumer Rebecca Y. Powell

Ladies

It is always a good idea to check out the set on which you will be auditioning. Courtney Oliver will be sending you a photo of the set via email. You want to be careful to not wear the same color so you do not blend in, it's all about being seen.

Your badge should rest a spread hand-width down from your chin.

Shoes should not be sky high, even show girls look awkward climbing down stairs in super high heels. Be sure your shoes are skid proof. Wear your shoes off and on for several hours in the weeks leading up to auditions. Never wear brand new shoes, and bring something comfortable to change into.

Excessive cleavage generates comment, but it rarely is the right kind. You want to be remembered for your talent, not your "talents." Reps are seated below you, underwear is always a plus.

Have a friend check you out under lights to see if your clothes are see-through.

Be sure that you are not dressed for the prom. Too formal usually means too stiff. This is one of the most frequent mistakes made by newcomers.

It is important to see your face. Try to draw your hair back so your eyes can be seen. Bring a hair kit in your bag, pins, elastics, brush, and spritz to keep things in place.

Wear simple, up-to-date dance wear that gives the companies and impression that you dance often and are comfortable dancing, but be careful not to expose too much!

Gentlemen

See set color comment above.

A handsome shirt and tie with trousers that fit correctly are never wrong. If you are not a tie guy, that’s OK. If you are a jeans guy - saggy jeans are just a distraction. You want to be remembered for your audition not your underwear.

Your badge should rest a spread hand-width down from your chin.

Sweaters and jackets are a good choice and give you some versatility.

Unless your facial hair is your signature, keep things neatly trimmed. The reps want to see your face, so keep your hair off your face as much as possible.

An athletic shirt or undershirt absorbs sweat and keeps you dry. It's going to be a long day.

Everyone would appreciate it if you would wear a dance belt for dance call-backs. So much more pleasant for all of us. Dance gear should not be sloppy or look like you pulled it from your Junior High closet. The reps will guess you rarely dance.

Notes from UPTA Accompanist Jose Simbulan

5 Do's and Dont's for your Musical Audition

DO have a good copy of your sheet music. It can be in a book, three-ring binder (with or without
sheet protectors), or taped/glued/stapled to a file folder so that it will stay on the piano. And, yes,
page turns are acceptable. DON'T put your music on the piano and say, "I'm sorry this is hard to
read." If I'm not able to read it, I won't be able to play it. And no loose sheets of paper - it's too easy
for them to fall off the piano. The same goes for "accordion folds" over three pages - if one piece of
paper starts to fall, the rest will follow.
DO practice your music at least once with a pianist before your audition. Or, at the very least, have
a pianist read through your music to make sure it's readable and clearly marked. DON'T find out
while you're auditioning that your sheet music is in the wrong key, and/or not correctly marked.
DO sing a song (or songs) that you like to sing. DON'T sing something that you think you have to
sing - or should sing. A good performance of a "bad" song is better than a "bad" performance of a
good song.
DO know what you want for your intro: a note, a couple of notes, a measure or two of music. DON'T
decide on-the-fly where and how you want to start.
DO give me a "complete" piece of sheet music to read - a vocal line and a piano accompaniment,
or a lead sheet with chords, melody and lyrics. DON'T provide me with a copy of the "Vocal Book"
to play from. A "Vocal Book" is just that - it will only have the melody with no piano part/accompaniment.

And a Bonus DO!
DO remember that I like playing auditions. I want to play well for you. I want you to have a good audition. I want you get a callback. If you and your music are prepared, then I will be prepared.

Notes from Choreographer Kiersten Mayes

What happens at the dance auditions? How hard are the combinations? What type of dance shoes should I wear?

The dance area opens at 5:00pm. The first thing you should do is sign in when you arrive. Lindsey and her crew do an amazing job at keeping the audition organized and moving to get you back to your call backs on time. They need you to sign in to be able to do that.

From 5:30pm to 5:40pm we will hold a basic organized warm up containing isolations and basic floor stretches. From 5:40pm to 5:50pm we will do Grand Battements and Develloppe. And from 5:50pm to 6:00pm we will give information and instructions. At 6:00pm, we'll begin teaching the first routine. Keep in mind that some companies begin watching you during the warm ups. Make sure your number is visible.

Three different combinations will be taught in the order listed below. You may do more than one combination but no more than two. All three combinations will be taught before the actual auditioning occurs. You may learn them all and then decide to add or remove yourself to or from any combination. Many times people feel they are able to do more than combination number one and are fearful of the level and intensity of combination number two. We encourage you to learn the second combination. Companies will be able to judge your ability level by watching you learn the combination as well as execute it later during the audition process. Remember you can always remove or add yourself after you learn it.

Dance Combination #1 (Mover): This is the least difficult of all three combinations. Fun music is used to let everyone show style and character and relax as much as possible. It will use basic dance steps. Wear Jazz shoes, dance sneakers, or character shoes.

Dance Combination #2 (Trained High Intermediate/Advanced Level Dancer): This combination is very different than the 1st combination. It will be taught a great deal faster and is for trained dancers. It has two parts. The fist part is Jazz, and the second part is Ballet. You are not required to execute both. If you consider yourself a Jazz Dancer and only wish to do that section, it is fine. The same goes for the Ballet. Wear Jazz shoes or Dance sneakers. Jazz shoes are preferred by most companies. Because this combination contains a Ballet component, moves quickly, and will be intense, character shoes are not recommended.

Dance Combination #3 (Intermediate Level Tap Dancer): Obviously, tap shoes should be worn for this combination. Everyone will be given time to quickly change into their tap shoes before the combination is taught. This combination will also be taught a great deal faster than combination #1. After each small group has executed the combination during the actual audition process, each person will be given the opportunity to individually demonstrate 4 double wings and 4 double pullbacks without music. You are not required to do the wings and pullbacks.

Every year, we ask for feedback so we can continue to make UPTA better. I consistently hear from company reps, "Why did they wear that?" Suggestion: Put as much thought into choosing your attire for the dance call back as you do with your earlier audition. Make sure you look good and feel good in your attire. They want to watch you dance, not make adjustments to your leotard every 30 seconds.

I don't consider myself a dancer. What should I wear?

Fitness Attire. Something you would wear to work out in and allows you to move easily and freely. Wear jazz shoes if you have them. Lightweight tennis/walking shoes would be the next best thing.