The Appropriate Attire

The appropriate attire for your college audition can be somewhat difficult to discern. Sometimes you’ll be able to come in with a t-shirt and jeans, other times you’ll want to wear an outfit in the “business casual” range of professionalism. Determining the correct clothes to wear can be achieved by asking the casting director, or someone who’s auditioned for them before or knows them well.

Even if you are allowed to wear “whatever you want”, though, try to avoid wearing clothes that have distracting designs or imagery on them. This can distinguish you from the rest of those auditioning, but not necessarily in a positive way. Personally, I've worn jeans and a simply-designed button-up short sleeve for many of my college auditions without being chastised, but I've also heard students who are assisting the director complain about how casual some of the auditioning actor’s outfits are. You can potentially wear an outfit that reflects the character you wish to portray, but that is a fine line to walk. The best way to avoid issues with appropriate audition-wear, other than through queries with the director and their associates, is to have something fitting in the business-casual category as a default outfit. For auditions, it’s better to come over-dressed than under-dressed.

You may also be inclined to wear shirts from previous performances, as a subtle way of showing your past experience. Honestly, if you think you can pull off wearing a t-shirt that boasts your inclusion in the college’s most recent rendition of “Bye Bye Birdie” at the audition, then it isn't necessarily a bad idea. Casting directors certainly appreciate proof of previous experience in theatrical performances, which is why you bring a resume to auditions. A shirt obtained from a performance, however, may make the casting director think you are being too insistent of your previous work, so tread carefully. In general, t-shirts are best avoided for any audition, even if the audition is labeled “casual” or “come as you normally dress”.