At an audition, is it apropriate to dress the part?

Question

Because several people do this, and it's what gives them the part! However, I've also read and been told that dressing the part is unprofessional. I mean, I have a few auditions comeing up and I have no idea if I SHOULD or SHOULDN'T dress the parts I REALLY want!

Also, is it OK to make yourself look say...20 when you're really 23? Or make yourself look 30 when you're 29, simply because the part you want is actually older/younger than you?

Answer 1

Unless the casting director asked you to do so, don't.
Many casting directors will find it as a turn off.

You can find free listings of auditions at http://www.actorspages.org

You can also post your pictures and resume for free.

Answer 2

make yourself "Look" 20 if you are really 23? What the?


Look.... I can't tell you how many times I've been cast in a part that is way outside my biological age. Take for instance the part I have in a film that is about to begin shooting next week... I'm 54 years old... so I didn't bother to audition for the part of the guy in his early 30's... but they called me back a few days later and said, look... we liked the job you did on the part you auditioned for, but we'd like to cast you as the guy in his 30's instead.

And yesterday someone called to say, we like you, and we'd like you to take the role of the old man... so next month I'll be working in another film, playing the part of some guy in his late sixties... go figure...


Make yourself "Look" twenty if you are really twenty three? Give me a break... just go audition for the part. And yes.... go ahead and dress the way you think the character might dress do go to a meeting, because that is what an audition is... a meeting. Don't go out and find yourself a nurses uniform, and carry an enema bag under your arm... dress like you think the nurse would dress to go to a staff meeting on her day off.

Answer 3

Speaking as someone who's been on the other side of the table from you--i.e., involved in the casting--a couple things. First: don't assume that other people dressing the part is what got them the role--you don't know that for a fact. In fact, stop worrying about other people at all. That's our job, not yours. Second: the point of an audition is for you to display your skill--not to second-guess us. You have no idea who we've seen, what we're thinking, what we're looking for--and certainly not the style in which we're going to produce the show. If you show up "dressing the part", you're making an assumption about what we're looking for--and you may be totally wrong. Professional attire is best, always. I'm never against women doing things with their hair to make themselves look older or younger if they like, but going overboard with makeup and clothing just (in my opinion) makes you look desperate and presumptuous. Besides: your headshot can do that, especially if you've got one with four looks. (Same with your age: all I have to do to know how old you really are is look at your resume.) With men it tends to be the opposite with clothing--as though dressing down and being Mr. Casual will make me think you're cool. No--make me think I want to work with you because you're a pro.

Bottom line: focus on putting across your audition with strength and clarity and honesty, and let ME decide how I'm going to see you. You may be surprised--especially if I end up seeing you in a BETTER part than you saw yourself in...

Answer 4

It looks really cheesy to dress the part, especially if it is like from the Victorian times, your best bet, and I do this for my auditions, would to go a little bit dressy/formal, because that shows that you are truly interested in the part.

Answer 5

don't dress the parts. wear something cool casual instead. if you don't get the part then you'll look like a dork both going to the audition and leaving the audition

Answer 6

I think that if they ask you to dress the part than do it. But they might think your trying to over do it. and sometimes they may want you for another part and if you come dressed for only one cast member or part then it my seem pretty weird.

Answer 7

I don't know but the woman who plays the old lady in Golden Girls got the part because she dressed like an old lady and she wasn't.

Answer 8

No, You shouldn`t.
You want the Director and casting director to see what you are like normally. You don`t know how they will want your character to look. Every director wants to see someone who they can mold into their vision of the part.