15 Things You Must Pack When Traveling to College Auditions
Gearing up for musical theatre college auditions and don’t know what to pack? When traveling to auditions, it’s important that you have everything you need in order to put your best foot forward.
But don’t stress!
Here is a complete list of 15 items that you must bring with you when traveling to college auditions.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases.
1. Audition Outfit
When picking your audition outfit, stay away from any material that will wrinkle easily. Stick to solid colors and flattering styles that show personality and flair. Don’t forget to bring a comb, hairspray, your own curling iron, straightener, or blow dryer if you need it, and makeup (if necessary) to touch up last minute!
2. Dance clothes
Dance audition
If you’re auditioning for a musical theatre program, chances are there will be a dance portion of the audition. So don’t forget clothes to dance in… form fitting jazz pants or leggings, a bright colored top or leotard, skirt, tights, etc.
3. Dance shoes
Dance shoes
Bring all types of dance shoes with you to auditions… including a good pair of sneakers. Leave room for in your bag for heels, flats, ballet slippers, and taps.
4. Extra change of clothes
After a long, sweaty day of auditioning, you’re going to want an extra change of clothes! Comfy is key.
5. Extra headshots and resumes
Headshots by Nathan Johnson, printing by Reproductions
Accidents happen. Water spills. Headshots get lost. Sometimes schools ask for more than one… so make sure you are prepared with extra sets of headshots and resumes. Don’t know where to print them? Check out this article.
6. Vitamins
Airbone chewable tablets
Travel can really test your immune system… especially if you will be flying in an airplane to auditions. Stock up on cold medicine, emergen-c, vitamins that will help boost your immune system.
7. Throat Coat tea
Organic Throat Coat tea
Tea is wonderful for drinking the morning of an audition to calm your nerves and soothe your voice. Throat Coat is a lifesaver for sore throats.
8. Clear nail polish
Clear nail polish works great on tights that have a hole in them
Clear nail polish is a great solution for combatting ripped tights. Ladies (and gentlemen) should always pack some in their audition bags just in case!
9. Lint Rollers
Lint Roller
Dance clothes tend to pick up some lint, especially Lululemon! Don’t forget to pack a lint roller to polish off your look. Nothing worse than ruining a killer outfit with lint!
10. Humidifier
Humidifiers
Beware the auditioning in the winter months! Most of your auditions will probably fall between January and March, when the air is extremely dry. Bring a humidifier to fight the dry air that lingers in hotels.
11. Personal steam Inhaler
Vicks Steam Inhaler
I find that more and more performers are relying on personal steamers to keep their voices at tip-top shape. Consider getting a personal steamer to combat the dry air and the effects it may have on your voice. I love my Vicks steamer.
12. Fontus Lozenges
Fontus Lozenges are the official throat lozenge for the Broadway Production of Hamilton!
Head of the Texas State University Musical Theatre program, Kaitlin Hopkins, created Fontus lozenges as a way to provide moisturizing relief from dryness. The lozenges were made with a unique patent-pending formula that stimulates saliva production to assist with dry mouth treatment and recovery of hoarse or strained vocal cords.
Fontus is the official throat lozenge for the Broadway Production of Hamilton.
13. Snacks
KIND Bar Snacks
If you’re running from audition to audition, you may not have the time (or stomach) to eat a full meal at lunch or dinner. Save energy by packing snacks to take with you on the go! You don’t think you’ll need them until you’re starving and there is no food in sight and you’re afraid to stray too far in fear of missing anything. I live for KIND bars.
14. Journal
The minute you leave your audition it’s all going to feel like a blur. Before you head home for the day, stop and take some notes on your audition and reflect on what went well. Cut yourself some slack, and keep it positive.
Also, make sure to jot down the name of the person who auditioned you. This is important if you want to be able to follow up with them later with a thank you note! I urge you to start the habit of audition journaling now… you will thank me later!
15. Something to keep you busy
iPad
Bring something that will help keep your nerves away from the audition… this could be gameboy, an iPad, music and headphones, a good book. Whatever this means to you.
I love to watch funny videos like SNL or my favorite stand-up comedians while I’m waiting to audition! It puts me in a great mood before I walk into the room.
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases.
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Happy auditioning!
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