#128: Dear Julie… audition season prep?
Wednesday 12/25/24
DEAR JULIE… I want to hit audition season in NY hard this year. What should I do to prepare myself?
Oh I LOVE LOVE LOVE this. I hate to give you another list this week haha but that’s how my brain works!
Try to get all your commitments and future commitments to be later at night and weekends. Think after 7pm weeknights and weekends are USUALLY not audition days. I mean, they do happen on weekends but it is the exception - not the rule.
If you have to work, make sure you are picking up extra work in early January and making a work schedule that is also late nights and weekends. There is no clear “most auditions happen these days” but usually Mondays and Fridays have auditions but they are less simply because of travel. Those coming in to NYC are traveling those days but they may take very early or late flights. If you HAVE TO work weekdays during this time, Mon/Fri are your safest bet.
TALK TO YOUR BOSSES! Let them know that the next 3 months are a little wild and if they may be flexible for last minute changes and that you may be seeking coverage.
Invest in your vocal and physical stamina and wellbeing. Whatever that means to you. There may be times you have to wait outside in the cold on little sleep and try to get to 3-4 auditions IN A DAY.
Reduce your audition cut options to a handful… maybe no more than 6 or so.
PREP SHORT - like 15-25 seconds - versions of said cuts! YES 15 seconds
Run everything with an accompanist. Preferably one who hasn't seen your cuts before. You can practice communicating quickly with them on each song and then see how they play the music. Then you can make adjustments to how you communicate.
Make sure your audition bag/binder is all set and organized. Shoes, no wrinkle outfits, plenty of printed headshots and resumes, cough drops, tissues, personal hygiene products, non perishable snacks, cash stash, etc. Either get a TON of your headshots/reusmes printed in advance… or have a plan to never be without. Get enough for the season - 50 to 100, or if you’d rather pay for them over time, get 20 printed monthly.
Those are the big things I can think of! Good luck! It’s coming :)
Dreams Don’t Die
Julie