Last week I attended auditions for Universal Studios Singapore. It wasn’t my first audition and it probably won’t be my last, but looking around the room and listening to some of the conversations that were taking place it became very apparent that for a lot of the people there it was their first audition and many of them were learning what it means to audition while they were auditioning.

So I decided that it would be a good idea to put together a little list of things that I have learned over the years that have helped me in any audition situation. Some are blindingly obvious but others you don’t realize their importance until it is too late.

1. Know what you are auditioning for!

When I turned up for the Universal Studios auditions there was a lady in front of me, well into her late thirties. She had received a call the night before from her agent informing her that there were auditions on for singers. With no information beyond that, she promptly turned up and then proceeded to ask everyone who would listen to her what the audition was for. It became apparent to her after entering the holding room and seeing that everyone was under thirty and dressed to dance that she was not at an audition she was suited for.

2. If there is an audition brief read it until you can memorize it and bring it with you to the audition!

Universal had four different shows they were casting each requiring a different skill set. They had a monster show which was very hip-hop based and pop rock. Then there was the Kowabunga Kove show which was loosely based on the musical Hairspray and featured a lot of 50′s dance moves and cutesy bubblegum tunes. Then there was the Madagascar show which is all suit work and the Shrek 4D show which required excellent impersonation skills. Knowing what is on offer will help in your performance and shows that you want to work for them.

3. Don’t limit your options by only rehearsing for the roles you want!

On my audition sheet I had put that I wanted to audition for the Monster Rock Show and the Kowabunga Kove Show. In addition to looking at these two shows on YouTube and researching the role requirements, I also researched the other shows and characters I didn’t think I was suited for (either because I was too tall, short, no the right skin colouring etc). It paid off when I was asked to read for the role of Betty Boop. I had watched a couple of cartoons on her and was familiar enough that I surprised the audition panel with a good rendering of a Brooklyn accent.

4. Wear something appropriate!

There was a number of girls who turned up for the dance part of the audition in crop tops, fishnets and micro shorts. Universal is a family orientated theme park, dressing like a stripper did these girls no favors (in fact a number of them were asked to put shirts on before being allowed to audition). Remember what you are auditioning for and let that steer your wardrobe choices. Also try to wear something distinctive like a bright colored shirt or leotard, avoid all black and writing on shirts. Anything that draws the attention away from you like funny pictures or slogans is never a good idea.

5. Wear the same outfit to each call back!

Where possible wear the same outfit to each callback. At the Universal Studios auditions there were over 100 different girls auditioning. by wearing the same outfit to each callback the audition panel has an easy reference to who you are and will remember you much easier. Remember you got a callback because they liked what they saw, so don’t change it!

6. Give an opening night performance!

Rehearse your piece so much that there isn’t a chance in the world that you will stuff up. Your performance should be as polished as it would be on opening night. The audition panel wants to see what you have to offer so you want to offer your best.

7. Don’t engage in gossip or idle chit-chat in the holding room!

That doesn’t mean you have to tell people to piss off if they try to be friendly, just remember that you are there to audition not to catch up on what happened on the weekend. Keep your focus and concentrate on the job at hand.

8. Warm-up properly!

It can be daunting to start warming up your voice in a crowded room but believe me it will make life so much easier for you. As soon as it was announced that we would be singing first I took my vocal exercises warm-up tape into a corner and started to warm up. I felt ridiculous calling out “I love to sing” into a crescendo but it made me feel so much more at ease when it was my time to audition. You really need to forget about everyone else and just concentrate on yourself.

9. Be nice to everyone, not just the audition panel!

Some auditions will have a PITA inspector in the holding room. They will look like a normal auditionee but they are there to determine if you are going to be a Pain In The Arse or not (hence PITA). Don’t put people down, don’t bitch about other auditionees, don’t say how unfair it is that you had to dance before you sang because you are a much better singer, don’t be rude to the girl at the front desk, just be nice. You will have to work with others if you get the contract and no one wants to spend months on end with a person who can’t go a couple of hours without bitching and complaining.

10. If you are sick, then you are sick!

If you are sick it is okay to tell the audition panel, but only tell them once and once only. You don’t need to tell anyone else and the last thing people want to hear is the same sob story about you being sick over and over again. Auditioners, especially singing auditioners can usually tell when a person has a cold. If you are too sick to audition, put it down to bad luck and stay home. No one wants a sick person at the audition.

Smile and do your best! In the end remember that the audition panel wants you to be good. They are there to find the best people to fill the jobs they have on offer. They don’t want to see people who are nervous, scared, not confident, bitchy or any of the rest. They want you to be amazing…so go be amazing!