3 expert tips for a successful college audition: Advice from a college audition coach
Hello, reader! My name is Jessie Brownie and I am a University Prep College Audition coach. If you’re here, I assume it’s because you are looking to pursue an undergraduate degree in the performing arts (or you took a wrong, but very interesting, turn on your Google Search). Whether you are a student in our University Prep program, or just visiting our page, I’m excited to take you through three of my favorite tips to help make the College Audition process smooth and fun. Let’s get into it!
1. Stalk schools like you stalk your ex!
Go to a coffee shop, grab your favorite drink, and a pair of headphones. Now stalk these performing arts programs like you stalk your ex. Seriously. Use social media to your advantage here. YouTube and TikTok are awesome resources for getting to know the personality of a program! While the school website provides deadlines, application info, and curriculum, that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Many programs have “day in the life” videos posted by current performing arts students. You can go to notable alumni’s Instagram pages and look back at posts from when they were in school. Programs will post highlights from their productions on YouTube. The possibilities are endless. Happy stalking!
2. So you don’t have a Broadway credit at 18…
PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING GOOD: don’t freak out if you don’t have many credits to put on your resume. That is a-okay. I have seen students with literal Broadway credits and students with no credits at all get into the exact same program. They are more interested in seeing the talent and training you bring to the table. Make sure to list all classes and training on your resume and have fun writing in your special skills! You never know what kind of things will be useful for a live production – if you think it’s unique and useful, list it! Sometimes these special skills are a great conversation starter in the audition room.
3. You don’t have to dance to “All That Jazz” or a song from Hairspray.
You do not have to pick a typical musical theater song for your dance prescreen. Another “Nicest Kids In Town” or “All That Jazz” will not thrill the folks watching your tapes nearly as much as something that feels packed with your personality. Pick music that is vibrant and fun – something that reflects who you are. Find a choreographer who will help you select music and create a dance that brings out who you are through the technical steps. If that happens to be musical theater, cool. But please have FUN with it.
Alrighty, that’s it for today! I hope these tips help you think outside of the box a bit during your audition journey. I’ll be back later on with more college audition tips and tricks about what to wear, how to enter the audition room, how to slate for your prescreens, etc. so make sure to keep checking back in. If you have any burning College Audition questions, reach out to us here at the studio. Until next time – Happy auditioning!
