TIP#35– I want to debunk the myth that for a callback, an actor needs to wear the exact same outfit worn on the day of the initial audition. What – I’m going to forget who is in front of me just because two days earlier they wore blue and now they’re wearing red??? Please. Give me (and all of us on the panel) more credit than that! If you’ve been called back, I’ve got your picture/resume in my file for everyone to see – and this is ALL the reminding I or anyone else needs as to who you are as an actor. Besides, when I see people coming in wearing the same outfit, I get distracted. Instead of seeing the ‘work’, I see your exact same outfit and my mind starts wandering: “Ah yes, cute… she’s read that popular book on auditioning from the 80’s and done due diligence by wearing the exact same outfit.” or “Ok, he’s wearing the exact same outfit as he did last week. Has he washed it? Does it smell?” or “Wow – can she only afford one dress??”. Frankly speaking, the danger in making this choice is that it can elicit muted chuckles from the audition panel. It can make you come across ‘green’ (i.e. new to the biz), earnest and overly-eager. Perhaps in the past this hint was useful, but personally speaking I think it’s an outdated notion. Wear what you wear (obviously I’m not advocating arriving in business attire for round 1 and ‘Goth Glam’ for round 2) and let your excellent work be ‘the thing’ that jogs my memory as to the brilliant talent you are!
(Duncan & Alaine)
Duncan Stewart is the Executive Director of Southgate Productions, (Theater/TV casting) and contracted by the National Artists Management Company (NAMCO) where he acts as the Director of Casting. In this capacity, he is responsible for casting the Broadway and National touring companies of Chicago the Musical as well as all other projects for legendary Broadway producers Barry and Fran Weissler. Current projects include the upcoming Broadway production of La Cage Aux Folles (starring Kelsey Grammer) and Clueless the Musical (Stephen Trask). Duncan also provides talent consultation for numerous television projects now under development by/for Cineflix International, a London based company. Most recently, Duncan was the featured judge and panelist for “The Great White Way”, a reality-based TV show produced by Osaka Television.
Alaine Alldaffer is the Casting Director for Playwrights Horizons. Credits include “Grey Gardens” (B’way and PWH) most recently “This” and “Circle, Mirror, Transformation and Clybourne Park. Present Laughter with Victor Garber for “The Huntington Theater” and “The Roundabout”. TV credits include Knights of Prosperity aka Let’s Rob Mick Jagger for ABC. Assoc. credits include “ED” (NBC),”Monk” (USA). Theaters include the Long Warf, Soho Rep. ACT in San Francisco and The Arena in DC. Festivals include Williamstown and Humana. She casts for The Huntington Theatre in Boston and the Women’s Project NYC. Coming up is the New York premiere of the Edward Albee play “Me Myself and I” with Elizabeth Ashley.
