There are so many things that I remember fondly from my days of driving my kids to auditions every day. I remember the special CD’s we had in the car for sing-a-longs. I remember the places we would go after an audition for a special ice cream treat or the little hole in the wall places we would go to try new food. I remember the little games we would make up in the car to pass the time and the all the stories about their school days that they told me about while heading down to NYC. I try and block out the memory of the traffic. (If I could get back all the time I spent on the West Side Highway, I would be two years younger.)
One thing that sticks out in my memory is their audition bag. Every child actor should have an audition bag waiting at the front door, ready to be picked up and taken to an audition at a moment’s notice!
If you don’t already have one, here are a few tips to get one ready for your next audition. I found that having this packed and ready made my life less stressful when it came time to head out the door. First, get yourself a large tote bag or a large backpack, and put the following items inside:
Essential Audition Gear
Two-to-three headshots with résumés already attached. Make sure you are using an up-to-date résumé where all the sizes are correct. A pen for the sign-in sheet, a yellow highlighter to mark lines. I always threw in a pair of travel scissors, a travel stapler, and a few paper clips because, hey, you never know when you might need them. Keep these in a smaller bag within the bag so you can quickly grab it and bring it to the audition.
Clothes
I always kept a couple of audition shirts in the car. That meant they were brightly colored, clean, pressed, and had no logos. When my kids came out of school, their shirts were always wrinkled, usually stained, and rarely smelling good. Also throw in a pair of clean, pressed jeans, khakis, or a skirt. Throw a Tide stain stick in there for those last minute stains as you walk through the door.
Grooming Supplies
This should include a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, a hairbrush, deodorant, and some baby wipes for a clean face. Girls audition bags can include extra hair ties, make-up wipes, and maybe some lip gloss.
Snacks
This should include things that are portable and not messy. I always packed bananas and a few various flavors of granola bars. I knew moms who gave their children chocolate bars before auditioning for extra “energy.” I can tell you firsthand, casting directors do not enjoy kids who are bouncing off the walls. One type of candy that is actually helpful are candy canes, as they help settle a nervous stomach! Ginger ale is also good for settling a nervous tummy.
Miscellaneous Items
Some things you might need are a good audiobook for everyone in the car to enjoy, favorite CD’s to relax and sing along to, and homework. Sometimes my kids would do their homework in the car on the way home, after they cleared their brains of whatever lines they were practicing on the way down, and other times we would stop at a little café and they would do their homework there while we waited for rush hour to abate. A comfy pillow to take a quick nap is also nice. A roll of quarters for the parking meters when you are lucky to get one. A charger for your cell phone, in case we need you for another audition, or they need you to come back after you have already left. You might even want a lucky charm that makes your child feel good.
Entertainment
A book of Mad Libs for everyone in the car to participate in is a fun way to pass the time. You can bring an iPad if you have one, or a handheld video game, but leave the video game in the car or put it in your purse before going into the audition. I have seen more than one child melt down at an audition when their name was called and they didn’t want to lose a level or a life at whatever point they were at when their turn came to audition.
Some of my Facebook friends had some great suggestions that they always bring that I didn’t think of that are awesome!
Heather says, “Dryer sheets: My daughter has super fine hair and sometimes it gets crazy static-y that brushing just doesn’t curtail, so I give her hair a quick wipe with the dryer sheet and voila! No more static!”
Stacy says, “Artists sketch pads, colored pencils, crayons, and markers.”
Dee Dee says, “This may sound weird, but bubbles! In case they’re snoozing in traffic when we get there, being able to blow bubbles by the car and chase them around wakes them up and gets the energy going!”
Sue says, “We play ‘personality interview.’ I throw out the usual types of questions and some odd ones just to get her in that space to think fast when she walks into the room.”
You get the general idea. Now it’s time for you to make your own audition bags! Include any items that are special or important to your family. Enjoy your ride to auditions with your goodies and your essentials.
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