For the big mama of all auditions, how many of us take the time to really present ourselves in the best light possible at the Theatre Bay Area Generals Auditions? Do yourself a favor this year: Prepare your personal presentation as well as your theatrical performance.

Approach every audition as an important interview for a high-profile, lucrative job. Hang up your clothes and make sure they are properly pressed. Shine your shoes, select jewelry, and set aside an additional copy of your resume. Give yourself plenty of time to shower, shave, tweeze, brush, floss, file, do your hair and makeup, eat a good breakfast, and allow double the amount of time to get through morning traffic so you’ll be on time.

The Rules

For all auditions -- especially the TBA Generals -- absolutely everything you do makes the difference between being cast and having a few more nights to yourself. The Number One Rule: Dress Up. Look as good as you can. This includes clothing, hair, and makeup.

Dana’s Two-Year Rule: If you haven’t worn it at all in the last two years, get rid of it, you’re not going to wear it, cash in at your local consignment shop. The Five-Year Rule: If there is anything in your closet that is more than five years old, please donate it to charity or sell it at your next yard sale.

Hair, Makeup, and Clothes

If you’ve had the same hairstyle for more than five years, it’s time for a change, and probably a new hair stylist. Be gone old perms and grown-out color! Our mothers were right; get your hair out of your face, especially if you have long hair. Men included.

Makeup anyone? Have you been wearing the same colors the same way using the same brushes for more than five years? It may be time for a makeover at your favorite cosmetic counter. Let makeup enhance your natural features rather than covering them up. (For more tips, read Makeup!)

All black is all boring. Picture a black stage, with black curtains, a black backdrop with an actor wearing all black. The directors will see a floating head. You can still have artistic integrity and look good by adding variety with color. For slacks and skirts, try a different neutral color such as tan, brown, navy, or light gray.

The denim blues. Say goodbye to the old standby of jeans and a t-shirt. We’re in “dress to impress” mode, so avoid blue jeans, black jeans, shorts, and sweats. T-shirts look sloppy, far too casual, and you will inevitably look like you just came from the gym.

Leave the high-cut skirts, low-cut shirts, and bare midriffs for your next hot date. Body-conscious clothing is one thing; body-revealing clothing is another. Go for the former. A note on skirts: be sure you know how to sit in a skirt. Keep your knees together, and only cross your legs if you’re not revealing too much. If you’re not used to wearing skirts, practice at home. The best rule for a skirt is like a good article: long enough to cover the subject and short enough to keep interest.

More for the Men

Grooming for men, still with us? Run a brush through your hair and shave. An iron couldn’t hurt either. Guys can be the worst offenders of the “I just rolled out of bed and threw on my clothes” look. Go ahead and wear makeup to auditions. All you need is a good shave, concealer for blemishes, and powder for shine. Learn how to apply these modestly and expertly, and no one will know the difference.

Finish the Look

Happiness goes right down to the sole. Wear good shoes that you’re comfortable walking in. Leather-soled shoes are best for natural movement and they don’t squeak like rubber-soled shoes. Women in too-high shoes clunk around and tend to lean into their hips. No sneakers allowed and only wear open-toed shoes if you have lovely feet.

Put it all together: If you have belt loops, wear a belt. If you’re wearing dark pants and dark shoes, wear dark socks (no white socks, please.) If your collar has buttons, button it down.

You and Your Headshot

Do a reality check and make sure you look like your headshot. Take a good look at your primary marketing material (should be less than five years old) and ask yourself, “Does this picture resemble me right now?” If you show the picture to your friends and they start laughing, it’s most likely outdated. If you show it to someone you don’t know and they ask, “Who’s that?” then yep, it’s time to get a spanking, new headshot.

Finally, you’re never fully dressed without a smile.

* Check out Frequently Asked Questions for those burning questions about how you present yourself, your monologues, and your marketing materials.

This article was originally published in Theatre Bay Area Magazine, January 2004.