Psychology Behind Colors: What to Wear to an Audition

I hate to brag, but I'm a research nerd alert. How cool is it that there is a psychology behind what you wear to an audition and how you will be perceived? Certain colors evoke specific feelings, create memorable mind images, and bring about the right kind of attention you want to attract in an audition. Read on.

First, let me say that your outfit has a huge impact on your audition; I don't care what anyone says. Deny it all you want, Lee Strasberg Institute, but whether you choose to admit it or not, what someone is wearing impacts your mind. Like, some crazy Inception stuff. There is science behind the fact that colors impact mood, performance, and psychology of others.

Before we go into the psychological effects of the color wheel; a word on dressing for an audition in general. It's not about dressing down or dressing up, but merely being put together well. Remember that artists are not regular people. We are eccentric, creative, imaginative, and drawn to things that are like us. It's not a coincidence that so many theatre people are bold with their wardrobe, aren't afraid to wear fun make-up, and rock shoes that civilians only dream of. (Okay, maybe the last one was out of line, sorry.)

With this in mind, I'm going to go ahead and let you know that it's okay to be bold in your outfit choice. To an extent, of course. The look you want to aim for is "business casual", with a sprinkle of your own personality. If we're talking about a general season audition at a theatre, or a college BFA audition, you want to play up yourself, your type, your style. If you are a Velma Kelly type broad-tall, leggy, and dancer-esque: you must wear a "don't-mess-with-me red" shade of lipstick. I see you wearing all black - leggings maybe, with pops of red. Make it easy for us to cast you in your dream role.

If you don't know your type, go through the last 5 roles you've played. If you are an ingenue Amy Adams type, I would hope you would wear a 50s inspired floral princessy number.

If you are a guy: you need to invest in a button-down shirt that fits you impeccably. No matter the price, there is nothing like a dress shirt with a perfect fit. Don't be stingy, remember you are auditioning for a divine panel of gay men and fashion forward creative women who appreciate a guy who knows how to put himself together. I always think wearing a tie kicks it up a notch -- and a color coordinated skinny tie with a tie tack? Perfection.

Here's a great article from GQ on the essentials of looking put together and trendy for a business casual look for men:
http://www.gq.com/style/wear-it-now/201009/new-business-casual-september-gq-style#slide=1

Now, onto color.

I learned that in football, a common practice is to paint the visitor's locker room pink. Pink is a calming color, and causes lower energy and muscle relaxation.

Yellow is the color of productivity, and I learned that legal pads chose yellow as their background to encourage concentration in the professional world.

Orange stimulates happiness and energy; it's refreshing and stands out in a crowd.

In a medical study, the winner of which color attracted men, women, and children alike? Red. A girl and a guy were photographed wearing solid color t-shirts in 8 different shades. People were asked to choose which they liked best. Red won with flying colors (pun intended) over blue, black, white, yellow, purple, orange, pink, and green.

I heard it mentioned that patterns weren't recommended for audition wear, and I think this is a dated rule. The reasoning behind this is to make sure the attention stays on YOU, not your outfit. That value holds true - so no pink zebra sequins hot tranny mess outfits (although Priscilla Queen of the Desert's casting team might dig that). But if your pattern is low key and tasteful, you're in the clear.

Invest in a good audition outfit, a steamer (way better than an iron), and don't neglect the small stuff: chipped nail polish is a no-no, shoes and socks need to match, GUYS (only Michael Jackson can pull off white socks and black shoes), and coordinating accessories will get you bonus points.

It is a vain industry, indeed, and it's important that you are selling yourself and know your type.

Best of luck!