What to Wear for an Audition or Self-Tape

Actor and coach, Spencer Glass, gives some helpful tips on dressing for auditions.   Check back monthly for more actor wisdom from Spencer. 

Comfort is everything!

The first rule of dressing for an audition is simple...start with what makes you feel grounded, confident, and comfortable. PERIOD. At the end of the day, it's your work that matters. Clothes affect energy, and if you are tugging at your shirt or fidgeting with shoes, it will pull focus from your work. If you've read any of my stuff, I always emphasize the importance of what your energy says whether you're in the room or on tape.

Stick to pieces where you feel fabulous and make you feel at ease in your body. Authenticity starts with comfort. When you feel physically relaxed, your energy becomes more open, and that allows your performance to feel alive. And no, you don't need to go out and spend hundreds of dollars on "audition clothes". I can bet you have some pieces that you love to wear/feel "you", and those will work wonderfully. 

For some actors, clothing is a big part of confidence, and that is completely valid. If putting on a blazer, a bold color, or your favorite pair of shoes makes you feel unstoppable, lean into that. Feeling good in what you are wearing often translates directly into how you carry yourself in the room or a tape. The more you feel powerful and aligned in your body, the more potential that creatives will feel that same grounded assurance from you. Dressing with, my favorite word for actors, intention, can be both practical and empowering.

Should you dress for the character?

A lot of actors tend to think "should I be winking at the character in my outfit"? There is real artistry in giving a subtle nod to the world of the character. Think of it as a quiet collaboration between your personal style and the tone of the piece.

For example, if you are auditioning for a musical like Oklahoma, soft denim or a simple button up shirt can suggest that earthy, small town vibe without feeling like a costume. For a play like Appropriate, darker or more contemporary colors might help you land in the grounded realism of the play. These choices show thoughtfulness and awareness without crossing into actual dress up. However, some worlds call for intense imagination sometimes. 

Costuming yourself too literally can actually take away from your authenticity. When you show up in something overly on the nose, it risks distracting from your work and making the moment feel performative instead of truthful.

Do you need to wear the yellow ball gown for a Beauty and the Beast audition? I don't think so. The goal is not to recreate the character visually, but to suggest the world in a way that still feels like you. You want to still have your OWN version of Belle. When you lead with truth and add just a hint of tone, the team can more easily imagine you in the role without feeling like you are trying to be someone else. After all, the goal is to always stay uniquely you. 

Stay genuine!

Ultimately, your goal is to find that balance between personal authenticity and storytelling awareness. Dressing for auditions is about grounding yourself in who you are while gently acknowledging the world you are stepping into. Casting directors are not looking for costumes, they are looking for presence, honesty, and a sense of truth. When you feel like yourself with just a smidge of the role, that is when the audition feels effortless and alive.