Preparation

• 1). Practice your audition piece every day. Record yourself performing and watch or listen to the recording so you know exactly what areas still need work. If you go into the audition knowing that you could perform your piece in your sleep, you are less likely to be nervous.
  
  
• 2). Perform your audition piece in front of family or friends, especially people who are familiar with acting, dance or music and can offer advice. If you are used to performing in front of people, you will be less nervous.
  
  
• 3). Perform your piece cold. Instead of playing scales or performing dance or vocal warm-ups immediately before you begin, try warming up, walking into a room, waiting for thirty seconds and launching into your audition piece. While performing your piece, push straight through any errors rather than trying to go back and redo them correctly. This simulates the audition environment and will help you feel more prepared for the actual audition.
  
  
• 4). Organize yourself. If you are a musician, keep your music in a single folder or binder so you will know exactly where it is and will not have to shuffle through pages during your audition. If you are a dancer, bring extra hair pins and moleskin so you will not find yourself needing them five minutes before your audition. Review the directions to the audition so you will not get lost.
  
  
• 5). Take care of yourself on the day of the audition. Get a good night's sleep and eat breakfast. If you are tired and hungry, you won't be able to do your best at the performance.
  
  

Auditioning

• 1). Arrive early. Not only will building an extra 30 minutes into your morning help you avoid being late, but spending a little extra time waiting will give you the chance to warm up thoroughly and to become comfortable with the auditioning space.
  
  
• 2). Perform relaxation exercises as you wait. Focus on relaxing each muscle group in your body individually. For instance, begin by releasing any tension from your right leg, then move on to your left leg, your abdomen, your back, your right arm, your left arm and your neck.
  
  
• 3). Breathe deeply both before and during your audition. A 2007 study by the Southern Illinois School of Medicine showed that deep breathing reduces nervousness, self-doubt and concentration loss. Focusing on your breath instead of your fear will help you overcome anxiety.
  
  
• 4). Lose yourself in your piece. You are acting, dancing, singing or playing because you love it. Try to become caught up in the joy of performing your audition piece so you focus on the exhilaration of a good performance rather than on self-doubt.