When first-year Abby Spitzmiller was faced with a cold a few short days before her acapella audition, she remarked, “Not to be dramatic, but when I can’t sing, it’s like I can’t breathe.” For many, the pinnacle of freedom and self-expression can be discovered through art. However, as many Bucknellians have become well aware of in the past week, sometimes a central part of finding a creative outlet comes through seeking exposure to criticism and judgment. It is difficult to make art that is widely palatable while preserving its ingenuity, but the path to doing so is far from obscure. From improv to acapella, new students interested in joining Bucknell’s various ensembles have been charged with one of the most exciting and anxiety-inducing tasks in an aspiring artist’s journey- the audition. 

Art is as close as you can get to the heart of anyone who is invested in producing it. As someone who loves to write, this means that almost nothing is more terrifying than watching the look on someone’s face as they judge my words. In an audition, you bare your soul to someone else who has the complete freedom to tell you that, subjectively, you suck. This can be terrifying and humbling, especially for a first-year. Students who have grown accustomed to success are faced with the reality of existing alongside a community of passionate peers. It is even more difficult when first-years are surprised by the quick turnaround from orientation to the audition process, a time frame that is much less shocking to the upperclassmen whom they are competing against for spots and parts. Though intimidating, this rite-of-passage has been successfully navigated by many members of the class of 2028. 

Despite the limited number of days that they had to prepare, several first-years still stuck to their tried-and-true methods. Ayla Rose Donohue-Ozyar created a mock audition for her acapella group, involving vocal warmups and a run-through during which she imagined a panel of judges. Amalia Benenati’s strategies included “practicing, drinking tea, eating cough drops, and praying for the best”. Leading up to the big day, the most common plans were routinely rehearsing material and focusing on staying healthy. Donohue-Ozyar and Benenati also made the process easier on themselves by choosing familiar crowd-pleasers as audition material, with Donohue-Ozyar’s repertoire including “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid and Benenati featuring “Red Wine Supernova” by Chappell Roan. The girls’ songs provided a great opportunity to bond with and grab the attention of their judges while still staying true to their personal taste. 

The general consensus about the auditions themselves was that they were rewarding in and of themselves. Dancer Rose Andreski enjoyed partner improvisation in a dance audition and a group improv session in her next, summarizing it as “an amazing experience” and an outlet for her to get to “know all the dancers on campus”. Donohue-Ozyar found her acapella audition to be equally welcoming, stating that having students as the judges made the experience much more lighthearted. The discomfort of the situation became the basis for bonding.

Given the testimony of these artistic students, strong work ethic and an open mind appear to be the ingredients for a meaningful tryout. It is easy to stay positive when you score a coveted role, but how do you maintain the desire to be vulnerable when things don’t go as planned? Benenati advises adopting the mindset that an individual performance is representative of the day that a performer is having, not of their overall worth. When things go wrong, she recommends repeating your audition at home for reassurance. Creative expression holds merit as a bottomless source of joy, regardless of whether the recipient is a cheering crowd or your very own self. Although it is natural to want to share your passions, your future fans may just have to hold out for another semester or two. Until then, I urge you to take Benenati’s advice and sing, dance, or act for an audience of one, as you try to truly appreciate the specifically beautiful art that comes from none other than you.