Q: Tie or no tie?
A: Dress for what is appropriate for the role. If you're auditioning for FINCH in How To Succeed, of course - tie (maybe bow tie). If the attire is not obvious, make your best guess. If you are still on the fence - err on the too-formal side.
BUT it is important to dress like yourself. THIS IS WHERE KNOWING YOUR TYPE COMES IN. If you are the type of guy who never-ever wears a suit, you'll look uncomfortable in a suit at an audition. Maybe wear black jeans, with a shirt and blazer. This will give the casting director a much better sense of who you are, while still respecting the show. Hey, chances are you aren't going to book this job (it IS a cattle call), but you will be up in front of her again - and now she is starting to learn what you are all about. This is the first step on getting you into the right roles. Maybe when they're casting Tommy next month they'll remember that guy who awesome, but wasn't quite right for H2$, but would be a great Cousin Kevin.
Q: Heels or no heels?
A: Heels. If you're going in for musical theater, you're going to be among a sea of women. There is a very clear costume: Heels, tight dress to the knee, hair down and lots of make-up. Every woman will look like this.
Here is another piece of advice (which slightly conflicts with the last, but they both apply): "TV/Film is about looking like yourself; Theatre is about looking like everyone else."
By this I mean, if you're auditioning to be a series regular on a prime time drama, they are looking for someone who is unlike anyone on television. Someone new and exciting. In theater, they have solid, preconceived notions about that what each character should be, and look like. If an actor is auditioning for Barfee in Spelling Bee - they will probably cast someone who looks like the guy who played it originally: heavy, long hair, white.
Dressing like they expect you to dress can sometimes be smart. Casting directors have very little imagination, and they are really just trying to find people who are not a high-risk to the production in most cases.
I realize I just said dress like yourself, followed by dress like everyone else. You have to decide for yourself. There is really no wrong answer. The only mistake you can make is feeling uncomfortable in what you're wearing; That will throw off your audition.
Q: Really, I should sing what I love, over what's dead-on appropriate?
A: Yep! There will always be callbacks. You will always get a chance to sing from the score. The cattle call is the ONE place you can call the shots. Sing what you love, and have worked hard on. Don't be dumb about it; don't sing a rock song for a Phantom of The Opera audition, but if it's a judgment call between pieces, go with the one you love.
In summary: Dress like you, sing like you! Show them you, the-great-performer-you-are in the cattle call. But bear in mind that there are expectations. Don't stray so far from the character, that the casting director can't picture you in the role.
Addendum:
If you're auditioning for a season of shows. This how-do-I-present-myself issue really gets actors crazy. "I really want to play Lady McBeth, but I want them to consider me for Little Red in Into The Woods too!" First off - calm down; this should set you free. No one can find one piece that covers that wide variety of characters. (If you can, leave it for me in the comments - I'd like to see it.)
Do what you love! Wear what makes you feel good! If they are casting a whole season, they are looking for confident people who would be fun to spend an entire season with. Don't get bogged down. Do your best piece, and on the way out, say, "I'd love to be considered for Little Red and Lady McB - thanks so much!" Easy.
***For a conference like SETC or IOD, my advice would be dress comfortably, but with respect. I'd say jacket, but no tie, for the men. Id' say dress, with low heels for the women.
But stay within your type! If you're a punk, dress punk, but look clean and smart. If you're a woman who never wears a dress - don't wear a dress. Be you!; You in pants. The only mistake is dressing like someone that you are NOT!
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