From the Hallway: A Parent’s View of College Auditions

Sitting in the hallway outside a college audition room, I can’t help but feel a mix of pride and helplessness. My child is inside, giving everything she has to offer in a span of minutes, and I’m out here, waiting. It’s a strange feeling, knowing you’ve spent years cheering them on, driving them to lessons, listening to the same song or monologue countless times – and now it’s out of your hands.

The hallway is alive with whispers, bragging sessions, and anxious energy. (Parents can be the worst, can’t we?) Other parents sit nearby, clutching coffee cups or scrolling on their phones, each wearing the same look of quiet anticipation. We exchange small talk, trying to distract ourselves, but the underlying tension is palpable. We’re all rooting for our kids, praying they feel confident, that the right note comes out, that the panel sees the spark we’ve seen for years.

It’s hard not to overthink. Did I encourage them enough? Did I prepare them for this moment – or am I the one who needs to let go a little? I know this is their journey, not mine, but as a parent, you can’t help but feel every emotion with them.

When the door finally opens and she steps out, I know I will see it – the courage it took to put herself on the line, the determination in her eyes. Whether it went perfectly or not, I couldn’t be prouder. She’s done something brave, something I hope she’ll carry with her long after today.

For me, this is a moment of letting go and holding on all at once. Waiting outside that audition room is as much about watching her grow as it is about realizing I’m just here to cheer her on from the sidelines – now and always.

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