Alecia Batson describes going on an audition at the American Repertory Theatre:

... I set my pitch pipe and music on the chair that was available, expecting to read first and sing second, which is what happened, but only after what seemed an eternity of awkward silence in which one looked me up and down, another perused my resume, and the artistic director introduced the reader to me. I felt a bit as though I was up for auction, being judged wholly on my appearance. I couldn't tell if they were waiting for me to take the reins or if I should wait for direction. One of them said, "Okay," so I inquired, "What would you like for me to start with?" One of the two selections was requested, so I performed that with the reader and then I was asked to "sing something", which I did, performing the song I'd been preparing all week. ...