Auditioning for Musical Theatre

Auditioning Auditioning for Musical for Musical

TheatreTheatre

Preparation and Performance

based on Donald Oliver’s How to Audition for Musical Theatre

THE INTERACTIVE THE INTERACTIVE ELEMENTS OF AN ELEMENTS OF AN

AUDITIONAUDITION

As the production team considers you, the following elements

dynamically interplay . . .

Your “Look” or “Type”Your “Look” or “Type”

Your Acting AbilityYour Acting AbilityYour Acting AbilityYour Acting Ability

Your VoiceYour Voice

Your Dance AbilityYour Dance Ability

Your Choice Of Your Choice Of MaterialMaterial

Your AppearanceYour Appearance

Your Your Credits and Credits and ExperienceExperience

Your PersonalityYour Personality

and

Your Reputation as a Your Reputation as a ProfessionalProfessional

PreparationPREPARATION

SELECTING THE RIGHT MATERIAL

Find a pianist who can help Find a pianist who can help you find, prepare and you find, prepare and

rehearse your material.rehearse your material.

Where do you find a pianist?Where do you find a pianist?

Ask a trusted fellow actor.Ask a trusted fellow actor.

Try the classifieds Try the classifieds in a trade paper.in a trade paper.

Check the bulletin boards at a rehearsal studio.

Ask the staff at a music store Ask the staff at a music store for any recommendations.for any recommendations.

Create an audition

binder with a repertoire of songs and monologues

Contemporary Musical Theatre

Rock Song

Ballad

Up-Tune

Comedy Song

Patter Song

Torch

Where Do I Find Songs?

HMS Pinafore • Pirates of Penzance • The Mikado • Showboat • Porgy and Bess • Oklahoma! • Carousel • South Pacific • The King and I • The Sound of Music • xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Brigadoon • My Fair Lady xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx • Camelot • Hello Dolly! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx • Mame • A Chorus Line • Mame xx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx • The Music Man • Cats • hessxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx • Guys And Dolls • On The TownCats xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx • Wicked • Godspell • La Cage Aux Folles • Evita • Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat • Jesus Christ Superstar • The Phantom of the Opera • A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum • Company • Follies • Sweeney Todd • Into The Woods • Assassins • Annie Get Your Gun • Bells Are Ringing • Cabaret • Chicago • Damn Yankees • Fiddler On The Roof • Finian’s Rainbow • Funny Girl • Bye Bye Birdie • Annie • Gypsy • Kismet • Kiss Me Kate • Les Miserables • Man Of La Mancha • Rent • Me And My Girl • The Fantasticks • A Little Night Music • The Pajama Game • West Side Story • Sunday In The Park With George • Ragtime • Spring Awakening • Babes In Arms • Anything Goes • Chicago • Hair • Grease • Little Shop Of Horrors • Tommy • Threepenny Opera •

As an artist, you should learn all the masterworks

of musical theatre

However, carefully note WHAT NOT TO SING.

WHAT NOT TO SINGAnything extremely well-known. The members of the audition team may love familiar songs—just not in an audition. Familiarity somehow breeds boredom. “Seasons of Love” from Rent

WHAT NOT TO SING

Overdone songs. Certain songs have been overdone by young auditioners and cause the audition team to roll their eyes. Also, doing a song that others have done causes the audition team to excessively compare you to other performers.

“On My Own” from Les Miserables“Corner of the Sky” from Pippin

WHAT NOT TO SING

Other artists’ “signature” songsThe audition team will undoubtedly compare you to the performer known for the song.

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz

WHAT NOT TO SING

One-Joke Songs. Once the listener knows

the joke or is on to the gimmick, the songs seems dull on repeated hearings.

“The Diva’s Lament” from Spamalot

WHAT NOT TO SING

Too Cheerful or Morally Uplifting.

Keep in mind that the audition process can be very exhausting on the audition team. Your song choices can be positive, but avoid syrup.

WHAT NOT TO SING

Too Depressing

Avoid bringing the audition team down.

“Everybody Loves You When You’re Asleep” from I’d Rather Be Right.

WHAT NOT TO SING

Too Boastful Songs of self aggrandizement provoke hostile thoughts in the listener. “I’m the Greatest Star” from Funny Girl

WHAT NOT TO SINGToo Self-Deprecating While they may be wonderful in the context of their show, songs which portray the singer in a negative light do just that at an audition.

“Mr. Cellophane” from Chicago

WHAT NOT TO SING

Songs intended for the opposite

gender Unless done for intentional comic

effect!

WHAT NOT TO SING

Original Material

WHAT NOT TO SING

Songs written by anyone on the

production team.

Likewise, avoid songs from a show the director

has directed, or songs from the show that you

are auditioning for (unless that is

requested).

WHAT NOT TO SING

Songs that are too difficult

Remember you may be nervous, and it

may effect your technical proficiency.

So, where do I find songs?

Look to some of the “lesser” musicals. Check out record

producer Ben Bagley’s various collections on Painted Smiles

Records.

How To Prepare Your Music

Make sure you acquire full piano

accompaniment—no fake book versions or charts.

How To Prepare Your Music

It is worth it to have music

professionally transposed if the published score is not

suitable for your voice.

How To Prepare Your Music

Place your music in a binder with

matted plastic sleeves.

Singing is merely a form of communication.

Interpretation

Think of a song as a sung monologue.

Interpretation

Do beat work for your song.

Interpretation

If you understand the character and his or

her intention for each moment of the song, you will know how to move, breath, and use your voice.

Interpretation

vs.

PERFORMING AT THE AUDITION

Singing The Right Kind Of Song

Pick a song from your binder that is in the same

period and style as the show you are auditioning for.

Singing The Right Kind Of Song

Don’t learn a new song for each audition. The best

performances come from the comfort of a song

you are familiar with.

At an Open Call audition . . .

At an Open Call audition . . .

At an Open Call audition . . .

At an Open Call audition . . .

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

Take every audition seriously—whether or not you want or think you are right for the job.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

No matter what else you’ve had to do before the audition, pull yourself together somewhere outside the place where the auditions are being held.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

Auditions are notoriously off-schedule. Make the time productive rather than filling your head with worries or doubts.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

At check in, ask for whom you will be auditioning. It’s best to have as much info as possible before going in.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

Leave your disappointments, anxieties or frustrations outside the audition area.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

Have your music, resume, and headshot ready in your hands before entering the room.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

Plan what you will sing before entering the audition room—including second songs, if asked to sing one.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

Use the restroom before you are called in to perform.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

Try not to come in to the audition space with personal belongings.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

When you are ushered into the audition space, your name will be announced. You should immediately go to the pianist—then to the performance spot. Sometimes you will be introduced to the audition team, sometimes not. If not, don’t ask “who are you?” to anyone.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

Don’t try to engage any member of the audition team in “icebreaker” conversation. It may backfire.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

Do not introduce or reveal the title of your audition song, unless asked.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

Know something about the song you’re singing; though only talk about if you are asked.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

Perform full-out. Don’t hold back.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

Don’t come in challenging the audition team’s casting predisposition—especially in a confrontational manner.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

If you arrive later than your appointed time, apologize without oozing, and do not offer an excuse unless asked.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

If the audition is in a room, rather than a theatre, pick a spot to sing from that is near—but not next to—the piano, a comfortable distance away from the people watching.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

While performing, do not look directly at any member of the audition team. Focus on a spot just over their heads.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

Don’t use props while you audition.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

If the director suddenly asks you to perform your song in a manner different from the way you are used to, don’t challenge him/her or resist.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

Never ask “Do you want me to sing a second song?”—either before or after your first song. You will be asked or not.

Audition Do’s and Don’ts

It is highly unlikely for the audition team to offer you a role on the spot. If they are wild about you, chances are their reactions will be muted. If they don’t think you’re right, they will likely be polite. Enthusiasm or ambivalence doesn’t necessarily mean what you might think.

What To Tell The Pianist At The Audition

The KeyThe Key

Where to Stop & StartWhere to Stop & Start

The TempoThe Tempo

Your music should indicate Your music should indicate

exactly exactly what the pianist what the pianist should play.should play.

What To Do If You Forget The Lyrics

It happens more often than you’d think—even to professionals. Consider it a chance to show off your ability to recover.

Make up words or sing “la-la-la” until the pianist tells you the lyric.

At The Callback

At The Callback

At The Callback

At The Callback

After The Audition

I have no idea how it went.

I stink. They’ll never cast me.

Maybe I’ll major in business. Even

though that’s not what I want, it’s more practical.

I was perfect. They better cast me . . . or else!

I was perfect, but they won’t cast

me. They always give it to Larry! My mommy is going to

sue them!

I gave a great audition. Even if I don’t get cast, I know they saw me at my best.

I could have done better. Next time, I’ll

prepare better.

KEEP TRYING.STAY CONFIDENT.

STAY HONEST WITH YOURSELF.TRY NEW THINGS.

IF YOU HAVE THE TALENT, YOU’LL GET THERE.