The audition season is upon us, and with it comes the stress and anxiety that can cripple even the most talented vocalists. If you want to succeed in your musical theatre audition, you must put in the time and effort necessary to prepare.
You can do several things in advance of a performance to put your best foot forward, such as getting in the right frame of mind and practising proper voice technique and stage appearance.
This piece will discuss strategies music students, parents, and aspiring singers can use to calm their anxiety and perform at their best at an upcoming audition. Learn essential advice on making an impression that lasts by reading on.
What to Do On Your First Audition for a Musical
According to several theatre industry experts, following the casting director’s directions is paramount. The audition process for musicals is not as black and white as one might hope. Ultimately, the information that casting directors don’t give you will prove to be the most problematic.
Like any other endeavour, a successful audition for a musical theatre production requires equal parts luck and hard work. If you follow these guidelines, you’ll be ready to seize the opportunity.
Be Properly Attired
Like any other interview, looking your best for your musical theatre audition is important. You don’t have to wear a pleated suit to an open invite, but you shouldn’t look like you’re going to a casual get-together with friends.
Ladies should shop for a dress and shoes that go well together. Character shoes do more for your legs than chunky heels. Keep in mind that producers and directors are checking out your stage presence.
If you want to convey that you understand dance training, it’s best to stick with dance-specific clothing rather than more fashion-forward fitness wear.
You can tailor your outfit accordingly depending on the character you’re trying out for. Don’t go beyond this strategy by dressing in a way that will have you laughed out of the room.
You should dress comfortably so that you may move freely, but you shouldn’t wear big clothes to disguise your figure. Show the casting directors what you’ve got because they want to see a range of body types to make the show more interesting.
Ladies should flaunt their legs by wearing heels. Instead of loose sweatpants, men may ought for jazz pants. Be free to flaunt your body even if you aren’t 100% pleased with its appearance.
Acquire Appropriate Resources
The style of music desired by casting directors should be specified in the call for auditions. So you must choose songs that work for your voice and the show you’re auditioning for. It takes a little bit of science to find the perfect stuff. Experienced vocalists can still bomb an audition by performing the incorrect song.
Professional musical theatre auditioning experience is a must if you have vocal training. And you may choose to perform various songs to showcase your vocal range, from Theatrical classics to punk rock. Is belting something you do? How’s your falsetto? If so, perform a song that highlights this fact. That is to say; you should play to your strengths by selecting appropriate pieces of music in advance.
It’s not enough to choose tunes that work well with your voice; you must also isolate the most impressive 16 bars from that song. Especially if it’s an open-call audition, that’s usually all the time you’ll get to make an impression.
Once you’ve settled on the ideal music, it’s time to put in some serious practice. Sing with your children if they enjoy doing so. Get some repetition in a while driving or washing your hair. Any kind of training is useful.
Bring Additional Songs
You should have your repertoire (a collection of the pieces you know by heart) ready to go before you even begin auditioning.
Bring your whole repertoire, even if the casting notice only specifies two songs. Remember that an auditor may not be interested in hearing your first material pick. Or, they may be interested in hearing more after seeing your first set of numbers. Ensure the book is bound so the accompanist can flip through the pages quickly and easily.
You must know every piece in your repertoire like the back of your hand. That means you’d best be ready to belt it out if you bring it along.
Recognise Your Identity
Audition songs for musicals are essentially just monologues set to music. Auditors for a musical theatre production want to hear that you can sing in tune, but they also want to see evidence that you can develop a believable character. Focus on the listener and the song’s purpose as you belt out your favourite tune.
You must also be forthright in your presentation of the topic. Too much effort can make a song sound insincere while holding back runs the danger of making the performer sound emotionless. The key is to stay true to who you are.
But sometimes, you just have to do the opposite of what everyone else is doing. You can choose something other than the obvious option when it comes to music. It is not necessary to perform a song from a musical for an audition. Sometimes, casting directors want to hear you sing rock, pop, or even metal songs.
Treat Everyone You Encounter at the Audition With Kindness.
Some artists kill their careers before they ever sing a note or dance a step. You are not helping yourself at all by adopting a hostile attitude. Never lose your cool around the director, choreographer, or casting director. These individuals have an ultimate say on whether or not you get the job. Don’t be rude to the monitor, stage management, or accompanist, even if you’re running late, anxious, or annoyed. Act civilly.
As the world of musical theatre is small, you will probably encounter the same people on multiple occasions. Remember, too, that the casting department has a high recall rate. You might not be remembered for your name or the show you tried out for, but you will be remembered as a troublemaker when you choose to get on their bad side. Remember that the usher you encounter today could be the casting director in charge of your next big role.
You should also forget your troubles at home. If you just broke up with your boyfriend or can’t afford the rent next month, neither matters to casting directors. The correct fit for the role is important to them.
How to Ace Your Audition for a Musical
Vocal and dramatic skills are equally important in musical theatre. Learn how to shine at your next musical theatre audition by reading the advice below.
Preparing for The Audition
Be sure you have nothing else scheduled for that day when you phone to set your audition appointment.
Inquire about the venue, the exact time, the audition length, and any additional materials you should bring. Find out if you’ll only be performing if a monologue is required if there will be any reading of dialogue or dancing, and so on. Audition times are typically between two and three minutes.
Prepare a one-minute monologue that highlights your best qualities. The recommended length for your musical selection is 16 bars.
A separate dance audition process typically follows from the initial round of auditions. You should wear comfortable shoes and clothing if dancing is a requirement.
Read up on the theatres you intend to visit and become familiar with the show you will be auditioning for. Update your résumé and include a recent, professional photo of yourself.
Get your 16-measure, photocopied, and accordion-tape-joined sheet music ready. Do not practise a scene from the programme unless specifically instructed.
On the Day of the Audition
Check-in at the audition location at least 30 minutes before your planned audition time. Come prepared and in appropriate attire. Stay away from things like soda, large meals, and energy drinks.
Think optimistically and stress less. Locate a quiet spot to warm up where you can practise scale runs, mouth exercises, and whatever else your teachers have taught you.
As The Performance Ends
Like every other Broadway actor, when you’ve performed your dazzling number, you should take a minute to “come out of the song” as the character. Demonstrate to the director that you can appreciate the little things. You can’t get that moment back, so don’t waste it by trying to hurry through your audition.
Don’t break the character until the next song starts playing. After this, you can finally break the character and say “thank you” to the director. When you’re done, leave the room calmly and collectedly.
Conclusion
Methods for music students, parents, and aspiring singers to relax and provide their best performances at a musical audition are discussed. If you want to make a good impression on the casting director, it’s crucial that you dress the part and arm yourself with the tools you need.
Get the right gear and follow the casting director’s advice to make a good first and lasting impression. Students of music, their parents, and aspiring singers will benefit from these techniques.
It is vital to choose songs that work for your voice and the programme you are auditioning for, as the style of music requested by casting directors should be indicated in the call for auditions.
If you have voice training, you should absolutely have professional musical theatre auditioning experience, and you should tailor your audition material to showcase your strengths. Get some practise in with the kiddos, bring some extra tunes, and know who you are.
The judges care about whether or not you can sing on key, but they also want to see if you can act convincingly as the character you’re portraying.
The most critical information here is to be yourself during the audition and to treat everyone you meet with compassion. Keep in mind that casting has a high recall rate, so that friendly usher you met today could very well be your next big role’s casting director.
Make sure you have nothing else planned that day and practise a short monologue that exemplifies your greatest qualities in preparation for the audition. After the initial auditions are complete, a dancing audition process is often held separately. Check in to the audition location at least 30 minutes before time, warm up in a quiet space, take a minute to “come out of the song” as the character, and exit the room quietly. Dress comfortably in shoes and clothing that allow you to move freely.
Content Summary
- The audition season has here, and along with it, the tension and worry that can paralyse even the most gifted singers.
- Putting in the work to prepare for a musical theatre audition is essential if you want to do well.
- You can put your best foot forwards in a performance by doing things like getting in the correct frame of mind and practising good vocal and physical technique ahead of time.
- In this article, we’ll go over some techniques that might help music students, parents, and aspiring singers relax before an audition so that they can give their best possible performance.
- Read on to pick up some pointers on how to make an impression that lasts.
- Some professionals in the theatre industry have stressed the importance of listening to the casting director’s instructions.
- The musical theatre audition procedure is not as simple as one might imagine.
- The most troublesome aspect of the casting process is the lack of information you receive from casting directors.
- Auditioning for a musical takes the same amount of luck and hard work as any other endeavour.
- If you follow my advice, you’ll be prepared to make the most of this chance.
- Dressing well for a musical theatre audition is similar to dressing well for a job interview.
- Women should go shopping for an outfit that includes complementary accessories.
- Unlike big heels, character shoes are better for your legs.
- Producers and directors are observing your performance onstage.
- What you wear to an audition might be adjusted to fit the character you’re going for.
- Don’t go beyond and dress in a way that will get you ridiculed.
- Audition notices should specify the musical genre the producers have in mind.
- You should pick songs that showcase your vocal abilities and are appropriate for the show you’re trying out for.
- Finding the right thing requires some scientific investigation.
- Even if a singer has years of experience under their belt, singing the wrong song can completely ruin an audition.
- If you have voice training, experience auditioning for musical theatre roles in a professional setting is essential.
- And you may show off your vocal range by performing anything from Broadway standards to punk music.
- That is to say, focus on what you do best by carefully choosing the music for your performance in preparation.
- It’s not enough to just pick songs that complement your voice; you also need to pick out the best 16 bars in the song and focus on them.
- After deciding on the best tunes, it’s time to put in some hard work.
- If your kids want to sing, join along!
- Do some reiteration while you’re in the car or in the shower.
- Any form of education is beneficial.
- Before you even start auditioning, you should have your repertory (a list of the works you know by heart) prepared.
- Don’t limit yourself to just the two songs listed in the casting call; bring everything you’ve got.
- Each piece in your repertoire should be like second nature to you.
- If you bring it, you better be prepared to belt it out.
- Most musical theatre audition songs are little more than spoken monologues set to music.
- The most important thing is to be authentic.
- But, there are occasions when you need to go against the grain.
- When it comes to music, you don’t have to go with the standard fare.
- An audition does not require a musical theatre song performance.
- Occasionally, casting directors will ask you to perform some of your favourite rock, pop, or even metal songs.
- Be courteous to everyone you meet at the audition.
- Taking a hostile stance does nothing to help your situation.
- The director, choreographer, or casting director is not someone you want to lose your cool around.
- If you want the job, it’s up to these people to give you the green light or not.
- Even if you’re late, nervous, or irritated, you shouldn’t be nasty to the monitor, stage management, or accompanist.
- The community of those involved in musical theatre is small, so you will likely run across the same faces again and again.
- Keep in mind that the casting office has a very good recall rate.
- If you choose to get on their bad side, they will remember you as a troublemaker, not your name or the show you auditioned for.
- Keep in mind that today’s usher could very well be tomorrow’s casting director.
- Don’t think about your problems at home, either.
- No matter if you just broke up with your partner or are worried about paying the rent next month, casting directors don’t care.
- They care a lot about finding the right person to fill the post.
- In musical theatre, the ability to sing well is just as essential as the ability to act.
- Read this guide for tips on how to succeed at your next audition for a musical.
- Before calling to book an audition, make sure you won’t be busy that day.
- Be sure you know where to go, when to get there, how long the audition will go, and what to bring with you.
- If dancing is required, you should dress and shoe yourself comfortably.
- Find out more about the theatres you plan on visiting and the performance you will be auditioning for.
- Your resume needs to be updated with a current photo of you in a professional setting.
- Prepare your photocopied, accordion-tape-joined 16-measure sheet music.
- Unless otherwise directed, do not try out a programme scene in advance.
- Please arrive at the audition site at least 30 minutes before your scheduled audition time on the day of the audition.
- Please arrive on time and dress appropriately.
- Maintain a positive outlook and relax more.
- To get ready, find a quiet place where you can do scale runs, mouth exercises, and other warm-ups as instructed by your professors.
- It’s standard practice for a Broadway actor to “emerge out of the song” as their character for a moment after a particularly impressive performance.
- Show the director that you have an eye for detail.
- Don’t try to rush through your audition; you won’t get a second chance.
- Wait for the next song to start before you break the character.
- You can now abandon your guise and express your gratitude to the film’s director.
- Calmly and quietly exit the room after you are finished.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Makes A Good Musical Theatre Audition?
If you have no emotional connection to your piece, the director will be able to tell. The more you can connect with your character and what they’re saying through song, the more you will embody that character. Your performance will be convincing and, even better, honest.
What Skills Do You Need For Musical Theatre?
Staging a musical number demands a high level of concentration, stamina and the ability to coordinate a range of performing skills. Performers in musical theatre need to be multi-skilled. As well as being able to act, they are required to take part in dance routines and have the ability to sing.
How Should I Introduce Myself In An Audition?
Your name and the role you’re auditioning for. For example, “Hi, my name is John Smith, and I’m reading for the role of Walter.” Your name and representation. If you don’t have an agent, you can say something like, “Hi, my name is John Smith, and I’m self-represented.”
Can Learning a Musical Instrument Help With Social Skills?
Yes, learning a musical instrument can have a positive impact on a child’s social skills. Playing music in a group, such as in a band or orchestra, requires communication, cooperation, and teamwork. It also provides opportunities for children to perform in front of others, boosting confidence and self-esteem.
Should I Audition With No Experience?
Acting experience isn’t crucial to starting an acting career. In fact, there are numerous paths you can take to become an actor.
