Auditioning For Musical Theatre

Prepara&on and  Performance  based on Donald Oliver’s How to Audi&on for Musical Theatre 

As the produc&on team considers  you, the following elements  dynamically interplay . . . 

and 

PREPARATION  Prepara&on 

SELECTING THE RIGHT  MATERIAL 

Check the bulle&n boards at a  rehearsal studio. 

Create an  audi&on  binder with  a repertoire  of songs and  monologues 

Ballad  Up‐Tune  Comedy Song  Contemporary Musical Theatre  PaNer Song  Torch  Rock Song 

WHAT NOT TO SING  Anything 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” songs The 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 SING  Too 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.

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 •  As an ar&st, you should  My  Fair  Lady  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  •  Camelot  •  Hello  Dolly!  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  •  A  Chorus  learn all the masterworks  Line • Mame xx             xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxMame • A LiNle  Night  Music  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  •  Guys  And  of musical theatre  Dolls  •  Cats  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  •  Mack  and  Mabel•  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 Fantas&cks • The Music Man • The Pajama  Game  •  West  Side  Story  •  Once  Upon  A  MaNress  •  Rag&me  •  Spring  Awakening • Babes In Arms • Anything Goes • Chicago • Hair • Grease •   

However, carefully note  what NOT to sing. 

Look to some of the “lesser”  musicals.  Check out record  producer Ben Bagley’s various  collec&ons on Painted Smiles  Records.  

The Mechanics 

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.

Interpretation Singing is merely a form of communica&on.  

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  inten&on  for  each  moment  of  the  song, you will know how to move, breath,    and use your voice. 

Vocal Coach  Singing Teacher  •  teaches breath support  • guides you in performing  & vocal produc&on  song with maximum  vs. eﬀec&veness  •  improving technique  • selec&ng the key, tempo,  •  coping with vocal  and which 16 bars  problems  • marking up the sheet music  to insure audi&on pianists  play the right thing. 

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.

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 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 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 sign 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 muted. Enthusiasm or ambivalence don’t necessarily mean what you might think.

What To Tell  The Pianist At  The Audi&on 

What To Do If  You Forget The  Lyrics 

It happens more  ocen 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”  un&l the pianist  tells you the  lyric.  

At an Open Call audi&on . . .  Follow direc&ons precisely. 16 bars. 

At an Open Call audi&on . . .  Follow direc&ons precisely. 16 bars.  Stand out by singing something that  shows oﬀ your vocal prowess. 

At an Open Call audi&on . . .  Follow direc&ons precisely. 16 bars.  Stand out by singing something that  shows oﬀ your vocal prowess.  Stand out by looking professional. 

At an Open Call audi&on . . .  Follow direc&ons precisely. 16 bars.  Stand out by singing something that  shows oﬀ your vocal prowess.  Stand out by looking professional.  Stand out by ac&ng professional. 

At The Callback  Wear the same clothes &  do your hair the same  way. 

At The Callback  Bring the same two  Wear the same clothes  songs you sang the  ﬁrst &me to remind  & do your hair the  same way.  them why they called  you back. 

At The Callback  Bring the same two songs  Wear the same clothes &  you sang the ﬁrst &me to  do your hair the same  remind them why they  way.  called you back.  The directors may want to  see you display diﬀerent  “colors.”  Bring addi&onal  songs to perform. 

At The Callback  Bring the same two songs  Wear the same clothes &  you sang the ﬁrst &me to  do your hair the same  remind them why they  way.  called you back.  The directors may want to  see you display diﬀerent  Avoid singing something  “colors.”  Bring addi&onal  from your repertoire that  songs to perform.  is “rusty.”  Ask to come  back. 

Acer The Audi&on 

I have no idea  how it went. 

I s&nk. They’ll  never cast me. 

Maybe I’ll major in  business. Even  though that’s not  what I want, it’s  more prac&cal. 

I was perfect.  They beNer 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  audi&on. Even if I  don’t get cast, I  know they saw  me at my best. 

I could have  done beNer.   Next &me, I’ll  prepare beNer. 

KEEP TRYING.  STAY CONFIDENT.  STAY HONEST WITH YOURSELF.  TRY NEW THINGS.  IF YOU HAVE THE TALENT, YOU’LL GET THERE. 

Auditioning For Musical Theatre

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