Recently ran auditions for a musical and thought it might be useful to post some tips. I am a music director, and we were auditioning for a Broadway style musical – so what I look for may be different than what other people look for in other situations.
IF YOU WANT A SPECIFIC PART – DO YOUR HOMEWORK
You can tell who’s done their homework and who wants a specific part. DO NOT sing a song from the musical you are auditioning for. It comes across pushy – let the directors use their imagination, or THINK they are using their imagination. Gently lead them to the realization – “AHA, this person would be PERFECT for this part” – when that was your intention the whole time. Do this by auditioning with a song that’s similiar in style to the part you want in the current production. Example: If the part is for Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, then sing a ballad similiar to “I Don’t Know How To Love Him”. If you’re trying out for Judas, then do a rock power piece in a high register. This process takes a bit of work, but it’s what will give you the edge if you truly want a specific part. It will also show the directors that you are serious about learning a part and will be willing to put in the time. If you are auditioning for the part of Annie in the musical “Annie” – do not sing the song “Tomorrow”, but instead sing something that will let you project the same brassy tone as the song “Tomorrow”.
MONOLOGUE
I am a music director – so when listening to the artist’s monologue I’m just looking primarily for projection and enunciation first, then for three dimensional acting. I want to hear a nice full voice and be able to understand every single word. Also looking for acting that is not flat or one dimensional. I’m usually writing notes during the monologue and just listening to the consonants and vowels, and will peek up every now and then just to see what the acting looks like. From my viewpoint – the directors will work on the acting, but I need a certain starting point to bring the vocals and music full circle. I have absolutely no interest in the content, but I did notice that people that did Shakespeare caught my ear – I think it’s because they could fully enunciate with a full voice, and that’s what I’m looking for.
ON THE SPOT INSTRUCTIONS
If one of the directors ask you to do something in auditions – like a certain dance movement, sing part of a song, etc. – make sure you ask anything you need to know to do it – and then jump right on it. When I ask for a certain song I may be looking for a variety of things: Pitch, feel for a certain music style, on the spot interpretation or just how well someone can follow quick instructions. This is NOT the time to be shy. If you’re asked to do something additional in an audition – it means the director is looking at you for a specific part, or checking as a possible cut. Well, that’s what I’m doing – so that little bit could be what gets you a callback or not. NOTE: If you are asked to do something specific, that short 15 seconds or so is probably the most important part of the audition – you are being considered for something. This would be a very bad time to roll your eyes like “OMG why would they ask me to do that, it’s so stupid”.
DANCE LESSONS
Anyone serious about theatre could use a little bit of dance lessons. Recently we had someone we were considering for a lead, but they had no movement skills. With one run of ballet lessons I would guess they could improve their movement and get lead roles. People that have had no dance instruction at all can really stick out at an audition, give yourself the edge and take a class if you haven’t already.
FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS
Listen very carefully during auditions – directors do not want leads that do not quickly absorb instructions. Even if it seems silly, just do it.
DAVE SAYS
My friend Dave says DO NOT SING THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER IN AUDITIONS! Barely anybody sings it well, the range is hideous and all you do is make people cringe for the last note……which you probably won’t get to anyway during auditions.
That’s all I have to add right now and I hope that helps people preparing for auditions.
Hi, I have an audition next for Nancy from Oliver on sunday 2rd of Feb…
I have been trained and am very good at musical theatre & ballad type songs & i already know what musical theatre piece i am doing but it is really hard to decide what song that will show off my abilities please help 😀
thanks
xX
hi im auditioning for the part of Belle in beauty and the beast and i chose “part of your world” from the little mermaid. do you think thats a good choice for a person who is mezzo? (vocal type)
Thank you so much. The director at our school hasn’t told us which musical it will be, but rumors are going around about it being Hairspray (: This helped alot!!
Hi “Person” –
Normally I would put the song “Part of Your World” on the list of songs to never sing at an audition. But in your particular case it’s an audition for a Disney musical so I think doing a song from another Disney musical is ok. Just be aware that many other people will probably also pick “Part of Your World”. Only pick that song if you are positive you will be the strongest person auditioning with that song, or if it’s ok for you to get a general cast part.
Hi “Claire” –
So happy it helped! I have some friends who just got rights to do Hairspray next year and they are very excited about it. What an awesome musical that is!
Hi, what would be a good song if I was trying out for Annie? What about Oliver?