Audition Tips
Tips and Tricks for a Successful Audition
Be Prepared
Be ready to wait! Bring a book, crossword puzzle along to occupy those moments that could otherwise turn into nerve-racking anxiety. Meet every audition requirement, ie, singing, dancing, memorization, etc.
Be Professional
Be ready to communicate confidence to the auditors. First impressions matter a lot.
Be Heard
Speak up, project, smile. If the Audition Judges can’t hear you, you won’t get the part!
Be Passionate
Let the auditors know how you love acting, singing, dancing or wherever your musical theater itches. You have one shot at giving all you’ve got. Put everything on the line here and let yourself be vulnerable. The worst they can say it ‘No’. If that does happen, you don’t want the reason to be because it was dull. And if they say ‘Yes’, it may be because they saw what you are willing to give. They know this, if you don’t give it up during an Audition, you’re not likely to give it up at all.
Pacing
There is a difference between saying your lines really fast, pacing and energy. When you simply say your lines really fast, there usually isn’t a lot of thought put behind what you are saying and many times it will seem as if you are just trying get through it. Pacing is the rhythm of the dialogue. Like music, dialogue within a script has beats and a flow. Sometimes it’s slower during a more meaningful scene or sometimes it’s faster during an exciting scene. It doesn’t always mean that you say your lines really fast.
Energy
Always have energy! When you are not speaking it does not mean that you are out of the scene! Listen when others are speaking and keep your body posture in a position that shows you are actively participating in the scene. Lean forward. Sit up straight. Keep your eyebrows raised. There is nothing that kills a scene faster than when someone in the background “checks out.” Every play takes a lot of energy. The whole cast should stay on the stage throughout the play. While they are not in a scene, they should sit to the side, kneel, or stand and be engaged by what’s going on.
Character Development
Here’s something to think about when you’re developing your character: When performing a role, you must get inspiration for your character’s voice, body movements, mannerisms, speech inflections, etc. from outside your own personality. Otherwise, you’re just playing yourself in various situations. Real acting is getting outside of yourself and being someone else.
Have Someone in Your Corner
A friend to wait with you may help keep your focus. While you do want to make new friends, that could end up being a distraction for you. Better to have someone that can help you that is giving you their full support as you make your audition if you are easily distracted.
SINGING AUDITION
Don’t come to a Singing Audition unprepared!
If you don’t care enough about the audition to prepare a song, we might not think you care about the show. Have your music in hand along with your accompaniment CD. Keep in mind, this is a musical. Everyone sings so naturally everyone has a singing audition. If you’re trying out for a lead role, chances are that character will sing a solo or duet. Harmony is a big advantage! No, we don’t want to hear you sing along with the lead singer on a commercial CD. If you don’t have an accompaniment CD, get one, or you could just choose to sing acapella.
Tips from the Vocal Coach
Chorus Singing Roles
Each person cast in the show will sing during the group numbers, so be prepared to do some singing in your audition even if you aren’t auditioning for a major role!
Major Singing Roles
For those who do plan to audition for a major role, be prepared to sing a song that not only shows off your range and abilities, but that you are comfortable singing. Nothing is more frightening than going into an audition with a song that you don’t know like the back of your hand! Always bring a CD accompaniment track with you, as well as your sheet music (if you have it).
So, you didn’t get the part you came for.
Many, many times the auditors see you in another part, after all, they know the needs of the show. And then there’s this…. somebody else wins the role with a better audition. Remember, it’s not about past shows, even if you know the auditors. It’s about this audition. Are you willing to take the part they give you and make your character into something only you can do?
I want to be a part of Community Theater, but not on the stage…. What can I do?
Technical
This is a small but super important team of technicians. Lights and Sound happen the week before performances. From spots to mics, Tech is what makes all the work of rehearsals make sense. There is no audition for this area. If you love behind the scenes tech, then tell the auditors and they will contact you for details and where you fit best.
Backstage
This is a super important team of people clad in black. If you love behind the scenes sets, props, costumes, etc, then tell the auditors and they will contact you for details and where you fit best. Backstage works throughout the rehearsal period helping each scene blossom into final stages by performance time.
Costumes/Makeup
This is an industrius team of creative and organizational folks who have an significant part in bringing every scene to life with costumes and makeup, etc. If you love costume design, creating something from nothing and then putting it onstage, then tell the auditors and they will contact you for details. The Costumes Crew works throughout the rehearsal period with final costumes on parade at or before Dress Rehearsal.