Auditioning for Music Theater

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When participating in the fun of a music theater audition, expect to sing your prepared song, then read some sections of the script, and dance. Study the audition announcement closely for any information that may help you.

To choose an appropriate song, you should have some idea of the characters that interest you. To read from the script well, you should know the story and understand what this character is like, so when preparing for a musical audition, research the show.

You may be tempted to think you know a show because you have seen the movie, but it could be significantly different from the script. Sometimes a whole character is cut, or reduced to nothing, or the keys have been changed. Occasionally your favorite song from the film is not in the stage show. So it is best to see the show done live, or to read the script. Unfortunately, scripts for musicals, unlike those for most “straight” shows, are rarely available. You might find a summary in Best Plays, a yearly collection of theatrical works.

The Song

Your song should be a musical theater piece, and fairly energetic. Slow ballads don’t make as good an impression as something you can act. But an old song that’s comfortable and strong for you is a better choice than a new one, even if it is slow and romantic.

If you are auditioning for the part of the Reverend Mother in The Sound of Music, you shouldn’t be singing “I’m just a girl who cain’t say no”! Remember you have to show the directors that you look and sound like that character you want to play.
The song may be from the show being done, unless the directors have specified otherwise.
There is usually an accompanist at the audition, ready to sight read your music. Have everything clearly marked. (Ritards, cuts, etc.) Real music is much preferred over copies. It’s permissible to take a moment before you start to give the accompanist a tempo. And do thank him/her when you’re done.
You may be cut short. If there are many people auditioning, the directors may only want to hear 16 measures from each person.
Have the piece memorized. Learn it well in advance and do some staging.
Be considerate of others. Be quiet when they sing, applaud if it is allowed. (Sometimes applause is frowned on, because an audition is not a concert.)
Don’t be one of the people who walks in and says, “I didn’t prepare a song. Umm, can I just sing Happy Birthday?” This makes a terrible impression, and usually these people sing poorly. The bosses listening to you will not want to work with someone who doesn’t work, doesn’t prepare, doesn’t seem to care.

Reading

After singing your song you will be asked to read from the script. Read through the script before the audition, if at all possible, but if you haven’t been able to read it, you may ask who this character is that you’ve been assigned to read. You may also ask about the context of the excerpt - what came before it. Read LOUDLY and slowly enough to be understood. Think about how that character would say it. Read with conviction and panache. Your audition will come across as flat and uninteresting if you don’t take a chance and really go for the extreme side of the person you’re portraying, especially if it’s a wonderful wacky crazy, like Miss Hannigan in Annie, or Ado Annie in Oklahoma. Really go off the deep end on these, because you look silly if you don’t.

Dancing

Some musical auditions include dancing. The audition announcement should say whether or not you will have to dance. A few steps will be taught to the auditioning actors in groups, and the directors will watch to see who learns it quickly, and who looks graceful. Be aware that singing and reading are much more important, and having trouble on the dance will not necessarily put you out of consideration for a part, unless it is a heavily dance role. Obviously, you should be a confident dancer before setting your sights on such a part.

(Note: I am writing about auditioning for amateur and high school productions. Standards for your dance audition at a professional theater may be much higher.)

For more information on the audition process and preparation for it, look for the book Auditioning for the Musical Theatre, by Fred Silver. It has a lot of good suggestions, and a wonderful list of unusual audition pieces.

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