| You've just heard about your first musical theater | | | | technique is strong and clear enough for you to |
| audition. You've not auditioned for musicals before, | | | | sustain and repeat what you are doing accurately |
| so you don't know what will happen. What should | | | | and without strain. If not, a single cold can knock |
| you aim for? | | | | your performance sideways. For dancers who are |
| First, let's explore what an audition is for. For the | | | | used to expressing themselves in movement, |
| casting panel, it's an opportunity to see new | | | | using words and music can be a real challenge. |
| people, or to remind themselves of familiar people. | | | | And since many dancers start very young, |
| It's a chance to see who and what is out there, | | | | learning a solid technique in a new discipline can |
| to make decisions about casting, and to match up | | | | seem like a mountainous task. It's important for |
| different actors to make a company. For you, it's | | | | dancers to find voice, text or singing teachers |
| an opportunity to let the casting panel get to | | | | who are able to adapt their teaching styles to the |
| know your performing ability, hear you sing and | | | | dance-trained body and mind. Pick songs that you |
| see you in your choice of character. | | | | have a real connection with, pieces that you think |
| Now let's explore what the first audition is not. It's | | | | you can have fun with. And don't be afraid to |
| not a 'real' performance. There's no applause or | | | | move during an audition - you don't have to stay |
| feedback, the panel hasn't paid to see you, there | | | | rooted to the spot! |
| are no sets or lighting, and you don't have | | | | If you're a singer dancer actor in a coaching |
| costumes or make-up (except what you are | | | | session for a first audition, the focus is usually on |
| wearing). It's not a complete show either, as the | | | | finding suitable songs for your physicality and |
| panel will expect to watch you come in as you, | | | | energy. Then the coach can help you find and |
| then change into character in front of them. And | | | | maintain the best performance you can give. We'll |
| finally, the first audition will not get you the job. | | | | also focus on the different problems of using your |
| That may seem odd, but Broadway and West | | | | own songs in an audition. How to give the pianist |
| End auditions can drag on over several months | | | | YOUR version of the piece in less than 15 |
| with up to 9 recalls. And with the larger musicals | | | | seconds, how to grab the focus of your song and |
| you definitely would not be cast on how good | | | | become the character straight away, whether |
| your first audition was. | | | | you should interact with the panel, and even how |
| Remind yourself that the panel wants to know | | | | to change your performance of your favorite |
| your level of skill, how good you are at staying in | | | | songs to suit the musical style of the show you're |
| character, whether you look comfortable on | | | | auditioning for. |
| stage, and if you are the right professional level | | | | Sometimes you can alter the subtext or storyline |
| for their production. So the key points are to | | | | of a song to fit the show that is currently casting. |
| appear professional, well-prepared and confident | | | | If you are singing a cut version of the song, or |
| with your material. And for the first audition it's | | | | doing a 16bar cattle call, the storyline will be |
| vital for an actor, singer or dancer to use song | | | | different for both - it's not really possible to play |
| material that's suitable for their casting, voice and | | | | the song journey for the complete song if you're |
| abilities. | | | | only singing half of it! You might focus on the one |
| Let's look at some of the more usual mistakes | | | | aspect of the character that appears in that |
| made by auditionees. Singers might be confident | | | | extract, or impose a journey on the music, or |
| of how they sound, but don't think about | | | | bring an event that happens later in the full song |
| character or story. In musical theater, this is a | | | | into that particular musical moment. If you are |
| complete no-no. Yes, you might have a lovely | | | | planning to use the same song for the cattle call |
| voice but we're interested in your character's | | | | and the first private audition, you will probably |
| journey through the song. Musical Theater differs | | | | need more than one mind map of the song |
| from opera or song recital in that the music | | | | journey. |
| serves and heightens the text, and | | | | Once you have found good songs, a session from |
| characterisation is vital. Actors on the other hand | | | | a qualified coach can help you find your own |
| may be quite confident of the subtest and | | | | version of the material, and lead you to create |
| character, but may have a less than solid vocal | | | | living, sustainable characterisations that use your |
| technique. Although strong characterisations can | | | | best talents and assets. You will definitely be |
| carry you through any unfortunate vocal mishaps, | | | | noticed if you have songs to match your casting, |
| remember that in musicals you usually have to | | | | strong performance skills and a professional |
| perform 8 or more shows every week for a | | | | attitude. |
| year. For your own sanity (and the sanity of | | | | And what do you aim to achieve in the first |
| those around you), it's imperative that your vocal | | | | audition? To get the first recall. |