Students trying out for the roles should be prepared to attend the session from 3 – 5:30 pm. To prepare, they should have a musical theatre song segment that is between 30 seconds and one minute, something that shows  vocal and acting range.  There will also be a movement piece taught at the beginning and students will have 20 minutes to learn it and then show it that day.  Potential players should dress for the audition so that they look nice but are also able to move.

*Sign-ups for auditions will be inside the door to T-2 all week.

TIPS FOR AUDITIONING:

• No long intros. 2 – 4 bars works.
• Resume and headshot (If you have them, but also be prepared to share any past experience you have had and if you don’t have a printed picture some theatre companies will take a picture of you at the audition, so look nice!)
• Audition on the earliest day or time possible (when you can still wow the panel and before they have mentally cast the show without you)
• Be well prepared. Know your notes, lyrics, and research without hesitation, and arrive warmed up (though continue to warm up until you perform, if allowed/possible).
• Choose a song that is similar to the musical, composer, character, or style of the musical based on your research.
• Dress professionally. This is the same as a job interview, but be prepared to move as well. NO Jeans, UGGs, flip flops, sweatpants, hoodies.
• If there is a movement audition, make sure to have clothes to move freely in but that also show your body line. Bring appropriate shoes. (Dancers should typically bring character heels as well as other options to be prepared for any eventuality.)
• SLATE: Announce your name, the title of the song, and the composer or musical it is from.  Make sure to show your true self and make eye contact with the panel as you do this.
• Be kind to the pianist:
  • Show (and have clearly marked) where to start and stop the song.
  • Explain (and have marked) any cuts you want in the music and show how fast to play the song by singing a couple of bars quietly in tempo. (Snapping or clapping at the pianist for tempo is considered bad auditioning etiquette or RUDE.  Just sing at tempo quietly).
  • Give a good copy of the music, in your key, that won’t fall off the piano. Try taping your sheet music together or tape it and put it in a binder to save the pianist from page turns.
  • Realize that everyone feels nervous. Try to be yourself (or your non-nervous self) and have fun! A great idea is to imagine someone you feel comfortable singing in front of in the audience.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

• Be well acquainted with the music. Nowadays you can usually find the music free online (YouTube, Spotify, Google Play, etc).   Get a feel for the style so you can make your audition piece try to fit it.
• Be acquainted with the looks from past productions by looking up pictures, videos, and websites. YouTube is great for this – but remember that not all videos are equal.
• Be acquainted with the background of the musical.
  • Did it receive awards? For what?
  • Any well-known performers famous for their roles in this show?
  • Famous production staff (directors, composers, choreographers, etc)
• Read the script or summaries of the plot!
• Understand how the characters fit into the show and plot, and which ones might fit your abilities. Be honest!  If you have NEVER been in a show, starting in the chorus might be right.
• Use the above information to influence your choice of music, attire, and character.

TIPS ON HOW NOT TO AUDITION

• Don’t wear a costume (though angling toward the show style, era or even a character trait might be good – for example if the character you want always wears red, wearing red couldn’t hurt.)
• Don’t be too personal with the director (even if you know him/her.) Be professional.  It IS an interview.
• Don’t make excuses (for singing, clothes, preparedness, or even illness.)
• Don’t do full choreography or pantomime the words.
• Don’t sing a song from the show you are auditioning for.
• HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: *Don’t sing songs from Hamilton, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Disney, or anything Sondheim or Jason Robert Brown.  These types of songs are difficult for rhythm reasons and very rarely fit the show in question.  ONLY sing these songs if they DIRECTLY relate to what you are auditioning for: for example, sing Sondheim if auditioning for Sondheim.