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Auditions and  Callbacks

Auditions

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Preparation:

  1. 16-32 bars of Music​​​ ​

    1. Most music directors want 16-32 bars of music prepared​

    2. The music should be in the genre of the show that is not                             too overdone

  2. Monologue and Scenes

    1. Depending on the audition they will most likely either ask for you to find a monologue from another show 

    2. Or they will ask you to prepare or do a cold read* of a scene from the show 

  3. Practice!

    1. Practice is key before an audition so that you are comfortable with the material and feel prepared.​

The day of the Audition

  1. Warm-up before you go 

    1. Do a 5-10 minute vocal warm-up​

    2. Stretch for a few minutes

      1. Especially ​if there is going to be a dance audition 

  2. Drink some tea 

    1. Or eat honey with lemon juice, it is super soothing to the voice​

  3. Make sure you have all documents​

    1. If there is an accompaniment, then make sure to have sheet music ready**

    2. Most theatre companies will want you to have a resume and              headshot

  4. Be Confident!

    1. An audition is only a few minutes long, so try to enjoy it​

    2. Nerves are only natural, so if you feel yourself getting nervous just take some deep breaths 

In the room:

  1. Auditions that are made by appointment (so not open call auditions) are often in a room with 1-5 people 

    1. You sing your song and read or perform your monologue​ or scene

  2. Here are a few tips on how to go about an audition

    1. Walk into the room, and say hello to whoever is in the room​

      1. Most often there will be directors and other staff members of the show sitting behind a table

    2. Then, if there is an accompanist, bring your sheet music over to them and point out where you want your cut to begin and end

    3. Walk over to about 5 feet in front of the table and do your slate***

    4. Then take a deep breath and sing your song

      1. If you feel that you messed up there are two options​

        1. Either just keep singing, and try to recover​

        2. Or, you can ask if you can start over

          1. They may not always let you, so this is a riskier option​

      2. Once you finish your song tell them, "Thank you!"

    5. If you are required to read lines or do your monologue they will most likely instruct you to do so

    6. ​Once you are done with all your material, say thank you one more time​

      1. Then, go collect your sheet music from the accompanist​​

Callbacks

What is a callback?

  1. ​A callback is sort-of a second audition
    1. When you get called back it means that the "people behind the table" want to see more from you​
  2. If you get a callback it doesn't mean you will get in or get a lead role
    1. Also, if you don't get a callback it doesn't mean you didn't get in or receive a lead role
  3. Most callbacks include reading lines from the show and/or singing a part of a song from the show
    1. The reading lines is often to see what people would look good together in a cast 
    2. The singing portion could be in front of other people, or it could be just you, it really depends on the company

Theatre Lingo

*Cold Read - It is when you read from the script with little to no practice beforehand.

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**Sheet Music - Before going into an audition you want to make sure that you have marked with a line where you are going to start singing and end singing. 

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***Slate - This is where you say Hi again, say your name, the name of the song you will be singing, and what musical that song is from.

Backgroud by Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

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