General Audition Tips
Preparation
- Learn as much as you can about who and what you are auditioning for, and adjust your audition materials appropriately. I can and will help you with this.
- Be on time. Allow extra time to get there. No one minds if you are early, but it sends the wrong message to be late.
- Bring everything you think you might or will need, which may include but is not limited to dance gear & shoes, a change of shoes or clothes, extra headshots/resumes, water, a snack, grooming supplies, and a great attitude.
- Get lots of rest the night before the audition.
- If you are hungry before the audition, eat something light, and plan a bigger meal later.
- Always stay as healthy as you can, so you can go to any audition at any time.
- If you are asked to wait a while before you can go in, don't act bored. Use the time to mentally rehearse your audition and to warm up your voice.
Behavior
- Smile.
- Always be very cooperative and very polite.
- Never argue with the director, and never hesitate when asked to do something by the director.
- When your audition is over, say "thank you," swiftly gather your things and exit.
- Don't let it get you down if you are rejected. Just prepare, go, do your very best, and then go to the next audition.
- Go to as many auditions as you can; each audition helps prepare you for the next one.
- Never give up.
Dress
- Try to look well groomed and dress up a little. It shows you really care about this audition.
- Dress comfortably and appropriately, as you would dress for a job interview.
- Do NOT wear a costume of any kind.
Resume & Headshot
- Bring your current headshot and resume.
- Be sure the information on your resume is true and accurate and up to date.
- Your headshot should be recent, and should look like you.
Before you Audition
- Warm up your voice with lip trills, tongue trills, and then the rest of your warmup. If you need to quietly warm up, use your cocktail straw and do slides.
- Don't waste time and energy socializing with the other auditionees. Use what short time is available to you to mentally rehearse your lyrics and your audition.
Song Selection
- If possible, familiarize yourself with the music and book of the show or with the style of the band/ensemble for which you are auditioning, so you will be more prepared for callbacks.
- Select a song appropriate to the situation. I will help you with this.
- Know which song you are going to sing before you arrive. Don't change it at the audition.
- Have at least one ballad and one uptempo song prepared.
- Choose whichever songs in your repertoire that best show your voice and that you know very well.
- Usually, it's better NOT to sing a song from the show for which you are auditioning; if they call you back, they will usually have you sing a song from the show.
- If this is a music industry audition, you may find yourself singing a cappella in an office. It's a good idea to have rehearsed your material a cappella, in case this happens.
The Accompanist
- The accompanist is crucial to your singing audition. Treat him/her with respect.
- Never expect the accompanist to transpose.
- Never expect the accompanist to read from a fake book or chord charts.
- Never assume the accompanist knows your music already.
- Don't allow the accompanist to lead you into a new tempo or style. He/she should follow you.
- At the piano, quietly go through the song with the accompanist before you sing. Softly sing a few bars for him/her; he will gain tempo and style from that.
- Point out any cuts, or changes that may not be obvious.
- Be very polite, and always thank the accompanist.
The Audition Performance
- It's okay to go first; they may remember you better!
- You may say something before you start, if you wish, such as "my name is..." or "I'll be singing ...", unless you have been specifically instructed not to slate.
- Never apologize or give an excuse for anything.
- Fix your focus just slightly above the judges' heads; don't look them right in the eye.
- Don't wander around; plant your feet and take your time before singing; take a deep breath, then nod and smile at the accompanist as a signal to begin.
- After you nod to the accompanist, don't look at him again if he makes a mistake. It looks to the auditioners like you're shooting him a dirty look....and he probably is a friend of theirs.
Music
- While we are using digital music in my studio, the musical theatre world has not graduated to the digital world. Have your paper music in a 3-ring binder which is easily readable.
- Most musical theatre auditions will ask to hear 16 bars of your song. If you are unclear what that means or not sure what 16 bars to choose, see me.
- Know what key your song is in, even though you have the music.
- Know the composer of your song, and the show it is from (if it is from a show).
- Have a clean copy of the music you are performing with cuts clearly marked for a pianist.
- Have your repertoire book with you, in case they want to hear something else too.
- Never have anything in your book you are unprepared to perform.
- If there is a page turn in your audition cut, make sure the audition music reads like a book, with 2-sided pages. If possible, eliminate the page turn by having 2 open facing pages.
- If you know of the musical/play for which the audition is being held, familiarize yourself with the plot and characters before your audition.
- Don't waste time and energy socializing with the other auditionees. Use what time you have to rehearse the script.
- Read simply and be open to suggestions offered by the dialogue.
- Pick a quality to play that is indicated to you by the action of the scene.
- If the director asks you to do it again differently, don't hesitate. Say "of course," and then do it again with the director's changes.
- If they ask you to read for another part, do it with no argument or hesitation.
- It is okay to ask a question about your character, if you feel it will help you.
- Don't upstage anyone; be an ensemble player.
- Remember, the director is looking for people he can work with, who are cooperative, and who take direction well. He is interested in presenting his version of the play, not yours.