How To Audition

Attitude is Everything! 

From the minute you walk in the door until you leave, you are auditioning. Be the kind of person you would want to work with. Be respectful to your fellow auditioners and production staff. Do not warm up or sing loudly in the waiting room. Be kind & positive.

 

First Impressions 

1. Dress the part

• We recommend clothes that you can move in that are not revealing or overly baggy. Close toed shoes, no flip flops, hats or distracting make-up or jewelry. We want to see your personality, but the focus is on you. Not your outfit. Wear colors that make you pop!

2. Be Prepared

• Be on time, better yet arrive early.
• Research the show you are auditioning for and read all the audition details so you know what you are getting into. (See below for more info on deciphering audition details)
• Have all paperwork printed and filled out before coming to the audition.

3. Memorized

• Have your audition song memorized! Nothing is worse than needing to read the lyrics off a paper or phone. We miss out on stage presence and personality if you’re looking at a paper.

4. Be Friendly

• You are always auditioning! Everyone is nervous. Let’s be kind to each other and encourage each other.

5. Be an Active Listener

• You will be given directions from Directors and Choreographers. Make sure you are paying attention and take their notes. If they ask you to be quiet or sit still, make sure they don’t have to tell you a second time. If they tell you to try something different in your delivery, think of that as a second chance and try again.

 

Read The Audition Details (Look for keywords that will help you prepare for the audition)

1. Please Prepare 16 bars (30 seconds) of any musical theater song preferably not from the show.
2. Please be prepared with a downloaded Karaoke Mp3 track with no vocals on it.
3. Have this downloaded to an iphone, ipad, tablet or android device.
4. Do not play straight from Youtube as our wifi is unpredictable.
5. Do not sing Acapella.

 

Let’s break that down

1. 16 bars (30 seconds) We won’t cut you off if you go 40 seconds long but use that time to showcase your voice. Don’t have a 20 second intro and 10 seconds of singing. We need at least 30 seconds.
2. Musical Theater Song, this means any broadway, off broadway, or movie musical. We want to avoid pop/rock songs as they typically sound different. The exception would be auditioning for a pop musical.
3. Downloaded karaoke track. A karaoke track, backing track or piano accompaniment. This is just the music. There are no other voices on the track.
4. Downloaded to an iphone, ipad, tablet or android device. We have adapters for all these devices and can play them on our sound system. We do not have an accompanist. Make sure your devices are fully charged. Unlocked or have the code.
5. Do not sing Acapella. We ask that you sing with music because we need to see your musicality. If you can keep time, stay on pitch and match the notes.

 

Audition Song

Why is it important? 30 seconds to show us who you are and what you’re capable of on stage. Think of it like a job interview. First impressions matter. If you come unprepared to the audition how will you be during the rehearsal process?

 

Picking the song

1. Research the show for similar styles but not from the show.

• Music Man first performed on Broadway in 1957 but takes place in 1912. I’m going to listen to the music of that show and look for similar shows such as Oklahoma takes place in 1906, Hello Dolly takes place in 1890’s and Annie Get your gun takes place in early 1900’s. They all have that classic musical style.
• Why can’t I use a song from the show? Say you are auditioning for Frozen Jr. and you want to be Elsa. If you sing “Let it Go” and you don’t nail it. That might automatically eliminate you from that role. If you sing a song that is similar, it not only opens the doors for us to consider you for Elsa but also other roles as well.

 

2. Are you going for a specific role or ensemble?

• If you are just wanting to be in the show and you don’t have any idea of who you would be or you know that you don’t really fit the leads. Then any song from the style of show that showcases your voice is great.
• If you have a specific role in mind. We have a little more work to do. In our research of the show we will see what songs our dream character sings. We will see what his/her vocal range is. What style of songs? Are they upbeat? The funny sidekick or the villain. If i’m auditioning for Ursula, I would not sing “ When will my life begin from Tangled but maybe I would sing “Mother Knows Best” from Tangled. If the character hits a really high note and holds it for a long time, I want to find a similar song to showcase that skill.

 

3. What works well with your voice?

• What part do you sing? Are you an Alto? Soprano? Tenor? Bass? Be realistic in your song choices. Do not pick a super high song if you are an Alto.

 

4. Is it appropriate for the show and for your age?

• Make sure the song is appropriate for both the show you’re auditioning for and your age. Watch for the language as well as content of a song.

 

Picked my song, now what?

1. What cut of the song?

• I picked my song, how do I know what part of the song to use? Remember I only get that 30 seconds.
• You the part of the song that showcases the most versatility of your voice.

 

EXAMPLE ONE: Part of Your World Example.

• Start of song is 12 seconds of intro before we start singing. Then you only get to, “Wouldn’t you think I’m the girl. The girl who has everything.” START AT 2:05 END AT 2:50 (45 SECONDS OF BELTING)

 

Where to download Music

1. Paid Tracks

• https://www.pianotrax.com/ (Change the key of your track, Mobile app)
• https://www.karaoke-version.com/

2. Free Tracks with Trial

• https://www.youtube.com/ (Free 3 month trial for Premium)

 

How to cut music

1. Free

• Free apps or MP3 Cutter online (Google free mp3 cutter) This will be for basic edits.

2. Unable to cut the track?

• Know the start and end time of your track. When you go to sing, let the person playing the music know what time the song will start and when to end.

 

Devices 

1. Make sure your devices are charged.
2. Put your devices on Airplane mode so as not to get disrupted by texts or phone calls.
3. Unlock the device or know the code. Parents, if your child is using your device make sure they know how to unlock it and access their music.
4. Walk your child through opening the device, how to find the music, how to restart the music and how to adjust the volume.

 

Expectations 

1. Be Realistic

• Be realistic in what you will be considered for and what you will accept.
• If you are auditioning for a youth show, ages 7 – 18. Let’s use Lion King as an example. If you are 7 years old your options would be young Nala/Simba or ensemble.
• If you are 7 and auditioning for an adult show, ages 7 and up you will most likely be in the ensemble.
• Be realistic in what you will accept. If you won’t take an ensemble role let us know before casting. (There is a section on the audition form for you to write what you will accept.)
• If you say you will take anything, then drop out of the show because you don’t get the part you want. That does put you in the best spot for future shows.

 

Theater Culture

1. How are we different?

• Our audition process is very different from most theaters. We encourage you to go and audition all over the valley. Find the theater that works best for you!
• We like to think of ourselves as a family. We will encourage and support each other. We are all equals and must work as a team. We are a no diva zone.

 

Bottom Line

Theater is an art and therefore subjective. Casting comes down to so many factors. Just auditioning, regardless of the outcome, is a major accomplishment. To be vulnerable and put yourself out there takes tremendous courage. This audition does not define you and if you are not cast there is always another show around the corner.

 

Tips for Grownups

• Be encouraging and supportive. It is okay to be nervous. Everyone gets nervous. Make sure your nerves or energy aren’t stressing out your kid. We want everyone to do their best and we give second chances or restarts when needed. So, breathe…You got this!
• Know what you are signing up for. Being in a show is a huge commitment not only for the child but also for the grownup that will be driving them. Make sure you discuss the commitment and decide what works best for your family.

 

Additional Resources

• Theater camps are a great training ground. We offer two, one week camps in the Fall & Spring. We offer one camp in the Summer.
• Theater camps can be found at QCPAC.COM under Camps & Workshops

 

DOWNLOAD: How To Audition