Audition Workshop

1. Be Prepared
a. Know what the audition requirements are.
i. Is it a song? How many Bars are they asking for?
1. Is there accompaniment? If so, BRING MUSIC!
2. Prepare your music so it will be easy for the accompanist to access (ie.
In a binder)
3. Clearly mark where you will begin and end.
ii. Is it a monologue? How long should it be?
1. Practice it with a timer to make sure you dont go over.
2. Directors will be pissed! And they may cut you off.
b. Picking a piece for your audition
i. Make sure it is something you are passionate about.
1. You should be able to relate to your piece in some capacity
2. A lack of passion will be obvious and will prohibit you from performing
your best.
ii. Find something similar to the Show you are auditioning for
1. If you are auditioning for a rock musical, dont go in singing a song from
Phantom of the Opera.
a. A good way to find similar music would be to find other shows
by the same composer.
b. It is not a good idea to sing a song from the show you are
auditioning for unless the director says it is alright ahead of
time.
2. If there will be an accompanist dont pick the most instrumentally
difficult piece.
a. Remember, your accompanist will be sight reading, if you give
them something very difficult to read, there is a chance your
tempo and signature changes wont match up.
3. If you are auditioning for a comedy, dont bring a monologue where you
will be screaming at the director and crying in their face.
a. In fact, it is never a good idea to bring too serious of a
monologue, it can leave the director or casting director feeling
negative.
c. Bring your headshot and resume (N/A to tomorrow)
i. Make sure its 8x11 and your resume is attached to the back
2. At The Audition
a. The Audition starts as soon as you enter the building so be confident and courteous
b. Dont try to hide your nerves, use them to better your performance. Everybody gets
nervous, trying to hide it can make it worse
c. Your turn to audition
i. Enter the room with a smile on your face.
ii. Approach the director and hand him/her your headshot/resume and whatever
other papers they give you to fill out.
iii. If it is a musical audition bring your prepared music to the accompanist.
1. Point out to them where you will start and finish
2. Dont tap or clap the tempo at them, they will find this rude
a. Instead quietly sing a bit to them to demonstrate the tempo you
would like
d. Find the light
i. Make sure you stand wherever the light is on stage, tilt your head up a bit so the
casting directors can see that beautiful face.
e. Once you have found your position and the director has told you to begin, slate.
i. A slate should include your name, the part you are auditioning for, and the song
you will be performing BE LOUD AND CLEAR
ii. Ex. HI my name is Cara Laban, I am auditioning for the part of Marty, and I will
be singing Somewhere over the rainbow from Wizard of Oz
f. Start you performance with a nod to the accompanist
i. Sing with confidence
ii. Do not look directly at the casting directors
1. Generally it is a good idea to pick a spot at the back of the theater and
perform as if there is a full house.
g. When you are done say thank you, collect your music and exit.
3. The Callback
a. Congratulations you made it to call backs.
b. You have been told what part(s) youve been called back generally, and maybe even told
which songs you will be singing
i. Take advantage of this information and prepare!
ii. Listen to the songs and become familiar
iii. Learn about the characters and add your own twist
c. You may be given a cold reading
i. Look over the material in its entirety first.
1. Make sure you know the context so you can figure out how to recite the
lines
2. Do your best to look up and act in the scene even though you may be
unfamiliar
3. Just do your best!!!