Although you may be eating, sleeping, and dreaming about your chosen audition piece before your next musical theatre audition, don’t panic. This opportunity to showcase all your singing, dancing, and acting skills is what you’ve been working so hard towards, so make sure you are ready. These musical theatre audition tips can help.
Musical Theatre Auditions Can Be Stressful
With some extra work, wildcards don’t have to sabotage your chances of landing a role in the musical of your dreams. As with anything in life, success with a musical theater audition happens when opportunity meets preparation. These nine tips will help better prepare you for that moment.
General Musical Theatre Audition Tips
- Be prepared – Whether asked to present a song, monologue, dance, or any of the above, you need to know it backward and forwards.
- Be on time – This is a small but important musical theatre audition tip. Ideally, arrive 15 minutes early so you can complete all your paperwork and don’t hold up the process. Plus, it gives you time to relax and focus instead of feeling rushed.
- Dress appropriately – You’ll see all kinds of advice on what “appropriate” is for a musical theatre audition: dress to stand out, dress to impress, dress for the character, etc. Our advice is that unless you’re specifically told a manner of dress, opt for a professional look with clothing that does not impede your movement.
- Warm-up your voice and body – Tension is a performer’s worst enemy, so make sure to do exercises that will relax your voice and body for your musical theatre audition.
- Embrace the jitters – It is natural to feel nervous, so a key musical theatre audition tip is to go with it rather than fight it. Once you accept jitters are part of the process, your brain will start to calm, and you’re less likely to be taken over by them.
- Get to the point – Although you certainly need to be courteous and friendly when introducing yourself, you won’t win anyone over with small talk in this situation. Instead, respect people’s time by answering questions clearly and succinctly.
- Be “on” the entire time – Realistically, your audition is from the moment you enter the room until you step out of it, not just while you’re performing. So, act professionally, confidently, and own that room as soon as you open the door. And remember, you deserve to be here just as much as anyone else!
- Mistakes happen – But resist the urge to apologize or try to explain them away. If there’s a chance it wasn’t seen, then there’s no reason to call more attention to it. And honestly, a mistake is a mistake; nothing you say will erase it. What’s more, don’t walk out of there with your head low. It happens to everyone at some point.
Choosing Your Musical Theatre Audition Songs
In choosing songs for your musical theatre audition, ideally, you want to show different styles and your range and songs that you love because that connection will shine through. It can be helpful to think of a song in context to the show it is from and have an objective for the song, just as you would a monologue. Also, stick to age-appropriate songs. If you are using live accompaniment, practice what you will say to them before the audition.
Tips for Performing a Monologue
Certainly, you’ll want to practice the monologue so you know it by heart and make sure it’s under the time limit. In announcing your monologue, typically just the name of the play or perhaps the film will suffice rather than a plot synopsis as well. Like your song, choose a monologue that you love and have a connection to, one that’s age-appropriate and shows your range. You may be able to use small props if necessary, but don’t overdo it. Also, don’t try to shock them or use an overdone monologue. And lastly, always smile and say thank you at the end of your piece.
Tips for Dancers
For the dance portion of your musical theatre audition, ensure you’re warmed up before entering the room, if possible, and have your dance shoes with you! You’ll also be at an advantage in learning the choreography if you already know the music and the show well. Stand in front so you can see the choreography from the start. If you’re given an adjustment or instruction, apply it! And most importantly, smile and give it your all!
Musical Theatre Audition Coaching
Of course, there’s another way to score with your musical theatre auditions. Contact us today to get help from professional working performers who’ve navigated the process themselves! Our instructors have invaluable real-world experience to help you with:
• Monologue preparation
• Self-taping techniques
• Audition preparation
• Individualized custom coaching