Hairspray Auditions

[Adoma787]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 4:18am

I will be auditioning for Hairspray in Boston on the 20th and would like some advice..if possible. It says that this a non-dancing audition and they are mainly looking for awesome pop singing voices. First off I am having a terrible time finding a 60's style pop song. Is there any particular artist from the 60's who might be worth looking into?? Also is dressing "nice" for a Hairspray audition ok? Or would I be better off wearing something comfortable to casual?...that seems to be more of the Hairspray look

HELP

[Amneris]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 10:25am

to be quite honest, they know what they are looking for before you even walk in the door...in nyc last week there were some INCREDIBLE people and they were not asked to stay past the first call....even ejay day from american idol was told thanks but no thanks... so dressing nice or a certain artist might not help. Just go in there and sing your heart out..thats the only thing you owe yourself and the only thing you owe them.. they are probably going to see close to a 1000 people that day so the singing calls generally go rather fast... 1 verse 1 chorus and thats all...also, just try to find a song thats not sung to death. You can sing a song from the show and also you are allowed to sing current songs. It's not suggested but, it is allowed. Updated On: 10/7/03 at 10:25 AM

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 10:46am

Yeah, not to make you depressed.....but, don't expect too much. If you want to go in, do your best, but don't go in thinking that you have a good chance of getting a callback. These open calls usually don't produce too much anyway, and most times, are a waste of time.

Cheers,
The Balladeer

[PennyLou]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 11:24am

But there fun. I went to the one in NYC not expecting anything to happen from it really. I got there and had so much fun waiting online talking to eveyone and stuff It was a good time.

[TheBalladeer]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 11:28am

I guess.....but waiting in line for hours so that you can be seen at a decent time, isn't. I went to a Lion King one, once, and got there at 7 a.m. and didn't leave there till 8p.m. that night.

[Zola LaPlaya]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 11:38am

A dear young friend was given an ensemble track in the Broadway show, but the creative team hesitated over him. They thought his singing was "too legit." You need to have a bit of an edge in the vocals: early rock-and-roll not necessarily Broadway belting.

Best of luck!

z

[Amneris]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 11:53am

i agree with the fun waiting in line... most auditions i HATE waiting in line BUT, when you go with friends who are just as outgoing as yourself and you go up and down the line introducing yourself you will have a blast! My friend and I did that at the last hairspray call and within an hour we had a huge group of new friends formed... who were just GREAT people! Plus Ejay Day was moved right in back of us and he was awesome as well..just so happens i had my american idol cd with me that day because i was singing "natural woman" lol.. but yeah just have a GREAT time!!! And GET THERE SUPER EARLY!!!!!!!!! I got there at 6:30 am in NYC and was number 97/98 but then 85/86 werent filled so the front of the line told my friend and i to take those spots and cross the other 2 out.... there were SO many people and I heard by MID DAY they started to type out because there were just too many to be seen.

[PennyLou]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 1:02pm

yea I got there a little before 7 and was done by 10:30 so get there early it moives really fast.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 2:31pm

I hope this does not become the new RENT open audition scenario. Every town they play, open auditions, don’t ever hire anyone (never even intend to) but create buzz, get news coverage and free publicity. If you go, have fun, but don’t expect too much.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 4:11pm

just to be devil's advocate, i did have a friend who attended on open call for RENT in a tour city, was put on file, called back for a NYC principal audition, and eventually offered a slot in the next touring company. So even if it's a PR gimmick, the production company would be a bit foolish to discount EVERYONE who shows up for these big cattle-calls.

[Amneris]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 5:05pm

i hate that they use us for their publicity stunts but it is experience and could lead to something more... I mean Shannon Durig who is the current standby for tracy on bway...i heard she was the only one from last years NYC open call who got cast..

[sheekala]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 5:25pm

Open Calls are sometimes tough as most roles are cast via agent submissions and such, but it is fun meeting fellow performers, many of whom are starting out on their creative journeys...regarding HAIRSPRAY, don't worry how you dress, just bring energy and confidence, the show has a pretty well know level of joy and they are looking for actors who can contribute to it. Songwise something from Motown works, and if it's a lesser know one all the better, all best possible luck to you!

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 5:36pm

I absolutely cannot believe I'm going to quote that stellar acting guru, Marilu Henner, but she said something on one of those American Theatre Wing seminars that really struck home. When asked if she still likes to audition, she said yes, because that may be the only 10 minutes you are ever that role.

So, I will show up at 6am next Thursday and for a minute and a half, I will be Giuseppe Zangara in ASSASSAINS. It somehow makes it all easier.

[sheekala]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 5:40pm

HERE HERE! robbiej, I can't understand how some actors "hate" or are "scared" to auditon it's a chance to perform, go for it whenever you can! I may be harsh or pessimistic when dealing with the Pros(who let me down) in the biz, but I am always rooting for the up and comers of the world!

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 5:45pm

It really depends on the situation.. yes, the casting directors, etc want you to do good and are rooting for you.. but I have seen some casting directors who instantly make you feel good and comfortable and they are enjoyable auditions..... but you also having directors who come off as very cold and make you feel uncomfrtable, even If they really don want you to do good. I HATE auditioning for those kinds of casting directors.

[sheekala]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 5:53pm

BG2, I bet I know who you mean..how I miss Vinnie Liff, a moment of silence..please.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 5:55pm

ha ha ha.

I have auditioned for Telsey Casting several times... I must say I do enjoy them. They never fail to make you feel comfortable when you walk in there.

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 5:57pm

I find Equity calls so very difficult. It feels so futile at times.

The second I get a callback, I become an audition MONSTER. I go nuts and am somehow able to give a performance worthy audition. But that first audition?? I'm a bundle of nerves.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 5:59pm

Yeah.. I am KINDA like that too.. bt on teh same token.. with each call back, you tend to put more pressur on yourself because you know you are farther along in the process and you don't know if you could walk in that next time and walk out with a job... if that makes sense.

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 6:02pm

that completely makes sense. but for me, with each call back, it's another step closer, so it gives me that much more confidence.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 6:04pm

yeah.. the confidence builds and so does the pressure. lol

[King Stevos]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 6:21pm

Sounds like S3X to me.

STEVOS

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 6:22pm

ha ha ha ha ha. We DO love our Steven.

[Amneris]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 6:46pm

i get so nervous if i dont have someone to talk to at an audition... theaterworks made me SO nervous..they werent very nice but Telsey are the BEST to audition for..they are super nice especially Victoria..if you get her in your room, you are set to have a wonderful audition and time! Also, Tara Rubin casting... she might not be fair in how she types you out but, if you do get to audition, it's a large learning experience and super fun...

[Amneris]

Posted: 10/7/03 at 6:47pm

ps...steven i do not appreciate you posting our experience on this board... HAHAHAAH JK! i love u