How Hard Is It To Get An Audition For Broadway?

[~*Triple Star On Broadway*~]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 1:59pm

I don't think I've ever asked anyone about this, and the thought just crossed my mind right now. Has anyone ever been to a Broadway audition? Play or musical. Include off-broadway as well. Even if you haven't but you have heard from other people what its like, let me know!

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 2:00pm

i hear they get huge turnouts for them, i'd def love to audition one day, thats definitly on my dream list lol, may go to college for musical theater...but i also hear of cut throat competition and stuff, but its almost a given that there would be competition with so many amazing people out there

[~*Triple Star On Broadway*~]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 2:13pm

I guess you just have to do what you can right? Someday I'll do that too, but I don't expect anything much. But does anyone know what you have to do or where you go to get info bout auditioning?

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 2:14pm

theres a newspaper, i dont recall the name...ummm backstage or somthing and thers always casting calls online, i think a huge part of it is your name and who you know, also being "discovered" early is huge sorta sad when u think of it....:-/

[JakeB]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 3:54pm

If it's about 'who you know' then get knowing! Just don't act starstruck...

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:17pm

check out http://www.actorsequity.org for information on how those auditions work.

It is thought that few people get a Broadway break via a Chorus Call or EPA (those are defined on the site), but it does happen.

Most people get hired for Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Tours by auditions that are appointements--you need an agent to get into these in almost all cases. So the trick is to get an agent. =)

[~*Triple Star On Broadway*~]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 4:27pm

Thanks for the info! That really helps. I'm not jumping into an audition for broadway anytime soon but when I do, it will help, so thank you.

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 5:09pm

Ive been to about 10 Broadway auditions. PM me of you have specific questions.

[Amneris]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 7:22pm

ive been to too many open broadway calls.. and i have to say, most of them are crap publicity stunts... almost nobody gets cast from an open call. Maybe 1 in 2000 auditioners.. also, you could spend ALL day waiting and then get typed out.

[swingshift_42]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 8:34pm

jrb_actor is right - agent submissions are the most sure way (often in reality the only way) to get seen by casting directors for b'way shows.

in general, open calls are a waste of time for both the people auditioning and the people casting a show. there's just no way you can properly evaluate the thousands of people who try to show up.

try auditioning for smaller stuff and invite agents to your show.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 9:12pm

I totally and completely disagree.

[newyorkuniq]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 9:31pm

well I agree and disagree....I have been called back once from a "cattle call" (this was after I was typed in) but yes they are few and far between not waste of times .

[brdwaybaby17]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 9:33pm

can you get an agent without any professional experience??

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 9:35pm

Phantom2 --please elaborate--are you disagreeing that open calls are a complete waste of time or that you mostly only get cast by agent submissions??

[brdwaybaby17]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 9:38pm

Ok, another question, how do you get in equity?? I don't know how any of this stuff works!!

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 9:40pm

At ActorsEquity.org, they have all the information for you. Basically, you can earn points to join Equity or you can be in a sister union, like SAG or AFTRA, and join through them. I wouldn't recommend joining right away, because you will limit the projects you can work on. I'm SAG, and I'm not joining Equity for awhile yet; it's better to get regional/off-off Bdwy, etc. experience before you get to Broadway. You'll probably get more respect that way. Just IMHO.

[brdwaybaby17]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 9:42pm

Dang, I don't know what any of these unions are. Oy vey, I need to study my stuff.... next weekend after the quarter ends at school!

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 9:48pm

SAG/AFTRA are film/TV unions. (Screen Actors Guild). Go to sag.org.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 9:50pm

The bottom line is that true talent gets noticed. Ever look into the sky and see hundreds of stars? Well, there is always one that shines the brightest. Think about it.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 3/21/04 at 9:54pm

Well--I disagree with that in direct relation to EPAs/chorus calls vs appointments

one is in front of the creative team--the other is at the whim of the casting agent (or their intern)-- however, at chorus calls there is a member of the creative team

I think it's a little harder than that--sure a Jennifer Holliday can walk in and become a star their first day in NYC, but the rest of us have to work harder.

There are just a million factors--I mean even people like Barbra Steisand, Bette Midler, and Dustin Hoffman suffered rejection after rejection.

Updated On: 3/21/04 at 09:54 PM