IF You Had An Audition For a Broadway Show...

[tinkerscanne]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 7:09am

What would you do?

And I'm not talking about an open call, either. If you had a scheduled audition day and time, how would you handle it, especially if all you have done is community theatre? And how would you deal if you didn't have an agent or any representation at all?

[dramarama2]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 7:23am

And take it pretty easy the day and the few hours before it. Try not to yell or even talk excessively at all. I'd keep my voice warm by singing every so often...and drink lots of camomile tea...That's what I do when i'm nervous =)
And at the audition...i'd be myself. I'd stand up and be confident and basically...do my best...and hope for the best!
But then again I wouldn't know the first thing about auditioning...or performing...

[OddExoticCreature]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 9:40am

why?

Updated On: 6/3/07 at 09:40 AM

[desiree armfeldt]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 9:52am

It seems a little strange that one might have an audition for a broadway show, and I mean a scheduled audition, without having any sort of professional representation. That either means that someone saw you in some sort of community theater production and liked you enough to give you a ring, or you have a friend in a really high place. Or, maybe some other strange situation. Either way, Be sure you sound/perform your best. This is your little window of opportunity. You only have those five minutes to strut your stuff and afterwards, unless you get an agent, it's back to open calls. Make sure you look good, but don't go overboard with makeup if you're a girl (nix the lipliner and lipstick)and don't go in there in a suit and tie if you're a guy. Be casual. Try and have a bright color somewhere on your body, but not one that is covered in logos.

Walk in there are confidently as possible. Don't be arrogant or anything of the sort. Be sure to be super nice to the accompanist. I've heard horror stories of people who didn't get roles because they were mean to their accompanist. Be charming and fun. But most of all, make sure you have a good time. If you are enjoying yourself in the opportunity you have been given, they will be enjoying themselves.

good luck!
Updated On: 6/3/07 at 09:52 AM

[tinkerscanne]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 11:43am

Well, I have an audition this coming Thursday for the stand-by for Tracy. I simply mailed my picture and resume to the casting company last Friday and they called me to come in and audition. I never, ever thought anything could happen like this. Just having the opportunity is an honor.

I just want to be as prepared as I can. They are going to send me what I need to learn/sing and they also told me when call backs are going to be.

I guess I am looking for any advice from what to wear, how to style my hair, what to bring with me and anything else anyone cares to add.

Thank you.

[bwaylvsong]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 12:08pm

Listen to Hairspray on repeat, have as big hair as possible, and make your audition material your own and smile as if your life depended on it.

[Bedazzler]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 2:57pm

BE PREPARED!!! That's the best advice anyone can give you.
You will most likely be nervous...and I know that it is hard-but TRY to relax, the casting director WANTS you to be the one they cast. They are on your side!

Make sure that your sheet music is clean & marked off where you are beginning and ending in the song and that any "adjustments" you have made in the music are clear and legible. (point them all out to the accompanist prior to singing as well) Perhaps if you haven't already, put all music in individual plastic inserts in a 3-ring binder. It keeps it clean and (usually) the accompanist prefers it in the binder as it is (usually) easier to turn the pages while playing. Bring more than one song that you are comfortable with(!!!) If you do not have an audition book put together yet...compile your sheet music of songs into that binder that you can COMFORTABLY sing and can sing at a moment's notice, whether you were prepared to sing them or not, as they might ask for another song.

Get a good night's rest the night before...any rehearsing you do at 2AM the night before the audition isn't going to make much of a difference on how you will do the next day. So it is better to be well rested. Drink lots of water, as well.

Wear something bright, but not distracting that compliments your skin and hair. A color that YOU feel great in. A memorable color can help them remember you, in a good way...unless it is an obnoxious color like neon yellow or something.
Be comfortable in your style of clothing. You don't want to be fussing with and pulling up or down anything while waiting for the audition and/or DURING the audition. A nice top & skirt would be fine if that is what you are comfortable wearing. (I am assuming they told you that this is just a singing audition and that you won't be dancing until callbacks further down the road...) Also, comfortable shoes!
Limited makeup-what you would wear on a daily basis, really. Accent your best features. Hair should be clean and out of your face. A hairstyle that you won't be fussing with the whole time.
Also, I personally always HINT at the character with a certain style skirt, hairstyle...something along those lines. Do not go in dressed AS Tracy. Go in looking like YOU, but with a hint of Tracy.

Smile and be polite to ANYONE you come in contact with inside (or even outside) of the building. You never know who knows who and/or what they will tell them. Introduce yourself to everyone when you walk into the audition room and be sure to thank your accompanist and whoever else is in the room for their time.

Best of luck with your audition....believe in yourself!!! Let us know how it goes. :)

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 3:28pm

When they send you the stuff for your audition, make sure you learn the version of the song they send you, and not the one of the cast recording. Be extra prepared. Dress nicely. Get there early. Bring extra copies of your headshot and resume. Try not to talk to too much. Drink lots of fluids, and have fun.
Merde.
Updated On: 6/3/07 at 03:28 PM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 3:31pm

All the advice here is great! But be aware that everyone else will be doing all that also. So, don't forget to have FUN in there. If you're having fun, the people on the other side of the table will have fun. BE YOURSELF. Don't think of it as an audition, but a performance. Performing is FUN!!!

And please let us know how it goes. We're pulling for you.

Updated On: 6/3/07 at 03:31 PM

[worrell4077]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 4:02pm

I guess a couple of hours before my audition I would go work out at the gym or go run for awhile to relax myself and not make myself to nervous, then I would go to the audition and try my best and hopefully I get callbacked and then offered the role.

[Mamamia Sammy2]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 4:03pm

Make sure that you spray yourself for Non-Equity cooties!

[desiree armfeldt]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 4:47pm

hahahahahaha! I agree with Bedazzler. You don't want to go in there dressed as Tracy Turnblad, but you might want to leave a little hint that you could fit the part somewhere in your outfit. I am a represented actress and I always make an effort to somehow look as if they could simply add a costume and I would be great. Sometimes people, especially women, go in there and just want to show off their bodies in a way that does not reflect the character. I auditioned for a Sondheim musical recently (of which the time setting and style is NOTHING like today's) and the woman before me came in a white sparkly low cut tank top, her hair blown out straight, her face COATED in makeup, and those weird stretchy capri pants that are like huge. She looked absolutely out of place to be auditioning for the role and I'm sure the casting director noticed that right away. I went in a casual dress because I felt that it exuded the character more. I got a callback.

Now, this doesn't go to show that casting directors only cast based on outfits, but I do think the look matters. For Tracy, you want to look young. I am going to assume you are really not a high school student. Make an effort to look young and fresh. Big hair too. It is called Hairspray!

BREAK A LEG!!!

[another_reprise]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:06pm

I know it's been said 80 times before but Relax, relax relax relax relax relax
You're not auditioning for anything like American Idol where they're going to insult you or your performance on the spot (at least I hope they don't ) just go in do your thing and have fun. That's the best way to relax (for me anyway). If you get a callback great! If not, then your life will stay the same... and that is pretty much the worst that can happen. Regardless of whether or not you get called back, soak in everything about the experience. You'll learn a ton about the Broadway audition process and be able to take it with you onto future oppurtunities.
So, relax (again) and break a leg!!

[bigred3535]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 5:32pm

BREATHE

It's the most important thing foor any singer and something that can be easy to forget about (I know I do). Try breathing in on an 8 count, hold it for 8 and then release on 8. It'll slow your heart rate and cleansing breaths are good for relaxation.

Break a leg!

[tinkerscanne]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 6:31pm

Thank you all for such wonderful advice.

I am NOT a teenager. I am in my 30's, but I look very young. I'm only 5'0" tall and I'm not skinny and waifish like Kristin Chenowith. I got this audition by simply submitting my photo and resume (the picture was taken in January, so it's pretty recent). My "real" job is that of a music teacher. I teach vocal and general music and direct the school musical every year. I recently performed the role of Antonia in Man of La Mancha in a community theatre production. Broadway has always been my dream, but I never thought I'd even ever get to audition for a Broadway casting director. So I am simply honored that I will have this life experience, no matter what the outcome. But I will certainly take all of your advice. The breathing, relaxing and having fun are all standing out in my mind. But the non-equity cooties spray has me a bit confused...

So thank you all again. I will keep you updated.

[suzycat]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 9:04pm

Break a leg!!

Posted: 6/3/07 at 9:16pm

wow congrats and good luck!!! please dont dress like tracy. be enthusiastic (did i spell that right?) but not over the top. oh, try not to freak out, seeing that thats what id do in the situation. be prepared, too. once again, break a leg!

[keybowvio]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 9:26pm

One thing I like to do before any situation in which I know I will feel nervous in:

30 min. prior to the event (audition) eat a banana.

Supposedly bananas have a special "something" in them which relieves anxiety.

maybe its stupid advice, but I know of a few professional instrumentalists who do it, and many other students, and it seems to work, if for nothing other than a placebo affect.

[srgr8]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 10:22pm

i just want to echo what everyone is saying on the board...

being prepared really is the best thing for you because if/when nerves take over, that is you best remedy...having confidence in yourself, knowing that you know what you're doing

most of all enjoy the moment and BREAK A LEG!! let us all know how you did...we're rooting for you!

[keybowvio]

Posted: 6/3/07 at 11:38pm

oh yeh, I should of given an "I second that" to what everyone else has said.

You've got some really good advice hear, I hope that you use as much of it as you can!

keep us posted, I can't wait I know you'll do great! (no rhyme intended)

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 12:49am

Do NOT make your hair as big as you can. Casting agents NEVER want to see a person trying to dress like the character. It comes off as too needy.


Just relax and show them how talented you are!

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 1:04am

This is exciting. Hope it works out for you!

[MotorTink]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 1:05am

I have no experience in auditioning, but I think a lot of the same principles apply to it as regular job interviewing. And everyone here has been posting really good advice. Just relax and be yourself! Break a leg!!!!

[tinkerscanne]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 1:14pm

OK, I was supposed to have the music emailed to me by the casting agency for the audition, but I haven't gotten anything yet. Would it be pushy to call this afternoon and ask?

[erikaamato]

Posted: 6/4/07 at 2:01pm

Nope. Not pushy at all. Especially since they're e-mailing it to you, and we all know that e-mails can get lost in the ether.

I'd call before end of business today and say you're just following up to see if they'd sent it yet, since you haven't received anything.

Break a leg!