They're giving you a choice between contemporary rock/pop song or a contemporary musical theatre song. Personally I think you should prepare both and sing the one you prefer first, and if they ask for another one, do the other. 16 bars is more than enough-- don't do any longer than that. DEFINITELY not full song.
And YES, go go go. Go to the audition. The only reasons in the world why someone should "not bother" going to an open call is if the call is being done somewhere far away that you can't get to (like, you live in LA and the call is in NY and you can't get there in time) or if you're dead. Seriously, the whole thought process of "maybe I shouldn't bother because they're probably looking for this-and-that and I'm so-and-so" is death to an actor. Kristin Chenoweth went on a trip to New York when she was barely out of college and went to an open Equity call for "Animal Crackers" (she was not equity) and waited all day until they finally saw her right before the end, and ended up hiring her on the spot. You can't assume anything in this business. If there's an open call coming up and you want to go, go go go. Otherwise you may be talking yourself out of a potential job.
I'm 13 and non-equity, but I swear I can play 16, I have a 17 year old sister who easily looks 17 and people always think that we're twins. Should I go and just ask when I get there if they think they'll have time to see non-equity people?
Well, I've already have 16 bars of 2 different songs prepared (one theatre, one not). I live in Connecticut so it's not a far commute but what is a good time to show up since I'm Non-Equity (later in the day? or before 10?). It starts at 10am ... A good time to get there would probably be before 7, right? But they probably want to see all the Equity people so if I get there real early, I would most likely wait until all Equity people are seen, right?
Sorry, for all these annoying questions ... I just want to make sure I get everything right :)
Since other are asking about it, why not I? I'm at 15 year old guy (Asian and Non-Equity). There is no chance that I will be able to go to the audition if they decided to see Non-Equity. After reading the character descriptions, I am very interested in playing Henry. I asked 2 of my friends (I know, not enough) what age and race other than Asian I look. And one said 16/17 and Spanish and the other said 15 and Mexican with Asian. I am Filipino by the way. I used to take music and chorus in middle school, but I don't anymore. I think I will start up with vocal and acting training. I have tried singing a few songs from Next To Normal, and I'm not that sure about my vocal range. I am able to sing Hey #3/Perfect For You Reprise without a problem. When I tried to sing I'm Alive, I had a few problems with the high notes, but after a few tries I was fine, but I'm currently getting over being sick (feeling phlegmy ). Is there any advice that anyone can give me? Sorry if I wrote my whole life story. :/ Also, I would like to play Sonny from In The Heights. :) Thanks.
Updated On: 3/15/10 at 09:23 PM
The only problem I have with the whole "All ethnicities" thing is if there is not consitancy in the family. Like if both Dan and Diana are white, then their children should not be black. or vice versa.
Henry and The Doctors do not not need any type of consistancy with the family so those are probably the only really OPEN roles.
"Like if both Dan and Diana are white, then their children should not be black. or vice versa."
It didn't change a thing with Phylicia Rashad and her white daugthers in AUGUST. They were believable as a family. You saw the past the color differences because there was some very believable and FIERCE acting happening. Updated On: 3/16/10 at 02:15 AM
But they probably want to see all the Equity people so if I get there real early, I would most likely wait until all Equity people are seen, right?
Equity members are allowed to sign up for appointments until all slots are filled. There is also an Equity alternate list for spillovers or people who may want to be seen earlier if there happens to be a no-show. They take people from those two lists first. And then there are the EMCs who are seen after all the Equity alternates are seen. And then there are the non-Equity actors after all the EMCs are seen.
Getting there early will mean you'll be higher on the non-Equity list. However, they may say at a certain point that they will not see any non-Eqs at all, depending on how many Equity people are signed up.
It's a good idea to get there early. It may mean you'll be spending the entire day there, so make sure to pack some snacks.
In theatre, colorblind casting sometimes may mean family members onstage are depicted by actors of different races. Whether you like it or not (and I go back and forth on this), it's generally acceptable.
Thanks to everyone who help me out and answered all of my questions! I'm going to the audition :) I will mostly likely get there before 7ish so I'll higher up on the Non-Eqiuty list!
HeyMrMusic ... What are EMCs? Are there normally (always) Non-Equity members at Equity calls? And how many people are usually in the audition room?
EMC stands for Equity Membership Candidate. They are non-Equity actors who have accumulated between 1 and 50 work weeks at an Equity theatre. You are eligible to join Equity when you have reached 50 points, one point per work week. EMCs are seen after Equity and before non-Equity actors.
Oh, okay! I'm preparing a 16 bars of a theatre song (Blue Wind from Spring Awakening) and a non-theatre song (Avril Lavigne). and just be ready to sing both :) haha
Do they prefer black n' white or colored headshots?
Oh, okay! I'm preparing a 16 bars of a theatre song (Blue Wind from Spring Awakening) and a non-theatre song (Avril Lavigne). and just be ready to sing both :) haha
Do they prefer black n' white or colored headshots?
I just got home...I got there at 7:15 and was #34 on the non-Equity list but turns out it didn't really matter because they saw/are still seeing all the non-Equity actors. Last I looked there were 145 people on the non-Equity list but I'm sure more turned up.
Also I don't think they told any non-Equity people whether they got callbacks or not (not sure about Equity/EMC)...they cut the "short song" down to 16 bars so they could see as many people as possible and everyone was in and out pretty quickly.