OPEN CALLS

[wickedkiwi]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 2:23am

ok, please help the poor, naive mexican girl out.

i've decided i want to audition @ that open call in boston for wicked, hairpsray, and rent.

BUT, i have no idea what professional auditions are like outside of mexico. i know it says no theater experience necessary and it makes it all sound REAAALLLY friendly, but i'd like to know what i'm up against, just so i dont feel so out of place.

what's the process like?
is there any other really important info i should know?
any unwritten rules?

thnx so much!

[dand]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 2:37am

Oh kiwi! don't worry i'm sure you'll be great! And don't be too hard on yourself! of course i know nothing about auditioning for the BIG leages but i wish you the best of luck and hope somebody else can help!

[PerforMeg]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 2:39am

-You will probably be asked for sixteen (MAYBE 32) bars of a song (Contemporary musical theatre for WICKED, Sixties pop or traditional musical theatre for HAIRSPRAY and rock for RENT) Pick one that shows your range and acting ability. Also pick one that is similar in style to the show you are auditioning for-in this case since it is three shows, do your research, find the one you are most right for, and sing a song in the style of that show.

-Be prepared to wait. Get there as early as you can to sign up for a spot.

-Find the show you are most right for and dress to suggest the show. Don't go in with a green face or anything, but if you are right for RENT, go in a trendy top and jeans, or if you're right for Wicked wear some bright greens and blues, etc. You don't have to narrow it down to one either-mix and match, get creative, and suggest all three shows in one outfit if you're right for them all!

-Don't let the other auditioners fool or intimidate you., I don't know how it is in Mexico but people tend to talk a lot of sh*t in audition rooms here. It's insecurity. Just ignore them, or be entertained, whichever comes first. Just concentrate on what you are going to do and how well you're going to do it! Plus you never know what they're looking for, so don't tell yourself that you are better or worse than anyone you happen to hear singing.

-Have more than one song prepared in case they ask for something else.

-When you go in the room, greet the people at the table, then bring your music to the accompanist, making sure NOT to turn your back to the people at the table. Give the accompanist a tempo and note any special instructions in the music (fermata, repeat, etc.) When you're done, thank the people at the table and DEFINITELY thank the accompanist-what a thankless job that can be! Manners make a difference.

-Have your music taped together to unfold like a fan or put it in a binder-you want to make it as easy to turn pages as possible. Don't bring the actual music book. Also make sure your copies are legible and that none of the music is cut off of the page.

-Be friendly and courteous to the monitor, no matter how bitter they happen to be towards you!

-Bring several pictures and resumes stapled together.

That's all I can think of at the moment-I don't mean to sound condescending, I'm just not sure what your level of experience is so I'm trying to hit a lot of things. Hope this helps-good luck!

[Phantom2]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 2:43am

If all else fails, drop your pants and moon 'em!

[wickedkiwi]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 2:55am

ajajaja i bet THAT'll get me maureen.

i have ZERO experience auditioning in the US. i mean i auditioned for college but i think this sounds like a whole other ballpark.

mexico, not so much a problem, it's cutthroat but i know my way around and know what to do, so its a walk in the park if you put on the right act.

ok...the directions says it should be acappella, and a song thats rock/pop. but i should bring sheet music just in case.

i was thinking something from dreamtheater or queen. what are your thoughts?
also, how crazy/original would i be if i sang in spanish? or would that just suck?

finally, they say no theater experience necessary, and bring no resumes. im just out of high school, and mostly have done regional, community service, and high school theater in mexico - but none of it pro (it's a mafia out there i swear). will they laugh at me if i bring something like my high school theatrical resume? or do i take it anyways so they can see what type of characters i've played?

i will definetely follow all of your tips!

thnx so much

[Phantom2]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 2:57am

Maureen does show her ass, no?

[wickedkiwi]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 3:05am

yep...seriously considering the mooning thing.

[Phantom2]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 3:06am

Don't do it...it was a joke.

[wickedkiwi]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 3:20am

jajajaja i know.

but wouldn't THAT have been interesting?

[OrdinaryJukebox1]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 9:56am

Wow, what great advice. Just to let you know, in case you didn't read the casting call correctly, it suggests 16 bars of a pop/rock song. It doesn't specify having a song of pop/rock for "Rent," a '60's song for "Hairspray," and a contemp. musical theater song for "Wicked." I don't know if you're going to have a choice as to what show you'll be auditioning for. It says you will be singing acapella, but to have sheet music just in case they ask you to sing with the piano. It says pictures and resumes, but if you don't have one, a snapshot of yourself is fine. It seems like a really laid back open call, I also read that it's not an epa, so non eq's may not have to wait as long as usual. Here's hoping...it's a long drive from Poughkeepsie, but well worth it.

-Vincent

[QueenS]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 10:02am

Don't sing in Spanish. Put on your resume that you are fluent, but unless there's a foreign language in the show (which in this case, there isn't), that's a different skill than they are looking for.

[AndiV]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 10:37am

is it uncouth to sing a song from the musical you are auditioning for?

[flyin2audition]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 11:02am

are the lines as long in boston as they are in new york...and what is an average wait...what time should you think about getting there???

[AndiV]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 11:07am

that makes a lot of sense...thanks. :)

pop songs...showing range...not overdone...hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm :)

[AndiV]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 12:17pm

one more question:

when it says that the auditions are two days...do you go for both days? choose one? how does that work?

thanks!

[HamletWasBipolar]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 1:33pm

With a cattle call like that, be prepared for "typing." Typing is the process where they go through the crowd and eliminate people just on the basis of their appearance. Ht/wt,etc. This occurs before you even get in the door. If you make it past that, be prepared to possibly only get 8 bars of music out. They can tell within 4 as to whether you can sing or not. Also, unless requested..DO NOT sing anything from the shows they are auditioning for. All that being said, break a leg!

[Di2]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 1:53pm

Some people say that huge cattle calls are a waste of time but I don't think so.

My friend Dawn Younkers got cast as Cosette (she also played Eponine) at a HUGE Les Miz open call so I think it is definitely worthwhile and you should go and be wonderful!

Let us know how it goes!

Break many legs! You will be great!

[YankeesFan175]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 2:08pm

i didnt see this mentioned, so heres my bit of advice (although im sure you already know..) be prepared in case you have to dance

[wickedkiwi]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 9:21pm

i thought cattle calls where when they were just looking for ensamble members?

so if this is just a routine biannual call, then when do the actors that get cast get their jobs? or is it just a "lets see if we can find somebody better than who we already have"? i dont get ittttt! :S

someone should define open calls on wikipedia.

[HamletWasBipolar]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 10:00pm

If this is Equity, under the union agreement they are required to facilitate periodic open calls even if they are not actually casting at that time. Non-equity, however, they may be casting for future replacements, understudies, ensemble, swing, etc. They could also be casting for an upcoming tour..in the US or abroad. I had a friend who auditioned for Saigon and didnt end up int B'way Natl tour until like 2 years later. You actually never know what goes on in their minds. I've been cast in things that are different from the original project I auditioned for. If they like you, and your not right or needed, they may keep you ob file for other things. Basically, its a crap shoo..so just go sing your little dicken off and hope for the best...and stop thinking!

[hargie]

Posted: 8/31/05 at 5:18pm

candy poker anyone??

[candypoker]

Posted: 9/2/05 at 11:41pm

Hey This is candypoker dealerman....that day was one adventure after another, so did yall make it home okay? We had to wait for our plane until six the next morning so needless to say, we were hungry and tired by the time we got home. I hope your travels were better than ours.

[show2n2]

Posted: 9/3/05 at 12:24am

Gr8 advice PerforMeg. Good Luck Kiwi.

Posted: 9/3/05 at 12:48am

oh i'm so jealous! i wish i could audition!!!!

break a leg hun!