Singing a song from the show your auditioning for?

[Born2cthelightsofbway]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 9:57am

I have an audition for a show soon, and truthfully, I would really like to sing a song from the show. I have been singing this song for 6 years, and I know that I have it down perfectly, and it is a song I feel very, very comfortable with. Also, I know that I am perfect for this part. Is it a really bad idea to sing a song from the show you are auditioning for? Thanks

[erikaamato]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 10:18am

It depends. There are people who will tell you to never, ever sing from the show, no matter what, and yet there have been calls I've attended where they specifally request that you sing from the score. Where's the production? If it's a local thing (like, community/local professional theatre), I say go for it. If you love the song and do it fabulously, then you should sing it. If it's B'way, then don't, unless it says in the breakdown, "you may sing form the score."

And FWIW, I've booked lots of gigs over the years by actually singing from the show. Break a leg!

[Born2cthelightsofbway]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 10:59am

It is for an audition for a Broadway show by appointment. So, would you say not to sing a song from the show?

[DirtyRottenGirl]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 11:01am

I usually sing from the show but before the audition I really practice and make sure I have the character down and I can give decent background on the song. It only helps me get parts because is says you have been doing your homework. Besides lord knows what the director just did and if you sing a song from The Sound of Music and he directed he will be comparing you to someone else who may have been better than you.
I have noticed for some auditions they teach you a little bit from the show to sing. It helps to already know the song so you look like your a fabulous sight reader.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 11:02am

What does the notice call for?

As a musical director, I actually prefer to hear a song from the show. It makes callback time easier and really helps me to see if the person is right instead of calling back more people than I should.

[Born2cthelightsofbway]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 11:07am

They haven't yet told me what to sing. I am supposed to hear from someone soon. I have a song that is not from the show down also, but the thing is, I am so comfortable with this song and do it perfectly. I am just not sure. If I bring that song, I will of course bring other songs as well, just in case.

[Action2]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 11:52am

Someone somewhere wrote this advice on another thread and it really stuck with me. If you do sing a song from the show, be sure you are singing it CORRECTLY, not just the way it sounds on a recording. If you sound JUST LIKE the recording (no matter how good you are), you are selling yourself short. This doesn't mean add random runs and changes just to be different. Just know the real lyrics and melody.

And, make sure you have a back up piece. I was actually at an audition once where the director asked me what I was singing and when I told him, he said that he was tired of hearing that all day...did I have anything else. Luckily, I did.

BREAK A LEG!

[Born2cthelightsofbway]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 6:35pm

Thanks so much!

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 7:18pm

I've heard that signing from the show can really help the casting directors see just how good you'd be for the show, but I've also heard it can make you seem egotistical.

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 7:19pm

I've heard that signing from the show can really help the casting directors see just how good you'd be for the show, but I've also heard it can make you seem egotistical. And never never learn the version of the song on the recording. If that's the way you learned this song you want to sing, choose another one.

[SahDu]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 8:15pm

I've always gone with a no for this question. Unless you are exactly what the casting director is looking for in your first shot, you really diminish your chances. From my experiences, it's later along in the audition process that they will stop and take the time to give you direction. In a preliminary audition, if you aren't singing it exactly how they picture it, you really shoot down the list. Again, this is all just my opinion. Hope it helps.

Updated On: 2/15/14 at 08:15 PM

[rflpfl2]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 9:26pm

I would say sing the song if it's something that you've been using and are comfortable with.

However the danger of doing this is if your interpretation isn't what they are looking for, that's it, it's over- you're not going to get the chance to come back and sing something from the show. If you go in with something else, and if they like you- then you get that second opportunity, and they've seen you perform more than one song.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 9:28pm

Nick Spangler talked about this in the interview I did with him.

There's Nothing Mute About Nick Spangler

Updated On: 6/5/07 at 09:28 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 10:42pm

I'd recommend never performing a song from the show unless they specifically ask you to.

E

[skybomb]

Posted: 6/5/07 at 11:11pm

you go in with something from the show and be very prepared with something not from the show, but similiar. Then when you walk in, especially if its an appointment and say, "I have something from the show or I have something else prepared as well." they will then tell you which they prefer and will be grateful for the choice....plus you look very prepared.