Never felt the need to chime in till now....
This is a very common discussion among young performers....
#1 "I'm auditioning for this show, but I don't know much of the music/(or worse yet) anything about it!"
#2 "I want this role, but I don't know if it's in my range."
#3 "What would be a good audition song for this show?"
The answers to these questions cannot come from anyone but YOU as a performer, however there are some general guidelines to answering these questions that anyone else who has managed to make their way professionally for any amount of time will agree with, I'm sure.
#1 "I'm auditioning for this show, but I don't know much of the music/(or worse yet) anything about it!" Learn your show. Let's face it, most of our auditions are for shows that have been performed/revived/recorded etc. Unless it's a brand spanking new world premiere, you'll be able to learn SOMETHING about it. Buy the CD, buy sheet music. Check out the lows/highs of the score (which you'll likely be asked to sing through at auds/callbacks anyway). Sing through it to find out if you have the vocal stamina for it. Personally, if I'm auditioning for a show that I'm not very familiar with, I'll just go buy whatever recording I can get my hands on and listen to that (and only that) until the audition rolls around. By then I've absorbed it so much they can throw whatever they want towards me at callbacks. And trust me, that's a good feeling.
#2 "I want this role, but I don't know if it's in my range." Again, only you can answer this question. Musical theatre is not like opera. Roles are not necessarily assigned into certain vocal "fachs". Just because one publication might classify a role as a baritone (or a tenor) doesn't mean that only a baritone (or tenor) can/should sing that role. "Crossover" voices are very common. Again, listen to recordings, study sheet music, sing through it. Find if YOU'RE comfortable with it. Remember, you can't ever second guess a casting director. They may be looking for a baritone with a rangy top, or a tenor who can get down into the basement (I've seen both types of singers perform Pippin very well). You just don't know, so why worry about it?
#3 "What would be a good audition song for this show?" Again, it comes back to knowing your show before you audition for it. Know the syle of the music. You should be familiar enough with the overall literature to be able to say "This kind of sounds like '(Show X)'" Once you take that step, the next is to commit yourself to learning at least one song from 'Show X' that you are capable of performing fully. Singing from the show you're auditioning for is a BIG no-no (unless you're specifically asked to do it). Given the fact that you already picked a song from a similar character, in your vocal range, by the same composer, from a different show, I would say you have a decent grasp on this concept. Just be prepared for the occasional curveball, such as, "I've already heard 'Lost in the Wilderness' 15 times today.... Do you have anything else!?!?" Remember, the most obvious audition choices will also be the most common, and the key to auditioning is to bring something unique (in a good way!).
Sorry to ring in with such a lengthy diatribe! I see discussions like this all the time among the more junior performers I work with, so I do my best to pass on the knowledge and keep them from learning these lessons the hard way, like I did!
Updated On: 6/24/04 at 12:04 AM
) and the character is similar to Pippin---he's looking for something bigger and better in the world.
