Auditions

So this Up coming spring my one of my community theaters is producing Hairspray, and today my friend asked me to help her find an audition song. And it made me think. How much do I really know about auditioning? ... The answer is, more than I expected, and more than I practice. So here are the tips that I know: (Even if I do need to put them into practice a little more than I do now)

1. Find a song that compliments/shows off your range.
2. Find a song that is similar to the show you are auditioning for.
3. Try not to pick a song from the show because the auditioner may read that as "This is how I will perform this song if I am cast," and that may not be how they want it. So it seems like an "either or" situation.
4. Try to pick songs that either catch their interest, or so your voice off quickly because you might not make it all the way through the song.
5. If you know the original version of the show and the characters have a certain voice don't use it unless it is your voice. Show off you not the original character.
6. Practice! You can not walk into a room for an audition with a brand new song that you have never practiced.
7. If you are singing to another character in your song put that character just past the auditioners, do not bring them into your scene.
8. Be careful not to get to close to the auditioners.
9. Do not wear anything that distracts from your voice or acting skills.
10. But at the end of the day... you're another day older. (Sorry I couldn't help it.) But really at the end of the day all that matters is that the auditioners have heard you sing and that they know your voice.
11. AND DRINK WATER! Stay hydrated. All day. If you have an audition that evening try to drink water all day long. Warm up, it will help you feel more comfortable singing. Stretch you will most likely feel more relaxed in the audition. And have a good attitude.

So those are my tips for a singing audition, and as I think about it a lot of them would cross over to a monologue audition. always look around for tips. There is one fellow on Youtube that gave a lecture on auditions. Look for it and listen, it will help. Also the more you audition the more you learn about How to do it.
Do NOT get discouraged if you are not cast. In fact this is one of those moments where the phrase "what does not kill us makes us stronger," really rings true. Ask the director why you were not cast, if you have a way of contacting them. Although if you do this please be respectful. Directors WILL remember you, so be nice. Simply ask what they were looking for, and what you could have done differently to maybe have landed the show.
So those are my tips. I'm sure there are more out there, but that is all I can think of. I would like to thank :

• That Guy On Youtube
• Marjory Watson (pro singer and Actress)

And

• Scott Christian (pro percussionist)

For all of these wonderful tips.