How can i make my auditions better?
patty
wondering if anyone had any tips on how to make an audition better! Any
tips would be appreciated!
Always,
Patty
NJM
>wondering if anyone had any tips on how to make an audition better! Any
>tips would be appreciated!
Subtle blocking and gestures, gestures, gestures -- and I don't mean those
non-descript gestures in mid air either. Meaningful gestures. Gestures that
express an emotion. The back of your wrist across the corner or your forehead
for exhaustion, etc.
Toy with your interpretation of the lines -- and not just which words to
emphasize with pitch. Tinker, too, with subtle increases and decreases of
volume. A well-placed pause is often effective in dramatic literature.
Break a leg!
NJMon...@aol.com
"A star danced. Under that was I born."
- Shakespeare
MsLaDiva
if anyone had any tips on how to make an audition better! Any tips would be
appreciated!<
Well, you're never going to get into every show you audition for. I have a few
tips that may useful for you, however...and they're very general, because you
didn't say what it is you do at an audition now...which seems to be working for
you so far, I guess.
1. Pick a great song. Pick a bunch of great songs. One that you sound great
singing...one that you love singing....one that you connect with on a mental
and emotional level. Find one you can also cut into a good 16 bars when
needed.
2. Walk into the audition room with your head high, a confident air, a
friendly attitude, and a smile on your face. Be sincere...say hello.
3. Walk straight to the accompanist with your music out and ready to place on
the piano. Make sure it's photocopied and attached to a hard surface so the
accompanist doesn't have to try and keep pages open or deal with pages flying
off and onto the floor.. Have all of your markings on it so they know what
ending you want, or that you want a fermata there, or a small break there, etc.
Be VERY nice to the accompanist and give him your respect...not only can he
make or break your song...he just may be the musical director of the
show....you irritate him, and you're off the list. Quickly let him know
anything he needs to know for the song as well as what tempo you want. Then
walk out front.
4. Don't stand too close or too far from the auditors...find a comfortable
distance if they don't already have an "x" marked out on the floor.
5. This audition if your own one-act play. You get the chance to perform this
play for these people. They want to watch you. They want you to be good.
They want to enjoy you. This is your one shot...be prepared. Don't sing
something you're not very familiar with. The last thing you want is to be up
there, worrying whether or not you will remember the lyrics. Know it like the
back of your hand. You'll be better able to get fully into it, perform it,
enjoy it, and love what you're doing.
6. Perform your piece for youself...and for your audience. Don't just try to
impress them into giving you the job....at that moment, they are your
non-paying audience...perform.
7. They hear a lot of people....and many of those people are doing what they
think the auditors want to hear instead of doing what they want to truly
express. If you walk in and just be YOU and sing something that expresses
you....they'll remember you. Even if they don't cast you in that show, if they
liked you, they'll remember you for future productions.
8. A lot of people at auditions just "sing" the song. The song is a
monologue....it's acting. If you have a nice voice, that will show. Can you
act? Do you move them with your song? Make them laugh? Make them think?
Make them notice?
9. Talent is everywhere. What makes you special? A director once told me
that he knows in the first 10 seconds if he likes someone. From how you enter
a room....those things matter. Your attitude will make a huge impression. Are
you someone they want to spend weeks or months working with? And it's not
about "trying" to be friendly and sincere and fun...if it's not real, it's
obvious. In the audition, show who you are.
10. Work with someone. Another eye can help so much....you can't see the
small things you aren't doing that might make the audition that much better.
Have someone coach your audition if you can...someone who's opinion you respect
and who's knowledge you trust.
Now...having said all that...of course you need to have stuff ready to audition
for specific roles, specific directors, etc. Sometimes, they just want a pop
ballad or a country song or whatever and you just need to have that because
they want to see if you're capable of singing that type of style. Plus,
different casting directors like different things and have little "things" that
irk them in an audition. You can't please everyone.
I hope this helped in some way.
MsLaDiva
"I'm no model lady. A model's just an imitation of the real thing."
-Mae West
Ritalouise5
>non-descript gestures in mid air either. Meaningful gestures. Gestures that
>express an emotion. The back of your wrist across the corner or your
>forehead
>for exhaustion, etc.
>
>Toy with your interpretation of the lines -- and not just which words to
>emphasize with pitch. Tinker, too, with subtle increases and decreases of
>volume. A well-placed pause is often effective in dramatic literature.
>
>Break a leg!
>NJMon...@aol.com
>
>"A star danced. Under that was I born."
> - Shakespeare
>
>
>
>
>
>
Yikes!
What are your stengths and weaknesses? Are you auditioning for musicals or
plays?
What shows are you getting cast in, and which ones are you missing out on?
Give me some specifics and I can help.
Look, there are thousands of reasons beyond your control when you don't get
cast. Many have very little to do with how you are auditioning..like age,
type, vocal range and appearance...and some days you can be better than other
days. I suggest you keep a journal of every audition you attend. write down
who you auditioned for. What you sang...what happened in the room (or on the
stage) and all of the elements that you had contol over and all of the elements
you did not have control over. Make a list of things you feel good about and
things you think you need to work on.
Before an audition prepare the very best you can. If it is a show you
know.,,if you don't know the show: try to read the script and get the cast
recording. Know what role or roles you are right for...and go for specific
roles. Know your vocal range if you are auditioning for a musical and choose a
song in the style of the piece or, if it is not discouraged, maybe even prepare
a song from that show. Have a clear understanding of the material and the
style of the piece. Doing good research and being well-prepared always makes
you look good, even if there isn't a role for you in that particular show, you
will greatly impress the production team, and maybe they will think of you
again for future productions. Also, once you are cast in a show, be very
responsible and learn your lines and music show up on time and work hard. Many
times people get cast in shows because they gave great auditiions, but once
it's time to get down to doing the show, they mess up and upset everyone
involved in the production. This can prevent future casting possiblities and
may prevent a future job. (If someone is difficult, lazy and irresponsible, no
one wants to work with them....)
Also, I can not stress how important it is to be yourself and be a pleasant
person BEFORE the actual audition begins...when you say "hello" to the
auditioners...when you place your music on the piano...how you speak to the
accompanist...and how you respond to questions and requests from the
auditioners...it's all JUST as important as the actual audition. Remember,
when people are casting a show, they are looking for a team players and people
they want to work with...
But, if you get into specific problems with me I can offer more suggestions....
I also suggest a good audition wardrobe...dress better than you would during
rehearsal. Women should wear skirts or dresses...or if you look better in
pants, wher very dressy pants, no jeans. High heals (yes, even tall women
should wear heals...unless you know you are reading opposite...in a romantic
sense...a shorter man)...Women: wear makeup...lipstick and mascara especially.
keep your hair out of your face...and men should be well groomed and put
together (even a T-shirt and jeans can be ok for a man if they are pulled
together and neat). Show your best assets (men and women...well, keep you
shirts on, but...if you are a women with great legs don't hide them, but wear
panty hose, no bare legs...if you are a man with a nice "built frame" wear a
shirt that shows that off...tuck in your shirts..etc...)
Most important is that you display confidence and the very best you...no
expensive outfit or hair style can replace confidence. (but they sure can help
you feel more confident...)
And remember, sometimes there simply is no role for you and you can't always
blame yourself for not getting cast.
Alison
David Zack
think this subject has earned a place in our FAQ :)
As always, Alison's advice is right on the mark. And she should know as well
as anyone, being one of the people behind that mysterioius table.
Thank you, Alison!
David
David Lawver
> think this subject has earned a place in our FAQ :)
> As always, Alison's advice is right on the mark.
As was MsLaDiva's... both great posts.
The bible on auditioning is Michael Shurtleff's AUDITION. At 6.75 from
Amazon (or get the more durable trade edition at 10.40) it's on the
absolutely essential list for performers at all levels of experience.
Always worth going back to... there will be a new gem of wisdom.
Alison and MsLaDiva's contributions are right in line with and wonderful
summations of the philosophy in Shurtleff's book, which is also rich
with specifics... right down to clothing.
--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
David Lawver dmla...@facstaff.wisc.edu
"Paranoia can reduce security." --Nick Maclaren
Tim Gowen
<davi...@aol.com> writes
>Alison has been generous enough to post these comments on several occasions. I
>think this subject has earned a place in our FAQ :)
I'll add it - soon.
Tim
--
+ "I didn't get the money and I didn't get the girl. Pretty, isn't it?"
+ The RATM FAQ: http://www.juglans.demon.co.uk/
Traik
>The bible on auditioning is Michael Shurtleff's AUDITION. At 6.75 from
>Amazon (or get the more durable trade edition at 10.40) it's on the
>absolutely essential list for performers at all levels of experience.
Another perhaps useful book is THE AUDITION BOOK by
Ed Hooks. Though it's more focused on non-musical auditioning,
its insights are still valid for anyone going through the stand-up-
and-be-judged-by-total-strangers audtion process. Hooks is an
acting teacher and prolific author, and occasionally posts to the
alt.acting newsgroup as well. I think he has his own website
about his classes, books, students, and projects, etc. somewhere
as well...