Directing: auditions for musical

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auditions for musical

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Directing
Forum Discription: For questions about handling shows, actors, crew, board members, children ...or do we repeat ourselves?
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4039
Printed Date: 11/23/24 at 1:49pm
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Topic: auditions for musical

Posted By: Nanette
Subject: auditions for musical
Date Posted: 5/26/09 at 10:18am

We've held many auditions for plays, and are now planning our very first audition for a musical and I'm seeking some suggestions, please. (We are a children's theatre.)

I want the kids to come with a song from a musical prepared (nothing "modern" as those type songs don't show off their ability/range well enough). I have sheet music and a rehearsal CD that I will make available for them. These are all songs originally sung on stage by children (Kids' Broadway Songbook). I don't want to have them use music from the show (Bunnicula) because a)it's totally unfamiliar music and b)I don't want to hear the same song over and over and over.

Now, these kids don't know musicals (except HSM) so they won't know the majority of the available music, except for perhaps "Tomorrow" from Annie. How can I encourage them to select something OTHER than "Tomorrow"? I've considered making a limited number of copies of sheet music/rehearsal CD's for each song available for check-out. I will have an accompanist available the day of auditions.

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In a world of margarine, be butter!

Replies:

Posted By: belle
Date Posted: 5/26/09 at 1:05pm

I'm thinking of having our musical director teach the whole group of kids to sing part of one of the songs in the show--16 measures. Then, I'm going to bring them to the stage in groups of 4 and have them sing it together. Finally, I will ask them to step out individually and sing the part alone. The MD will test their range and that will be it.

I do give them the option of bringing sheet music if they would rather but I didn't specific the type of song.

What do you think?

Posted By: Verdier
Date Posted: 5/26/09 at 1:54pm

Our group recently held a musical theatre audition workshop. During this workshop, we covered topics such as what to expect at the audition, how to prepare, and choosing an appropriate song. Audition participants were also able to bring with them (or choose from a selection at the workshop) a song they wanted to use for their audition, and they each received individual time (approx 5 min) with the MD and pianist to work on it, get advice & tips, etc.

Posted By: KEB54
Date Posted: 5/29/09 at 6:11pm

Hmmm ... intersting question. We do a summer musical that always has a lot of kids (Oliver, Annie, Joseph ... this year Suesical). We aim at having them come with something prepared. Not all do or can for a variety of reasons. So we always have the option for them to sing Happy Birthday or Row Row Your Boat.

We are looking for musicality certainly, but perhaps more importantly stage presence, talent, comfort on the stage, personality, etc.

When they sing it is with the piano, so we also look for their ability to find pitch and to sing with a piano. We will, to a certain extent, check their range.

I guess my advice is to keep it simple. Make sure the kids have fun and a chance to suceed. Since this is your first musical I say make a long term goal to be "having a prepared song by the kids when they audition". That goal may take several years to reach, but you're developing a culture, and that takes time.

Have a music director that is encouraging and animated and likes all kids. Let the kids start over if they want to or the music director thinks they should. Kids will be very nervous even singing Happy Birthday on stage in front of their peers. Maybe the Music Director does something silly to loosen them up.

Even without the formal audition piece I think you'll be able to make the right casting decissions and make less pressure for everyone involved ... including you.

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KEB

Posted By: POB14
Date Posted: 6/11/09 at 4:07pm

Originally posted by belle

I'm thinking of having our musical director teach the whole group of kids to sing part of one of the songs in the show--16 measures. Then, I'm going to bring them to the stage in groups of 4 and have them sing it together. Finally, I will ask them to step out individually and sing the part alone. The MD will test their range and that will be it.

This is exactly what our local summer theatre does. Seems to work out well for them.

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POB
Old Bugger, Curmudgeon, and Antisocial B**tard

Posted By: Nanette
Date Posted: 6/24/09 at 8:32am

It's terribly interesting, this board, when at one moment people can suggest that you don't set your standards high enough, and in another moment suggest that you set them too high! Funny!

Anyway ... the kids came quite prepared for our musical audition! We had everything from "Little Lamb" to "The Girl I Mean to Be" to "I Whistle a Happy Tune". We only heard "Tomorrow" twice!

Since I've worked with most of these kids on stage for years I know who has the ability to act and is comfortable doing so. I needed to hear them SING ... and sing something challenging and with range as our show music is not easy. Needless to say, our audition was a sweet success!

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In a world of margarine, be butter!