1. Acting Auditions and Scenes in Musicals
Acting the Scene
Acting Auditions and Scenes in Musicals

2. Facts Auditions usually last an average of 1 minute
Everyone listening to your audition WANTS to like you
Everyone is there for 1 reason: to cast a musical with a creative and talented cast successfully
Whether you get a part or not, only you know if you did your best
Always remember - getting a part (or not getting a part) is not a comment on whether you are talented or not. Many times an actor that is ‘right’ for one show is not ‘right’ for another.

3. Problem
How do you slow down 55 seconds to appear talented, easy-going, articulate, and perfect for the role?
Auditors may ask anything of you, but you are not allowed the same privilege
Solution
It is hard to appear talented if you have not worked on your audition
If you appear confident you will appear more talented
If you seem like you can “go with the flow” a director will be a lot more apt to cast you

4. Confidence Well groomed
Appropriately dressed for your audition (dance, singing, acting might not be the same outfit)
Speak or sing to someone as if they are intelligent and perceptive
Know what you are doing
Music should be prepared correctly for the accompanist
Song (or monologue) deeply committed to memory

5. Monologues are Essential
Once a director has meet you on paper they want to see your personality
Keep in mind that using a monologue for the purposes of auditions is artificial
They should never be longer than 2 minutes - and sometimes they are as short as 1 minute (or 2 one minute contrasting)
A monologue on a page is always longer when performed

6. Monologues continued Have a variety ready to perform
Once you’ve found a play/song/book or film of a writer you enjoy find out what else they have written.
What if they don’t write in monologue format? Figure out the style of the playwright (fast paced and clipped, graceful and expressive, ect)

7. Type and your monologue
What type of role can you play?
If the casting call doesn’t limit who is auditioning don’t limit yourself
TV is usually much less likely to cast against ‘type’ than theatre or film
If you can read the script in advance let that lead what monologue you prepare.

8. Monologue Books
A good starting point but for many (lazy) actors this is also their ending point
Look in these books for ideas but don’t think you are ‘done’ once you’ve found it.
This should be a lengthy process - as long as it takes to find your song.

9. Types of Acting Auditions
Cold Readings - Given a scene or monologue from the actual show to briefly prepare and then perform. It may be an open or closed audition room.
Monologues - Generally in MT you are not asked to have a prepared monologue, but it never hurts to be ready to do one… especially when it comes down to you and one other person.
Callbacks - A combination of the above - you will be put into scenes or songs with others being considered.

10. Audition Procedure
Ushered into studio, theater, sound stage, etc. at the exact time of the audition.
Give auditors resume and picture
Stand/announce
Your name
Title of selection
Name of character from selection
Do not “set up” scene - most directors will be familiar with your material
When finished allow 5 second pause and give a courteous “thank you”
Don’t apologize for anything

11. Remember
Wear appropriate clothing (singing, dance, and acting are different)
Be kind, courteous, and positive to EVERYONE you encounter AT ALL TIMES-- you never know what the director will be told after the fact
Fight your nerves - auditors WANT you to be good and if you’ve prepared you should deliver
Take water (only) with you
Don’t be surprised if the auditors stop you in the middle or before you finish your song, dance, or acting piece… it simply means they have heard what they needed to hear
Treat every audition as the opportunity to share your talent and learn more about yourself as a performer and your skills - not as a statement of your ultimate talent. A variety of factors go into whether an actor is cast in a role (or not).

12. Monologue Advice
Like the song – make sure it takes the character on a journey and has something at stake. \
Read, REad, REAd, READ
Like songs watch things that are so popular everyone is doing it.
You can find monologues from other sources, but be careful here.

13. Monologue Guidelines Keep it in the present – stay out of the past.
Leave Dreams for sleeping
Avoid Rambling Monologues
If it’s not working drop it
Don’t write your own monologue
Keep it active
Match the monologue to the job

14. When performing Establish the environment – limited movement is good
Who are you speaking to?
Don’t look down – but also don’t look at the auditors (same as singing)
If you happen to forget your lines – keep going (ad-lib)

15. Acting Audition Essentials
Know the title of the play and who wrote it.
Know who your ‘imaginary other’ is and ‘see’ them when performing.
Find your staging area when entering the room.
As you finish let your last ‘note’ play out.
Say “Thank you”
Be prepared with at least 2 other monologues.

16. Scenes in Musicals Need to lead up to songs
Are usually compact and short in length
Will often only be 2 person scenes (with exception obviously)
Gives information that is necessary for the plot to progress
Was not ‘cut’ for a reason

17. Acting in a Musical Scene
Requires the actor to make bold choices
Requires excellent scene partner connections
Requires an actor to have strong subtext
Requires an actor to learn lines word for word.