Auditions can be intimidating! They can be unpredictable and involve a lot of mental groundwork, and that’s before you’ve even considered preparing the material you’re going to do in the room. For musical theatre, you’ll likely have to impress the panel with your singing, dancing, and acting, which means there are lots of things to think about all at once.
It can seem like a bit of a minefield, but it’s useful to note that most casting teams are looking for the same things: professionalism, potential, and preparation. Whether you’re fresh out of drama school doing your first casting or you’re gearing up for your 10th big audition this month, here are some tips to help you get ready.
1. Prepare in advance.
It may sound obvious, but preparation is key when you’re getting ready for a musical theatre audition. So start early. “Practice, practice, practice. In front of friends, family, a mirror, a camera – however you like,” says performing arts school Italia Conti. “This will help you build confidence [and get you] ready for audition day.”
In the lead-up to the audition, set aside a little bit of time every day to rehearse. Sing your songs enough times that you know them inside out and really think about the words you’re saying. “Preparations might include knowing what’s expected, what an audition panel is looking for, choosing and learning songs, developing performance confidence, and being aware of the practicalities on the day,” writes singing teacher David Barton.
“Being prepared allows the material to seep into your subconscious and muscle memory,” says Christina Licatalosi, who is a musical theatre performer and a musical theatre teacher at drama schools. “That way, even if nerves are present, it is a part of our body.”
The dance element is trickier to prepare for, since it’s likely you won’t be sent a dance routine to learn in advance. You may well be led through some choreography on the day, though, so plan an outfit you can move comfortably in and remember to stretch to warm up your body.
2. Build a repertoire.
This one can be done without even having an audition lined up! Having a solid repertoire of musical theatre songs under your belt is incredibly useful for performers in this field. You’ll want to have a song that fits a variety of roles and shows, while also showing you at your very best. “The songs in your book should reflect your personality and goals as a performer so you can market yourself to directors, casting agents, [and] coaches,” says musical theatre performer Jules Donohue.
You want your repertoire to cover all kinds of songs that typically appear in musicals. A few songs you should have in your repertoire include:
- A contemporary ballad
- A classic ballad
- An up-tempo song
- A golden-age option
- A Broadway belt
- A Sondheim song
- A character song
- A few options outside of the musical theatre genre
Having material ready makes last-minute auditions significantly less stressful. “It is also important that you select material that suits the show you’re auditioning for,” Licatalosi says.
3. Get to know the material.
Licatalosi advises getting off-book if at all possible. But a musical theatre audition is about much more than memorising the material. “You need to get to know the character. If it is a monologue, break down the acting beats.… And the same goes for music and singing,” she says. “You need to see within the material provided.” In short: Try your best to get to know any material they send you in advance.
“Listen to the show, preferably several times,” says the Theatre Thoughts blog. Basically, you want to do everything you can to familiarise yourself with what you’re going to be performing.
4. Don’t forget to warm up.
To give yourself the best shot possible in the room, you’ll want to do a good warm-up. “As any performer knows, your voice is your instrument. And, like any instrument, it needs careful preparation,” says Italia Conti.
“You’ll want to do a full vocal and physical warm-up and really try to get grounded. I like to do yoga in the morning before an audition,” Licatalosi says. There are lots of warm-ups you can do; Italia Conti advises connecting with your breath, doing activating exercises such as humming or lip trills, and gentle scales to focus on pitch and range.
“A hot shower is great, as well, as the steam will help to open your sinuses,” Licatalosi says. “Some people use a steamer or a nebuliser for the same purpose.”
5. Drink plenty of water.
Hydration is important for your voice, so make sure you’re drinking enough in the lead-up to the big day. “Water gets a big tick,” Laura Ratcliffe writes for the Singers Club. “Aim for room temperature – not too cold and not too hot – so it is kind to your voice.”
“It is important to drink enough water for a few days before, because it takes some time for water to actually reach the vocal folds,” Licatalosi says. “I also like to drink hot honey and lemon because it is comforting.”
6. Leave extra time on the day.
The worst thing you could do on the day of an audition is arrive feeling stressed. You’ll want to be at the venue with enough time to breathe and mentally prepare. “The morning of an audition, I always wake up with enough time to spare,” Licatalosi says. “I’ll have a nutritious breakfast, making sure it is well-rounded with carbs, protein, fats, and all that.… I also like to listen to music, so I’ll have a playlist.” You could curate a playlist that helps you relax or one that helps you access your character.
7. Avoid overanalysing the audition afterward.
This is maybe the hardest advice to follow. Once it’s all over, try to forget about it, since you won’t be able to change anything. Casting decisions depend on countless factors outside of your control: height pairings, chemistry, vocal blend, age range, scheduling, and even who resembles an existing cast member. Not getting cast does not mean you gave a bad audition.
One of the best things you can do for your mental health as a performer is to learn to separate your self-worth from actually booking the job. Try your best to move on and set your sights on the next opportunity.