A 101 on Auditioning for the West End

Although the format of West End theatre auditions is likely to be very similar to smaller-scale shows, there are key differences in their scale, pace, and stakes.

Casting director Natalie Gallacher, who has a wealth of experience casting West End productions, says the process is fundamentally the same, but the time period for casting a brand-new West End production will generally be longer – four to six weeks vs. two to four weeks for a regional production.

As actor Allie Dart (who stars in West End hit The Comedy About Spies) explains, that’s because West End productions have “more actors coming in and a bigger budget to be able to call them back for multiple rounds.”

As for the process itself, she says, “if you’ve got audition experience, then the rooms will probably feel very similar.”

If it’s your first time landing a West End audition and your nerves are getting the better of you, try not to panic. Below, we’ll outline exactly what you can expect. 

“Auditioning for a West End show normally involves a first round, when we either hear you sing your own material or we ask you to prep something specific from the show,” Gallacher says. The first round could be a self-tape or a Zoom audition, rather than an in-person casting. 

“It really varies from show to show,” Dart says. When you meet with the audition panel for a straight play – whether it’s over Zoom or in person – you can generally expect “a little bit of introduction, maybe asking about you and what you’ve been up to recently, and then you’ll do the scenes.” 

Actor Luke Jasztal, who plays Sam in Mamma Mia!, says that for a typical in-person West End musical audition you can expect to “arrive at the audition venue, wait to be called, and then enter a room with a panel of at least three people – a casting director, director, and musical director. You’ll be asked what you’re singing, give your music to the pianist, and perform your song.”

Successful candidates from the first round will then be invited to recalls, which will “involve being sent material from the show and working more in depth on that material with the creative team,” Gallacher says. There also may be “a dance or movement round, dependent on the show,” and the number of recall rounds will depend on “how complicated the material is or how much the team feel they need to work with you.”

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1. Build your repertoire.

When it comes to musicals, “having a well-rehearsed repertoire will help you stay consistent, even on off days,” Jasztal says. Pick a couple of age-appropriate songs within your vocal range that you emotionally connect with and rehearse them until they’re audition-ready.

2. Follow the brief.

Above all, read and follow all the audition instructions you are given. “If we ask for a particular style of song, then make sure you follow that brief,” Gallacher says.

3. Know your material.

Dart reassures actors that it isn’t necessary to be completely off-book for the first-round audition, but, she says, “you should feel super familiar with the material.” Gallacher seconds that, adding that “at recalls it’s helpful for you as the actor if you are [off-book] so the team can really work with you on the material.”

4. Treat it like a performance.

Jasztal reminds actors going for their first West End audition that “the panel wants you to succeed, so treat every audition as a performance opportunity.” Gallacher affirms that. “Casting directors are there to support you and want you to do your best work in the room,” she says. “We know auditioning is a nerve-racking experience, but hopefully if you know we’re behind you, that will help those nerves so you can show us what you are capable of.” So hold on to the fact that this is an audience made up purely of people rooting for you, and give it all you’ve got!

• Dart’s audition mindset is to “focus on booking the room, not the job. Casting is often a jigsaw puzzle and some pieces are out of your control, but if you’ve done the work and tried your best, then you will have made a good impression on the panel and they will keep you in mind for future projects.”
• Jasztal shares his five Ps to navigate the industry: “patience, proactivity, positivity, persistence, and preparation.” Let them ground you through all the ups and downs of auditioning! 
  
• Gallacher’s golden nugget of advice is to “never be worried to ask to start again if you stumble over a lyric or line. This is your time in the room, so make sure you feel like you’ve done the best you could do.… [And] remember: It’s not the finished article we’re looking for, but potential!”

Sometimes even getting in the room can feel like the hardest part, especially if you don’t have an agent.

Although agents are likely to have the most access to auditions for West End shows, casting calls are sometimes posted on jobs boards. Gallacher advises actors to “be proactive in seeing what’s auditioning,” whether it’s looking at breakdowns online or keeping an eye out for announcements about new productions or West End transfers and reaching out to the creative team about auditions. On that point, she stresses the importance of having a showreel “on your profile so we can see your work, especially if we’ve never met you.”

Auditioning for a West End show can seem daunting, but at its heart it’s the same as any other show: It’s about actors and creatives coming together to make brilliant work. Preparation, professionalism, and letting your personality shine are the keys to success. Dart’s parting advice to auditionees is to “do the work, be yourself, and then forget about it.”

Whether you’re pursuing your first role in a West End musical or auditioning for straight plays, take every audition as an opportunity to perform, grow, and build your network.