Back to School Means Auditions Aren't Far Behind

Summer days are are slowly fading away and it won't be long before the new school year!

For high school musical students the new school year means MUSICAL!! Some schools announce their upcoming musical even before school begins Others hold auditions in late fall for a spring musical. 

Whatever your schedule, auditions are a major part of the high school musical experience. We'll be touching on the audition process in our next few blogs.

  Go for It….

The musical, announced. Audition dates, set. For months you’ve been singing show tunes with your peeps. You secretly wonder what it would be like walking across that stage with the spotlight on you. Congratulations, the theater bug has bitten you. This is it. This is the year! You’re going to take part in your high school musical.

I can’t tell you it will be easy. I can’t tell you that you won’t have to put a ton of work or hours into the production. I can tell you that you will be in for one of the best, and most fun rides ever. Guaranteed.

If you’re a theater newbie there are a few tips that can make your first high school musical experience a little easier, and a lot less scary. Because after all theater and performing is well...fun. But admittedly, sometimes a little scary.

I’ve learned, talking to students over the years, that the audition process is probably the scariest. But there is a way to get through that too, and make it fun. Yes, I did say fun.

Once the show‘s decided and audition dates set, your director will post a list of songs from the musical that you will be asked to perform at auditions- one for male leads and one for females. They may also provide a handout with a short dialogue from the musical, as well. This is to judge your acting ability.

Get the handouts as soon as possible when you sign up for auditions, and immediately get familiar with the music and the show. Let’s say, for instance, that your show is The Sound of Music. Watch the movie, or better yet, check the numerous high school productions posted on You Tube. Also familiarize yourself with the show’s score.

Listen to the soundtrack. Always make sure it is the stage version not the film. Film versions of musicals tend to be a little different, with different songs. Especially, get comfortable with the audition song or songs.

Occasionally, a director will have you sing a given selection from the show with no advanced warning what the song is. For instance, if your show is Mary Poppins, he may have everyone sing a few bars of Chim Chimney. That’s why it’s important to know the show’s score, so you’ll be familiar with the songs.

We'll be talking more about auditioning for a particular part in our next blog.That role you've always dreamed of can be yours! So check back in for Auditions Part II.