Please Call Back

It’s the call you’ve been waiting for, and you’re summoned to call backs. Here are a few things about call backs you should know.

Usually within a few days to a week later directors announce call backs. In some rare cases, usually very small schools, is the cast decided from initial auditions. Most schools use call backs especially if the director will double cast, performing the show at least two weekends in a row with a different cast each weekend. Also, directors want another look at you.

Call backs are usually posted, or through e mail. You may get a request to return for a call back without mention of a role. That is because again, the director may have you in mind for another role. For instance, once inside, he or she may ask you if you would consider playing the Baroness instead of Maria, or the Mother Superior instead of Liesl.

This is where you have to be honest, guys. My advice is to say “yes”, absolutely! They may then give you another piece of music to sing, or have you recite another piece of dialogue. Unless you are opposed to playing this character and know you couldn’t possibly give it your all, my advice is jump on it. Directors have been doing this for years and they see something in you that maybe you don’t see in yourself and something wonderful you can bring to this character.

Also a character you didn’t see yourself playing can actually open doors to wonderful character exploration and acting skills you didn’t know you had. Characters can be fun, quirky, and silly and many times, it’s just the ultimate trip to play someone so opposite of whom you are.

The part I finally got in Gypsy? The young, kooky chorus girl, Agnes. I had the time of my life with Agnes. Maybe about six lines but the delivery, the choreography and singing, it was magical. I had actually tried out for Baby June. My director saw something more in me. I went on to play lots of kooky, ditsy characters in my high school and community theater career. You get the picture.

When the final cast is posted this is the time you MUST let your director know if you are going to accept or reject your role. You need to let them know as soon as possible because they need to move someone else up if it’s a no.  

One more word.

Also, when the final cast list posts, this is important. Look for your name. Check your assigned part, and say NO MORE. Nothing positive or negative. Walk away. This is not the time or place to vent if you didn’t get the part you want, or to be over celebratory and gloating. Remember, there could be someone else left out.

Also, this is a biggie. No social media. No venting on Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media outlet. If you didn’t get the role you wanted or maybe no role at all, it doesn’t mean the director didn’t like you. Maybe they felt you didn’t quite fit into that particular musical.

When you’re done having a good cry, and throwing a few things (at home, please) and the dust settles, ask to meet with the director or send them an e mail and ask why you were passed over. It may be singing skills need a bit more work, or mediocre delivery of lines.

Most directors are willing to offer constructive criticism. My advice is, take it and run with it, and if you’re serious about next year’s musical, get working on becoming the best high school musical actor you can. Get involved in your high school chorus; take voice lessons or sign up for a dance class. Summer classes in theater arts are plentiful. We’ll touch on some later, but the point is, if you really want this, work at it.

Take a deep breath and say there is always next year. Volunteer for something else musical. Paint sets, sell tickets and hand out programs or work with the backstage crew. You’ll show this director that you really love theater. You’ll get to observe the actors who got parts, and see what sets them apart and why they were chose. You’ll also see the way a play works. The director will also notice that you’re a devoted theater kid. And next year I guarantee you’ll be ready and a part will be waiting for you

Audition Day is Here

You've been practicing for weeks. You know every monologue line, and everyone in your household including the family dog can sing your audition song. That's how many times you've been practicing. You are now ready to show your high school musical director what you've got. 

The day of auditions, which are usually after school or sometimes early on a school night, make sure you’re on time and dress neatly and comfortably. Bring a pair of shoes or sneakers you can move in. often the choreographer is present and will put you through some small dance steps to see how well you move.

Don’t panic if you’re not the world’s best dancer. Again, directors take into account the entire package and dancing and moves learned along the way. Don’t believe me? I judged a high school production of 42^nd Street a few years back and up until musical, none of these kids knew what a pair of character shoes looked like. They tap danced their hearts out and got a production number nomination.

When you arrive at auditions, fill out your paperwork and list all theater or performing experience you’ve had. Even if it’s just piano or voice lessons, dance lessons, recitals or maybe you volunteered for a community theater production. Even if you’re a first timer, you can find things to list for theater experience.

You will also list the part or parts you’re auditioning.Your director may also ask what role or roles interest you. Go for the role you want but be open. What may look like an obvious role to you may look differently to your director. They have been doing this a long time and may see something in you that thoroughly fit another character. Case in point, during my high school production of the Sound of Music a friend wanted the part of Maria. She got the Mother Abbess. Why? She could hit an amazing high C. Think Climb Every Mountain. Always, always be open.

Act your heart out. Many of the dialogue snippets the director chooses are very emotional scenes. Take the scene and run with it. Also, I know this is hard, but look right at your director when you’re reciting. Again, many students memorize the dialogue so they can enhance their acting experience- and impress the director that they can memorize lines.

Try not to be nervous. I know this is easier said than done. If you are active in your high school music department through chorus or band you probably already know your musical director or directors. It’s just Mr. Johnson. It’s just Mrs. Smith. A familiar face. During auditions you will come in, sing, and read for the director, music director and choreographer.

Don’t get flustered when you see them sitting at a table, taking notes. Again they are looking at you for several roles not just the one you are reading for. Lots of writing doesn’t mean they hate you. I learned this during a community theater audition for Gypsy. I was in my mid 20s and looked 16. The director was writing tons of notes on my page. I thought for sure they hated me. When I finally saw my sheet, he wrote, “Wow, she could play any of the teen girls. Great face.” You never know.

I will also tell you that your director is glad to see you. They want you to do well. They want people  involved in their shows each year and love when new people join spring musical because news flash guys, the high school musical career is a short one- four to six years if you begin in 7^th grade. As seniors and last year’s leads graduate there is always the need for new cast mates. So they will be rooting for you. You need to root for yourself.

My best audition advice? Know your director’s drill, the song or songs they want to hear, the dialogue and how they conduct auditions. The more prepared you are, the better. So, do your very best and "show ‘em what you got kid".

Auditions Part II. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

I've worked in the sport of figure skating for over 20 years. One thing that always amazed me about our skaters, is how they can easily skate a program on a National, International or Olympic ice and manage to pull it off...Most of the time. Nerves are still a great factor, but the skaters who have the best success? The ones that know their programs, backwards, forwards and upside down. Many will say they can pretty much see their performance from beginning to end, or can even "walk" through it off ice. So when they hit the ice, the muscle memory kicks in and they can skate a decent program.

The same is true for a high school musical audition. The better prepared you are, the more you know your song, your dialogue, and anything an everything you can about your upcoming musical and soundtrack, the better off you will be...and the better you will be to handle the nerves.

So here we go. Part II on how to prepare for auditions. 

When you sign up for auditions the director may ask you what part of parts you would like to audition. If you are a newbie, here is my first piece of advice. You can mention a particular role if you have one in mind, but also note that you would be open to playing other roles.

I mention this because a lot of high school students limit themselves and think if I don’t get that part I don’t want to be in it. Nothing is further from the truth and if you really want to enjoy and embrace your high school musical experience you will take and embrace any role given to you including ensemble. We will touch on that a little later. But for now, it’s OK to dream big and shoot for a lead or supporting lead.

Practice, Practice, Practice that song leading up to auditions. If you study voice, have your teacher work with you on your number. If you are working through this on your own, you may want to have someone accompany you on the piano, as it gets closer to auditions day. A friend who plays, someone in your music department at school or local college students are often willing to work with you. I mention this because you will probably be singing with piano accompaniment at the audition.

You can also search on line for musical theater piano accompaniments, used for audition purposes. You Tube is a good place to start. Some directors may have you sing a Capella-no accompaniment. Word to the wise, make sure you know the accompaniment the director will use so you will be the best prepared as you possibly can.

For dialogue, you may or may not have to memorize your piece, but again this is worth clarifying too. I know of a couple directors who require memorization (clues them in on to how well you would be able to handle pages of dialogue for the final show). Want to stand out in your audition? Memorize the scene. It shows you really want a role in this musical.

Study the character that you would like to play. Here again is where a movie or watching a stage production comes in handy. No doubt, you’re familiar with the musical, but if you’re not, you’ll want to learn a little more about it and the possible characters that speak to you.

Again, using the Sound of Music as an example, if you’re auditioning for Maria you want to understand her from beginning to end, a shy postulant who had a zest for life at the beginning to a strong woman who put her family first, at the very end. Understanding your character will help you deliver your best auditions ever and shows your director that you are made for this role, and that you can act.

Another acting tip, make sure to have someone listen to your dialogue and make sure you speak clearly and enunciate. No mumbling and please, please no looking down. It’s a nerves thing but it will look awful, and when you are looking down and talking it’s hard to hear you.

Weeks before auditions, start taking care of you. Rest that voice. Do not get overtired or overdue the extracurricular activities. Eat well and go to bed early. You don’t need a cold, flu, or upper respiratory infection to trash your audition. Don’t chance it. The better you feel the better you’ll perform. 

We'll talk about the big audition day in our next blog, Auditions Part III.