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".