Auditioning Help!

[ilovedisneyparks]

Broadway By The Bay is finally doing Annie next July. I have always dreamed of being in an Annie play but not for a speaking part. I want to do the dancing/chorus/ensemble. The auditions are around next March. I read bring a head shot & resume. I deffinately don't have a head shot. Is this your work resume you bring? & Would it help if you put you have dance experience(12 years) & were in the middle school chorus? & Took piano lessons? & When you get to the audition can you say you want to do the dancing/chorus? & What if you don't have the sheet music your supposed to bring? I know what song to sing Tomorrow but my singing is terrible which is something I'll have to work on.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

An acting resume is similar to a work resume--but it includes all experience related to acting.


My acting coach suggested this order:

Acting roles: Lead roles, followed by supporting roles, followed by chorus ensemble in any shows you have had.

Classes/Training
Acting
Singing/Instrument (instrument only if it applies to whatever role you are seeking)
Dancing

****
If they want you to bring an audition piece, it is up to you to find the music. It can sometimes look bad if you are unprepared in that manner.

When you are auditioning, sometimes you fill out an audition form and that is where you indicate the role for which you are casting. It is fine if you wish to cast for chorus/ensemble.


And for what I have been told--you would attach the resume to the back of your head shot. (I use a glue stick and then trim the edges of the resume so that the edges are all flush. Just be careful to use enough glue that the resume stays adhered to the photo, but not too much that it looks like an elementary school craft project.)

I do have a professional headshot, but before I did, I just had someone take about 50 pictures of me (watch backgrounds and colors--you want your face to pop, not blend or have you look sickly--the first ones I did were horrible, but funny the ones my 9yo took of me were sufficient).

Then you put them into some type of editing software to get out your red eye if it occurred and to put your name on your picture--usually lower left or lower right. Then I went to kinko's and had my printed. Headshots are usually 8x10.

HTH and break a leg!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Here's my daughter's resume (though I don't have her trying out for anything, I keep it updated should she want to do anything). Hope this helps. It looks crappy on here, you want your resume formatted os that it is easy to read. My apologies for it not translating well.

(name phone number and e-mail are centered)
Sxxxxx xxxxxx
123-456-7890
your.email@earthlink.net

DOB: birthdate
Age Range: what age you can play if you wish to include it
Hair Color: Blonde
Eye Color: Grey
Height: 4 feet
Weight: 50 pounds


THEATER (this were actually on one line--with play in first column, role in second column and venue in third column--disboards are not cooperating with format)
Bringing The Vision To Life Childrens’ Ensemble Holy Name of Jesus Church
Pirates of the I Don’t Care-ibbean Chorus HIS Kids Musical Theater Ministry
Three Wise Men and a Baby Chorus HIS Kids Musical Theater Ministry
High School Musical Student at Pep Rally Satellite Beach Recreation Center
Scrooge Caroler Satellite Beach Recreation Center
Sleeping Beauty Vine Satellite Beach Recreation Center


TRAINING (formatted with what were you were taking indented)
Teacher name (school name)
Private Coaching (Cold read, Improvisation)

Teacher name
Piano (2 years)

Dance Company
Ballet, Tap, Jazz (4 years/currently taking)
Hip Hop (currently taking)

Gymnastics Gym name
Tumbling skills (Cart Wheels, Somersaults, Bridge, Hand Stand)


SPECIAL SKILLS (list skills that might be cool, make you standout or otherwise be useful for the role in which you are casting--my daughter and I have done auditions together hence the "mini-me" statement)
Soccer
Piano
I am a “mini-me” of my mom
LOVES animals
LOVES roller coasters
Swims like a fish

 

[ilovedisneyparks]

Will I still have a chance to get cast for the dancing/chorus if I have no theater/acting experience? This is all I have for my resume:
-Danced 12 years(1987-1998)& was in all the June recitals
-In 7th grade took chorus
-Played the piano for 5 years
-Played soccer for 5 years
Do I put that since it's all I have(that was all during grade school years ago)? & Can I say:
-I LOVE the play Annie especially the songs
-Andrea McArdle is my favorite singer especially in Annie
I am worried that they won't like my singing. Can they still cast me for the dancing/chorus? & Even though you write on the paper you want dancing/chorus only can you tell them to before you sing your song? Do you most likely get what you asked for? Another big question do you have to do your own hair/makeup during the actuall peformances? Thanks for all the help!!! This would be a big first but I have alot of time to think if I can really do this because I can't really sing/act. But love dancing. I'm also a real shy person so I might chicken out & forget it & just watch the play.

 

[JR6ooo4]

If you are starting out, it is best to ask for "any part". It shows you are a team player and not snooty. It shows you want to be in theater in general. And never back out if offered a role. I mean never for little reasons like "Oh, I jut don't feel like playing that part, in summer..."

and list your conflicts upfront. Like vacations scheduled during rehearsals or show nights.

Gooooood luck!

Mikeeee

 

[lillygator]

first off --- don't worry!! I was always auditioning for dancing roles, hated the singing and acting. While I did audition with all, I made it known that I was fine with a dancing role, or any role for that matter. After a few shows, even with different directors it was pretty known and then I only had to dance for my auditions. (and this was 4 different theatres, one of which many CM's also auditioned and were in)

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Will I still have a chance to get cast for the dancing/chorus if I have no theater/acting experience? This is all I have for my resume:
-Danced 12 years(1987-1998)& was in all the June recitals
-In 7th grade took chorus
-Played the piano for 5 years
-Played soccer for 5 years
Do I put that since it's all I have(that was all during grade school years ago)? & Can I say:
-I LOVE the play Annie especially the songs
-Andrea McArdle is my favorite singer especially in Annie
I am worried that they won't like my singing. Can they still cast me for the dancing/chorus? & Even though you write on the paper you want dancing/chorus only can you tell them to before you sing your song? Do you most likely get what you asked for? Another big question do you have to do your own hair/makeup during the actuall peformances? Thanks for all the help!!! This would be a big first but I have alot of time to think if I can really do this because I can't really sing/act. But love dancing. I'm also a real shy person so I might chicken out & forget it & just watch the play.

List only skills on your resume and training:

So

XYZ Dance Academy

Ballet, Tap, Jazz (12 years)

Don't mention recitals--that is expected.


Focus on your strengths in your audition. Even if only auditioning for chorus/ensemble---you will still sing, dance and do a cold read from the script.

Do your best. Embrace the parts.

If they ask why you want to be in the show, it won't hurt you to share that you love the musical and a particular actress. Just don't sound like a fan who much prefer to meet the actress than to play a part, KWIM?

You need to have confidence in your audition and the more you focus on what "little" you want to do and how much you want to blend in the background, it can have a negative impact on your audition.

Don't focus on your shyness (12 years on stage in a leotard--darling you are anything BUT shy!)

Acting is simply pretend and imaginary play. Get the Disney version of the movie and "play along" to help boost your confidence a little. Not the same as a scripted play, but better than nothing.


I couldn't sing worth crap and was shocked when I got cast in Sweet Charity. (then got bummed when I found out the crappy singing was beneficial to playing one of the girls. I have since been in other musicals--never as a soloist.)

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

I'm guessing you're middle school age? If so, you'll most likely be auditioning for an Orphan. The directors will prob. look most at your singing, followed by acting/dancing. For this play:

Acting- Orphans must be lovable but also rough and tough. Check out some of the different characters, and see if any fit your personality/ or way of acting (Pepper=bully, Tessie=whiner). Make yourself knowledgeble about the characters in case they ask you to read a certain part. Also look at the ages of the characters, and see which ones you could realistically play. I'm guessing you're in middle school?

Singing- Get some lessons, soon! Even just a few, to get some basics down and to have a professional listen and give you tips.

Dancing- Seems like you have experience...that's great! Annie has a lot of character dancing, you should be set!

I just directed Annie Jr. at my school with students 3rd-8th grades, they were fabulous! Feel free to PM me with questions!