musical auditions...go first, or last?

[Katy Belle]

Need some opinions! DS13 is auditioning for Peter Pan. They are holding auditions on a Wed, Thurs, and Friday. He could go to the last time slot of Wed. evening 8:30-9:30, or Friday for their first time slot, at 4-5...the auditions end at 9:30 on Friday night. We have to sign up now, for one of the hour time slots. What do you think? Does it really matter?

Also, he could audition in a group of all ages, grades 2-10 or in a group of grades 8-10. I think being in the group of 8th-10th graders probably is best. Opinions?

Thanks!

 

[stsomewhere]

My kids prefer to go first. School presentations , auditions, performing, etc.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Need some opinions! DS13 is auditioning for Peter Pan. They are holding auditions on a Wed, Thurs, and Friday. He could go to the last time slot of Wed. evening 8:30-9:30, or Friday for their first time slot, at 4-5...the auditions end at 9:30 on Friday night. We have to sign up now, for one of the hour time slots. What do you think? Does it really matter?

Also, he could audition in a group of all ages, grades 2-10 or in a group of grades 8-10. I think being in the group of 8th-10th graders probably is best. Opinions?

Thanks!

I don't think it matters. If he's good, it will show no matter when he auditions. The directors take good notes to remind themselves of who impressed them most. My DS15 has done a lot of auditions. He recently auditioned for Pippin, and was called to sing first out of a group of 20+ boys. He got the role of Pippin! The key is to do your best and exude confidence no matter when you're called.

 

[SydSim]

Personally, I know that it shouldn't matter to the judges, but I think going first is better physically (and sometimes mentally) for the person auditioning. Waiting until the last time can be exhausting (because you may be thinking about everyone that has gone before you, especially if you're sitting there with everyone waiting) and by 9:30, after a long day, you body and voice may be more tired than earlier in the day.

Of course you will have some people say "well if he's a performer, he should be 100% at any time of the day - even 3am". Well, for a middle schooler, this may not be true.

Break a leg!

 

[richmond282]

As a judge (instrumental), he would be better off going last or at least the last day. I always grade a little lower at the beginning to leave room for any better players that may show up later. If this thing is spread out over 3 days, I would definitely choose the last day. That way when the judges are discussing who to put in which roles, your son's performance is fresh on their minds.

 

[ashley0139]

I would choose the last day, first time slot. The thinking is this - by Friday they will have seen most everyone. He will be able to be fresher in their minds. But by going first in the day the director is still fresh that day and not tired both mentally and physically. After a long day of casting, the people at the end definitely tend to get the shaft with directors not caring/watching/working with people as much.

Edited to add: of course this is not guaranteed. Will it really make that HUGE of a difference? Probably not. If he's good, it won't matter when he goes.

 

[superme80]

When auditioning for a show I always liked going in the middle. It gave me a chance to relax and enjoy performing. Auditions are nerve racking wherever you go.

 

[marcyinPA]

My kids do (did) HS theater. They preferred going in the first wave of auditions. For them, it was more of a "get it over with" type of thing. The longer they waited, the more their nerves kicked in.

 

[Katy Belle]

Thanks everyone! He decided to sign up for the last day, the first time slot. That way he can have one last lesson with his voice coach on Wednesday, and he thought having it after school, rather than waiting until 8:30 sounded better!

The way they are doing it, the kids just come for one hour. They schedule a group each hour, then start again with the next group. They bring the Director in, so she/he has no past experience with any of these kids. I can't imagine listening to over 100 kids and trying to figure it all out! I guess that's why they have call-backs!

We haven't really figured out how the call-back days work...but a friend told him you could be there all day! I guess we will find out...or not!
Thanks for your help!

 

[richmond282]

Thanks everyone! He decided to sign up for the last day, the first time slot. That way he can have one last lesson with his voice coach on Wednesday, and he thought having it after school, rather than waiting until 8:30 sounded better!

The way they are doing it, the kids just come for one hour. They schedule a group each hour, then start again with the next group. They bring the Director in, so she/he has no past experience with any of these kids. I can't imagine listening to over 100 kids and trying to figure it all out! I guess that's why they have call-backs!

We haven't really figured out how the call-back days work...but a friend told him you could be there all day! I guess we will find out...or not!
Thanks for your help!

Sounds perfect! Especially since he'll get 1 more lesson.

 

[Imzadi]

Thanks everyone! He decided to sign up for the last day, the first time slot. That way he can have one last lesson with his voice coach on Wednesday, and he thought having it after school, rather than waiting until 8:30 sounded better!

Good choice. If you go by the Academy Awards, the movie studios like to have their movies premiere as close to voting for the Oscar nominations as possible (around December.) They figure the movie is fresher in people's minds and have more of a lasting emotional impact during voting. Movies that generally come out March - Sept rarely win or are even nominated.

 

[Katy Belle]

Good choice. If you go by the Academy Awards, the movie studios like to have their movies premiere as close to voting for the Oscar nominations as possible (around December.) They figure the movie is fresher in people's minds and have more of a lasting emotional impact during voting. Movies that generally come out March - Sept rarely win or are even nominated.

That is very interesting!

Now hes trying to pick his audition song. Hes super excited!

 

[Handbag Lady]

Good choice. If you go by the Academy Awards, the movie studios like to have their movies premiere as close to voting for the Oscar nominations as possible (around December.) They figure the movie is fresher in people's minds and have more of a lasting emotional impact during voting. Movies that generally come out March - Sept rarely win or are even nominated.

And you can guarantee that any studio that schedules a release in January has no faith in that movie whatsoever.

 

[shortbun]

I don't think it matters when. He just needs to kill it. I always went first to get it over with and it worked for me.