Preparing -- Theatre audition

[simba20]

I am thinking about auditioning for a local theatre company's production in a few months. The production will be a musical. I can sing, but I know I am not the best singer out there, no training, so what would you do to prepare? I have thought about asking a lady who is the musical director at our church if she can do it, but I know she's tied up with the Christmas production. My second idea would be to ask her if there is anyone she knows I can work with to prep, and then my third idea is to call up the music stores in the area to see if they do vocal lessons. Oh, another idea would be to ask a music professor at the local college.....hmmm.

I just need some practice singing this along with piano accompiment (sp) to get the timing right, and also to figure out adjustments to make to my voice/what key to sing in and a bit of practice in getting the song to sound decent. Singing along to my iPod/iTunes everyday just won't cut it, as I need another ear to hlep me.

WWYD?

Backstory: I am one of those people who believe in co-winky-dinks.

The other night, USA Network, was showing the updated version of Hairspray. As I was watching, I heard a song in the movie that I had never heard before (apparently I have missed this part of the movie). I thought it was a great song, so I downloaded it from iTunes and in the back of my mind thought "This would be a great audition song."

Well, FF to the next day when I decide to check out the local theatre company's production schedule to see what was upcoming. I also thought "What if they are holding auditions for something..."

I performed in community and high school theatre from middle school until I went to college. When I got to college, I got out of theatre, mostly because I felt that there were so many others who were better than me.

Lately, I have been looking for something to do (hobby). Something more scheduled, than say, taking up knitting......so anyway with the thought of a great audition song and a local theatre company close by the idea can become more of a reality.

So anyway, I am browsing the theatre company's website and click on audtions to see what's coming up, when something catches my eye. They will be performing a production of HAIRSPRAY in Spring! Can you say eerie eerie? Isee the movie, find a great audition song, and then learn there will be a local production?????

So I am strongly thinking of auditioning. Since it has been 15 years since I have performed in theatre, I am not aiming for a lead part, but to get in the chorus would be great.

But, as we all know, Hairspray is a musical. I am by no means a singer. I have done musical theatre performances in the past (Grease, Bye Bye Birdie)....always in the chorus, but since it has been soooo long I just want to make my audition song decent. I don't know anyone who plays piano (hmm maybe I'll post that to my FB friends) so I'm just kinda looking for ideas to practice the song..

 

[scbelleatheart]

I am thinking about auditioning for a local theatre company's production in a few months. The production will be a musical. I can sing, but I know I am not the best singer out there, no training, so what would you do to prepare? I have thought about asking a lady who is the musical director at our church if she can do it, but I know she's tied up with the Christmas production. My second idea would be to ask her if there is anyone she knows I can work with to prep, and then my third idea is to call up the music stores in the area to see if they do vocal lessons. Oh, another idea would be to ask a music professor at the local college.....hmmm.

I just need some practice singing this along with piano accompiment (sp) to get the timing right, and also to figure out adjustments to make to my voice/what key to sing in and a bit of practice in getting the song to sound decent. Singing along to my iPod/iTunes everyday just won't cut it, as I need another ear to hlep me.

WWYD?

Backstory: I am one of those people who believe in co-winky-dinks.

The other night, USA Network, was showing the updated version of Hairspray. As I was watching, I heard a song in the movie that I had never heard before (apparently I have missed this part of the movie). I thought it was a great song, so I downloaded it from iTunes and in the back of my mind thought "This would be a great audition song."

Well, FF to the next day when I decide to check out the local theatre company's production schedule to see what was upcoming. I also thought "What if they are holding auditions for something..."

I performed in community and high school theatre from middle school until I went to college. When I got to college, I got out of theatre, mostly because I felt that there were so many others who were better than me.

Lately, I have been looking for something to do (hobby). Something more scheduled, than say, taking up knitting......so anyway with the thought of a great audition song and a local theatre company close by the idea can become more of a reality.

So anyway, I am browsing the theatre company's website and click on audtions to see what's coming up, when something catches my eye. They will be performing a production of HAIRSPRAY in Spring! Can you say eerie eerie? Isee the movie, find a great audition song, and then learn there will be a local production?????

So I am strongly thinking of auditioning. Since it has been 15 years since I have performed in theatre, I am not aiming for a lead part, but to get in the chorus would be great.

But, as we all know, Hairspray is a musical. I am by no means a singer. I have done musical theatre performances in the past (Grease, Bye Bye Birdie)....always in the chorus, but since it has been soooo long I just want to make my audition song decent. I don't know anyone who plays piano (hmm maybe I'll post that to my FB friends) so I'm just kinda looking for ideas to practice the song..

Well, first off, stop saying you cannot sing! Have fun, try out and audition with something simple that shows you can just hold a note. I admire you for doing this. Actually too much training can be a bad thing. DD took voice for years and the biggest thing going into college was that she was too trained.

 

[simba20]

Well, first off, stop saying you cannot sing! Have fun, try out and audition with something simple that shows you can just hold a note. I admire you for doing this. Actually too much training can be a bad thing. DD took voice for years and the biggest thing going into college was that she was too trained.

Thanks for the confidence mantra.

I don't want to become too trained, but just help learn techniques that can fix my wobbly notes. I sound okay singing along with my iPod, but I do't have the ear to really hear what I am doing above the music. I know my phrasing is a bit different, which I like (adding my own spin) and it doesn't detract from the song. I just don't want to have those moments where I hit a wobble.

It's also one of those things where you see people audition for American Idol with a song that's too ig for them...I don;t want someone to think that after 15 years out of practice, i am trying to take on somethign too big.

The song that I love from Hairspray is "I Can Hear The Bells."

And really, I am in no means humbling myself when I say "I just want to be in the chorus." Chorus parts are so much fun and less pressure, and a great way for me to get back into theatre.

 

[superme80]

Pick out your audition piece now and have someone record it for you. You can practice with that. Also just have fun. You might make mistakes and that is ok. If you have a good attitude and just have fun you are sure to get cast!!! Break a leg!!!!

 

[NHdisneylover]

At least in the areas I have been in involved in community theatre (both auditioning and directing)--using a piece from the show to audition with is usually a bad idea:

First off, you don't stand out because a lot of people do it (so those casting cannot remember you as the person who sang XYZ, you are just one of 20 people--nearly all not very experienced--who sang a piece from the show).

Secondly, unless you are a blow them away fantastic singer, casting then worries that you have that song firmly implanted in your brain with THAT timing and THAT key and THAT spin which may not be what they want to use in their production.

Third, it sends a message that you want the part that sings that song. If they do not want you for that part they may be less willing to cast you elsewhere then. It often happens that people SAY on the form they want ANY part, but then they get a part that they did not sing for and they act resentful throughout rehearsals, make snide comments about whoever got that part, etc. Sad but true.

Soooo, I recommend that you pick a different piece to audition with. Beyond that, I agree with the PPs that attitude is half the battle--go in knowing you CAN do it and having fun (and pick something simple to sing like someone said as well).

 

[tiggger1]

if they are having you prepare a song, dont sing one from the show if they want to here you sing from the show they will ask. if you can let me know your vocal part, I can send you a link to some great easy audition songs

 

[simba20]

At least in the areas I have been in involved in community theatre (both auditioning and directing)--using a piece from the show to audition with is usually a bad idea:

First off, you don't stand out because a lot of people do it (so those casting cannot remember you as the person who sang XYZ, you are just one of 20 people--nearly all not very experienced--who sang a piece from the show).

Secondly, unless you are a blow them away fantastic singer, casting then worries that you have that song firmly implanted in your brain with THAT timing and THAT key and THAT spin which may not be what they want to use in their production.

Third, it sends a message that you want the part that sings that song. If they do not want you for that part they may be less willing to cast you elsewhere then. It often happens that people SAY on the form they want ANY part, but then they get a part that they did not sing for and they act resentful throughout rehearsals, make snide comments about whoever got that part, etc. Sad but true.

Soooo, I recommend that you pick a different piece to audition with. Beyond that, I agree with the PPs that attitude is half the battle--go in knowing you CAN do it and having fun (and pick something simple to sing like someone said as well).

I have thought about all of this, but yesterday I went back to the website and they posted infor about when the auditions will be (it wasn't up there before). The audition instructions specifically ask for you to sing a piece from Hairspray -- which I find weird....oh okay, went back and read a bit....auditions instructions say "Bring a prepared solo to sing from Hairspray or other Broadway-style show...." So, I do want to practice the piece from Hairspray as well as have another to use as backup, then at the audition, whichever piece I am feeling more I will use.

I am not expecting perfection, hitting Miriah type high notes, or doing runs like Christina Agularia, but I do want to fix and learn techniques to keep me from hitting the wobbles.

Take the song "Maybe" from Annie:
"Maybe far away (I wobble hitting away -- it is cringe worthy)
or maybe real nearby
He may be pouring her coffee
She maybe straightening his tie.

Maybe in a house (I wobble here, but it is better controlled on the word house than up above on away).
off hidden by a hill
She maybe playing piano
He's sitting paying a bill."

 

[simba20]

if they are having you prepare a song, dont sing one from the show if they want to here you sing from the show they will ask. if you can let me know your vocal part, I can send you a link to some great easy audition songs

I don't know my vocal part.

Some songs I do practice are "Maybe" from Annie, "Part of Your World" from the Little Mermaid (but I really need to change the range/key of some notes), and then, of course my new love from Hairspray, "I Can Hear The Bells".......oh wait, I have sung along to 'Aunt Cissy's Blues" (I think that's the title) from The Color Purple.

 

[PigletsPal2]

DD#1 always auditioned w/I Don't Know How To Love Him from Jesus Christ Superstar because it wasn't playing anywhere in th West End at the time and all the other women were singing "On My Own" from Les Mis, the big hit at the time. She can also belt out a tune!

 

[superme80]

You can't go wrong with a Rodger's and Hammerstein piece. Many of the "modern" musicals are over done. Think 1970-Present. I like to use a Cole Porter or Irving Berlin piece, because they are rarely done. My standard is "So In Love" from Kiss Me Kate. It is pretty easy but, definitely a soprano song though.

 

[redlight]

I don't have any advice, but good luck to you!