Auditioning for a musical theatre production can seem daunting, but with the right preparation and knowledge, it can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
The first step is to find out what type of audition is being held. Generally, auditions are either open calls or by invitation.
Open calls are usually the first round of auditions that allows anyone to come in and show off their talents. The invitation auditions may come afterwards and typically require you to have past experience in the field or a referral from someone who works in the company.
Once you know what type of audition you’re headed into, it’s important to prepare for it thoroughly. This includes researching the show and its music, characters, story line etc., so that you can understand what role you’re auditioning for. You should also practice your singing, dancing and acting skills before the audition – memorising your lines if needed – and be able to perform them confidently on stage.
On The Day
On the day of your audition it’s important to arrive early with all your materials prepared such as headshots, resumes etc., as well as extra copies for casting directors if they need them. You should also dress appropriately: while there isn’t usually a standard dress code for musical theatre auditions, wearing something smart but comfortable will make you look professional and put together.
During the audition itself you may be asked to sing a song from the show or one that’s similar in style; dance; read lines; improvise; or make up a character on the spot. All this is done so that casting directors can get an idea of how well suited you are for the part and how well you could fit into their production team. It’s important to stay relaxed throughout the process and give it your all – no matter how nerve-wracking it may be!
After The Audition
Once your audition is complete, most casting directors will thank you for coming in and tell you when they will make their decision about who they want to cast in each role – this could range from a few days up to several months depending on when rehearsals begin. If they haven’t contacted you after this period of time then unfortunately, it means they have gone with another candidate instead. However, don’t let this put you off – use every opportunity as an opportunity to learn more about yourself as an actor/singer/dancer/musician etc., which will help improve your chances next time around!
Conclusion
Overall, what happens in a musical theatre audition depends on which type of audition it is (open call or invitation) as well as what role(s) one is trying out for. It’s important to prepare thoroughly beforehand by researching the show and practicing any necessary skills such as singing or dancing so that one can go into their audition feeling confident and ready to give it their best shot!