*THE 3 P's

• BE PREPARED
  This is so important, and so basic, but you be shocked by how many people aren’t prepared when they come to an audition.

  Write this down: The number one thing you can do to be less nervous about auditioning, is to be prepared ahead of time!

  If you know your song backwards and forwards, and you’ve practiced the words, and are confident you’ve picked a piece of music that shows off your voice, you have much less reason to be scared.

  So, have your music memorized and ready to be performed. Walk onstage with confidence (even if you are terrified) and sing your song. NEVER, I repeat, NEVER say, "Umm, I really don't know this show/part/song, and I'm not really prepared to sing today." What you are REALLY saying to the Director is, "Well, I don't care enough about you, or the show, or myself to learn this." Believe me, you have lost the staff before you even sing a note! You REALLY have to be amazing to make them listen to you after a statement like that. It's not just first timers who are guilty of this, many veteran performers occasionally come into an audition without proper preparation. If you want to be in a show, do yourself a few favors. Get on the Internet and find out what the show is about. Go to the library and check out the script and score. Go to itunes and download the CD (or buy it from Amazon or Best Buy). Go to Youtube and watch some clips from productions of show. Call the theatre, or go to any workshop they offer, and see if the music or script is available. There is no excuse for not being prepared. This goes for everyone, from the folks auditioning for the King of Siam to those auditioning for the "third spear-carrier from the left." Whatever it is you choose to perform for your audition, whether an aria from an opera or "Happy, Birthday," be prepared!!!

• BE PRESENTABLE
  Your appearence DOES make a difference, so dress appropriately for an audition. You don't have to wear a tux or a prom dress, but do dress in comfortable, atttractive clothes that make you look good, and make it look like you want to be taken seriously. You can even sometimes get away with wearing nice jeans and a t-shirt, but just make sure you look neat! A couple of years ago, several young ladies auditioned for a show that had a song similar to "I Feel Pretty." The majority of young ladies auditioning for this part made no effort to look nice! Many wore baggy sweatshirts, old jeans, beat-up shoes and no make-up. That may be fine at school, but it's not going to get you the role of the ingenue! If you're going for irony, sure, that could get a laugh. But if you really, truly want the part of the Princess or Prince, you should dress accordingly. On the other side of this coin, you certainly don't want to come in costume. If you are right for the part, the staff can see that without the aid of a costume. They are not going to give you the role just because you already own the wardrobe.

• BE PERSONABLE
  Remember, the word "theatre" is only half of "community theatre." The community, or social part, is just as important many times. When a Director casts you in a show, he/she is making you a significant part of their lives for an eight to ten week period. When you are in a musical, your fellow cast and crew members become your "family." And, unlike real life, the Director CAN choose his family. Doesn't it stand to reason that they will choose the people who are the most pleasant (in addition to the most talented) and will be the easiest to work with? Your audition doesn't begin when you start singing. It starts when you enter the room (or when your name is called). You should always be pleasant, friendly, confident (acting comes in handy here!) and eager to be there. Many times a less talented actor is cast simply because they are a joy to be around. And if you are in a dead heat with someone else for a part, the "nice guy" usually wins.

*DO's

• DO pick an audition song that is right for you!
  Pick a song that shows the Director and Music Director what you can do. Pick a song that is in your range, both vocal range and age range (you really don't want to be the 505 year old singing "I am 16 going on 17," do you? Click here to see what I mean: JUDI DENCH SINGING "16 GOING ON 17."). Don't be offended if they cut you off. IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY DON'T LIKE YOU! Believe it or not, you can tell if someone has talent from the moment they open their mouth. If you are cut off before you are finished with your song it can mean they've heard enough, and they know they like you and want you in the show. Don't be heartbroken if they don't let you do the whole thing. If you want them to hear that "great note at the end of the song," maybe you should only do the second half of the number. It's always smart to start with your best material. If you are planning to do a song that isn't in your range, but you "sound great on that last note," maybe you should find a different song, because the Music Director might cut you off before you reach "that last note!"

• DO find out what the staff wants to hear at the auditions...
  Frequently, the staff requests that all auditionees sing a song from the musical you are auditioning for. Just as often, they don't want to hear anything from that show! If this information is not provided to you in the audition notice, you should either contact the theatre, or go to any workshops that are offered and ask the people in charge what they want to hear. Usually, if you want to be in the chorus, you can sing just about anything you want. If you are auditioning for a certain part, however, they may want to hear a specific song.

• DO know what roles you are right for...
  Many times folks aren't very honest with themselves. They may be 25, but they are sure they can play "Annie," simply because their mother told them they'd be wonderful! Granted, in community theatre the rules aren't as strict as they are in the world of professional theatre (after all, we've all seen a few thirtysomethings playing teenagers over the years), but you still need to have a sense of what you'd be right for and what you'd be wrong for. If the audition form says they are looking for someone who can play a ten year old girl, it's best you let the ten year old girls go for that part!

• DO have your music properly prepared for the pianist...
  Vocal selections are great, but they are hard to keep open. You don't want the piano player to lose their place! The best way to handle this is to copy the song and tape the pages together so that the piano player doesn't have to turn pages at all. Make it easy for them, because they can really help make you look good! Also, make sure you talk to the piano player before you sing and tell them (nicely) what tempo you would like, and if you want to do any cuts. If you are bringing taped music, make sure you are ready to go once you hit the stage. Don't waste your audition time trying to find an outlet, or asking the crowd if anyone has any extra batteries! Also, make sure your tape is cued up to the right spot!

*DON'Ts

• DO NOT make the Director uncomfortable.
  At each audition, there are usually one or two people who feel moved to leap from the stage and stand directly in front of the Director and sing their lungs out. I guess they think they will "stand out" and be noticed. Well, they're right, they will be noticed, but not in the way they hoped. It's a very confrontational move and makes the show staff very uncomfortable. Only the most polished performers can pull this off, and only when the part calls for it. If you are auditioning for "Turn Back, Oh Man" in GODSPELL this MIGHT be acceptable, but most musicals do not require audience participation and the auditions certainly don't!! And, if making the staff uneasy isn't reason enough to avoid this practice, remember, they need to SEE what you look like on stage. If you are in their face, they only know what you look like from the neck up! Another good tip along these lines is don't stare at the Director (or Music Director, for that matter) as you sing. This only makes them uncomfortable. Eye contact every now and then is great, but don't look at them for the entire song. Try not to make the Director feel awkward of uncomfortable. After all, they're the person who will cast you, so don't make them feel ill at ease!!

  DO NOT make excuses!
  Don't come into an audition situation and immediately start telling the staff all the horrible things that prevented you from being prepared or at your best today. It is very self-defeating. For example, if you have a cold, don't apologize to the front table. If you're sick, they can tell that, and they won't hold it against you! They will be more sympathetic to you if you aren't complaining to them about how sick you are, and how you always sound so much better at home in the shower, etc, etc... They will take note of the brave individual who did their best under bad circumstances, not the person who had 15 excuses why he/she wasn't prepared. Also, you don't have to say your sorry each time you hit a wrong note, or stutter on a line. This is an audition. It's not expected to be perfect and the Director understands this. The staff is on your side! They understand what a nerve racking experience auditioning can be, because most of them have been through it themselves! The only time you have to say your sorry is if you kick the Choreographer in the shin during your dance audition, or if you knock over a tray of soft drinks on the production staff! Again, this goes back to confidence. You should try to present yourself as a very confident, personable individual that the staff would love to include in their show. As I said earlier, this is "community" theatre. There is a big social side to all of this. The Director wants to cast positive, pleasant people as much as they want to cast talented people.

• DO NOT present a choreographed routine...
  Dance skills are evaluated at the dance audition, so that's where you should "strut your stuff" if you are a skilled dancer. At the vocal audition you just need to prove you can appear comfortable and at ease with your body while on stage. Gesture when appropriate, but don't go crazy with it.

• Remember the old saying: "You only have one chance to make a first impression." From the moment you step up onto that stage you are being judged. Do everything in your power to make a good impression. Be friendly, confident, in control, courteous, presentable and happy to be there. If you come across as a positive person who is fun to be around you will be surprised at how strong the reaction to you will be. The Director truly wants to like you. He/She is on your side! They want everyone to do well so there will be many talented people to choose from for their show. But the most important thing of all to remember is......We all do this for fun! It's not brain surgery and it's not life or death. Have a good time (if it's possible to enjoy an audition) and learn from each experience. Bottom line, be prepared and you will do well! Even if you don't get the part this time, you will have done your best and made a good impression that might be beneficial to you in the future.