BS: audition tips please!

Subject: BS: audition tips please!
From: *Laura*
Date: 14 Jan 05 - 04:07 PM

I've got my auditions for Les Miserables (school edition) coming up soon - I have done a fair few auditions before - but none for a part as big as this (I'm going for Fantine) and none for a part I want SO MUCH!
I have been having singing lessons which has improved my confidence a lot -
but if anyone has any other tips or things which have helped them in the past then I'd be very grateful!

xLx

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: Once Famous
Date: 14 Jan 05 - 04:25 PM

Don't be afraid to express how much you want the part, but at the same time, you have to show and exude an air of confidence that will make them say and think that you are a natural to be Fantine.

Good luck.

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: M.Ted
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 12:17 AM

Have your character developed before you audition--do your audition piece as your character would do it, even if it isn't a piece from the show--Stand as Fantine would stand when you sing your song--wear an item of clothing that helps you to look and feel like the character(don't go in costume--but think, if Fantine lived here, today, what would she be wearing?) before you start your song, pause for a second to get in touch with Fantine--

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: Dave Swan
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 12:42 PM

There's a book called AUDITION, by Michael Shurtleff, which has helped many, many people prepare. It's often used as a text in beginning acting classes. Pick up a copy, it's a good investment.

D

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: Peter T.
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 08:59 PM

There is an equally famous book, by David Craig, called On Singing Onstage, which is indispensible. Tips from his book (and my personal experience as a director and participant in musicals):

(1) You have to think through the meaning of the song lyrics very carefully beforehand, so that you are able to link the emotion(s) to the words and the music -- most singers underperform (this does not mean ham acting, it means making every moment count). What is the arc of the song, when is the most dramatic moment, the peak; etc. You might want to think about what movements to make, and when -- absolutely minimal, but there are basic things like shifting your gaze from left to right from time to time, and so on. Always start by singing straight ahead.

(2) Make sure you know what is your best key to sing in, talk to the pianist beforehand if at all possible to be clear about your entrance.   If the accompaniest is any good (you should learn this if possible), then his or her job is to follow you -- you have to assert control over the tempo from the first bar of your entrance.

(3) If you make a mistake, don't stop unless it is catastrophic -- directors are very interested in how flustered people get.

Lastly, remember that the best actors are not always the best at auditions.   

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: Peter T.
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 09:05 PM

A couple more classics:

(4) Be clear who you are singing to in the song, who is it being sung to? Where is the character in the development of the play? A good song in a musical usually moves the character to a different spot by the end of the song -- what have you revealed in the course of the song?

(5) Unless the song ends quietly, be sure you do a big finish -- don't skimp on the end. I can remember endless auditions where singers had all kinds of energy at the beginning, but by the time they had reached the end, it was nothing. Orchestrate your song, pace it!!

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: jimmyt
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 10:03 PM

All good advice here so far! Having been in about 30 musical productions in the last 15 years,as well as directing a few, keep in mind the director would rather pull you back than try to coax a character out of you. Passive, mousy meek singers even if they are in tune and sing the audition well always make the director wonder if he can get more out of you as a performer. Better to air it out and the director will have confidence that he or she can get less if needed. break a leg! jimmyt

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jan 05 - 10:39 PM

casting couch ?????????

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: M.Ted
Date: 16 Jan 05 - 12:40 PM

GUEST-I can tell by your comment that you've never worked in musical theater--

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: Gurney
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 04:06 AM

Try to be the last one auditioning that day. Display patience.

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: s&r
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 04:23 AM

Warm up before you sing

Stu

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: Crystal
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 08:14 AM

Practice, practice, practice!!!

Be confident even if you don't feel it. smile and above all have fun!
remember it isn't the end of the world if you don't get the part you want, but the director is obviously a blind fool if he fails to notice your phenomenal talent.

break a fingernail (it hurts less than breaking a leg!)
Crystal

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: *Laura*
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 07:03 PM

:-)
Thanks guys!

xLx

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: Cluin
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 07:08 PM

You probably know this but... warm up your voice just before hand, includes a couple of loud whoops. Maybe even pop a throat lozenge or two. I like Fisherman's Friends myself.

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: Cluin
Date: 17 Jan 05 - 07:10 PM

Yeah, I know, but it was worth saying again.

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: *Laura*
Date: 30 Jan 05 - 01:07 PM

a week today............ :-s

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: Peter T.
Date: 30 Jan 05 - 01:08 PM

Good luck. What did you decide to sing after all?

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: *Laura*
Date: 30 Jan 05 - 03:51 PM

they're giving us the pieces - we all have to do the first bit of 'do you hear the people sing' then the girls have to do 'I dreamed a dream' - gives me an advantage cos it's a Fantine song! luckily.

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: GUEST,janey
Date: 06 Feb 05 - 04:23 PM

please let us know how you do...
fingers crossed for ya.
i just came on the mudcat cos i was thinking of you and wondering how you had got on.
xxx

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: *Laura*
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 02:07 PM

awww thanks!
Well I don't find out till tomorrow - but I was really really pleased with my audition so even if I don't get a part or the part I want, I'm still happy with what I did.
:-)
I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow though!

Thanks!
xLx

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: *Laura*
Date: 08 Feb 05 - 05:49 PM

did the best audition i've ever done in my whole life - wasn't enough.

:-(

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: jimmyt
Date: 08 Feb 05 - 09:45 PM

It was enough if you said it was the best audition ever. You didn't get the part, that is sad, but you did your best. Every audition I go in to I say to myself, "I will do my very best." One of three things will happen: 1) Either the director will cast me,2) he will not because he has someone truly better or has a different vision of the character, or 3), he has made a mistake by not casting me. All YOU can do is control how you do and go on!   Good job, kiddo.   You will be better from this. Just takes a while to realize it.   Hang in there! jimmyt

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: *Laura*
Date: 09 Feb 05 - 03:53 PM

Ta - :-)
I'm happier now - I've talked to my singing teacher (who, helpfully enough is also assistant director! hehe) and she said she was pleased with my audition too. There was lots of competition (as there always is with girls) A lot of very good people didn't get parts, and I'm still happy with what I did and don't think I could have done anything better - so I've cheered up now.
It's still an amazing show!
Thanks :-)
xLx

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: GUEST,janey
Date: 09 Feb 05 - 04:34 PM

aww that's a shame,
jimmyt is right isn't he? but it still hurts i can imagine.
thing is these things all happen for a reason and you don't know what's around the corner or what other opportunities will open up. also in the long term it's not a bad thing to be disappointed with something and to learn from the experience.
blah blah blah...will you still be involved in the show?
i'm glad you had a good audition anyway, at least you won't be lying there thinking if only i did a bit more...

cheers, jane

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: *Laura*
Date: 09 Feb 05 - 05:30 PM

Yeh I'm still in the show - still get to be in Lovely Ladies (if you know it! hehe)
Thanks for your support guys :-)
xLx

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: jimmyt
Date: 09 Feb 05 - 06:25 PM

Lovely Ladies is a Terrific scene!! good deal!!! Wish I could see it!

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: Jeanie
Date: 10 Feb 05 - 08:35 AM

Ah, sorry to hear it wasn't your turn for the big one this time, Laura - but hang on in there and it will be. You're definitely looking at things in the right way !

Have fun with the Lovely Ladies !

All good wishes,
- jeanie (been on both sides of the audition table - the auditioning "game" is always the same and never easy.)

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: GUEST,Bill the Collie
Date: 10 Feb 05 - 08:53 AM

Enjoy being a Lovely Lady. Every one I've ever seen over-acts like mad.

But keep on practising Dreamed A Dream around the place. You never know!

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: *Laura*
Date: 26 May 05 - 08:36 AM

It's that time again!
Hehe - I've got two coming up. Amazingly another oppertunity to audition for Fantine (second chance!!) and also for Fame in a few weeks.
So - if anyone's learned anything new that could help me.......... :0)

xLx

p.s. I've done the other side of the table too now Jeanie - so fun! hehe.

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: LadyJean
Date: 27 May 05 - 12:19 AM

I don't know if this will help, but before I took my driving test, I decided to treat myself to a really nice lunch, a nice big liverwurst sandwich. Not the best idea when one has a nervous stomach. But when I took the test I wasn't worried about my driving. I passed with flying colors, and did not lose my liverwurst on the examiner.
You might ask your singing teacher how she sees Fantine, and get her views on FAME.

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: GUEST,flamenco ted
Date: 27 May 05 - 04:57 AM

Wear some clothes.

Subject: RE: BS: audition tips please!
From: GUEST
Date: 28 May 05 - 01:23 AM

A 50 slipped descretely under the cocktail glass coaster will always get a glance.....a room number and time is a sure bet.