How to Nail Your Audition Song

Any actor auditioning for a role in a musical has to pass a vocal audition. Even if you're not auditioning for a main role, the directors still need to hear you sing so they'll know if you're a good fit for the chorus.

Directors commonly ask to hear 16 bars--roughly 30 seconds of music. In those 30 seconds, you've got to convince the directors that you're the best choice for the part you want. It's not easy, but there are things you can do to set yourself apart from the competition.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sheet music for your audition song

Choose an Audition Song

1. Sit down with a book of vocal selections. Your best bet is an anthology with hundreds of songs from different shows.

2. Think about the character you'd like to audition for. What kind of character is it? Is she the soprano-ingénue type or the brassy, comic side character? Is he a brooding character who requires a strong baritone, or a young romantic who stretches into the high tenor range? The audition song you choose should reflect the personality and vocal type of the character you're auditioning for.

3. Find out who composed the show you're auditioning for, and try to find songs from other shows by the same composer. Usually they're very similar, and this will show the casting directors that you've done your research and you can handle the type of music in their show. For example, an actor auditioning for Gaston in "Beauty and the Beast" might want to consider singing "Dentist" from "Little Shop of Horrors." Both characters are comic villains from two shows written by the same composer/lyricist team.

4. Once you've selected your audition song, figure out where the "meat" of your song is. When you've only got 16 bars to strut your stuff, you don't want to just start at the beginning. By the time the song gets interesting, you'll get cut off. Find 16 measures that make sense out of the context of the song and highlight your vocal ability.

At the Audition

5. Warm up as much as possible before your audition. Sing in the car on the way to the theater if necessary.

6. Stay hydrated as much as possible. Stress and nerves tend to cause dry mouth, which can hinder your vocal ability. Drink water all day before your audition, and bring a water bottle with you to the theater. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

7. When it's your turn to audition, hand your music to the accompanist and indicate which measures you'll be singing. In a loud, clear voice, introduce yourself to the casting directors and tell them what song you've chosen.

8. Have fun while auditioning! Move around, smile (if appropriate) and don't forget to act. Show lots of personality.

9. Be sure to thank both the casting directors and the accompanist when your audition is over.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to arrive at least 15 minutes early to allow yourself time to relax and focus on your audition.
• If nerves are a problem, try taking a few deep breaths. Visualization also works. Imagine everything going perfectly with your audition. Then make it happen.
• Always be professional. Casting directors pay close attention to how actors behave at auditions. Don't talk while other actors are auditioning, and be pleasant and courteous to everyone.