How to Prepare to Audition for a Musical or Play (Children)

Think sports are competitive? Try the theater. Auditioning for a show is a major challenge because not only do you have to sing, dance and act, you also have to look right for the part. And that's true whether you're trying out for a school show or one in the community. With confidence and good preparation, however, you can survive and thrive at the audition. Here's a primer on what to expect and what to do.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Resume
• Headshot
• Sheet Music (Stapled back-to-back)
• List of rehearsal conflicts
• Calendar/date book
• Patience and persistence
• Courage, confidence and a smile

1. 

   Research the theater community. Find out what theaters are in your community and the kinds of shows they perform. Find out when the theaters perform, when they audition and how they publicize auditions. Get on their mailing lists and bookmark their web sites. Read the "to do" listings in your local newspaper.

2. When you hear about auditions that interest you, do some research the show. Find out if it has roles that match your general age, your gender (male/female) and your abilities (it's probably not a good idea to pursue a lead role with hundreds of lines for your first time out.)

3. Determine what you need to prepare to do for the audition. If the theater doesn't specify in its announcement, it is OK to call or send an email to find out. Ask the theater to be specific. "Prepare an upbeat Broadway song, but nothing from High School Musical" is better and more detailed information than just "sing a song."

4. 
   Image: pianoplayersbible.com

   Choose your song. But don't be swayed by what everyone else is doing. The song must highlight the uniqueness of your voice. It should be in the correct range and key. If you don't know if a song fits those definitions, ask someone in your network who is musically inclined for help -- your music teacher, your family, a friend who plays the piano.

5. Practice! If you have a voice teacher, ask him or her to work with you on the song. If you know someone who can play the piano, ask him or her to play your notes into a digital or tape recorder. Then ask him or her to play the full song from beginning to end.

6. Read up on the show. It may be difficult for you to get a copy of the script but you could ask a teacher or a friend if they have one. If not, you can still research the show on the Internet or in your local library. The most popular shows typically have been analyzed or written about by others. Study the characters and ask yourself: What is their purpose in the story, and how do I convey that?

7. 
   Image: www.global-b2b-network.com

   Arrive for the audition on time. Fill out the paper work. And then relax and wait to be called. If you need to warm up, go to a quiet hallway. Don't be afraid to ask questions. And most importantly, don't be in a hurry. You might not completely understand what's happening, but don't worry. More than anything, try to enjoy the experience!

Tips & Warnings

• Dress nicely. No shorts or flip-flops
• Don't panic if you get sent home before others. It doesn't mean anything!
• Don't assume anything if you don't get invited to a callback audition. It doesn't mean you haven't been cast.

Resources

• MusicalTheaterAudition.com
• University of Maryland
• Backstage Magazine