#audition rep

[i-remember-there-was-mist]

Sending ya q's so you don't have a lonely inbox :) is it okay to sing songs from musicals NOT yet on the stage? Ie movie or tv original musicals, such as SMASH, Anastasia, etc.

I think it’s probably better to pick stuff from musical theatre rep, but it’s certainly not unacceptable to pick things that are not on stage!  Again, it’s all about what showcases you.  If you feel that something that’s not on stage is truly the best thing out of all music to represent you (or at least, at this point in time), then go for it!

[i-remember-there-was-mist]

Hello! I took an audition techniques class last semester at my school, and they specifically said not to use a monologue from a show that is on your resume as your audition piece. I was curious what your thoughts on this are? Also, is it okay to use a song from a show on your resume? What if you're not singing/reading the same character you played? Thank you!

There’s a lot of varying thoughts on this subject.  My professors actually said that you should always have the big monologues and songs prepared from each show you’ve done.  So, I’ve played Belle, so I should have A Change in Me and Home prepared.  I’ve played Judy, so I should have Get Out and Stay Out prepared.  (Which somebody has actually asked for in auditions, and I sadly had to say that I didn’t have the sheet music for!)  I think it’s fine to do a monologue or song from a show you’ve been in, though I would have a backup prepared just in case they want to see something else.  (But that’s case with any piece, honestly.)  

[i-remember-there-was-mist]

So if the character who sings a song is a different nationality, you should not sing that song?

That’s a pretty broad statement.  For instance, Ulla in The Producers is Swedish.  Non-Swedish people are completely welcome to sing her songs, though.  There’s no really specific rule about race and rep, but generally if the character’s race really impacts the story and changing that race would take away from the story, you shouldn’t be singing their songs unless you fit that race...If that makes sense.  So The Color Purple--race obviously has a huge part to play in that show, so I as a white actor, should not be singing those songs.  Use your best judgment, is my best advice!

[i-remember-there-was-mist]

Cats is a terrible show to audition with, right? I find the songs so boring.

If you find the songs boring, then yes, it wouldn’t be a good audition song for you.  You want something that you feel you can really sell, that you can tell a good story with, that you are excited about.  So if you don’t like the song, it woudn’t make a good audition song!

[i-remember-there-was-mist]

Why is it frowned upon to sing a song from the show one is auditioning for? I've always heard that, but seldom followed it. I've never gotten the part of the song I sang, but I still got a good role. I just don't understand the reason behind it...

A lot of directors don’t like when you’re telling them what you should be cast as.  So if you’re going into a Beauty and the Beast audition and you’re singing Change in Me, some directors may say that says, “I should be Belle, let me show you.”  And that turns them off!  Some also don’t want to hear the same song 500 times during the day, you know? Some directors don’t feel that way, and will specify that singing from the show is perfectly acceptable!

[i-remember-there-was-mist]

how's a contemporary song? (for the audition book) and a classic one? btw, comedic means it simply has to have comedic, funny lyrics? thanks!

Contemporary would be style, not necessarily when it was released.  For instance, Gentleman’s Guide is technically a contemporary show since it just came out, but it’s by no means a contemporary style.  Contemporary style is Next to Normal, Bare, The Last Five Years, Kerrigan and Lowdermilk, etc.  Classic is along the lines of golden age musicals--Rogers and Hammerstein, Carousel, The King and I, Kismet, etc.  

Yep, comedic is just funny in some way!  

[i-remember-there-was-mist]

the pop/rock song of our audition books should be from a pop/rock musical or not froma musical?

Could be either!  Keep in mind that some songs from pop/rock musicals aren’t really pop/rock, though--that is, most of the musical will fit the bill, but one or two will be out of character.  (Think Happy Days Are Here Again in the context of Beautiful--it’s definitely a classic musical piece, not a pop/rock song like the rest of the musical!)

[i-remember-there-was-mist]

When you say have a "Jazz" song in your book, do you mean like a Cole Porter standard type song?

That would work, or any other jazz standards. It doesn’t necessarily have to be from a musical, is what I’m getting at!