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By: Yasaman NouriPREPARING A MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITIONFIND AN AUDITIONSo lets say youre auditioning for the show Cinderella and you would like to audition for the role of Cinderella.How do you do it?!

MATERIALS YOU WILL NEEDAn audition binder (containing sheet music for vocals & piano and monologues)A monologue bookA song bookAudition clothingInternet connectionWater & honeyResume & HeadshotCHOOSE YOUR SONGFirst, you must find out what musical you are auditioning for (this step is crucial).

Next, you must research the names of the composers. For example, lets use the show Cinderella. The composers are Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein's. They are commonly referred to as the babes of musical theatre composition.

Use your internet connection to look up a list of musicals written by these composers.FUN FACTJulie Andrews and Lea Salonga have both played the role of Cinderella in Rodger and Hammersteins Cinderella.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hmCnOPYxVQCHOOSE YOUR SONGList of MusicalsAllegroCarouselCinderellaFlower Drum SongThe King and IMe and JulietOklahoma!Pipe DreamThe Sound of MusicSouth PacificState Fair

Research music fromseveral of the musicals andfind one that is appropriatefor your voice type. Aninvestment in song bookssuch as Musical TheatreFor Classical SingersSoprano would come inhandy.CHOOSE YOUR SONGCheck your audition book and see if any of the songs you looked up are in there. If you do not have an audition book, you should start one. An audition book is a book that has sheet music for vocals and piano that you have previously practiced or have prepared with a vocal teacher. Audition books are essential for last minute auditions because you can choose and practice a song that you have already prepared beforehand. Every serious actor should have an audition book.

Choosing a song written by composers that also composed the musical that you are auditioning for shows the judges that you can sing in the same style of music. NEVERS OF SONG CHOOSINGNEVER sing a song from the musical that you are auditioning for unless specified by the director. If they say you may if you choose to, then dont. DO NOT sing a song from the same musical. It is unprofessional.

NEVER choose a song that makes you sound like crap. You will sound like crap and not get the role.

NEVER choose a song you dont have both sheet music for AND accompaniment. You dont know if there will be a pianist or if they will require you to have an accompaniment.POP QUIZ! WHICH SONG IS BETTER?My New Philosophy Youre a Good Man, Charlie BrownGlitter and Be Gay - CandideMister Snow - CarouselANALYSIS TIMEOnce you choose the song, analyze the crap out of it.

Step one: Write in your own words what every line of the song means and its subtext.

Step two: Answer the following questions; Who am I? Where am I? When is it? What do I want? How will I get it? What do I need to overcome? (Stanislavski)MONOLOGUENext, choose a monologue. Invest in a monologue book. This is equally as important as investing in a song book.Once you have chosen your monologue, begin a dissection of the piece. You can use the same questions are you did for the song analysis but it needs to be in excruciating detail for the monologue. Break it down further into beats and tactics.Know your character inside and out.Know your moment before and moment after.Know your play inside and out.Directors may ask you questions about your piece and if you dont know, then you look like a fool and wont get the part.AUDITION TIPSIf suitable, try to act as the character you are auditioning for when singing your song. For example if youre singing How Lovely To Be A Woman, sing it more as Cinderella, than as Kim.

Remember to act when you are singing. Singing a song means nothing if you do not act and you will look like crap and not get the part.AUDITION TIPSHave a second monologue and song prepared just in case. Try to have them be contrasting pieces from your original monologue and song.

Surround yourself with constant motivators. Visual motivators are the best.AUDITION CLOTHING

Dont go to an audition dressed like this girl because youll look like crap and wont get the role.DRESS LIKE THEM

DRESS LIKE THEM

DANCEThere will be a dance audition. Try to focus on learning the routine as fast as you can.

If you mess up, sell it. If you look like you messed up but recover from it, that is important to them and they will be looking for that.

Be sure to stretch prior to your audition. Stretching for the dance audition is just as important as warming up for your vocal audition.WEEK BEFORE THE AUDITIONAvoid eating fried foods, soy foods, and dairy products.

Practice your scales as well your songs and monologues, dont neglect technique.

Preview your audition to family and friends who you believe will give you beneficial criticism and advice to improve.

AUDITION DAY TOMORROW!Dont worry. You know your stuff. If at this point you dont feel ready or dont think you have prepared enough, dont go to the audition because you will look like crap and then not get the part.

AUDITION DAY!Warm up vocally and physically.

If you feel it will help you, go through your pieces.

Drink plenty of water.

Consume a lot of honey.

Dont be nervous because you know that you know your stuff. Enjoy it because you might as well!AUDITION DAY!Do not forget your accompaniment (for the pianist and track if need be)

Do not forget your resume and headshot

Do not forget your water and honey

Do not forget your shoes for the dance audition.Break a leg and remember that hard work always pays off!