Have
you ever wanted to audition for a role, but was hesitant to because you weren't sure what was expected of you at auditions or you weren't sure what you needed
to do to prepare for an audition?
 |
| Sunday, June 30, 2013 |
Rest
assured that you are not alone. Scores of actors – veterans and novices alike – are always asking, “What do I need to do to prepare for the audition?”
During the course of the season, Slidell Little Theatre is asking each of our
directors for advice that we hope will provide you with the information you
need to better prepare for auditions and give you the encouragement you need to
audition again and again.
Slidell
Little Theatre launches its 51st Season in August with the
family-favorite musical Seussical, directed by Scott Sauber and starring Horton the Elephant, The
Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie and many more of our favorite Dr.
Seuss characters.
We asked
Scott to provide us with his Top Ten Tips to Prepare
for Auditions. Here is his advice:
1. Prepare. Prepare. Prepare.
You
would never stand up and sing a concert without preparing it first. Do
your solo the same favor. You should never stand up and do a monologue
without preparing it... And there is no such thing as being too
prepared. Also with the internet as a tool - there is no excuse for not
knowing something about the show you are auditioning for. Google it!
2. Say "Thank You" to the people you are working for and working with.
They
have a golden opportunity to cast you and stand next to you. Thank
them for that. Don't apologize to them with awkward facial
expressions. We all feel the same way when we stand up there in
front. Express pride. Die outside the audition door.
3. Leave your ego at the door.
If
you think you deserve it, I am here to prove you wrong -- and I hold the
cookies. I like to reward those that can do a good job. Not feature
those that say, "Me. Me. Me." And the role I see you
playing is because I want to challenge myself and you...not because everyone
knew you would get it.
4. Be flexible.
Be
willing to work on a project because you trust the director, enjoy the process
and want to entertain an audience. THAT'S how you build a resume.
Accept any and every role.
5. Practice in front of mawmaw and your friends and your cell phone video camera.
Get
the nerves out, check your facial expressions, make bold choices. And
please decide what you are going to do with your hands. They tell a lot
about your level of preparedness (see #1) and they annoy auditioners when
you constantly slap your thighs.
6. Dive into the character.
Don't
sing how you would sing. Sing "Mark" from RENT like you are
Mark...from RENT. I am looking emotional connection, facial expression,
and a physical choice. If the character is prim and proper - stand prim
and proper. If the character is a hunchback, by all means - I need to see
your hump. If your character longs for something, hope for it... and show
it in your eyes.
7. Choose a song early and sing it often.
Lyrics
should be the least of your worries at an audition. Make physical choices
driven by the character, but don't dance around. Make gestures, but don't
spell it out for me. Change a rhythm or speak a sentence. Make it
your own -- driven by the character. Find your favorite audition song and sing
here, there, and everywhere.
8. WATCH THE MOVIE "EVERY LITTLE STEP."
The
full version is on YouTube. You see disappointment, growth, hard work,
rejection and a CRAZY GOOD monologue that will leave you in tears....all
in an audition. And you will learn a lot about life and a
little about theatre.
9. When nerves are shaking you up - DO A CARTWHEEL.
The
physical exertion calms your nerves. And if you are willing to do it on
stage in front of the auditioners, you've got nerve and grit...and then you're
willing to do anything.
10. Did I mention PREPARE. It shows.
Good luck
to each and every one of you coming out to auditions on June 30th!
Do you have
your own tips for preparing for auditions? We’d love to hear what you do to
prepare for an audition!
SLT’s
production of Seussical is presented through special arrangement with Music
Theatre International (MTI). A thorough synopsis of the musical and other
research material are available through MTI’s website here.
A list of the
characters and suggested ages:
The Cat in
the Hat 18 –
35
Horton the
Elephant 25 –
35
JoJo 8
– 12
Gertrude
McFuzz 22 –
33
Mayzie La
Bird 21
– 32
Sour
Kangaroo 23
– 35
General
Gengus Khan Schmitz 30 – 50
The Grinch 25 –
45
Mr. Mayor 32 – 45
Mrs. Mayor 30 –
40
Yertle, the
Turtle 20
– 50
The
Wickersham Brothers 14 –
40
The Bird
Girls 16
– 35
Jungle
Creatures 8
– 80
The Whos 8 –
90
Seussical
opens August 16, 2013 and runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through
September 8.
A multiple-award winning actor, light
designer, director and educator, Scott Sauber teaches
Theatre in the Talented Arts Program at Slidell High School
A complete listing of Scott’s stage and offstage credits
can be found here.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.