spring play auditioning advice???

Question

my school is having a spring musical. i really want to try out, but i know i don't have the best singing voice, but no one has ever told me i sing BAD. i think i am good at singing slow songs that don't go to low or too high. do you have any tips for preparing???? also, any tips about singing in general?

Answer 1

The biggest audition tip I can give you is: if you mess up, don't stop. Keep going as if you meant to make a mistake. It keeps the audience from realizing your mistake and shows that you can handle pressure by keeping a cool head. Of course, this doesn't mean that you shouldn't try your best. :-)

Singing tips: breathe properly. Take a good, deep breath, letting your diapham extend (your stomach will bludge out a bit). Remember to sing "tall", keep the space inside your mouth open (imagine holding a rubber ball in your mouth) and try not to let the corners of your mouth stretch out (like when you smile).

Before your audition don't drink any dairy or coke. Room temperature water is best. Don't have any chocolate or anything that will coat your throat. Although it is inadvisable to drink a large quantity, if and only if you have sinus drainage you can drink about 1/4 cup of OJ to clear your throat. No more than this because the acid can irritate your throat.

Get plenty of rest, practice and break a leg!

Answer 2

First - get a copy of the play. Look on the internet - you can usually obtain scripts there. If you cannot find a script - and it's a well known musical- get the video/dvd and watch it over and over again. Sing along with the songs. Preparing for your audition is a HUGE part of getting a role. I am always amazed that people show up for auditions and they are not familiar with the play. If you've PRACTICED - you'll be better. It's only common sense. You will have to read from the script. You want to be able to read well (no stumbling on words and such) - and having read the play over and over - especially the parts you're interested in getting will help you. Also - it will help you to get the comic timing down. (I'm assuming it's a musical comedy)

If you can't sing too low or too high - it means you don't have much of a range. That's okay. Keep working at it - and your range will grow. Sing scales everyday - trying to go higher and lower each time. When you are trying to hit high notes and can't drop your jaw (open your mouth wider - by dropping your jaw) you'll be amazed at how much it helps!

They will ask you to sing. If you have to bring a prepared song - make sure you KNOW THE LYRICS. When singing - plant your feet on the floor and deliver the song to a place that you choose on the in front of you. If you feel comfortable enough to dance a bit - or move - that's fine - but don't do a simple move like "step touch step touch" or just rock. That's annoying to watch - and looks habitual. Also - while singing - if you mess up - DON'T STOP - just keep going. When you are auditioning - just imagine that you already have the role and you are performing in the show!

Above all - HAVE FUN! If you are having fun - the director(s) will see that -and they will love it.

Break a leg!

Answer 3

There are many variables that go into casting any high school play or musical. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. The lead roles are usually cast before the play auditions. Each year when the school picks the plays, they think about their students, and the talent they have available that year. If they have a bunch of really talented Seniors, they're going to choose a play with enough roles for all of them. They leave chorus roles or bit parts for sophmores and freshmen, or people who never had the guts to audition before.

2. Keep in mind that if they don't cast you, it's not like you're losing something you already had. You've gained experiance, and now they've seen your face and know your name. That's better than nothing right? This mindset should keep you from getting too nervous. That's one thing that can ruin any audition, NERVES. If they see that you're not comfortable when people are staring at you, they know you'll be no good on stage. A way to get over this fear is to go somewhere you've never been, like, ride a bus, or go to a movie theatre on the other side of town where nobody knows you. Act like a completely different person. If you find it ammusing instead of scary, you're one step closer to a good audition.

3. Pick a song that shows off your voice. You should also like the song, or relate to it. Pick a song from a musical, not the radio. Any music store where they rent instruments will have sheet music for you to learn. The also often have a CD for the whole musical available. So, in case you don't read music, you can sing along until you've learned it. Sometimes they also offer CD's that don't have anyone singing, so when you learn the song, you can sing it without hearing someone else, you only hear you. Try to stay away from really popular musicals like "Grease", and "Phantom of the Opera". Everyone will be singing these songs. Be original and memorable. A good choice for you might be something from "She Loves Me", "Caberet", "Little Shop Of Horrors", or any other musicals that maybe you haven't heard of. If the composer is Andrew Lloyd Webber or Stephen Sondheim stay away because they're very difficult and they've probably heard a trained singer sing it.

4. Before you audition, practice your song as much as you can. If it's upbeat, remember to have a smile on your face. If it's a sad song, show the emotion through your eyes. Rebember, it's not just about how well you can sing, but also about how well the audience can relate to you. Remember to breath deeply, try not to let your shoulders go up and down when you breath, your stomach should go in and out, it's a breathing technique called diaphramatic breathing. Practice in a mirror once you have the song memorized, so you can see your performance. Try to only breath when the lyrics have a comma or a period, it's reffered to as "breathing at the end of the phrase". If you get cast and the conductor tells you that, you'll need to know what it means.

5. Get a vocal coach. Even trained singers train with a voice coach. It's what makes them trained. The right voice coach can teach you how to sound the way proffesionals do. There are tricks singers use to make certain sounds, they can teach you the techniques.

Now just remember, the younger you are the more chance there is that they'll cast you with no experiance, that means they saw something in you that makes them think with time, you could be really good. They often don't cast you the first time you audtition, they want to see that you're commited to it, and you'll do whatever it takes to be involved. If you don't get cast in this show, voulenteer to work on the crew as an assistant stage manager or something, "anything to be a part of the show". That way, when you audition for the next show that you really want to be a part of, they'll know you and how dedicated you are, and hopefully your voice lessons will pay off and you'll have improved since your last audition. Another bit of advice, join one of the school choirs and take a drama class. Being around those people on a daily basis and showing them how hard you work, helps them to have faith in you as a performer.

Break a Leg!

PS, never wistle or say Macbeth or good luck backstage, it's bad luck, and you'll make nothing but enemies.

Answer 4

Choose the right song. By this I mean choose a song that is in your range, you enjoy singing, and gives you a chance to show off you acting skills. Many shows have lead roles in them that don't have solos. Another way to improve your singing skills is to find a good voice teacher. I realize that this isn't possible for everyone but I do recommend it (they're also really good at finding the right songs for your range). Other than that the only other advice I have is RELAX! The director does not want to kill you so loosen up and have fun. After all why do it, if it isn't fun? Put a big smile on your face and do your best. Good luck!

Answer 5

Well first off,don't go out for a lead if you have doubts in your voice at first.When you gain confidence in your voice,it gains the major skill of confidence.Stick with the background parts.
Second, drink lots,and I mean LOTS of water.It helps your voice a lot.
Third,listen to the radio or put on a CD and sing every chance you get.Also watch musicals and watch their poster,their mouths,and their body language while they sing.
Finally,get the script to it early and PRACTICE!PRACTICE!PRACTICE!!
GOOD LUCK!!! Hope you get the part.:)