I'm going to be trying out for a part in The Music Man, what should I do to prep myself for audition?

Question

As I have experience with acting, I have my things I do to get ready, but what are some really good ones you like/you think would help. I haven't been in a play/musical since my old drama studio closed down due to financial issues.

Answer 1

Its like riding a bike, as the saying goes. You're an entertainer. It's in your blood.So you already know, deep down inside, youve got what it takes."Ya got MOXY,kid! " Im no pro, so I can only pass on what I was lucky enough to have been taught by others;who they say, are the best in the biz. Here is what I was taught ; hope it helps. Walk onto that audition stage as if you are "playing a character". You! The most ougoing vibrant personality they ever saw. Make em notice you. Make them remember YOU when they go to make their cuts. Do whatever it takes;you must make yourself stand out from the rest of the crowd of auditioners. Your first impression ; within a few seconds, has to stick in their minds.You know that in any show, especially a musical, you have to be someone they feel can project the energy of the character all the way to the back of the room so if you feel nervous, timid, or unsure,dont let it show. Pretend, in your own mind if you have to, that you are portraying the "role" of someone else who can take that audition by storm.(..pretend you're Fanny Brice!)Always look out to the back of the room when performing, as opposed to looking directly to the audience immediately in front of you unless the scene calls for you to do otherwise. Have you ever noticed famous singers like Garland, Streisand, and the others you've seen in old movies ? When they sing a song, their gaze is always looking upward towards the sky as though they are gazing " Over the Rainbow" ; so to speak? Watch almost any entertainer especially with ballads. Study that. The way they hold themselves. Their ability to lose themselves in their song. Sinatra always used to say in his interviews.... "Take every song . Every line. Dissect it. Make it your own." I was taught to do this by reading almost evey line in a song, and trying to relate it to something or some personal situation I had felt, seen ,been through myself, or witnessed through others. Use those feelings. THIS will give you what you need to put it across. When you act, direct your sight outward as if looking a foot above the heads of the folks in the back row. Exaggerate your facial expressions so the guys in the cheap seats can see ya! C'mon,now! You've got show biz in your blood , or you wouldn"t have taken the time to sit down and ask for advice! You know youve got what it takes! Go to every audition telling yoursef and others, there's an audition going on . I gotta go now because Im gonna go get that part. PERIOD.Verbally say it! All the time! Who cares what everyone else says! DO IT! Dont even say what if? or"I hope."Just say I gotta go get the part they're looking for. Dont take anything in this biz personally. And DO NOT STOP UNTIL YOU HAVE OBTAINED EVERY GOAL;THEN GO FOR THE NEXT ONE! I GUARANTEE ON MY LIFE AND FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE! If you are doing a comedy role, exaggerate your facial expressions and use any physical comedy you can. I used to think of people like Lucy, Fran Dresher(The Nanny), even Jim Carrey if I needed to, and pretend I was them in my mind while I was auditioning; as though it was them doing the comedy audition. You'll find yourself coming up with lines and doing things you never thought ,conciously, you were capeable of. Watch impersonators on tv or tape..like Saturday nite live,etc. Note how they come across with different characters they do. Go to the mirror and practice those characters you saw, the way they did them. READ ALOUD for at least one half an hour to an hour per day. This is very important! A paper, a book, Cosmopolitan or Better Homes and Gardens, it doesnt matter. When you do, you will see how much it will help you project your stage skills and voice. Take pieces from different books or scripts every day. Pick a character and practice again and again on it. Try to become that person. His or her accent, movements, feelings and personality. Everything you need or desire is at your fingertips. STRIVE.PERSUE..... AND PLEASE!!!!.... Dont let yourself, anyone, or any of lifes events or circumstances EVER get you sidetracked for ANY reason from your dream....or you may just wake up one day, look in the mirror- ,find that you are 50 years old , and the one opportunity you had-- to grasp that golden ticket to your dreams; has slipped through your fingers simply because you allowed some "circumstance" or "life" situation to sidetrack you and put your dreams on hold ..and then its too late. Thousands of entertainers reach for the sky. But only those who dream and never quit are fortunate enough to touch the stars. I hope my rambling on may be of some use to you, but either way, please consider emailing me at [e-mail] and let me know how your audition went. I wish you the best of luck. You can do it. Use the inner spark all true entertainers have.

Answer 2

Act professional. Don't engage in all of the "games" that people play to try to get upper hands on others: being overly loud in greeting friends "OH, HEY! I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU SINCE WE DID SOUND OF MUSIC. HOW ARE YOU?" Just go in, do your best, and leave. Answer any questions they may have, vocalize with the music director to the best of your ability. Make no apologies ("I can usually sing much higher but I've got a little bit of a cold"). Show up on time. And know a little bit about the show. I don't know how old you are, but if you are as young as most of the Yahoo questioners, there are only a few good parts for teens, although there is a great chorus in this show. And have a good attitude; like, if I get this part, great; if not, there'll be something else coming along better for me. Have fun

Answer 3

Stretch, do vocal warm-ups, know your audition material, know the show, don't drink soda and dairy products, have your music marked and ready, thank the accompanist when you're done, I'm not sure what else :-)

break a leg!

Answer 4

I would definitely watch the move to give yourself an idea of the characters and stylization of the show. Break a leg!