Audition help...please?

Question

My local community theater is putting on "Mulan". I'd love to play the title character, and I understand that it will require a lot of dedication. But I think I can manage. The audition requirements are an up-tempo song (with accompaniment), a one-minute monologue, and come prepared to dance. I need some monologue and song reccommendations. Also, when they same "come prepared to dance", are they asking me to bring specific dance shoes? Or does it just mean to dress in a comfortable manner? All help appreciated!

P.S. My voice is alto, but I'm working on getting a mezzo or soprano. My range is basically the middle of the average piano, although I'm getting higher...the audition is in March, so I have PLENTY of time.
P.P.S. Do you have any other audition advice? I've performed with this theater before, but I believe it is being directed by someone new, with whom I have never worked with.
P.P.P.S. I'm not Chinese. Will that affect my chance in getting the part? There are never any Asians.

Answer 1

First of all, good for you for planning ahead. It takes an enormous amount of time to extend ones range to the extent you are talking about. If you're not already, you should be in private voice lessons. You will very likely hurt your voice if you try to extend your range without professional help.

Your song should be in the same range and character type as Mulan. She's a strong girl/woman. Who is another character you can think of like that? I would think of Belle for one. Maybe even Ariel. If one of their songs can display similar characteristics as Mulan as well as the vocal rangem then you may want to consider that as an option. If you can't find anything uptempo from those examples, look to non-Disney but similar theatre characters with uptempo songs to show off your voice and character.

Same goes for the monologue. Find a similar character and use material from that. There are tons of monologue books, I recommend using one that uses material from shows and not made up characters and monologues. You can also pull material from scripts and not books. Some scripts can be found online, just do a search.

As for 'come prepared to dance' It means wear or bring clothing that you can move comfortably in, usually something you would wear to dance class. You should absolutely wear dance shoes, usually split sole jazz shoes are best. You should have these already since you should already be taking dance. Some people prefer character shoes, but for Mulan, she's a warrior... I doubt she'll wear heels.

Audition advice? Be as prepared as you can be. Know the show, your potential character(s) and your place in the story as well as you can. That way if you cold read from the script you will know that place in the story and what your character is doing. You may want Mulan, but what if they ask you to read for the Matchmaker? Be prepared.

Warm up. Your voice and body. Also take care of yourself. Know that sugar and dairy are not your friend before an audition. They can make for more mucus on your vocal chords and thats not good. Be healthy and drink a good amount of water.

Many ethnic roles are not cast as such. I've been in enough productions of King & I with a caucasian Tuptim to know that.

Best of luck,
Marianne