Preparing for Audition (Musical Theatre and Operetta)

Here I am near the end of my Easter holiday procrastinating when I know I have an audition in a week! On Wednesday I’ll be auditioning for two roles in the R&R’s Mikado. Exciting? Scary? Ever thought you’d like to audition for a role in a musical, or in this case operetta?

Here’s what I know I must do and so I thought I’d share the process with you!

First, I’m already very familiar with The Mikado having been involved in an Equity production when I was 17. (Actors Equity Association, or AEA, is the union of professional actors and stage managers in the USA.) However this production was quite awhile ago so first I need to re-acquaint myself with the show and the songs. I like to listen to established artists sing the pieces while following along in the sheet music to get a feel for the melody and pace first. Then I start to sing along with them, slowly transitioning to playing the line I’m learning on the piano along with the recording. If you don’t read sheet music or play the piano, this is a good time in your audition preparation process to book time with a vocal coach or teacher to go through it together!

At some point I start working on my own, either playing the line for myself or singing with a backing track. When choosing a backing track it’s important to make sure first that it’s in the correct key and that the tempo is right for you. Don’t choose a track that makes you feel like you’re fighting the music as you sing. If you can get someone to record themselves playing the accompaniment for you that’s really helpful too and many singing teachers will be able to do this for you.

Then comes character and style! Once I feel I know how the song goes and I’m mostly memorised, I will do some research into the characters, story, and style of the show. The Mikado has been around since 1885 and has been performed in a variety of styles from the very classical to a jazz version. The production I was involved in had a musical theatre lean and some of the vocalists sang in quite a modern style. I have to use my best guess based on the information I have when I decide how I’m going to express these characters in my audition. Because it’s the R&R (Rathmines and Rathgar Musical Society in Dublin) I will assume they want a classical and traditional approach to the characters, so for the ballad I will work with some sweeping motions and slightly raised arms for my physicality, and a very tall operatic sound vocally. Then for the second character I will play a bit more with humour and an ever so slight shift toward a musical theatre sound, just to show the panel some variety. Always keep in mind the immediate circumstances of the song and character, and make sure you understand the words of the song as a monologue or scene outside of the rhythm and melody of the song itself.

When you go for your audition, show what you can do and don’t try to fit too tightly into a box. If you receive direction in your audition, take this as a sign they want to see your versatility, not that you did anything wrong in your first take. Especially if the panel has never seen you perform before, they will want to see that you can take direction so listen carefully and don’t be afraid to ask for clarification on a point if you need it.

On the day of the audition remember that you can’t control anything except what you do in the audition room, so don’t worry about the other actors who are waiting to go in, don’t worry about what the director might want or envision in a character - you can’t do anything about any of that! Just go in and do your best. This is another day you get to sing and act! - Georgia S.