3 Things One Should Consider Before Auditioning for a Show

There are only a couple of things that I can think of that are more fun and rewarding than being in a show. However, before you ever decide you want to audition, there are a few things that you should consider. Do this, and you’ll greatly increase your chances not only of getting cast in this and future shows, but you’ll also get more enjoyment out of any show you participate in. So let’s get right to it. Thing #1…

1.  Come Prepared.

Come prepared for what, you ask? Everything! Familiarize yourself with the show before you audition. Know what criteria they’re looking for during the audition. Do they want you to sing 16 bars? Have it marked and ready. Do they want a resume or head shots? Bring 3 copies just in case. Don’t have this stuff or know exactly what they’re wanting? Do your research beforehand.

Also included in the “Be Prepared” category, you should know your conflicts for the run of the show ahead of time, be ready and available for call backs and to potentially do a cold read from the show. Oh, and if there’s dancing in the show, bring dance worthy clothes to the audition, just in case.

The more prepared you are, and the more you know about the show (and even the people putting it together, when possible), the better your chances of getting cast. Said differently, if you come prepared, you’ll likely come across as a professional, and this will always work in your favor.

2.  Know What You’re Committing To.

This is SOOOOOO important. Shows often require a LOT of rehearsal times, and if even one person can’t be there or isn’t prepared, it can completely jeopardize the effectiveness of the rehearsal.

So please, don’t accept a part without considering what you’re committing to. When you do accept a part, be ready to put in the hours to memorize lines, learn songs, and put in the dozens upon dozens of rehearsal hours that are necessary to make the show come to life.

Do this well, and you’ll greatly increase the likelyhood of getting cast in the future. Prove yourself unreliable, and you may find that your luck in getting cast in shows runs dry (remember, directors from different theaters often know each other and they talk).

This goes equally as much for those in the ensemble as well. If you’re not reliable as an extra/ensemble member, then why would a director think you’d be reliable for a bigger role?

3.  Hold Yourself to Higher and Higher Levels

Sometimes shows are put together so fast that we barely have time to learn the lines, let alone perfect our character. A show can be pulled off with a little natural talent while accomplishing the minimums (learning lines/blocking), but if you are serious about taking your skills to the next level, always be looking to go at least a handful of steps further with what you did last time.

Perhaps this means you get a vocal coach to help you expand your abilities… or maybe it just means you spend a little extra time studying facial expressions in front of a mirror… or maybe you continually sit down and brainstorm the more abstract parts of your characters personality. The more real you can make things, the better.

It’s relatively easy to be good. But being great takes continuously looking at where you are and asking how you can make it that much better. Don’t get caught up in obvious things that everyone has to do… take it another step further and watch your character (and talent level) blossom.

Ken Taylor here sharing some advice with you on the “How to’s” of a singing contests. Below are a few horrifically simple tips that I all too often wish people would consider when I’m judging these contests. Do these things, and you will help present yourself in a wonderful light and up your chances of walking away with the trophy and maybe even some money.

1. It Sounds Overly Simply, but Do A Song You Can Sing & Can Sing Well

If you are going into the competition wondering if you’re going to hit the high note at the end of the bridge, you’ve definitely picked the wrong song. If you’re running out of air because the phrases are too long, then it’s probably not a safe bet. For your singing contest, I suggest picking a song you can sing most any day, not just on your best vocal days.

2. Pick Something Your Audience Will Enjoy

To illustrate this, I’m going to tell a story. I know of a group here locally that got on America’s Got Talentthat sang a barber show quartet-ish version of “Don’t Rock the Boat.” Honestly, it was kinda nifty and the singers sounded pretty good, but sadly, it didn’t take long before people were booing them and soon the three X’s followed. I believe it was Sharon Osbourne that said something to the effect of she could see them performing that song at an elderly home, but not on that show.

Lesson to Learn – Choose a song that your audience will enjoy! Consider the age range of your audience as well as the type of music they’d enjoy, then simply don’t let them down. You wouldn’t Sing Led Zeppelin at your grandmother’s 90th Birthday party, just as you probably wouldn’t get a group together to sing the Halleluia Chorus at Woodstock. Keep your audience in mind and you won’t end up with funny looks or worse, booing.

3. Know Your Strengths

Some singers sound better on ballads, and some shine singing up tempo songs. Some people have an impressive high range while others can hold out a note long after the cows come home. So, know your vocal strengths and choose a song that highlights them. Last year, I remember literally spending 3 weeks searching for the perfect song for a student of mine. Sounds excessive, right? The results… she blew the judges away and walked away with one of those shiny trophies and a check. Just a side note, the trophy was practically as tall as she was… I was proud. So yeah, it pays to know your strengths : )

4. Connect with Your Audience

You can’t just sing the song for the sake of singing it. Tell the audience a story. Involve them. Make them feel special. The more you can do this, the more they’ll enjoy it. The more they enjoy it, the more likely you’re name will be called at the end of the contest as they’re announcing the winners. Simple as that.

5. It’s Not Enough to Just Sing

They say 30% of people take in the world through sound, but a whopping 60% of people are visually dominant. So if that’s the case, you’re number will more greatly impact the majority of people if you’re able to stimulate them through both sight and sound. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you should include a dance routine in your number, but I do encourage you to be brave enough to step out from behind your mic stand and use your hands, arms, body, and facial expressions to further express the depth of the story you’re telling.

6. Focus on the Audience and Yourself, NOT YOUR COMPETITION

This is a little pet peeve of mine and I’ll try not to stay on top of my soap box for too long here, but if you go into a competition focusing on beating a certain person or persons, you’re going to fail 9 times out of 10. I say this simply because you’re focusing entirely on the wrong thing. Singing/performing is about the AUDIENCE. The more you focus on how you can give them the best show possible, the better you’ll do. The more you focus on beating someone else, the more you’re not focusing on what counts. End of story. Okay, I was able to keep that pleasantly brief. Yay!

7. Be Positive

Finally, I suggest a little pre-performance ritual. Before I go out and sing, I always visualize my performance going exactly how I want it. I see the audience enjoying it, and hear a roar of applause after I’m finished. I mentally go through my whole routine seeing myself having the best performance of my life. Strangely, I’ve found this routine proves to be much more effective than pacing around telling yourself you’re going to forget your words and worrying about what the person before you is doing. Matter of fact, I’ve always gotten great results with this, and I believe you will to.

Well, that’s all I’ve got for today. Hope this helps! Please feel free to leave a comment with any success stories or other suggestions.

Thanks for reading and as always, Happy Singing!

~ Vocal Coach Ken Taylor

Hello all! Lately I’ve had a ton of people preparing for singing auditions for various summer shows. This inspired me to share a handful of ideas that will hopefully help you and the rest of my readers have a more successful auditions.  So without further adieu, lets do it!

Always Show Up For Your Singing Audition Prepared

This seems really obvious to most everyone. If you’re going to an audition, you always want to prepare for it. But, how does one do that? Most importantly, you want to make sure that you know what’s expected of you. You should know whether to bring sheet music for their accompanist, or a track. Did they request you sing something from the show, or can you show off your voice with whatever song you choose (keep it genre specific)? Are you supposed to prepare 1 song, 2 songs, 16 bars, 2 mins, etc? How about a resume and headshot? These are all things you should take the time to find out before your vocal audition and most of it should be available on the flyer or website announcing the audition.

The reason I get so specific is theatres or individuals holding the auditions can see hundreds of people in a weekend and if you don’t show them enough respect to follow their guidelines, they likely will see you as unprepared and lets face it, NO ONE wants unprepared people in their cast. Other things you should do include showing up 10 minutes early and you want to be sure that you know your piece well enough that you can sing it at any tempo the accompanist chooses to play it.

Let Your Personality Shine Through

I can tell you from personal experience that the best singers don’t always get hired or cast. Most people think it’s because theatres play favorites, but I think more often than not it’s because some people are more reliable and enjoyable to work with.

That being said, when auditioning, you always want to be gracious, upbeat, and have a good attitude. Having a can do, enthusiastic attitude always beats out those who are likely to complain (or even worse, are complaining). So be gracious. Thank people for their time after they’ve heard you. Smile before and after your performance. Be excited to be there! These are all great qualities that the “judges” cannot help but notice, even if they act like they don’t (and they probably won’t).

Have Something About Your Dress that Sticks Out

Just like a pleasing personality, this little trick helps people (and judges) recognize and more easily identify you. If you wear a unique hat, a bright colored ribbon in your hair, a scarf… really anything that sticks out, people can’t help but notice and remember you.

If at First You Don’t Succeed…

Give up and go home. Ok, I’m totally kidding. Of course, try, try again. Let me share something with you that I tell all my vioce students.

You should never go into your first audition at a new place expecting a lead role.

I say this strictly because the director doesn’t know you. Being in a show is a huge responsibility, and honestly, it’s not something that everyone can handle.  Because of this, many directors absolutely will not cast someone they do not know in a lead position because it’s unclear as to whether or not they can depend on them. So, if you aren’t cast, don’t get down. But more importantly, if you get in the ensemble, do it and take it seriously. Show the director how reliable you are and how fun you can be to work with. This will help the director become more confident in your ability to sing the lead the next go around.

Well, that’s it for today! I hope that these tips help your audition go smoothly. Break a leg (unless you’re a dancer, of course!) and as always, happy singing!