Page 14 - Classical Singer magazine 2019 Fall University Issue

CROSSOVER CORNER
MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITIONS 101
BY CHRISTY TURNBOW
The audition experience varies widely from classical to crossover styles. Find out what you need to know about the musical theatre audition process here.
Navigating the logistics of musical theatre auditions may seem confusing, but with a few tips you’ll quickly be on your way. The most important thing is to just do it. I have observed that no matter the training and background, those who are most successful are those who relentlessly attend auditions. So here are some things to know before you go.
Headshots
Headshots should be in color, and it is best if the shot is vertically oriented. Also, you should be simply dressed in solid colors—no need to pull out your gowns and suits for these headshots. Women should wear very little jewelry and just everyday makeup. For men, it is a good idea to have both a bearded or scruffy shot and a clean-shaven shot.
You may want a couple of different poses or looks. Often, musical theatre actors have two main poses:
a serious look and a commercial look, which has a smile showing teeth. Also, no need for full-body shots; from waist up is best.
Your headshot should be an 8”x10” print with a white border around the edges and your professional name printed in a larger font at the bottom.
Résumés
Be sure to include your name and contact information and the name and contact information
for your agent or manager, if you have one. List any of the stage or film union memberships you have. You may want to include your height, but any other information about your hair or eye color or weight does not need to be included—they see these in your headshot.
List your performance history first, and list it in order of importance (i.e. professional venues and/or well known directors first). You want to organize the information so that it is easy to see the venue and the directors and choreographers you have worked with. You may also include your training—and don’t forget to include any special skills like instruments you play, languages you speak, tumbling, or any other little tricks you may be able to do.
Your résumé should be printed on or attached with staples to the back of your headshot and it should be trimmed to match the size of your headshot. You do not need to include or submit a repertoire list.
Audition Book
Your audition book can be divided into several categories: golden age (pre-1965) up-tempo, golden age ballad, contemporary up-tempo, contemporary ballad, pop/rock (ideally a couple of songs from different decades, tempi, and styles). You may also want to include an operetta/light opera category that may include selections from composers like Gilbert and Sullivan, Sigmund Romberg, Franz Lehár, and other light opera composers.
You should know and feel confident singing all the songs in your book. If you are not confident singing contemporary music, avoid auditions that are asking for contemporary musical theatre or pop/rock repertoire. If you are auditioning for a season that has both golden age and contemporary musical theatre, then go into the audition doing what you do best.
For all the songs in your book, you should be prepared with the whole song, a 32-bar cut (under 90 seconds), a 16-bar cut (under a minute), and an
14 Classical Singer | September/October 2019