Overview
Audition Information
Auditions will be held Friday, February 16, 3pm-9pm & Saturday, February 17, 10am-5pm
Callbacks - You will be notified via email if you are called back. Callbacks will be held Sunday, February 18 2pm-6pm.
Day of the Audition - Arrive early, bring calendar conflicts, a snack, water, & audition binder.
In the Audition Room
The Director for Footloose and The Rep's Interim Artistic Director, Ken-Matt Martin, will be present in the audition room.
Traffic pattern: Walk into the room, hand your music to the accompanist, introduce song and set tempo, walk to the center of the room for your audition.
Song performance. Focus your eye contact just a few inches above the audition panel’s heads. Imagine you are singing to someone. What is your song about? Portray the meaning of the song. Can someone demonstrate acapella?
Other things that may happen: The creative team may ask you questions, ask you to try an adjustment or new direction with your piece. Be open and flexible.
After you’re done, say thank you, grab your music, and exit confidently.
Remember: The casting team is rooting for you! They want you to be the answer to their casting problem. They’re excited to see you. They will be supportive of your work.
Dance Call
Learn an 8 count or two (around 30-45 seconds) of a dance.
Remind yourself that it’s not about getting the dance perfect, it’s about showing your personality and having fun.
Callbacks - You will be notified via email if you are called back. Callbacks will be held Sunday, February 18 2pm-6pm
After the Audition
Be proud. Be patient.
If you don’t get it, it’s not a comment on your worth or talent.
Casting is a puzzle, and though we wish we could cast everyone we can’t because we wouldn’t have enough space and costumes.
File this audition as a learning experience and stay positive for the next one.
Part One: Preparation
Read the Casting Call
What do you need to prepare for the audition?
Please prepare one 1 - 1 1/2 minute long contemporary monologue that showcases humor; plus 16 bars of a pop or pop-inspired musical theatre song.
Know when the audition is held and where it is located.
Get to Know the Show
Read the script, watch the movie, listen to the soundtrack.
Choose Your Audition Material
Find a Monologue: A monologue is short, memorized, content-appropriate, doesn’t require props, aligns with the show you’re auditioning for, and shows off your skills as an actor. You can find monologues by reading plays or looking online:
Find a Song: Find a song you love to sing that showcases your strengths! In a perfect world, the song matches the style of the show. You can even sing songs from the show! Choose a 16-count (around 30-45 seconds) of the song that best showcases your voice. Sheet music can be bought online and printed at home:
Cut and Mark Your Sheet Music
Print your sheet music with black ink on white copy paper.
Make sure the title of the song is at the top.
Decide what part of the song you will sing.
Know exactly where you are going to begin and end.
Clearly mark the beginning and end for your pianist.
Make a Resume
Young actors are not expected to have lengthy, professional resumes. The casting team just wants to know more about you and your experience.
Format your experience very neatly on one page. Include your:
Name (printed clearly and boldly)
Personal information: Height, voice type
Contact information: Email and phone number
Past performance experience: Shows, school performances, showcases, choir concerts, dance performances, TV shows, commercials, film, etc.
Training and education: Your school. Any specific training or classes like acting, martial arts, voice, instrument, dance (jazz, ballet, tap, modern, etc.), etc.
Special skills
This is a chance to let the audition panel get to know you better.
Tumbling, telling jokes, impressions, fight choreography, juggling, burping on command, puppeteering, accents, etc.
You MUST be able to actually do these skills in an audition.
Headshot/Photo
The casting team needs a printed photo of you to remember your face after you leave.
This can be a photo from school, a photo you’ve taken and printed or a professional headshot.
If not a professional headshot, make sure the picture is taken from the shoulders up. No one else should be in your photo. Your background should be plain.
Your headshot should be clear and look like you!
Audition Binder
Put all of your audition materials in one three-ring binder.
Sheet music - Hole-punched and clearly marked in the binder.
Resume - Store this in the front pocket.
Headshot/Photo - Store this in the front pocket.
Rehearsing
Your pieces should be memorized!
Rehearse your audition pieces from start to finish
Practice your introduction!
Rehearse saying your name and introducing your pieces
“Hello, my name is _______, and I will be singing _______ from _______ and performing a monologue from _______.
PART TWO: AUDITION DAY
Remember to Bring:
Audition book (resume, headshot, sheet music)
Water bottle and a snack
Calendar/planner with scheduling conflicts
Dance clothes if necessary
A positive attitude
What to Wear
Present a professional image without losing your personality.
Wear something flattering, comfortable, and that you can move in.
Don’t let your clothes distract from your audition.
Avoid busy patterns and logos.
Avoid short skirts
Avoid jewelry or accessories that are big, shiny, or noisy.
Keep your hair off of your face and out of your eyes
Never wear a costume to your audition.
Wear shoes that you can walk in!
Rehearse your pieces in your outfit, make sure it doesn’t hinder your audition
If there is a dance call, bring clothing that you can dance in, that fits well, and feels good.
Checking In
Arrive 15 minutes early to your audition.
You will likely have to fill out an information sheet and provide calendar conflicts.
Use the time before the audition to prepare mentally and physically.
Don’t be loud or disruptive.
Center your body and mind.
Be kind to everyone – others auditioning, audition monitor, everyone (it’s good audition karma).
Be ready (and excited) to go into the room when your name is called.
Inside The Audition Room
Your audition begins the moment you enter the room – smile, wave hello, walk confidently, say hello
Address the accompanist
Introduce yourself
Present your music
Introduce the song
Point out the start, stop, introduction
Think, breathe, and THEN give the tempo (remember your nerves might speed you up.)
Tell them your audition order (song or monologue first)
Introduce yourself to the audition panel
Walk to your mark, plant your feet, and introduce yourself
Be confident, be clear, be friendly, smile, and take your time
Perform
Have fun! It’s your time to shine.
If you make a mistake, keep going (chances are, the panel hasn’t even noticed so don’t show that you’ve made a mistake)
If you need to start over, it’s all good. They want you to be your very best.
Exiting
When you finish your pieces, simply say “thank you”, collect your music from the accompanist (tell them “thank you”), and exit as confidently as you entered.
Dance Audition
In a dance audition, a short choreographic phrase is quickly taught and performed in a dance call. Typically the group learns it all together, practices the moves a few times, and then performs the dance for the panel in smaller groups.
Perfection is not the goal. The panel is looking for movers with personality! Have fun and enjoy yourself. Don’t worry about getting all the steps right.
Callbacks:
If the casting team needs to see more from you, they may call you back for another audition. Check your email for a callback invite. The callbacks typically include another audition element such as dance, or singing songs from the show, or reading scenes. The casting team will typically let you know what to expect at callbacks. Please know whether or not you receive a callback, this does not determine whether you will be cast for the show!
PART THREE: AFTER THE AUDITION
Amazing job! You did it! Auditioning takes a lot of courage. Go treat yourself to an ice cream, a slice of cake, a giant chocolate bar. You deserve it.
Your work is done. Be patient. It may take a week or more for final casting decisions to be made.
Remember that getting, or not getting, a part is not a comment on anyone’s worth or talents.
And if you don’t get cast? It’s okay! The casting process is very difficult for the creative team. Even though we wish we could cast everyone, there’s usually not enough space for everyone that auditions. The best thing any actor can do is keep a positive attitude, keep practicing, and try again!