Try asking 3 random people how there day is on the way to the audition it'll pump you with confidence and will allow you to relax a little bit (its job interview advice but might work)
going to audition in costume. . . shows a level of - confidence? in getting the character? but also makes it seem like you cannot be any other character than what you're auditioning for
AllieSingsAlto I had to say once upon a December as a monologue in front of 6 other students in an audition class but they didn’t like how I did it. And I got really nervous cause all of the kids in this class knew what they were doing and even though I loved theatre and Anastasia was one of my favorite musical obsessions, I felt so out of place because I just started really doing theatre that year. So they kept asking me questions until they just decided to let me think about the monologue until the next class
The pianist at Leeds College of Music in my audition was LOVELY! He was on my side so much and I set the tempo with him for both of my songs. Honestly it’s amazing how they sight read like that and can play anything
I have a last-minute audition in like three days, so a hearty thanks for this helpful video, Amy! Singing audition, dance audition, /and/ a monologue. Here's hoping I can put these tips to effective use!
The accompanist at university's theatre and dance department (who is a doctoral student) has told me that they are trying to shift to being called "collaborative musician", as accompanist downplays their importance to the theatrical arts. Not sure how common the term is now, but it's a good alternative to "pianist" ;)
I auditioned a couple times for a director who would always have you perform your cut as your interpretation, and then give you a random character prompt to perform it as if you were someone else. I’ve sung I Know It’s Today (Shrek) as if I was Cleopatra, and Shy (Once Upon a Mattress) like I was Glinda the Good Witch. SO random, but throwing yourself into these new character mindsets can be a fun way to practice and prep at home for auditions!
Yeah, idk if it's different with musical theater, but classical pianists hate it if you clap or snap to set the tempo. A lot can go wrong with it so it's best to just sing a measure or two to set the tempo.
Elizabeth Just singing like a measure or two of the song as you normally would, because when you clap or snap you’re often off of the tempo that you’re used to so once the pianist starts playing you end up either throwing them off or throwing yourself off because you’re not used to the tempo.
Congratulations on the 50k!! 🍾 Instead of pianist, you could say accompanist, though I have a hard time with that one. I want to say it like accompany-est, thought it isn't spelled like that! 😅
Thankyou Amy for this good advice! I’ve had two auditions for drama school and have one more in a few weeks! Being a musician I know the struggles of sheet music so I’m always careful, but the rehearsing in a room advice is really good and I will do this soon! X
I have four big auditions in the next three weeks --- The one I'm looking forward to the most is the sound of music at this nice college so I need to look professional, I'm auditioning for louisa von trapp (im a short 13 year old) but idk if we have to dance at the audition or if its just singing, and its an open call sooo idk what to wear??? Also Amy the tip about rehearsing in different areas is so true! I would always rehearse in the same room in my house just because it has good "acoustic" and then when I actually auditioned I thought I sounded terrible but it was just the way the room made everyone sound 😂
-F r a n k i e - R o s e- hi! I know I’m not Amy and I don’t know if you want my advice but I suggest wearing your audition outfit and bringing dance/ movement clothes/shoes with you! Best of luck!
This has got to be one of the best lists I've ever found on this topic - I agree with practically everything! It's weird but I saw almost the exact same thing of an auditionee being involved in someone else's audition at a group audition for a drama school, except it was a boy singing to a girl. Also the song was technically a duet. There was so much secondhand embarrassment in the room that day even the walls were cringing... Also, one thing about the whole "eye contact with the panel" issue, Seth Rudetsky did a video about what he considered to be the 5 worst audition mistakes and he recommended picking a spot on the wall at eye level between the heads of the panel so you're effectively making the same connection you would as if you were genuinely making eye contact with someone but without the awkwardness of actually making eye contact. I probably haven't explained it very well but I know that technique has done me a lot of favours in past auditions.
This video is perfectly timed- as the accompanist for my local choir is trying to get me to go on an audition tomorrow evening... fortunately he is the accompanist for the auditions, so at least I have the advantage of knowing the accompanist. (It’s ONLY singing, not exactly musical theater, but I haven’t auditioned in like 5 years...)😳
As a professional stage manager, I would add that a common mistake that people make is that they are sometimes a dick to the person outside the room who is doing the ushering. That person is often a member of stage management for the show, and have a relationship with the people on the panel. Just remember that we all talk to each other. I promise you, this does happen. I was Stage Manager for a long-running musical in the west-end for many years and had this happen to me quite often. I am sure it's caused by nerves. But it isn't a good idea to come across as unpleasant. :-)
I have heard many opinions about eye contact in Auditions. I've heard panelists say they wish people looked at them more, hear panellists say please don't look at the panel too much and some say look at them a good amount just not too much..
On Monday this past week, I thought the youth production at my local theater was full, so I hadn't prepared to do an audition. But then, my mom got a call saying that they had someone cancel, so I could come, audition, and be in the show. Auditions had already started at that point, and I had to be there within an hour. I ended up singing Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid. I know that's not a great song for an audition, but it was last minute and I knew the song well. It was incredibly stressful, but I did it. I ended up being a steward in Frozen Jr. which isn't a big part, but I'm glad I even got to be in it. I haven't finished the video yet, but you probably didn't ask for stories. Sorry.
Hi! I’ve also been to many auditions as well! Great advice Amy! A lot of advice I’ve gotten from Accompanists is that when you set your tempo, it’s best just to sing it a bit, and not snap or clap at them because it can come off a bit diva-ish! It would also be great to let the accompanist know when to stop playing!
I’m auditioning for the secret garden and I’m not that familiar with the songs if anyone has any good soprano songs I would be very grateful x thank you xxx
Isabelle Chapman I’d highly recommend checking out Katherine Steele’s video where she goes through 50 audition songs for Sopranos, here’s a link: th-cam.com/video/Ha47mFyxpI4/w-d-xo.html I hope this helps you find something!
Your story about not knowing the play write reminds me of when I auditioned for school of Rock and I sang I don’t know how to love him from jcs and the director asked me if I could be in any Andrew loyd Webber show what would it be and I was fairly new to theatre so I didn’t know all the musicals alw had done so I kid you not my answer was “uhhhhh... this one?”. And to make matters worse the accompanist snapped back “so you wouldn’t be in phantom or cats” as she practically threw my sheet music at me. I really just wanted to disappear on the spot. I got in though!
Question: for the sheet music, should you bring more than one copy? Like you bring a copy for the pianist, but should you bring one for yourself too or do they like it memorized?
Nicole Kester KNOW YOUR WORDS!! If you don't it looks like you are unprepared or don't care. But bringing extra copies isn't bad just make sure your music is taped so you don't have page turns
I would say it’s always best to be off book. But sometimes it’s impossible if it’s a new musical and/or they just gave you the music to the whole song right before, that’s the only time you should ever have the sheet music in your hand while auditioning.
I had a horror show when in a midterm exam in my music class in high school my singing teacher arrived to play the piano and said 'I've got a new arrangement, it's in a different key but you'll be fine' and i had to sing the whole thing in a different key on the fly it was awful
Are you sometimes allowed to be the one playing the piano? So can you play and sing? I just thought it would be easier if you have musical talent as well as vocal.
Completely agree about eye contact. Especially for speeches. However, for songs don’t stare at them at all for the whole song BUT make sure you acknowledge them at some points as a guy who taught me who used to work out Mountview and is very well known in the industry said, ‘it’s one thing to tell the story and feel the song but I don’t recall someone unless they share what they are feeling with me!!’ Since I’ve done that, everything changed!! It’s not like you have to stare for more then 5 seconds but just glance at them now and again on certain words and include them. It keeps them focussed and engaged but they also have chance to write notes when looking away😊
I cannot count the number of times that my friends (who were accompanists) at school got crappy sheet music from uncaring vocalists. I was annoyed as a vocalist and a fellow accompanist. Always think of the pianist as your collaborative partner - treat them with respect and work hard at making sure they feel as good as you do about the performance/audition/lesson!
I am guilty of the eye contact thing 😅 Everytime I go thinking "look above their heads" and then I realize I am looking in their eyes and it's weird to stop because I am in the middle of the song hahaha
Something similar to your last one actually happened to me. I was auditioning for my future school's show choir and I was so prepared... until I got there and the choir director started asking me questions about these musical terms I knew nothing about. Then, when she asked me which ensemble I wanted to be put in, I told her any of the 3 would be fine. Yeah. Needless to say, I got put in the beginners class. Moral of the story: The performance isn't everything. Your knowledge is just as important.
The cat 🤣🤣 I died. Worse situation I’ve seen is someone bringing sheet music that was only the melody line, no piano part. The backup was in a different key to what they learnt. It was a group audition so everyone was there to watch.
Remember a drama school audition where they asked me to sing to a student, she walked out half way through so I just followed her and kept singing down to the canteen. The audition panel were nowhere near me and everyone else outside waiting for their audition crapped their pants. Glad it got me my place haha
All I wanna do is make these sort of videos but I have never been to a professional audition :/ Also why when you slowed the audio down why did you sound like Lewis? 😂 (Musical Theatre TH-camr here :))
"Just, chill out a little bit" Some might say.. you need to Be More Chill? Eh? I would say "I'll go" but honestly I'd like to spice it up a little so... *_I shall exit this page of the internet now, for I have made a half-assed pun on TH-cam of all places and some people dislike that._*
Amy: Just, chill out a little bit
Me: Great advice. Impossible to follow. But great advice.
Try asking 3 random people how there day is on the way to the audition it'll pump you with confidence and will allow you to relax a little bit (its job interview advice but might work)
Buy a squip lol
going to audition in costume. . . shows a level of - confidence? in getting the character? but also makes it seem like you cannot be any other character than what you're auditioning for
I've never seen anyone at an audition in costume. It would be too ridiculous 😅
I always say accompanist now instead of pianist lol
This reminds me of The Last Five Years whenever Cathy auditions 😂
Yesssss lol
That “do it as a monologue” bit is always the worst. Every time I hear myself rhyme it’s full cringe.
AllieSingsAlto I had to say once upon a December as a monologue in front of 6 other students in an audition class but they didn’t like how I did it. And I got really nervous cause all of the kids in this class knew what they were doing and even though I loved theatre and Anastasia was one of my favorite musical obsessions, I felt so out of place because I just started really doing theatre that year. So they kept asking me questions until they just decided to let me think about the monologue until the next class
@@esthergoldstein7165 never let other's put you off. There is a lot of snobbery in the theatre community
@@esthergoldstein7165 never let other's put you off. There is a lot of snobbery in the theatre community
i'm not even an actress but you could literally post anything and i'd be like ah yes, this is the content i'm looking for
lol same
The pianist at Leeds College of Music in my audition was LOVELY! He was on my side so much and I set the tempo with him for both of my songs. Honestly it’s amazing how they sight read like that and can play anything
I have a last-minute audition in like three days, so a hearty thanks for this helpful video, Amy! Singing audition, dance audition, /and/ a monologue. Here's hoping I can put these tips to effective use!
The accompanist at university's theatre and dance department (who is a doctoral student) has told me that they are trying to shift to being called "collaborative musician", as accompanist downplays their importance to the theatrical arts. Not sure how common the term is now, but it's a good alternative to "pianist" ;)
I auditioned a couple times for a director who would always have you perform your cut as your interpretation, and then give you a random character prompt to perform it as if you were someone else. I’ve sung I Know It’s Today (Shrek) as if I was Cleopatra, and Shy (Once Upon a Mattress) like I was Glinda the Good Witch. SO random, but throwing yourself into these new character mindsets can be a fun way to practice and prep at home for auditions!
Yeah, idk if it's different with musical theater, but classical pianists hate it if you clap or snap to set the tempo. A lot can go wrong with it so it's best to just sing a measure or two to set the tempo.
I was thinking the same thing, I've heard that it's considered rude. How would you recommend setting the tempo instead?
Elizabeth Just singing like a measure or two of the song as you normally would, because when you clap or snap you’re often off of the tempo that you’re used to so once the pianist starts playing you end up either throwing them off or throwing yourself off because you’re not used to the tempo.
You teach me so much about the arts! Thank you so much!
So glad this was posted. I’m auditioning for Cinderella Friday. Wish me luck!
hope it goes well!
İm auditioning for little red 😊😊😊😊 break a leg ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Oh, I'm early. Uh, theatre jokes, theatre jokes, theatre jokes.
Now I only eat protein shakes, falcon eggs, and rocks.
Love the pfp and the reference.
Yes.
I love it
😔🤘🏻
You didn’t text me back!!!!!
Congratulations on the 50k!! 🍾 Instead of pianist, you could say accompanist, though I have a hard time with that one. I want to say it like accompany-est, thought it isn't spelled like that! 😅
Thankyou Amy for this good advice! I’ve had two auditions for drama school and have one more in a few weeks! Being a musician I know the struggles of sheet music so I’m always careful, but the rehearsing in a room advice is really good and I will do this soon! X
sending all the good vibes for drama school auditions!
I have four big auditions in the next three weeks ---
The one I'm looking forward to the most is the sound of music at this nice college so I need to look professional, I'm auditioning for louisa von trapp (im a short 13 year old) but idk if we have to dance at the audition or if its just singing, and its an open call sooo idk what to wear???
Also Amy the tip about rehearsing in different areas is so true! I would always rehearse in the same room in my house just because it has good "acoustic" and then when I actually auditioned I thought I sounded terrible but it was just the way the room made everyone sound 😂
-F r a n k i e - R o s e- hi! I know I’m not Amy and I don’t know if you want my advice but I suggest wearing your audition outfit and bringing dance/ movement clothes/shoes with you! Best of luck!
@@alyssambrown1599 thx! The audition is next tuesday and im doing all I can to prepare ;)
-F r a n k i e - R o s e- i have an audition next Thursday too! Break a leg!
This has got to be one of the best lists I've ever found on this topic - I agree with practically everything! It's weird but I saw almost the exact same thing of an auditionee being involved in someone else's audition at a group audition for a drama school, except it was a boy singing to a girl. Also the song was technically a duet. There was so much secondhand embarrassment in the room that day even the walls were cringing...
Also, one thing about the whole "eye contact with the panel" issue, Seth Rudetsky did a video about what he considered to be the 5 worst audition mistakes and he recommended picking a spot on the wall at eye level between the heads of the panel so you're effectively making the same connection you would as if you were genuinely making eye contact with someone but without the awkwardness of actually making eye contact. I probably haven't explained it very well but I know that technique has done me a lot of favours in past auditions.
This video is perfectly timed- as the accompanist for my local choir is trying to get me to go on an audition tomorrow evening... fortunately he is the accompanist for the auditions, so at least I have the advantage of knowing the accompanist. (It’s ONLY singing, not exactly musical theater, but I haven’t auditioned in like 5 years...)😳
I'm currently preparing for college auditions, so this really came at the right time
As a professional stage manager, I would add that a common mistake that people make is that they are sometimes a dick to the person outside the room who is doing the ushering. That person is often a member of stage management for the show, and have a relationship with the people on the panel. Just remember that we all talk to each other. I promise you, this does happen. I was Stage Manager for a long-running musical in the west-end for many years and had this happen to me quite often. I am sure it's caused by nerves. But it isn't a good idea to come across as unpleasant. :-)
I LOVE YOU AMYYYY YOU DESERVE 50K
Sunny Freya no she deserves 1 million
50K!!!!!!! Congrats!!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️💕💕💕
Big big congrats, you make me feel positive ✨
omg amy did you just say penis.. I can't believe you'd say that :///
( congratulations on 50k !
Congrats on 50k!!!
THANK YOU!!!! i'm going out for lockstock in a production of urinetown, it's my first musical auditon and it's this tuesday!
I have heard many opinions about eye contact in Auditions. I've heard panelists say they wish people looked at them more, hear panellists say please don't look at the panel too much and some say look at them a good amount just not too much..
You have inspired me to look at becoming an actor.
I love this! Thank you for the tips!! I'm looking forward to auditions this year!
I don’t know, but I’ve always been told to sing to give tempo because snapping or patting it is rude. 🤷🏻♀️
I have 2 auditions this month so im loving the perfect timing
The moment you go into an audition and they give you lines for every character with glasses
Go Eugene! 😻
I HATE having auditions where the people are like 15 feet or less in front of me it feels so awkward I hate looking at them AHHH
I’m having my first audition since September in a few weeks so this is mega helpful
This was so helpful, I have my first audition coming up!!!
On Monday this past week, I thought the youth production at my local theater was full, so I hadn't prepared to do an audition. But then, my mom got a call saying that they had someone cancel, so I could come, audition, and be in the show. Auditions had already started at that point, and I had to be there within an hour. I ended up singing Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid. I know that's not a great song for an audition, but it was last minute and I knew the song well. It was incredibly stressful, but I did it. I ended up being a steward in Frozen Jr. which isn't a big part, but I'm glad I even got to be in it. I haven't finished the video yet, but you probably didn't ask for stories. Sorry.
Hi! I’ve also been to many auditions as well! Great advice Amy! A lot of advice I’ve gotten from Accompanists is that when you set your tempo, it’s best just to sing it a bit, and not snap or clap at them because it can come off a bit diva-ish!
It would also be great to let the accompanist know when to stop playing!
This came out at a wonderful time...I've got a Matilda audition tonight and I am BIG nervous
Well, things went great and I got Mrs. Phelps :')
I’m auditioning for the secret garden and I’m not that familiar with the songs if anyone has any good soprano songs I would be very grateful x thank you xxx
Isabelle Chapman I’d highly recommend checking out Katherine Steele’s video where she goes through 50 audition songs for Sopranos, here’s a link: th-cam.com/video/Ha47mFyxpI4/w-d-xo.html I hope this helps you find something!
I was surprised by how much literary analysis goes into preparing for an audition!
Your story about not knowing the play write reminds me of when I auditioned for school of Rock and I sang I don’t know how to love him from jcs and the director asked me if I could be in any Andrew loyd Webber show what would it be and I was fairly new to theatre so I didn’t know all the musicals alw had done so I kid you not my answer was “uhhhhh... this one?”. And to make matters worse the accompanist snapped back “so you wouldn’t be in phantom or cats” as she practically threw my sheet music at me. I really just wanted to disappear on the spot. I got in though!
Question: for the sheet music, should you bring more than one copy? Like you bring a copy for the pianist, but should you bring one for yourself too or do they like it memorized?
Nicole Kester KNOW YOUR WORDS!! If you don't it looks like you are unprepared or don't care. But bringing extra copies isn't bad just make sure your music is taped so you don't have page turns
I would say it’s always best to be off book. But sometimes it’s impossible if it’s a new musical and/or they just gave you the music to the whole song right before, that’s the only time you should ever have the sheet music in your hand while auditioning.
I have an audition on Tuesday so thank you!
yay! I hope it goes well!
Amy Lovatt aww thank you so much it’s an audition for Willy wonka and I’m trying our with Wonderful from wicked!
İ have one next sunday
Break a leg ❤️
Isabel Erhart you to
One time I went into an audition for Legally Blonde and I got a redirection “that was great, now try it more butch.” Lmao guess what part I booked 😂
Great advice! 👏🏻👏🏻
Another one might be to try and show that you are confident because they might not cast you if they think that you can’t handle nerves.
I had a horror show when in a midterm exam in my music class in high school my singing teacher arrived to play the piano and said 'I've got a new arrangement, it's in a different key but you'll be fine' and i had to sing the whole thing in a different key on the fly it was awful
Hi! Newer subscriber here. I’ve been loving going through your videos, glad I found you ^_^
Are you sometimes allowed to be the one playing the piano? So can you play and sing? I just thought it would be easier if you have musical talent as well as vocal.
Completely agree about eye contact. Especially for speeches. However, for songs don’t stare at them at all for the whole song BUT make sure you acknowledge them at some points as a guy who taught me who used to work out Mountview and is very well known in the industry said, ‘it’s one thing to tell the story and feel the song but I don’t recall someone unless they share what they are feeling with me!!’ Since I’ve done that, everything changed!! It’s not like you have to stare for more then 5 seconds but just glance at them now and again on certain words and include them. It keeps them focussed and engaged but they also have chance to write notes when looking away😊
I cannot count the number of times that my friends (who were accompanists) at school got crappy sheet music from uncaring vocalists. I was annoyed as a vocalist and a fellow accompanist. Always think of the pianist as your collaborative partner - treat them with respect and work hard at making sure they feel as good as you do about the performance/audition/lesson!
I am guilty of the eye contact thing 😅 Everytime I go thinking "look above their heads" and then I realize I am looking in their eyes and it's weird to stop because I am in the middle of the song hahaha
Something similar to your last one actually happened to me. I was auditioning for my future school's show choir and I was so prepared... until I got there and the choir director started asking me questions about these musical terms I knew nothing about. Then, when she asked me which ensemble I wanted to be put in, I told her any of the 3 would be fine. Yeah. Needless to say, I got put in the beginners class. Moral of the story: The performance isn't everything. Your knowledge is just as important.
This keeps happening!
I have an audition tomorrow and Amy posts an audition related video😂
Thanks for the awesome advise
Rebekah Neubecker haha same 😂 good luck for yours!!
@@GabriellaFitzGerald Break a leg! 😁
It makes me so happy that there are 50k other theatre kids watching this with me
Thanx this was really helpful! :) May I ask to wich drama school/college did you go to? (Or went to? Geez I am confusion America explain)
Once i went to and audition and tried to sing higher then i could at the time and my music teacher thought i couldn’t sing
Love you well done xxx
Im auditioning for drama school next year (and probs the year after lol) this video was useful
When you have an audition the next day😂
best of luck!
Thanks this was very helpful video
The cat 🤣🤣 I died. Worse situation I’ve seen is someone bringing sheet music that was only the melody line, no piano part. The backup was in a different key to what they learnt. It was a group audition so everyone was there to watch.
That moment when I had a hilariously bad audition yesterday... And then see this. Yeah okay universe. Thanks for that 😂❤️
Remember a drama school audition where they asked me to sing to a student, she walked out half way through so I just followed her and kept singing down to the canteen. The audition panel were nowhere near me and everyone else outside waiting for their audition crapped their pants. Glad it got me my place haha
'Oh My GoD sHe SaId PeNiS'
I'm dead 🤣
Literally have an audition today and woke up to this video 😂
Something out of context:
Where did you get these pillows?! I love them but can't find them on the Internet 😂
heathers and Beetlejuice are from redbubble and the mean girls one is the official merch x
@@AmyLovatt1 okay, thank you so much😊♥️
When I went to the Matilda audition there was a girl in SHOOL UNIFORM! SHOOL UNIFORM!!!!
I think another word for pianist that’s less confusing is accompanist
All I wanna do is make these sort of videos but I have never been to a professional audition :/
Also why when you slowed the audio down why did you sound like Lewis? 😂
(Musical Theatre TH-camr here :))
Hope Wilson I thought this also 😂
coach: make eye contact with the judges.
amy: don’t make eye contact with the judges.
*shite.*
She got 16.8k subs since this was released js :)
Even the subtitles think you are saying penis Amy xD Also this was really helpful :)))) I'll use this advice in the future! Thanks Amy :D
"Just, chill out a little bit"
Some might say.. you need to Be More Chill? Eh? I would say "I'll go" but honestly I'd like to spice it up a little so... *_I shall exit this page of the internet now, for I have made a half-assed pun on TH-cam of all places and some people dislike that._*
pi-anist or pia-nist
I think most people I know would say Pia-nist but maybe I need to be more careful how I say it haha!
first