Musical Theatre Auditions and Casting : A Performer's Guide Viewed From Both Sides of the Audition Table

Annotation Musical theatre is a tough and over-crowded industry. Yet, despite the huge competition, many performers find auditioning difficult with little knowledge of what the directors, creative teams and producers are looking for, or how to win the panel over with their unique talent. As a leading international casting director, Neil Rutherford has seen thousands of hopefuls audition over the years. Uniquely, he also understands what it is like to audition from his years as a professional actor in musical theatre. This book provides a unique perspective on the musical theatre audition process and how to improve the chances of landing a role. With wit, humour and insight, Neil Rutherford guides the reader through the crucial elements of musical theatre auditions, opening up the process of casting and auditioning to the thousands of hopefuls trying to secure work in this industry every year, as well as anyone involved in musical theatre. With a foreword by Tony-award-winning director Bartlett Sher, the book also contains contributions from some of the world's leading directors and musical directors, including Sir Richard Eyre and Jerry Mitchell, adding further valuable insight from those at the centre of the musical theatre world. This book is a vital tool for anyone hoping to improve their audition chances and survive in the world of musical theatre Cover CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FOREWORD CONTRIBUTORS’ BIOGRAPHIES INTRODUCTION Section One: Before the Audition CHAPTER 1 HOW THE AUDITION PROCESS WORKS Who are casting directors and what do they do? Initial conversations How do casting directors find actors? The casting breakdown Agents and submissions Your relationship with your agent Online casting services Your photographs and CV What is a casting director looking for on a CV? The casting directors’ database Seeing actors in productions Direct submissions from actors Networking Reputation Realistic expectations Nearly time for us to call the agents ... Words of Wisdom CHAPTER 2 PREPARING FOR YOUR AUDITION Types of audition Getting your audition information The day job Where is your audition being held? Who’s going to be at the audition? Gathering background information Your repertoire songbook Choosing your songs Song styles What makes a good audition song? What songs shouldn’t you sing? What do you sing for your specific audition? Context of audition songs The detail in your song Rehearsing your song Preparing your sheet music Spoken monologues and acting scenes Auditioning while on tour Keeping physically and mentally ‘match fit’ Words of Wisdom Section Two: The Audition CHAPTER 3 THE DAY OF YOUR AUDITION The Night Before Illness Check the travel report Warming up Clothing and hair Audition diary Audition checklist basics Words of Wisdom CHAPTER 4 THE AUDITION Nerves The first-round singing audition Arriving at the audition venue Waiting to audition Entering the room Time to sing! Your time with the pianist Acting through song Using your introduction and endings Speaking during your song Never apologise The first thirty seconds False starts and forgetting Eyeline Performance levels Choreography and movement within songs Furniture and props Being stopped during your song Your second songs Getting out of the room The dance call At the dance audition The non-dancers at a dance call Gatecrashing Open auditions Taped auditions And you’re out of the room ... Words of Wisdom CHAPTER 5 CALL-BACKS AND BEYOND Call-backs New members of the panel New material Text work Be brave Asking questions Looking at you in a new way Readers Accents Dealing with poor text Reading at sight Dyslexia Call-back songs Keeping on top of your call-back Group auditions The final audition The end of the audition process The decision-making process Profile casting Approvals Rejection Feedback Words of Wisdom CHAPTER 6 FINAL THOUGHTS GLOSSARY INDEX A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z Neil Rutherford's book provides a unique perspective on the musical theatre audition process from the viewpiont of one of the most influential and commercial casting directors in the West End, who has also had extensive experience as a professional actor.