By Musical Theatre Chair Andy Robinson
1. Choose material that you’re comfortable with, or if possible, material that you’ve done before. Within our song requirements, there is a lot of flexibility. You will always sing a song that you know well much better than one that you just learned.
2. Know what your sonnet means, both generally and specifically. Because we do a lot of Shakespeare in our program, the sonnet asks you to learn what that medium is like to work with. It’s like homework. The sonnet definitely has a thesis—it is saying something profound (usually about love) and each of the three quatrains (the four-line verses) demonstrates that idea or its opposite. The couplet (the two lines at the end) are the zinger that drives the idea home. Finally, to perform the sonnet well, you must know how each word of your sonnet fits into the big picture.
3. Make sure you’re REALLY memorized. Everything that you want to be able to do in the audition—show confidence, be in command, show us nuance in your acting—depends on your solid memorization of the material. The adrenaline of your nerves will undercut memorization a little, so be prepared for that.
4. Come ready to work and play. We’re interested in working with you on what you’ve brought in. We might have you do a song or monologue several times, each time with a different approach. And as for being ready to play, that’s about seeing each part of the audition as a chance to learn and perform. Even if you don’t have much dance experience, finding the chance to learn and perform within the challenge will show us what kind of student and performer you are.
6. Do not choose a monologue from the Internet. Use one of the recommended plays or another quality piece and read the entire play that it came from. Well-written plays provide good material that show off your skills.
7. Keep it simple! Don’t assume that you need to be someone other than you are to impress us. We’re looking for interesting, excited young people to be in an ensemble for making art. Impress us with your preparation, your professionalism, and your passion!
