Musical Theatre Auditions and Casting: A performer's guide viewed from both sides of the audition table

by Neil Rutherford

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781408160626
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/01/2012
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Originally an actor playing roles in London's West End, Neil Rutherford worked in production at the English National Opera before becoming Head of Casting for the Ambassador Theatre Group. In addition to his professional casting work worldwide, Neil regularly lectures in audition technique at major UK drama schools and events, holds masterclasses throughout the world, and has been an audition panelist, contributor and adviser to Channel 4, the BBC, ITV, BBC Performing Arts Fund, The Actors Centre, Spotlight Actors Publications, and numerous drama schools in the UK. www.neilrutherford.com

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements ix

Foreword Bartlett Sher xi

Contributors' Biographies xiii

Introduction 1

Section 1 Before the Audition

Chapter 1 How the Audition Process Works 13

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 55

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 2 The Audition

Chapter 3 The Day of Your Audition 127

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 145

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 205

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 235

Glossary 239

Index 243