Hi guys! I have watched several of your videos (and redid my book entirely :) and I'm happy to report that I booked my first National tour! (NU--sorry! but I'm not union yet :/) I am so excited! It's My Fair Lady directed by Bartlett Sher!!!!! I'm almost more thrilled that I'll be working directly with HIM and that he has rightly returned the musical to its Shaw origins by correcting the ending b/c of course Eliza would not stay with the imbecile Higgins! Anyway, I'm very grateful to both of you b/c you gave me hope! :) Thank you for this service.
An etiquette question. You are in a callback where the music and dialogue are done separately. You sing. They ask you to stay and read, but in the end, they don't call on you, should you say something? I was trained to not say anything; trust the director and trust the room, but worry that not respectfully advocating for yourself and your time (two hours specifically). Thoughts?
very very helpful. i just did a callback for a nonunion tour of Fiddler. I THOUGHT i had prepared really well, but at my age (57), it takes much longer to memorize so i had to remember that i need to prepare 7 times as much as i did when i was young. and it was for yente, so just a running stream of thoughts from out her mouth--little dialogue! meaning, nothing to cue you, and not a person to have dramatic pauses b/c she doesn't let anyone else get a word in! i kept blanking in the first monologue, looking down at the page, my focus was gone and i was basically just mouthing the lines while panicking inside. i got my stride for the second scene and songs, but i left thinking i really need to prepare better for nerves. hearing how much you prepared for hamilton--with a young mind!--made me realize that as much as i prepared, it wasn't nearly enough since my nerves shattered my focus. thank you :)
Thank you so much for sharing your story Madeline! Yes, preparation is so crucial to a successful audition. We have to be clever about how we prepare the audition scenario too. Recording ourselves, performing for family/peers, and repetition are helpful tools. Excited to hear about your next audition!
@@32BARCUT "We have to be clever about how we prepare the audition scenario too." interesting...maybe you can expand on this in a future video? sounds instructive... and thank you!
I seriously love watching your videos. This really helped me to prepare for 2 big auditions and I managed to get a call back for Banzai in "Lion KIng" in the West End. Adrienne since you've been in the cast of Lion KIng, do you have any specific tips that could help me on my CB? Love you both. thanks again.
Hi Henrique! Congrats on your callback! It really all comes down to type. If they like your type, they’ll give you direction in the room. Listen closely and try your best to do what they ask. It’s a really great group of people. Banzai is Shenzi’s right hand guy, but keep in mind, everyone listens to Shenzi, she is their leader. The hyena’s work together as a unit. They may also have you try the puppet on. Don’t worry, it takes an adjustment to get used to it. Just come in with an open and positive attitude. Break a leg! Thank you so much for watching and subscribing. We are routing for you!
Thank you for all your advice! I love this channel and all of the great tips and tricks! Just filmed and sent in my callback self tape for the show of my dreams!
What if being off book isn’t in your control? I’ve had tv auditions where they give you like 12+ pages, including monologues and 24 hours. How do you get that performance ready/confident? How do you make it work?
Hi JKL! Thanks for watching, and thanks for your question. We are primarily talking about musical theatre in this video. But I have been giving the same hard task of having to learn several pages of copy for tv/film auditions in a very short amount of time. Here are some tips: The more you practice memorizing lines quickly, the better you become at memorizing lines quickly. Don't wait until auditions come around to work on this skill, practice now with real scenes and get better at memorization. Keep in mind the context of each scene and where your character's arc is going. That may help you retain the material better, moreso than just thinking of line to line. Sometimes you won't be "word perfect" but the story and the intent will be there. (take this with a grain of salt, you don't want to be too off from the script, ever) Lastly, might I offer that you check out Christine Horn's "The Booking Magnet"? She is an actress and entrepreneur and she is fierce when it comes to giving actors tools and tips of the trade. Here is her website christinehorn.lpages.co/bma/ Good luck to you and thanks for watching and adding to the conversation! (Adrienne)
I have my first musical theatre callback ever (I’m more an actor who sings) and I was just given the entire script and not asked to prepare anything, just that I’ll be asked to sing, do sides, and move. Can I ask is there a specific part I should focus on? Or since I already asked that should I just try to know as much as I can? Thanks
Hey Johanna! Thanks for watching and thank you for your question. This is Adrienne here, Austin may have some input to add as well. Is there a specific role that you are interested in, that you want to go for? If so, make sure you’re most familiar with that role. Also, have a song of your choice (not from the show) in the style of the show, ready and memorized to sing. Bring your own sheet music. Print it out three times. Have the whole song ready, a 32 bar cut ready, and a 16 bar cut ready to sing and perform upon request. You can reference Austin’s 3 part 32 Bar Cut series for tips on how to make your own 32 bar cut for your audition book. Hopefully they will give you more clear information about the sides and song before your audition. But you can do these preliminary things to prepare and calm your nerves before the audition. Break a leg!
@@32BARCUT thanks so much for this!! I’ve also been familiarizing myself with songs from the show but I’ll def have another song ready then. Thanks so much!! To you both
My school did tryouts so that we did auditions, the next day we find out if we got a callback, and then we do callbacks then next day so we have less than 24 hours to prepare
Can you clarify? Did you receive a list of songs, or did you receive sheet music? For a callback you should always strive to be off-book. The closer you are to booking the gig, the more you want to let them know that you are capable. I have never received a "list of songs" for a callback. But I have received a booklet of music with several songs and sides in it. I was expected to know them all.
Thank you so much For your information!!! Very valuable. I’ve been cast in a really fun show in my location and look forward to working with these wonderful actors but wanted to get some more insight on what professionals do and how they prepare and this information is gold so thank you.
YES! If you haven't studied Musical Theatre you have NO IDEA!! I have anxiety now because of these auditions. I think, in the UK, they should give notes instead of saying "Thank you, goodbye". Or laughing at you in your audition. (Yes. That's happened). I NEVER book Musical Theatre gigs anymore. I don't know what they want to see. I was consumed, in my mind, by what I imagined they wanted me to sound like. What type of voice they expected. In the UK, they always expect to hear an American 'Born in The Church' type of voice. Not all of us have that. I didn't even think about my type of voice. My 'self'. FLUNKED BIG TIME. ALL the time! Now I've found you, I realise its MY VOICE I should be showing off. Hopefully it'll be different. Better. What happens when the sheet music they provided is different to the recordings they provided and you don't play the piano, and they only gave you 2 days to prepare these original songs from the show?
Hi April! That truly depends on the show you're going in for. For example, if you're going in for something "Golden Age" like Carousel, I'd say sure! But if you're going in for something more contemporary like "Dear Evan Hansen" I'd say absolutely not. Everything you do in the audition should be for that specific booking/job. If they ask for something classical, SURE, go for it. But there are only rare occasions when that will occur. Thank you for watching!
This is a hybrid question for the audition and callback videos. As a bass-baritone, it's hard to find contemporary material in my tessitura (even in my range). When I find songs that work, they tend to be a bit more obscure. The last two times (nonunion regional/community theatre), no one (creative team and accompanist) knew the song I was doing. Last night I had an audition for Songs For A New World and I auditioned with Fight From the Heart from Rocky, which I don't think is too rare, but it's in 12/8 and starts off both hands in bass clef, so it's hard to sightread. I'm wondering if rarer songs are hindering me. When the accompaniment doesn't go "right," and the final product doesn't come out as I envisioned, I keep wondering if it's jeopardizing my chances for a callback. I should find out in a couple of days if I get a callback. Perhaps this is more tailored to nonprofessional theatre? Or I just need to dumb down my accompaniment more? I'd love any thoughts or advice :)
Yes, rarer songs can absolutely hinder you, depending on the level of accompanist of course. I would suggest changing keys of material that you like. It is TOTALLY OKAY to do tenor songs or even female songs if you dig the material and make it your own. Lower the key and rock it! Also, yes, have an alternate version of difficult songs in your book that have a stripped down accompaniment. You want to set your accompanist up for success, regardless of their level. Check out this week's episode on dealing with a bad accompanist for some helpful tips on this. It will be released this Saturday at 10am ET.
@@32BARCUT thank you so much for this! Very helpful. I tend to shy away from material that doesn't "sound like me" on a recording, so this gives me hope that I won't be dinged if I bring in a different version. I watched that video already. I think I left a comment on that, too ;)
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Yall made my heart happy when you said it doesn't matter where you are, you can make it to broadway:)
It is so true! 💗
singing to the reader, starting with strongest suit and writing down every note they give is the best advice, thank you!
Hi guys! I have watched several of your videos (and redid my book entirely :) and I'm happy to report that I booked my first National tour! (NU--sorry! but I'm not union yet :/) I am so excited! It's My Fair Lady directed by Bartlett Sher!!!!! I'm almost more thrilled that I'll be working directly with HIM and that he has rightly returned the musical to its Shaw origins by correcting the ending b/c of course Eliza would not stay with the imbecile Higgins! Anyway, I'm very grateful to both of you b/c you gave me hope! :) Thank you for this service.
Congratulations!!!
How long after a final call back did you hear that you’ve booked the job? Will they tell you if you didn’t?
An etiquette question. You are in a callback where the music and dialogue are done separately. You sing. They ask you to stay and read, but in the end, they don't call on you, should you say something? I was trained to not say anything; trust the director and trust the room, but worry that not respectfully advocating for yourself and your time (two hours specifically). Thoughts?
very very helpful. i just did a callback for a nonunion tour of Fiddler. I THOUGHT i had prepared really well, but at my age (57), it takes much longer to memorize so i had to remember that i need to prepare 7 times as much as i did when i was young. and it was for yente, so just a running stream of thoughts from out her mouth--little dialogue! meaning, nothing to cue you, and not a person to have dramatic pauses b/c she doesn't let anyone else get a word in! i kept blanking in the first monologue, looking down at the page, my focus was gone and i was basically just mouthing the lines while panicking inside. i got my stride for the second scene and songs, but i left thinking i really need to prepare better for nerves. hearing how much you prepared for hamilton--with a young mind!--made me realize that as much as i prepared, it wasn't nearly enough since my nerves shattered my focus. thank you :)
Thank you so much for sharing your story Madeline! Yes, preparation is so crucial to a successful audition. We have to be clever about how we prepare the audition scenario too. Recording ourselves, performing for family/peers, and repetition are helpful tools. Excited to hear about your next audition!
@@32BARCUT "We have to be clever about how we prepare the audition scenario too." interesting...maybe you can expand on this in a future video? sounds instructive... and thank you!
I seriously love watching your videos. This really helped me to prepare for 2 big auditions and I managed to get a call back for Banzai in "Lion KIng" in the West End. Adrienne since you've been in the cast of Lion KIng, do you have any specific tips that could help me on my CB? Love you both. thanks again.
Hi Henrique! Congrats on your callback!
It really all comes down to type. If they like your type, they’ll give you direction in the room. Listen closely and try your best to do what they ask. It’s a really great group of people. Banzai is Shenzi’s right hand guy, but keep in mind, everyone listens to Shenzi, she is their leader. The hyena’s work together as a unit. They may also have you try the puppet on. Don’t worry, it takes an adjustment to get used to it. Just come in with an open and positive attitude.
Break a leg! Thank you so much for watching and subscribing. We are routing for you!
What Show Should We Do? is going to be my new focusing tool to listen to when on my way to a callback.
Love that!
Do they ever do chemistry reads with other called back actors at this level?
Good advice:) I teach audition workshops for young actors and appreciate the validation of hearing your tips!
That's awesome! Let us know if you have any tips you think should be included in our episodes.
Thank you for all your advice! I love this channel and all of the great tips and tricks! Just filmed and sent in my callback self tape for the show of my dreams!
Amazing Bianca! Thanks for the kind words. Putting some positive energy your way in hopes you book it!
What if being off book isn’t in your control? I’ve had tv auditions where they give you like 12+ pages, including monologues and 24 hours. How do you get that performance ready/confident? How do you make it work?
Hi JKL! Thanks for watching, and thanks for your question. We are primarily talking about musical theatre in this video. But I have been giving the same hard task of having to learn several pages of copy for tv/film auditions in a very short amount of time. Here are some tips:
The more you practice memorizing lines quickly, the better you become at memorizing lines quickly. Don't wait until auditions come around to work on this skill, practice now with real scenes and get better at memorization.
Keep in mind the context of each scene and where your character's arc is going. That may help you retain the material better, moreso than just thinking of line to line. Sometimes you won't be "word perfect" but the story and the intent will be there. (take this with a grain of salt, you don't want to be too off from the script, ever)
Lastly, might I offer that you check out Christine Horn's "The Booking Magnet"? She is an actress and entrepreneur and she is fierce when it comes to giving actors tools and tips of the trade. Here is her website christinehorn.lpages.co/bma/
Good luck to you and thanks for watching and adding to the conversation!
(Adrienne)
@@32BARCUT oh that’s awesome advice! Thanks for taking the time to respond Adrienne! And thank you to you and your husband for making these videos!
I have my first musical theatre callback ever (I’m more an actor who sings) and I was just given the entire script and not asked to prepare anything, just that I’ll be asked to sing, do sides, and move. Can I ask is there a specific part I should focus on? Or since I already asked that should I just try to know as much as I can? Thanks
Hey Johanna! Thanks for watching and thank you for your question. This is Adrienne here, Austin may have some input to add as well.
Is there a specific role that you are interested in, that you want to go for? If so, make sure you’re most familiar with that role. Also, have a song of your choice (not from the show) in the style of the show, ready and memorized to sing. Bring your own sheet music. Print it out three times. Have the whole song ready, a 32 bar cut ready, and a 16 bar cut ready to sing and perform upon request. You can reference Austin’s 3 part 32 Bar Cut series for tips on how to make your own 32 bar cut for your audition book.
Hopefully they will give you more clear information about the sides and song before your audition. But you can do these preliminary things to prepare and calm your nerves before the audition.
Break a leg!
@@32BARCUT thanks so much for this!! I’ve also been familiarizing myself with songs from the show but I’ll def have another song ready then. Thanks so much!! To you both
My school did tryouts so that we did auditions, the next day we find out if we got a callback, and then we do callbacks then next day so we have less than 24 hours to prepare
Yes! Sometimes callbacks have a super quick turn around. I hope that yours went well. Thank you so much for watching!
Sooo,are you supposed to memorize all of the songs for a callback if they give you a list, or do you just pick one? Thanks!
Can you clarify? Did you receive a list of songs, or did you receive sheet music?
For a callback you should always strive to be off-book. The closer you are to booking the gig, the more you want to let them know that you are capable.
I have never received a "list of songs" for a callback. But I have received a booklet of music with several songs and sides in it. I was expected to know them all.
Thank you so much For your information!!! Very valuable. I’ve been cast in a really fun show in my location and look forward to working with these wonderful actors but wanted to get some more insight on what professionals do and how they prepare and this information is gold so thank you.
YES! If you haven't studied Musical Theatre you have NO IDEA!! I have anxiety now because of these auditions. I think, in the UK, they should give notes instead of saying "Thank you, goodbye". Or laughing at you in your audition. (Yes. That's happened). I NEVER book Musical Theatre gigs anymore. I don't know what they want to see. I was consumed, in my mind, by what I imagined they wanted me to sound like. What type of voice they expected. In the UK, they always expect to hear an American 'Born in The Church' type of voice. Not all of us have that. I didn't even think about my type of voice. My 'self'. FLUNKED BIG TIME. ALL the time! Now I've found you, I realise its MY VOICE I should be showing off. Hopefully it'll be different. Better. What happens when the sheet music they provided is different to the recordings they provided and you don't play the piano, and they only gave you 2 days to prepare these original songs from the show?
I have NEVER had any interaction/Notes in Musical Theatre Auditions EVER! They're not fun for me at all. This is in the UK.
When asked, 'What else do you have?' should you ever sing a classical piece?
Hi April! That truly depends on the show you're going in for. For example, if you're going in for something "Golden Age" like Carousel, I'd say sure! But if you're going in for something more contemporary like "Dear Evan Hansen" I'd say absolutely not. Everything you do in the audition should be for that specific booking/job. If they ask for something classical, SURE, go for it. But there are only rare occasions when that will occur. Thank you for watching!
This is a hybrid question for the audition and callback videos. As a bass-baritone, it's hard to find contemporary material in my tessitura (even in my range). When I find songs that work, they tend to be a bit more obscure. The last two times (nonunion regional/community theatre), no one (creative team and accompanist) knew the song I was doing. Last night I had an audition for Songs For A New World and I auditioned with Fight From the Heart from Rocky, which I don't think is too rare, but it's in 12/8 and starts off both hands in bass clef, so it's hard to sightread. I'm wondering if rarer songs are hindering me. When the accompaniment doesn't go "right," and the final product doesn't come out as I envisioned, I keep wondering if it's jeopardizing my chances for a callback. I should find out in a couple of days if I get a callback. Perhaps this is more tailored to nonprofessional theatre? Or I just need to dumb down my accompaniment more? I'd love any thoughts or advice :)
Yes, rarer songs can absolutely hinder you, depending on the level of accompanist of course. I would suggest changing keys of material that you like. It is TOTALLY OKAY to do tenor songs or even female songs if you dig the material and make it your own. Lower the key and rock it! Also, yes, have an alternate version of difficult songs in your book that have a stripped down accompaniment. You want to set your accompanist up for success, regardless of their level. Check out this week's episode on dealing with a bad accompanist for some helpful tips on this. It will be released this Saturday at 10am ET.
@@32BARCUT thank you so much for this! Very helpful. I tend to shy away from material that doesn't "sound like me" on a recording, so this gives me hope that I won't be dinged if I bring in a different version. I watched that video already. I think I left a comment on that, too ;)