Musical Theatre

Selecting your piece:
You are required to perform a 3-5 minute song from the musical of your choice. Although the choice is solely your decision, it is very highly recommended that your song is selected from a professionally produced theatre work. This ensures a standard of composition and lyric that will showcase your talents and abilities much better than some untried backyard musical.

Also track down the sheet music (with piano line) to your selected piece. This is important if you are successful at heats stage and go on to state finals.

The great part about STS is that unlike the guidelines some auditions place upon you, you are open to portray characters of any age and background. However, make sure that you have the ability play your selected character convincingly. It will be reflected in judging if you have bitten off a bit more than you can chew.

The same goes for finding pieces in your vocal range. You could not only be doing yourself a disservice in the judgement process by thrashing your voice to nearly hit those tough notes, but you could also be damaging your instrument. It should never hurt when singing correctly, so if it does get some advice from a professional voice teacher.

If you're auditioning for any of the major music or musical theatre schools (e.g. WAAPA, Queensland Conservatorium, VCA, NIDA) you may be preparing a piece for them that have certain guidelines for selection. Using these pieces is fine, but if you think that there could be another piece out there that shows you off better, look for it. Trust us, it can really pay off, and you'll enjoy the experience much more performing from a musical you love!

Read:
Preparing songs for musical auditions is tough. Sometimes it's difficult to get your hands on a complete score and book, a professional recording, piano/vocal sheet music, and so on. Wherever possible, try and track down all these things as well as the book of the musical, usually available to order from good book shops or online. It will have the full script and lyrics, as well as some background from the writers and composers. Read it again and again and again! It only takes a couple of hours, so there's no excuse for not having read it at least a few times.

It's also very obvious to a judge when you haven't seen, read or understood the piece. Please give yourself the best chance of success and get studying.

This is an important step for developing your knowledge of your character, their behaviours and most importantly their context. What are the personality, relationship and environmental factors that influence them to do what they do and say what they say?

Research:
There are two components to research - the time and place the musical is set, and the time and place it was written. Both of these will provide background on the underlying messages the work attempts to communicate, and the reasons why the composer, lyricist and playwright decided it was important to create. Believe us - composing a musical is not a task you take on lightly!

Recite:
Learn your words as a monologue. This will ensure that you know them well enough not to forget them mid-performance, as well as giving you a good insight into the text and dynamic of the piece. A clean slate is important to develop from.

Then to the music. Sheet music is very important here, as the judges will know when you're singing the wrong notes and mimicking the Official Broadway Cast recording. Learn the piece as it is composed including all the bits that you think are boring. Colour, dynamic, modulation and modification can all be added later. Before we can run, skip and jump, we have to learn to walk!

The great part about musicals is that the music gives you clues as to the emotion of your character. However, it's just as important for you to pick the text apart to identify the dynamic and the subtext. Some of the best songs have lyrics and themes that totally contradict the actual musical content. Break it down into beats, actions, emotions, conflicts, barriers, whatever - anything to help you develop that dynamic and propel your character on their journey.

And remember to warm up properly before every singing session to minimise risk to your voice.

Blocking and Choreography:
Make solid decisions on your stage movement. Everything that happens on stage needs a reason, including where and how you're moving. Your stance, pace, physicality and location should always be charged with a feeling or reason. On the other hand, if you feel an impulse, go for it! In the rehearsal room nothing is incorrect and you can pick and choose what works. But remember when honouring impulses that 'just because' is very different to 'I just HAD to!', so make sure your choice is clear cut and confident.

Choreography and dance can be incorporated in your performance if your piece calls for it. Make sure your choreo is safe, within your capability, and actually has a reason for being there!

Also ensure you wear a suitable costume, makeup and hair for your character. The more convincing the better, as it will help you to immerse yourself in your new persona.

Challenge Yourself:
We don't want you to get up and sing a song because you have to. I hate doing that, you hate doing that, and judges don't want to see it. We want you to push the boundaries, show us the range of your skills, entertain and engage us. When you leave an audition knowing you could have shown the judges something more it's a terrible feeling, so give yourself the best chance and craft your performance to the best of your ability!