A Pianist's Guide to Playing Musical Theatre Auditions


Book Description

With the significant increase of musical theatre companies across the United States and internationally, there is an equally serious need in the marketplace for talented musicians who are interested in the repertoire to serve in myriad roles for theatre companies. A pianist may conceivably seek employment in such roles, including: music director, vocal coach, conductor, rehearsal pianist, dance rehearsal accompanist, performance pianist (keyboardist), keyboard programmer, band leader, orchestral or pit musician, musical preparation, outreach performance pianist, and audition accompanist. Currently, there is scarce scholarly literature regarding the vocation of the musical theatre pianist despite increasing demand for pianists to fill these roles. This research paper begins the discussion for pianists aiming to join the field by focusing specifically on the role of the audition accompanist. By examining ways in which pianists can prepare, execute, and evaluate their performance of musical theatre auditions, pianists can continue to grow and learn new skills, and develop their ongoing musical and professional talents.










The Complete Professional Audition


Book Description

In the United States, there are 300,000 actors; 100,000 hold union cards. There are 184 college theater programs and 108 performing-arts high schools. There are 578 acting schools and coaches in New York City and Los Angeles alone. The Complete Professional Audition is the one book all of those actors need-because before actors can act, they have to pass the audition! Here's practical, hand-holding advice for choosing material, rehearsing, warming up, staying calm, standing out in a crowd, understanding casting, avoiding pitfalls, following up, getting the right headshot and resume, and accepting an offer. There's even a section on handling rejection-not that The Complete Professional Audition user is ever going to need that, of course. Ultra-useful appendices of recommended songs and monologues (yes!) make this the complete guide for everyone with an audition coming up. • Designed for both play and musical auditions • There are 300,000 actors and acting students in the US-and all of them want an edge at the audition • Through his workshops and seminars, author Darren Cohen knows exactly what actors need to pass an audition and get that part • Practical, down-to-earth ideas that work From the Trade Paperback edition.




How To Audition For a Musical


Book Description

If you want to know the secrets of those who succeed in musical theater, then check out this "How To Audition For a Musical" guide. In this step-by-step guide, you will learn not only the basic but improvement tips as well to surpass musical theater auditions. - Learn the basics of good singing dancing and acting. - Know how to audition well and come across as a well-rounded actor, singer and dancer. - Gain the basic skills necessary to audition for Musical Theater that will lead to impressing directors and judges as well. - Be familiar with Musical Theater terminologies. - Be familiar with Musical Theater etiquette. - Know your strengths, skills as well as weaknesses and tips to improve. - Learn the do's and don'ts in the audition proper - Determine what makes a good/bad audition - Learn how to sell yourself and how to behave in a theater setting. - And much more. HowExpert publishes quick 'how to' guides on all topics from A to Z by everyday experts.




The Ultimate Musical Theater College Audition Guide


Book Description

In The Ultimate Musical Theatre College Audition Guide, author, acting teacher, and musical theatre program director Amy Rogers offers an honest, no-nonsense guide to the musical theatre audition. Written for high school students and their parents, teachers, and mentors, the book demystifies what can be an overwhelming process with step-by-step explanations of audition checkpoints to answer every student's question, "where do I begin?" Chapters explore degree types, summer programs and intensives, audition coaches, what to sing, what to wear, headshots, how to prepare your monologue, the dance call, the university and program applications, prescreens, on-campus auditions, Unifides, resumes, acceptances/waitlists/rejections, and more. The book also includes advice from over 10 top-tier program directors and faculty, as well as examples from students, parents, and experts currently working on Broadway. Written with compassion, experience, and a love of the industry, Rogers' essential all-in-one guide is guaranteed to prevent surprise throughout the audition process.




Musical Theatre Auditions and Casting


Book Description

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.




Get the Callback


Book Description

All great auditions require preparation and practice, but what’s the secret to securing a callback? What are the best ways to prepare for that pivotal moment? And once you’re in front of the casting director, what does it take to make the most out of your moment in the spotlight? In this second edition of Get the Callback: The Art of Auditioning for Musical Theatre, Jonathan Flom provides practical advice on the many facets of preparation, including selection of songs and monologues to suit your voice and the audition, organizing and arranging your music, working with the accompanist, and presenting yourself to the casting team. The book gives a detailed description of the actual audition performance and even offers advice on how non-dancers can survive a dance audition. In addition to extensively revised chapters on the audition process and how to build a repertoire book, this guide also features updated chapters on headshots, resumes, and cover letters; voice training techniques from Matthew Edward; advice from musical director Joey Chancey; and a foreword by casting director Joy Dewing. Aimed at professionals as well as young artists, this second edition of Get the Callback is a must-have for both seasoned and aspiring musical theatre performers.




Your Rep Book


Book Description

Prepping songs for Musical Theatre auditions can be more stressful and confusing than a bad production of Sweeney Todd... but this book can help. How do you find the right songs, and in all the various genres? Where do you get the sheet music? How do you edit it down to make your 16- or 32-bar cut? What even is a 16-bar cut?! Relax, diva: Your Rep Book has the answers to all these questions and so many more. Adam Wachter has taught courses on audition repertoire selection at top conservatories in the US and UK and spent years accompanying and sitting “behind the table” in auditions for everything from university programs to Broadway shows. This friendly and accessible guide is designed to answer all your questions and help you stock that rep book with tight cuts of great songs so you can walk into your next audition and totally nail it. Including a foreword by Broadway casting director Rachel Hoffman and an afterword by Broadway and West End star Caissie Levy, Your Rep Book takes its readers step-by-step through the strangely mysterious process of building your audition repertoire portfolio (or “rep book” in industry jargon). Leaving no stone – or showtune – unturned, it helps you identify what songs you need in which categories and explains where to find them, how to source and cut the sheet music, and even how to communicate effectively with the accompanist and act your song. Whether you're a high school student auditioning for college MT programs or the ink is still wet on your recent BFA, or even if you're a seasoned pro dusting off those old charts, Your Rep Book is here to help!




The Ultimate Musical Theater College Audition Guide


Book Description

In The Ultimate Musical Theatre College Audition Guide, author, acting teacher, and musical theatre program director Amy Rogers offers an honest, no-nonsense guide to the musical theatre audition. Written for high school students and their parents, teachers, and mentors, the book demystifies what can be an overwhelming process with step-by-step explanations of audition checkpoints to answer every student's question, "where do I begin?" Chapters explore degree types, summer programs and intensives, audition coaches, what to sing, what to wear, headshots, how to prepare your monologue, the dance call, the university and program applications, prescreens, on-campus auditions, Unifides, resumes, acceptances/waitlists/rejections, and more. The book also includes advice from over 10 top-tier program directors and faculty, as well as examples from students, parents, and experts currently working on Broadway. Written with compassion, experience, and a love of the industry, Rogers' essential all-in-one guide is guaranteed to prevent surprise throughout the audition process.