By Stacy Moscotti Moore, Founder of Audition Nervebusters, Musical Theatre Audition Coaching
For tweens who love performing in their school musicals, there’s always a big hurdle between them and the stage – the audition. I’ve seen countless kids psych themselves out during the process unnecessarily because they didn’t know what was really counted.
To help you get the competitive edge in auditions, here are 5 things tweens should keep in mind when auditioning:
1.Don’t Worry If The Director Takes Notes, Talks, Or Looks Away During Your Audition.
Kids assume that when a director writes things in an audition, they’re writing down what they did “wrong”. They’re not. Most times, they’re writing down possible roles, voice type, and things to help them recall what they loved about the audition. Same thing if they’re talking with someone at the table while you audition. It’s a good sign – they’re usually discussing possible roles. If the director isn’t watching you, they may just be listening to your vocal quality – good sign. Whatever you think the director is doing, they’re not. So don’t worry about it. It’s probably a good thing!
2. The Number Of Times You Read For A Part Means Nothing, Nor Does Reading First.
If you read first, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re the frontrunner. Sometimes the frontrunner is intentionally saved until last. Sometimes there’s not a frontrunner. Don’t read into it. Additionally, if you read more than once, great. If you only read once, great. The biggest part I ever got
in my life, I read once and the girl after me read for 20 minutes. However many times you read, even if it’s once, the part is YOURS in those 30 seconds. Command the stage and be so good that the director will want to cast you. Don’t waste your mental energy trying to game what the director is doing.
3. If The Director Stops You and Says “Thank You”, This Can Actually Be A Good Thing
The director only has so much time to audition people. If the director stops you, it can absolutely mean they loved you so they can move on to hear more people. I’ve cast tweens in leads from 10 seconds of reading in a callback and saying “thank you” – I know they thought they did terrible because I cut them off – I just needed to read 40 more people in 30 minutes of callback time! So if the director stops you in the middle, it doesn’t mean you’re bad! It actually can mean you’re good!
4. EVERYTHING Is Part Of The Audition, Even The Parts You Don’t Think About.
How you behave the entire time is CRITICAL. Do you talk during other people’s auditions? Are you supportive of EVERYONE or being snarky? Are you gossiping? Laughing? Rolling your eyes? Don’t give the director any reason to think less of you. Be your BEST self, especially to the people helping to run the audition. They’ll totally tell the director if you’re not and I’ve seen the more talented kids NOT get the part because of their attitude.
5. Your Nerves Will Do Their Best to Take Over. Don’t Let Them!
You want the part BADLY so you are putting SO MUCH PRESSURE on yourself in the audition. Nerves are going to kick into overdrive. Keep breathing slow, intentional, deep breaths throughout the audition: while you’re waiting, right before you sing, dance, or read, and even after. This will help ground you and keep you from making stupid mistakes or comments. Remember, the director is totally rooting for you to be great! Breathe! Have fun! Get out of your head! Here’s to your future standing ovations!
P.S. If you want more training like this and insight on school auditions, I’ve put together a free audition training course for the readers of PhillyTweens. Go to bit.ly/tweenauditions for access. Break a leg!
Stacy Moscotti Moore is the founder of Audition Nervebusters, A Musical Theatre Audition Coaching Company. She herself as auditioned thousands of times in a successful musical theatre career as well as auditioned more than 1,000 actors for various shows she’s cast. She’s committed to helping those who love performing theatre give brilliant auditions and get the parts they want and coaches both locally and online.
