Vista Drama Boosters

The best way to have an awesome audition is to come prepared!!! Here are five easy steps you can take to prepare for your audition.

1. Familiarize yourself with the show – come to the movie day on Tuesday, December 7^th in Ms. Rae’s room to watch Bye Bye Birdie. Alternatively, you may want to download some of the tracks, watch youtube videos, or read portions of the script.

2. Decide what your desired roles are – this allows you to cater your audition to a specific role or type of role. If you’re auditioning for one of the teen characters, you would want to avoid really mature songs (“Memory” from CATS, for example, would be a poor choice because it’s meant to be performed by an aged and weary woman). It’s also a good idea to come to the audition with knowledge of what role(s) you aren’t willing to take – if you know that you don’t want to play a specific role or type of role, you need to let the casting directors (Rae and Spencer) know that.

3. Choose an audition piece – you want to select a song that is appropriate for the role or type of role you are auditioning for and that really showcases your vocal talents. Remember, you only need to prepare 16-32 measures of music, so it’s not always the wisest decision to start at the beginning of the song! Perhaps later in the song there’s a great part that really showcases your talent – it would be wiser to choose that section. Also, keep in mind that we may cut you off – don’t reserve the best stuff for your last measure of music.

4. Prepare your sheet music – you need to bring your sheet music with you to the audition! It should be printed and prepared for the pianist – you may want to put it in a binder or tape it to a folder so it’s sturdy. On your sheet music, be sure to mark any cuts in the music so that the pianist can read them and follow them. If you’re having trouble finding sheet music, Ms. Rae and Ms. Spencer may be able to help you, or you can visit sites like musicnotes.com to find free sheet music. Please be sure your song is from a Broadway/off-Broadway show (but not Bye Bye Birdie).

5. Rehearse! – The more you rehearse your audition, the more prepared you will be, the better your audition will be. Be sure to rehearse your audition piece. While you want to avoid choreographed auditions, natural gestures and movement are always great, and if they are planned you will avoid the trap of awkwardly shuffling your feet and staring at the floor while singing

Once audition day arrives, here is a breakdown of what you will do:

1. Sign-in – Arrive to the blackbox on time (in the theatre, early is on time, so arrive early if you can). You will fill out an audition form (you may have it filled out before hand) and will receive a number. You may want to bring a resume or head shot if you have it so it can be attached to your audition form
2. Singing Audition – One at a time, and in numerical order, you will come into the blackbox theatre, give your sheet music to the pianist, come center stage, introduce yourself and the piece you will be singing, and sing your song for Ms. Rae and Ms. Spencer.
3. Dance Audition – You will be learning a short dance combination. You will be performing this combination in small groups in the theatre.
4. Optional Tap Audition – If you would like to be considered for a tapping role, you will have a very brief audition with Ms. Rae
5. Callbacks – All auditioners will be notified by Tuesday night if they are called back or not. Callbacks will be held on Wednesday, January 6^th. Remember – a callback does not guarantee you a role in the show. Similarly, if you don’t receive a callback, it does not mean you are not cast in the show. Callbacks are simply a way for the directors to see more of you. During callbacks, auditioners will sing from and read from the show.