Summer is here and I know many of you are itching to be back in theatre so here are some ideas...
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Summer Theatre Camps
There are theatre camps/workshops or intensives all over larger cities and most are still accepting students. Check out arts or community centers sometimes the YMCA will have camps if your'e in a smaller town, or even check in with community/professional theatre companies in the area. 

Shows
I know many of the companies in St. Louis have already held auditions for summer shows, however, there are still community theatre groups out there producing shows. Audition for a show to do over the summer. Side note: be sure to check dates/conflicts on all vacation plans before auditioning ;)  Doing a show in community theatre is a great way to build connections and make new friends! 

Internships
Reach out to local theatre companies, professional and community and see if there are opportunities for short term internships or apprenticeships! There is always work to be done in the theatre and you can learn a lot through the process. 

Work on Audition Material 
While your student may not know the audition requirements for their schools upcoming show season, it's always a good idea to be working on audition material to be ready! Building your audition book is important so when auditions DO arise, you're not scrambling to find new material and you're actually prepared! 

This summer, I'm starting an online audition prep course for 8th-10th graders that runs June 1-30. It includes access to a Facebook group where I'll be doing weekly live Q & A sessions, posting audition tips and videos, helping students select audition material to work on during this course and each student will receive a 30 minute online coaching session with me. It will be an online community of theatre students who want to learn and grow together....just think of it like a virtual cast! The best part of doing this online is you can catch up whenever, so it won't interfere with vacation plans! It's only $20 for this session and space is limited! Here's the link to join! 

Let me know if you have any questions about things to do this summer or about the online course! 
Don't wait to enroll, spots are limited! :) 

Hi Audition Well Friends! 
Knowing your type for theatre is really important and can help you book jobs, land the part and secure your place in a college program. 
Type casting (casting based on a person’s look) isn’t something new, it’s an easy way for directors to eliminate people in massive cattle call auditions when they’re looking for a specific “type” for a role. Typing has tricked down to college auditions over the past 5-10 years as well.
Keep reading...I'll give you the tools to figure out your type.  
THE TRUTH ABOUT TYPE
Why is it important to know your type now in high school?
It can save you years of frustration in the audition room and not getting cast! 
Can my type change? Your type will change as you get older, you will be able to play older roles (probably be able to play some of the roles you were playing as a high schooler). Just as we grow as humans, we have to adapt in the theatrical world too. 
How do I figure out my type?
You want to choose age appropriate material, always.  The more specific you can be, the better. Just because YOU connect with the role doesn’t mean you are right for it in the director’s eyes. There are other factors involved when casting: 
Do you have some of the same personality traits as the character? 
Physical appearance/characteristic as they relate to the character? 

• Projection
• The right vocal quality for the role
• The correct age range for the role 
• Specific talents needed for a particular role: dancing, tumbling, belting and legit 
• How you’re going to fit in the entire show (if applicable)

Sometimes it’s easy , sometimes it’s a little tricky and sometimes it needs honing in to make you EVEN more successful in auditions ….
Self Assessment: You’re going to have to have an honest conversation with yourself, which can be challenging sometimes but it’s necessary. 

• What’s your age/age range? (as high schoolers 14-20 usually)
• What’s your physical type? 
•  What’s your vocal type? 
• What’s your overall energy as a person? 

For more information on TYPE and how to hone in your type, email or DM me on Instagram and mention this newsletter for a free 30-minute consultation to give you more tools to figure out YOUR type! 

P.S. The more you can figure out your type and find audition material, the more successful you’ll be! 
You can go to audition after audition and wonder why you’re not getting the roles OR you can take 30-minutes and let’s have a chat! 

​​This month on social media I've been focusing on loving your audition material! Whether you're getting ready to embark on the college audition process next year and need to gather new material, you're a working professional or you're in high school and need to prepare for an audition, it's important to love what you perform. 
 
Why? The auditors can always tell what you most love to perform. If you love performing a particular song (or monologue) it's always going to show in your performance. Sometimes, yes, you do need pieces that meet certain requirements, however, I've found, when you do your homework.....reading the play, libretto or listening to the musical, you will grow to love those characters because you know them. In turn, when you audition with those pieces, it becomes fun because you actually know the story you're telling and what are you as an actor? A storyteller!
 
Okay, so what do I do if I need some new audition material? Well, this month I've partnered with Contemporary Musical Theatre, the largest online database of contemporary musical theatre songs and writers. All the songs on the site are searchable by voice and song type. Subscribers can listen to full clips of the song, then purchase and download watermarked scores up to 3 times. Plus they are the only site that gives writers 100% of their song sales! They have some really cool up and coming writers. If you want some new material that isn't overdone, I recommend checking out. 

​Visit: 
www.contemporarymusicaltheatre.com/subscribeYou can use code AUDWELL20 for $20 off a year subscription. This is code is valid through February 28. 

Additionally, if you need help finding audition material, message me for a complimentary consultation! 

Loving the process, 

Laura

One of the single most important things every performer needs is an audition book. That book should showcase your best work, look professional and be easy to navigate. Here are some tips on how to prepare your audition book:

• Use a three ring binder.
• Organize your book by category or alphabetically.
• Create a table of contents.
• Make sure the music is clearly copied with titles easy to read and no stanzas cut off at the bottom or top of the page. Music cuts should be clearly marked.
• Copy music single sided and place back to back in non glare page protectors and place in your binder so there is minimal page turning for the accompanist. *Some places you audition might not want you to use page protectors, they will specify. 
• Avoid cuts that require the accompanist to turn the music back or ahead. Copy and lay out the music so they can play straight through.
• Use a different copy and mark it clearly if your 16 and 32 bars are not within the same cut.
• Have an extra copy of everything. This is so important because if you lose your book, you have to start completely over!
• Protect your Audition Book. This is an extension of YOU.

 
If you’d like help choosing songs for your audition book, or preparing those songs, check out my services. Audition Well provides a free consultation to get to know you and your goals! Professional help in preparing for an audition is a great way to ensure that you showcase your best work the next time you step into an audition room. Email me to work with Audition Well!
 
 Here are are few products I like to use when putting audition books together:
 
Binder: This one has a plastic pocket on the front, where you can put your headshot. 

Binder: Here’s another option without a pocket on the front. This is a multi pack. 

​Non Glare Page Protectors: Super important to get NON glare.

​Highlighters: Great for marking notations in music

Sharpies: Great for marking your music. Mark your cuts in red. 

When you step into the audition room, you want to make a good first impression before you ever open your mouth to showcase your talent. That’s why your audition wardrobe is so important.
 
​​I’ve created a Pinterest Board here with some ideas, but here are a few tips:
 
Audition Wardrobe Tips
 

• Wear clothing that expresses your personality.

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• Wear colors that compliment your skin, hair and eyes.

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• Wear clothing that is well fitting – not too tight nor too loose.  

 

• Choose fabrics that don’t easily wrinkle because you don’t want to look frumpy after you travel to the audition and wait your turn.

 

• Wear shoes that are comfortable. If they are new, make sure you’ve worn them a few times, walked around in them, and rehearsed your audition material in them.

 

• Ladies should wear dresses, jumpsuits, pants or skirts. A low heel if they can walk in them, or heeled chunky boots/booties that are cute and practical.

 

• Gentlemen should wear dress pants, khaki pants, button down shirts, polos and/or layers.

Go here and here to get more audition tips.

I’m often asked if there are certain audition songs that should be avoided? There are lots of things to consider when choosing an audition song, but one of the first things to think about is if the song is overdone.
 
Why avoid songs that are overdone? Because if you choose a song that’s currently on Broadway, most people will hear the original voice in their heads  from the cast recording. You don’t want to be compared to someone else, especially someone who is a professional. Also, if the song is popular, you’re not the only one who is going to be singing it at the audition. You want your audition song to make you stand out, not be one of five people who sang “Memory” from Cats.
 
Here are some shows and songs to avoid when choosing your audition song.
 
Avoid

1. Songs from shows currently on Broadway
2. Wicked (all songs)
3. Phantom of the Opera (all songs)
4. Cats (all songs)
5. Les Miserables (all songs)

 
Audition Songs That Are Overdone Recently

1. She Used to Be Mine - Waitress
2. Fly, Fly Away –Catch Me if You Can
3. Pulled- Addams Family
4. Lifeboat – Heathers
5. Screw Loose – Cry Baby 

Choosing a song for your audition can be stressful if you don’t have anything prepared. The performer’s goal is to have material in his/her book ready to go when an audition arises. So, where do you begin? Below are some Do’s and Don’ts to get started.
 
DO’s
 
DO choose age appropriate material for your audition song. You’ll hear me say this over and over. Sing songs by characters that you could actually play now.
 
DO have confidence in the pieces you’ve chosen. In order to have confidence, you must rehearse your songs over and over and over and over. Rehearsal is key to a successful audition.
 
DO choose a contemporary uptempo and ballad, as well as a traditional uptempo and ballad to put in your book. Here are a few places you can search for musical theatre songs: https://newmusicaltheatre.com
https://www.musicnotes.com
https://www.sheetmusicplus.com  
 
DO have 16 and 32 bar cuts of all audition songs.
 
DO choose songs you love!
 
Don’ts
 
DON’T choose material that is too difficult for you to sing. While you may love a song, if it doesn’t showcase your voice best right now, don’t pick it for your audition song.
 
DON’T choose a new song the night before the audition and try to memorize it. Nerves will take over and you will not show your best work.
 
DON’T sing a song in which the accompaniment is so difficult you worry about your accompanist being able to play it (examples would be Sondheim and some JRB).
 
DON’T sing a song from the show for which you are auditioning, unless specifically asked or they say it’s okay.
 

If you’d like help choosing an audition song, check out my services here. I can provide consultations in person in the St. Louis area or via Facetime. Professional help in preparing for an audition is a great way to ensure that you showcase your best work the next time you step into an audition room.