​​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

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.

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.