Having sat on many many audition panels I have witnessed some truly extraordinary auditions.
I watched someone audition for a pantomime by performing a Haka. I’ve watched panels get grumpy at people who insist on bringing their best friend as moral support (actually into the room). Or at the people who turn up with no sheet music. Memorably, one who was accompanied by a bagpiper who was so loud we had no hope of hearing the auditionee at all!
Then there are the many people who might have a terrific voice, but have chosen the worst possible song (usually their favorite from whatever show is in vogue at the time), and so the panel struggled to judge their voice.
This is a workshop that can be designed to meet the needs of the hiring group, but in its most basic form involves an experienced Director, Musical Director and Choreographer working through the keys to a successful audition including how to choose a song that suits your voice, how to dress, how to prepare, how to handle readings and the importance of showing a great attitude. Lots and lots of Do’s and Don’ts!
The workshop is at it’s most powerful when it can be fleshed out to a full day’s interactive session wherein attendee’s actually go through a mock audition for a role of their choosing and are then given constructive feedback on an individual basis. This is very useful for those without a lot of experience, those that never seem to get the roles they want, and those who are loaded with talent – but audition badly!
An ideal workshop to be held in the weeks just before your society or company auditions a major show…