My school is creating it's own production.

Naturally with a love of all things stories and nothing else to participate in extra-curricular(I'm a vegetable at sports), I figured I'd give it a go. I want to get a fairly nice part in this, just because yes I am a failure at sports, and it would give me a self-esteem boost to succeed in something like this. Also this could help my social conversation skills, being forced to interact in all these practice sessions... and finally I would like to impress a certain girl locked down for the lead female, but I won't go there right now.

Now at the first meeting there was about 15 males or so, 10 maybe who are trying for a lead part or aren't too young for it, so the competition isn't *that* strong. Auditions for singing and acting are in early december, so I have a month to practice my stuff.

I can already sing pretty decent, and with practice I know I can build myself up enough. But acting... I'm a total newb to it. I tried in front of the mirror, it came out hard. So anybody that can like act here, what do you guys do to practice, what techniques? I have a short time to get good, so... heh, any comments would sit well by me.

Ask Mike Q.

Don't suck.

Know your lines well!

If possible, learn the lines of other characters so you can audition for those if they offer you a different part.

First things first: make sure you know the musical. Is it an original production? Read the script and even go to the director(s) for clarification if need be. It shows dedication. If it's a musical that's from a real, previously written musical or from a movie, try renting the movie/play first and watching it so you get the overall theme of the play. This is really important. You need to know what the characters amount to, what the play is trying to say, or else you won't be able to capture the characters in the audition process.

Is the singing portion an open audition? Do you get to choose a piece to sing or is a set piece provided for you? If you choose your own piece, make sure it's within your range and ability and it is something that shows off your skills. Be yourself, don't try to be something your not. Also, make sure what you sing in some way fits with the musical at hand. And even if you aren't the greatest singer in the world, the best tip I can to say to anyone for a vocal audition is to project your voice. Projection is the key. Those who can speak and sing loudly and clearly stand out and often get the part. I'm far from being a "real" singer, but I have been able to audition for musicals simply from good vocal work and projection. Vocal work is part of being an actor as a whole, and is not just for musicals. If your mouth is dry, bite your tongue, it releases the fluids (or so I'm told).

If you have problems with nerves, my personal technique for calming myself is to listen to soothing music on my iPod while waiting to audition. For me, it's the build up and wait to auditioning that causes the nerves. When you go in to audition, pretend your super confident and be super prepared. Sometimes I see people come in and audition and make excuses or ramble on about things because of nerves. Directors don't want to hear that. Just be yourself, answer any questions they have as best as you can, and audition to the best of your ability. And if you don't make it, don't kill yourself over it. There have been several times when I didn't get a part or didn't get a part I wanted, and you just have to move on. At my level, I use any audition as a chance to build my reputation, even if I don't get a part, and as a learning experience.

Good luck!

PEACE, Mike.

All right, Ill give you some tips from being in 5 musicals myself. It really depends on what type of audition it is. In most cases for a musical, its a singing audition. Like earlier said, make sure you are at least familiar with the scale of the production they are doing. Like small ensambe or rather large. I would note that you need to be able to at least hold a tune as far as singing goes.

What I will note though is there is no reason to be overprepared with line reading. Many times directors will just give you lines to read on the spot with a few notes. Be calm and cool and try to read as best you can with whatever instinct comes first.

It wouldnt be a horrible idea to rent High School Musical to get a feel for it. If you dont get the role dont feel discouraged. Keep in mind there will always be people that seem better to you. Work on the best you can be, determination is a great trait to have. Also school produced directors dont want to say it, but seniority is played into account, but it varies from school to school. My advice is to be prepared, but not too prepared, unless its a singing audition, in which case work on your notes, and be the best you can do.

There's a singing audition and an acting audition, on seperate days... I know what I'm doing for the singing one, but for the acting itself I was curious how you guys prepare beforehand? Just practicing your lines over and over?

So, it's a prepared piece that you must use to audition? Most auditions I have, I don't need to prepare anything. I got the audition, and then the director gives you pieces to read from and try out. So, you really have to do it on the spot and go with instinct.

If you know exactly what you are supposed to use to audition, I would practise going through lines differently (emphasizing different words) and finding new ways to say things. Sometimes the neatest way to act through lines of dialogue aren't found until you really play around. Don't just "run through the lines". You really won't stand out. Make sure you know your lines, but I don't like to know my lines too well, or I find myself running through them verbatim as I practised them.

There are a variety of exercises you can do to get into "character" (if you know you are auditioning for a specific character) such as choosing to act like that character for a certain stretch of time in your regular daily routine, or there are writing exercises you can do to expose the meaning of every line of dialogue you say. It's just things I've picked up here and there from drama classes and from experience.

PEACE, Mike.

Good to see there are some actors here - Mike and Gun.

All the best shack.

Same here, you usually will get the song to sing for the audition, many times theres often a rehearsal as well. But if you get called to read lines, its many times just on the spot. Like said, just be calm and cool, and don't be afraid what to ask what the character is doing in this certain scene. The rest just comes from inside. Often times you'll think you did much worst then you really did.

Two old sayings...
1. speak to the last row of the theater... projection...
2. 'imagine' the audience in their underwear... sounds funny, but it works on any 'stage fright' one has...

Considering I'm in my sixth year of High School shows (I started in Elementary school) I can give you a few tips.

First off, like every else said, know what the show is and make sure you have a feel for it.

Don't have your mind set on one part. You might end up extremely disappointed. This happened to my friend in the current show we're doing, Where the Lilies Bloom. It's this week. Wish me luck.

Just have fun. It's a school show, it's not really that big of a deal. They're tons of fun to do, especially if you're friends with everyone. I'm not sure how your rehearsals will be but the week of the show here is just horrible. We're at practice till nearly midnight each night. I'm actually in school right now in full make up and costume.

PROJECT! If you don't, you'll probably just be given a Chorus part. You need to be loud.

I watched High School Musical by the way.

Damn it's cheesy!

All together now! We're all in this togetherrrrr....

HAHA

I've only auditioned for reality TV, but be in the moment. Seriously. The day i did Big Brother auditions, I pretended to be exactly what I hate about people. If there is a long queue for auditions use it to your advantage. Especially mental advantage.

No seriously it worked for my friends try it!!

I'm in the same situation as you Shack. Auditions for my school's production of Moulin Rouge (I have no idea how that is going to be pulled off...) are happening in the upcoming weeks. I'm a pretty good actor, but my singing... eh, never really tried it much so I gotta polish up. But I'm trying to aim for a main role that doesn't consist of much singing (or at least not solo singing), so Zidler is looking pretty good.

Good luck though, I'm sure you'll do fine.

LOOOOOOOL CHRISTIAN

that's the best dance sequence

i also like that stupid one in the cafeteria

the hip hop large girl is extra amusing

mmmefron

Tim

Old social tip... Wear something that invites questions.. Bright purple socks, a suit, a feather in your cap, etc...

T-minus 20 minutes until the singing audition.

I'm singing Twist and Shout. Was a last minute decision, been practicing and mastering it for the last hour and a half on my XP sound recorder.

I just found out today our school today HSM!!!!!!!!

All done.

Bad news: I friggin got stuck and ended up singing one key lower than I had practiced.

Good news: They said it was practically the first song they recognized out of the bunch, and the first they had fun listening to.

They know and I know I'm not the best singer in the bunch and I don't have as much of a popular "star" quality as some other contestants obviously, so I don't think I'm getting lead unless I own in the acting auditions(not likely). But with the lack of males a decent supporting nod probably won't be too hard.

Bump

I never mentioned it, but I ended up getting a supporting role as the basketball coach/the lead character's dad. I'm one of the 2 adults in the play, heh.

The whole rehearsal business has been a LOT more fun than I expected coming in, everyone there is nice and takes the thing pretty lightly, so it's been a good time.

Opening night is a week from Thursday. I may have pictures or even a youtube video.

Yay.

Congratulations and best of luck, Tech week is always fun as is the performance process.

I just got two roles that are going to be during the next two months. One is for a production of Wonderland (and adaptation of Alice and beyond the looking glass) and a very good role in Dead Man Walking.