Some really good advice about AUDITION SONGS from Kevin Michael Jones (whose blog I highly recommend).
CHECKLIST: Audition Songs You SHOULD and SHOULDN’T Sing
Spring is audition season for many in theatre world, so I want to offer up this quick checklist with guidelines for choosing appropriate musical theatre audition rep. There may be other considerations as well, but these are the biggies. If you or your student chooses an audition piece that does not meet any of the criteria below, that piece should NOT be used for auditions. It’s as simple as that. If you need assistance choosing appropriate musical theatre rep to sing, please check out my new repertoire consulting business at www.therepertoireguru.com.
“I will sing a song for auditions that…”
- I have a personal connection to as an actor/actress, a musician, and a human being.
- I have researched thoroughly and understand my character’s motivations and personal journey throughout the piece and overall show.
- I have practiced and prepared diligently.
- I have performed and received feedback on before the auditions.
- is stylistically appropriate for the show and/or venue I am auditioning for.
- shows off my vocal and acting strengths as a performer.
- was written for a character and performer around my age.
- was written for actors/actresses with a similar physical ‘type’ as me.
- is not overdone.
- will make me memorable as a performer to audition committees.
- has a good, stylistically appropriate accompaniment that will elevate my performance rather than distract from it.
- has a straightforward and clearly marked score my accompanist can follow with ease.
- makes sense as an audition cut with a clear beginning, middle, and end (when possible).
“I will NOT sing a song for auditions that…”
- I have no personal connection to as an actor/actress, a musician, and a human being.
- I have not researched thoroughly and do not understand my character’s motivations and personal journey throughout the song and overall show.
- I have not practiced and prepared diligently.
- I have not performed and received feedback on before the auditions.
- is stylistically inappropriate for the show and/or venue I am auditioning for.
- highlights my singing and acting weaknesses.
- was written for a character and performer nowhere near my age.
- was written for actors/actresses who look and sound nothing like me.
- is overdone.
- is not memorable or is too obscure.
- has a bad accompaniment that distracts from my performance.
- has a complex, poorly marked score that is difficult for my accompanist to follow.
- does NOT make sense as audition cut.