Auditions

Open to students 8 years and older

For your audition, you will have one minute to shine on stage.  Come prepared to sing a song or part of a song.
Add movement and show us your personality!  Whatever your strengths are, singing, dancing or acting, use them to make your audition shine.

Most CYT auditioners bring their accompaniment with them on CD or cassette.  Please try to keep auditions to one minute in length, as the directors have a LOT of people they need to see in just a few hours.  If your audition runs longer than a minute the directors may, at their discretion, stop you by thanking you.  That doesn't mean you did anything wrong!  It's only in the interest of saving time and getting all the auditioners in before the evening runs too late.

Audition Resources

Where to find Songs:

• itunes- Visit apple.com to download iTunes. When you search, use “karaoke + broadway” or “karaoke + show”. You can also search by song name.
• www.pocketsongs.com - This is a great site. Lots of choices Make sure you order ahead of time.
• www.soundchoicestore.com
• www.sheetmusicdirect.com – Lots of sheet music.
• Carl Draper – A former CYT student who will make tracks for you. Contact for rates. Check availability in advance. Needs advance notice. Email: cdraper@email
• Dave Hunter – Will edit tracks to 1 minute for a fee. greenroom81779@sbcglobal.net
• Jonni Glaser mrjonni@sbcglobal.net - www.myspace.com/AuditionMusicService This is a San Diego Dad who is a very good musician. He charges, but can make you a track of any song- NO MUSIC NEEDED! Mention that you are with CYT Chicago and he will donate a portion of his charges back to CYT. Contact for rates.
• www.ez-tracks.com/karaoke.html - A download service.
• http://www.hamienet.com – A track download service. Most are free.
• www.hitkaraoke.com – Lots of selection, but you need to order CD’s ahead of time.

Editing Songs

• Audacity is a free download editing software. It is very basic and simple to use. This is perfect to cut your song down to 1 minute.
• Also- here is a link to instructions on how to remove vocals from a song using Audacity

Audition Tips Websites

• www.musicaltheatreaudition.com – A great collection of song ideas, articles on a range of audition topics. Practical, helpful advice that will improve any auditions.
• www.voicestudio.kristinaseleshanko.com/AuditionTipsForSingers.htm - A great list of general tips for vocal auditions.
• http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/680_musical-theater-audition.htm - A web video series with a variety of topics.
• http://www.stageagent.com/Shows/Songs/ A searchable database of song ideas
• http://www.cramercenter.com/cramerstore/bshows/bdwy-al-silent.html A list of shows with song titles for ideas.

Common Songs in Auditions

Ok, so here’s the deal. Directors usually do several shows a year. And of top of that they are theater geeks themselves. There are some songs they’ve literally heard a million times… so here are a few thoughts. You CAN pick one of these, but here are a few suggestions….

1. If you are going to do one of these songs, you HAVE to nail it. Make sure you know all the words and all the notes.
2. Make sure the song is in your vocal range.
3. If you choose to do one of these songs- think of a creative twist or style to make it stand out. Add a different character, rewrite a verse, use a character voice, whatever will make the song DIFFERENT! 
4. Choosing a song shows your personality. So be creative!

Some Common Audition Songs

Choosing an Audition Song

• An audition song reflects your personality. So be sure to find a song that you can be yourself and be comfortable performing.
• You do not have to sing! You have 1 minute to shine. You can dance, tell jokes, or do a monologue. Just be aware that you will probably not be considered for a singing role if you don’t sing.
• Choose a song that is IN your vocal range, one that you can sing all the notes easily.
• Ask your CYT teachers to recommend a song.
• Listen to musicals to get some ideas for audition songs.
• Find a song that you can relate to and portray the character.
• Choose a song that shows off the very best of your talents.
• Choose a song that you can find a karaoke track for- or have one made.
• You do not have to start a song at the beginning! Some of the best audition pieces are in the middle of songs.
• Make sure you edit your song so that it is 1 minute, and starts where you need it. It’s nerve-wracking to wait until the correct starring spot is found.

For the younger students:

• Upbeat songs are usually best. Disney songs are always a hit.
• Select a song that you can have fun with.

For Seasoned Students:

• Research the show- and choose a song in a similar genre.
• Don’t just choose a song because you love it or the show. Choose a song that is right for you.
• Research the characters- find one that you identify with and choose and audition song that will show those personality/character traits.
• Don’t fight against your natural strengths- use them in your song.
• There are a LOT of great songs out there- go find them!
• Directors can tell if you’ve recycled a song too many times. Be creative a select a song for each show and audition.

General Tips for Auditions

Preparation

• Make sure you have a karaoke track. If you can’t find one for the song you want to sing- pick another.
• Label your cd with your name and track number (Best if its #1)
• Cut your song so that it is just 1 minute.
• Preparation and practice is essential. Directors CAN tell when your audition was selected at the last minute
• Rehearse your audition to the point the movements/dance are very natural and easy for you.
• Make sure you learn all the words and the notes of the song.
• Practice in front of a mirror so you can see your facial expressions
• Don’t be afraid to ask former directors, teachers, voice teachers or other/older students for tips or suggestions. This is a great resource for you.
• Creativity is encouraged! This can include costumes, props, rewriting lyrics, etc. HOWEVER, generally- less is more. Don’t bring so many props or something so complicated that it distracts from your audition.

Performing

• Show personality
• Be confident.
• Sing out.
• Use the whole audition space, move around.
• Use your eyes. This means thinking about the words you are singing and reflecting those emotions. If you connect with your material, directors can see it in your eyes.
• Become a character – become the person who is singing your song.
• If you are a dancer, try to add dance in your audition.
• A strong confident introduction will get you off to a great start.

Misc. Tips

• If you mess up, forget words – keep going. Shake it off. Persevere, Directors will respect your ability to pull yourself through.
• Be respectful of those around you. This includes people running the CD player, directors, AC’s, adults processing your forms, and other auditioners. Directors see all of this.
• Pay attention to other auditions and take note of ones you enjoy. What makes them great? Learn from others.
• Directors know you are nervous. That’s OK! Even directors get nervous when they audition. Just breathe deep, focus and have FUN!

Some General Don’ts

• Don’t put your hands in your pockets
• Don’t throw anything.
• Don’t rock back in forth.
• Generally, handing things to the directors or going up to the table isn’t a good idea.
• Don’t show if you think you didn’t do your best/perfect… keep smiling and be confident.
• Don’t be surprised if you get cut off by clapping from the directors after 1 minute. Directors have a lot to hear!
• Don’t expect to be cast with a ton of conflicts.
• Don’t worry is someone in your audition group is doing the same song as you
  
  
  

Tips For Seasoned Students

Song Selection

• Select your song and practice. Just because you are older doesn’t mean you don’t need to practice! Directors can tell…..
• Your song selection is important. BE CREATIVE with it.
• Your audition should show us what characters in the show you could portray best.
• NO ACAPELLA SONGS!
• Make sure you song is in the right key for you. Auditions are not the time to stretch out of your range. On the other hand- show off your range! If you’re a soprano- show it off!
• Be careful of choosing songs that require you to sing through your “break”.
• Be careful about choosing a pop song, including songs from pop-musicals.  They can be extraordinarily difficult to pull off well in an audition, especially when you're nervous. 

Preparation

• Your audition is NOT just a gateway to callbacks
• Rehearse and mark your breaths. Support your breathing from your diaphragm
• Staging and movements should be planned. Don’t rely on yourself to just wing it.
• If you decide you need live accompaniment, find someone ahead of time and practice with them. Don’t make someone sight-read your music.

Performing

• Focus on phrasing and dynamics. These will make your song stand out.
• Project. Think "focus" - in other words, let the sound resonate through the bridge of the nose and cheek bones.
• Clearly enunciate your words (ie. consonants - esp. the beginning and ending) - also, "sing to the vowel" - keep the vowels free and open.
• Generally, don’t add ornamentation to the song because you think you sound good when you do it.
• Be careful about belting - DON'T OVERSING! 

Misc

• Use your strengths! Don’t try to be/sing something that you are not. Be realistic about your abilities.
• Don’t limit yourself to “going” for one role. Directors can often see things you didn’t even know you did well!

Callbacks

• Get some sleep! The callback list will be the same whether you see it a 3am or 7am.
• Strong creative choices are essential.
• The directors are there to help you do your best- so feel free to ask questions and clarify directions.
• Give your best at every role you are called back for – not just the one you “want”. Every opportunity is important.
• Be flexible with your role expectations.
• The number of times you read or sing is really no indication of casting thoughts. Sometimes directors need to see some people more than others.
• Don’t give up! The day is long, don’t let yourself get discouraged by how you feel you are performing or how others are doing.
• Try! Do your best! Have fun with the material.
• You are auditioning from the moment you walk into callbacks. Be respectful, helpful, courteous. This goes a long way.
• Often the directors will give you a description of the song, character or scene. Listen- this is essential information for you.
• Have fun with the material and the characters.
• Be yourself! If you are called back for a role, there is something in your personality or performance that is in common with the character. So be natural.

Area specific tips

Dance

• This is not the time to talk with friends- pay attention.
• Even if you can’t do a move perfectly- just try it!
• Help each other out.
• If you are asked to “free dance” you can use choreography that you learned in the past.
• Do your best- be confident.
• Facial expressions are important. Remember to smile.

Voice

• If the possible, listen to the music ahead of time.
• Don’t worry if you mess up- try your best and keep going.
• Even if you don’t think you can sing something- go ahead and try.
• Focus on breathing and articulation.
• Don’t get deflated if you crack on a note or miss something. One note is not going to make or break you.
• Try to show character and acting with the song you are singing.
• Ground the song in the scene – you don’t need to sing to the directors.
• Try to think about the words you are singing and connect to the emotion of the song.
• Relax and remember the fundamentals.
• Be confident.

Drama

• Strong, creative choices are essential.
• As soon as you are given a script, start reading over the scenes with the character for which you are called back. Find what the most important part of the scene is. What does your character want out of the scene?
• Physicality, vocal inflection, facial expressions and non verbals are important parts of your callback.
• Make the interpretation of the role your own. You don’t need to do it the same way as the person in front of you did it.
• Don’t worry about stage directions or how you think a scene should be blocked. But add movement and follow the natural movements of the scene.
• Relate to the person you are doing a scene with.
• Follow along in your script with your thumb. This will help you keep your place.
• Utilize every opportunity presented. For example, if you are asked to read in a scene a different part (even one that is the opposite sex of you)- go for it! You never know when the directors will see something that gives them an idea for casting.
• Don’t try to “act” – let the natural emotions and reactions of the scene unfold.
• Feel free to ask questions.
• If you are called at the beginning – its ok to take a moment to skim the scene.
• Try to look up from your script. Read your next line as the other person is finishing their line.
• Don’t play to the directors. Play the scene.
• If you are doing a scene with a partner that is struggling – don’t get frustrated. Help them by deliver a strong performance yourself.
• Take risks. The bigger the better.
• If the role requires an accent, take your best stab at doing it.
• Be engaged in the scene the whole time- not just when you are saying a line.

Song Ideas

There are a MILLION musical theater songs! These are just a few suggestions to get you thinking of songs and options. YOU DO NOT have to pick something from this list. Just because it’s on the list- does not mean it’s a good song choice for you. Also, not all these songs are best for all ages. BE CREATIVE!

• A Spoonful of Sugar from Mary Poppins
• A Bushel and a Peck from Guys and Dolls
• A New Life from Jekyll and Hyde
• A Spoonful of Sugar from Mary Poppins
• A Very Nice Prince from Into the Woods
• A Whole New World from Aladdin
• All Good Gifts from Godspell
• All I Need is the Girl from Gypsy
• All that Jazz from Chicago
• Alone in the Universe from Seussical
• Another Hundred People from Company
• Another Opening of Another Show from Kiss me Kate
• Anything You Can Do from Annie Get Your Gun
• Astonishing from Little Women
• Be Back Soon from Oliver
• Be Our Guest from Beauty and the Beast
• Beethoven Day from Charlie Brown
• Beunos Aires from Evita
• Big Spender from Sweet Charity
• Bless the Lord from Godspell
• Candle on the Water on Water from Pete's Dragon
• Colors of Paradise from Spitfire Grill
• Colors of the Wind from Pocahontas
• Comedy Tonight from A Funny Thing Happened...
• Consider Yourself from Oliver
• Cruella DeVill from 101 Dalmations
• Dance of the Robe from Aida
• Different from Honk
• Ease on Down the Road from The Wiz
• Easy Street from Annie
• Edelweiss from Sound of Music
• Everything’s Comin UP Roses from Gypsy
• Feed the Bird from Mary Poppins
• Fine White Horse from Secret Garden
• Footloose from Footloose
• Forest for the Trees from The Spitfire Grill
• Friend Like Me from Aladdin
• Gary, Indiana from The Music Man
• Get Me to the Church on Time from My Fair Lady
• Getting Married Today from Company
• Getting to Know You from The King and I
• Giants in the Sky from Into the Woods
• Go, Go, Go Joseph from Joseph and the Amazing....
• God Help the Outcast from Huntchback for Notre Dame
• Hakunna Matata from Lion King
• Happiness from Charlie Brown
• He Lives in You from Lion King
• High Flying Adored from Evita
• Hold On from Secret Garden
• Home from Beauty and the Beast
• I Can do That from A Chorus Line
• I Can’t Say No from Oklahoma
• I Could Have Danced All Night from My Fair Lady
• I Dreamed a Dream from Les Mis
• I Feel Pretty from West Side Story
• I Gotta Crow from Peter Pan
• I Have Confidence from Sound of Music
• I Know Things Know from Into the Woods
• I Speak Six Languages from 25th Annual Spelling Bee
• I Think I'm Gonna Like it Here from Annie
• I Whistle a Happy Tune from The King and I
• I Won't Grow Up from Peter Pan
• I'll Make a Man Out of You from Mulan
• I'm Not that Smart from 25th Annual Spelling Bee
• I've Got a Golden Ticket from Willy Wonka
• I've Got Not Strings from Pinocchio
• I’d Do Anything from Oliver
• If I Can't Love here from Beauty and the Beast
• If I Only Had a Brain from Wizard of Oz
• Impossible from Cinderella
• It Won't be Long Now from In the Heights
• It's Possible from Seussical
• Johnny One Note from Babes in Arms
• Joy of Motherhood from Honk!
• Just Around the Riverbend from Pocahontas
• Just You Wait from My Fair Lady
• Kids from Bye Bye Birdie
• King of the World from Songs for a New World
• Kiss the Girl from The Little Mermaid
• Les Poissons from The Little Mermaid
• Let Me Entertain You from Gypsy
• Let's Go Fly a Kite from Mary Poppins
• Lily's Eyes from Secret Garden
• Little Girls from Annie
• Little People from Les Mis
• Look at Him from Honk
• Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee from Grease
• Luck be a Lady from Guys and Dolls
• Master of the House from Les Mis
• Maybe from Annie
• Miracle of Miracles from Fiddler on the Roof
• No One is Alone from Into the Woods
• Not Getting Married from Company
• Nothing from A Chorus Line
• Notice me Horton from Seussical
• On My Own from Les Mis
• Once Upon a December from Anastasia
• One Jump Ahead from Aladdin
• One More Angel in Heaven from Joseph and the Amazing...
• People Will Say from Oklahoma
• Poor Unfortunate Soul from The Little Mermaid
• Positoovity from The Little Mermaid
• Practically Perfect from Mary Poppins
• Put on a Happy Face from Bye Bye Birdie
• Putting it Together from Sunday in the Park with George
• Reviewing the Situation from Oliver
• Roxie from Chicago
• Save the People from Godpsell
• Seventy Six Trombones from The Music Man
• She's in Love from The Little Mermaid
• Show People from Curtains
• Silly Song from Snow White
• Sit Down You're Rockin the Boat from Guys and Dolls
• Sixteen Going on Seventeen from Sound of Music
• Some People from Gypsy
• Some Things Are Mean to Be from Little Women
• Someone to Watch Over Me from Crazy for You
• Somewhere Out There from An American Tail
• Stars and the Moon from Songs for a New World
• Step in Time from Mary Poppins
• Stepsisters Lament from Cinderella
• Supercali... from Mary Poppins
• Suppertime from Charlie Brown
• The Bare Necessities from Jungle Book
• The Beauty if from The Light in the Piazza
• The Girl I Mean to Be from Secret Garden
• The Kite from Charlie Brown
• The Letter from Frog and Toad
• The Light in the Piazza from The Light in the Piazza
• The Morning Report from Lion King
• The Music and the Mirror from a Chorus Line
• The Simple Joys of Maidenhood from Camelot
• There Must be Something More from Charlotte's Web
• This is the Moment from Jekyll and Hyde
• Tomorrow from Annie
• Tradition from Fiddler on the Roof
• Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid
• Warts and All from Honk
• We Beseech Thee from Godspell
• Whistle Why You Work from Snow White
• Who Will Buy from Oliver
• Wick from Secret Garden
• With a Little Bit of Luck from My Fair Lady
• Wouldn't it be Lovely from My Fair Lady
• Ya Gotta Have Heart from Damn Yankees
• You Can't Get a Man with Gun from Annie Get Your Gun
• You Could Driver a Person Crazy from Company
• You're Never Fully Dressed from Annie
• You've Got A Friend in Me from Toy Story
• You've Got to Pick a Pocket from Oliver