Auditioning for shows...

Cafe Society
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I’ve realized since moving from NYC, I am seriously, seriously theatre-deprived. And although I’m more of a writer than an actor, I have done some acting before and I enjoyed it. And since I haven’t been able to see a Broadway show anytime I want, I’ve really, really been missing the theatre.

The town has a good community theatre group here, and from what I’ve seen, I’m impressed. And while I’m already planning to volunteer to work backstage, I’m going to suck it up and audition. There are two musical auditions coming up, and one play audition. So I need to find songs.

I’m a mezzo-soprano, somewhat of a belter. My range can go somewhat high, but not while I’m belting, and I don’t particularly LIKE singing that high. While I am nowhere near as talented, I’ve found that I seem to match Bernadette Peters’ range, if slightly lower.

I need two 32-bar audition pieces - one in a pop/rock style, and one in a musical theatre style. I considered Squeaky Fromme’s part in “Unworthy of Your Love” from Assassins for the pop/rock (I’m telling you, I don’t know much for real pop/rock - I don’t listen to the radio at all, and mainly stick to my showtunes on CD), but I’m starting to think that’s not going to work for the style they want. And for the second piece, I was thinking of “Time Heals Everything” from Mack and Mabel or “There’s a Fine, Fine Line” from Avenue Q.

However, having never auditioned for a musical, I have no idea if these choices are appropriate. I could use some tips or suggestions or warnings or anything else. (And for the record, I will not be upset if I don’t get a part - I’ll be just as happy backstage - this is something I just want to do for the fun of it, and if I make it, great, if not, great, too.).

Thanks, everyone!

E.

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Moving this from IMHO to Cafe Society.

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What are the shows they’re doing? I can help you out with some suggestions (see my website) but it’ll help to know exactly what they’re looking for. And congrats on your decision to get back into the game!

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Thanks! I actually haven’t done any acting since high school, but I’ve done some singing here and there. And I am serious when I say I won’t be disappointed if I don’t get a part. I’ll be just as happy helping out, especially if I can help the director with crap errands. I just want to get to know people in our community theatre and get involved.

The shows we’re doing this season are Bat Boy, and Honk!. They’re asking for the pop/rock style for Bat Boy, and a musical theatre song for Honk!. I appreciate the help!

Czarcasm, sorry about that! It didn’t even occur to me to put it in Cafe Society since I was looking for suggestions.

E.

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Great shows! Especially BatBoy… you’ll have fun on it no matter how you work on the show. Just off the top of my head, I’d recommend “Therapy” from Tick, Tick, Boom!, which is sung seriously but is really funny, so you have the advantage of being funny but also showing your singing abilities.

For Honk! (another great show) I’m thinking maybe “Another Day” from Rent (starting with “The heart may freeze…”) if you want to be serious, or maybe if you want to do a funny one then “When You Come Home to Me” from The Last 5 Years (which is ironic because it’s a girl auditioning for a show). But “Fine Fine Line” is good too.

If I think of more for the first one, I’ll let you know. Hope this helps!

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My last audition (for 1776) I sang Tom Lehrer’s Poisoning Pigeons in the Park.

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You know, I gave “When You Come Home To Me” a lot of thought - The Last 5 Years is one of my favorite shows - I’m in love with Norbert;). That one’s definitely still on my list.

I still have yet to get Tick Tick Boom (I’ve had a bunch of CDs lost on an airplane and am trying to rebuild my collection - it’s an expensive endeavor), but I’ll put that on my list to get. I think the biggest problem is that I don’t have a piano yet - my husband and I are moving into our house in two months, and my parents have told me I can have my old piano, since the new house is large enough to house my sweet, 65 year old saloon piano, but the fun part will be moving it out here. If we can do that, I’ll be set for the future, but right now, I’m having problems finding anyone with a piano.

Thanks for the great suggestions! I’ll have to see if I can load up on the sheet music for those (of course, without the piano, that’s an issue - I may have to invest in a small keyboard until I get my piano here). I’m not familiar with either Bat Boy or Honk!, so it’s good to find someone who is:). Thanks for all of the suggestions!

E.

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Also from tick, tick…BOOM!, there’s “Come To Your Senses”, which would work well for your pop/rock song.