The Art of the Audition
Brooklynn Stanley, BFA Musical Theater
Auditioning is the name of the game! Learning how to not be afraid of auditions will set you up for success.
Know how to walk into a room confidently, professionally approach an accompanist, mark your music, find the JOY of the audition.
Auditioning is all about having something to share, not something to prove. Learn how to overcome the audition room anxieties.
What Am I Auditioning For?
Auditions can range between many different things. Whether it’s a college audition, an audition for a regional theater, an audition for a Broadway show, or even your school production, there is a certain protocol of etiquette to follow.
Becoming a master of the audition room will open a wide number of doors for you. The first step is to demystify all of the general questions and anxieties you may have about the room and the people behind the table.
1. Know Your Space
Understanding who you’re auditioning for and creating a plan for your audition will help set you up for success. Click each subtitle below to learn more.
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Know what you are auditioning for.
Find others who have auditioned for them in the past, get their experiences.
What is the reputation of the establishment? What is the precedent set that you are walking into?
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Who will you be singing for? Have you auditioned for them before?
What have some of their past projects been? Do you know anyone who has worked with them before?
Keep the air professional, but casual. They want to know who you are not just as a performer, but a person, too. Be someone they will want to work with.
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The accompanist has the power to make or break your audition. treat them with respect.
Marking your cuts clearly is crucial. They are playing for potentially dozens of people in one day. Do not make their job harder than it already is.
Be kind, professional, and courteous while also respecting their time and yours. A lot of times you only have about a minute for your audition. That is not the time to strike up conversation.
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Auditioning can be an all-day event. plan your day accordingly.
Will there be a dance call? Will you need to bring a change of clothes? Carve out enough time in your day in the even you are asked to dance.
Fueling yourself is crucial during a long audition day. Will you have a break to eat somewhere nearby? Will you need to pack food with you?
2. Common Terminology
Audition Types
There are several kind of audition types to be aware of at various stages of developing one’s career in theater. Below are just a few to get you started.
Open Call : This is a casting event open to anyone who meets the basic criteria for a role, without the need for prior invitation or an agent. Open calls are most often used to find a large number of actors or extras and can be a good way for performers to gain experience and get noticed.
Equity Principal Audition “EPA” : This is a casting call organized by the Actors' Equity Association for principal (leading and featured) roles in a theater production. Actors' Equity is the labor union for stage actors and stage managers in the United States, and these auditions are required for productions operating under an Equity contract. Although members of the Actor’s Equity Association union are prioritized, non-union actors and Equity Membership Candidates (EMCs) may also attend, though they will only be seen after union members and their opportunities may vary.
Equity Chorus Call “ECC” : This is an audition for ensemble roles in a professional musical theatre production that is open to members of the Actors' Equity Association (the actors' union) and, often, non-union performers. These calls are specific to singing and dancing roles and are typically divided, meaning there are separate ECCs for dancers and singers.
For singers:
The audition will typically involve performing a 16-bar to 32-bar cut of a song.
For dancers:
Dancers are first taught a combination, and those who are successful in the initial round may then be asked to sing for 16 to 32 bars.
For non-union members:
Non-union performers can attend these auditions, but they are not guaranteed a spot and will typically be seen only if there is time after union members have been auditioned. They often must arrive very early to sign up on a separate list.
Casting & Job Posting Websites
Actor’s Access (https://www.actorsaccess.com) ActorsAccess.com is an online platform for actors to submit to casting breakdowns posted by casting directors. Founded in the 1990s by Gary Marsh and operated by Breakdown Services, it handles over 43,000 projects annually and maintains a database of more than 1.1 million actors.
Casting Networks (https://www.castingnetworks.com) Casting Networks is an entertainment technology company that helps performers find roles and connects industry professionals with emerging talent. Casting Networks helps actors, models and other performers find work by simplifying the casting process and delivering the best roles. Casting directors and agents worldwide use the site to source and manage talent across film, television, digital and commercial projects, facilitating over a million auditions per year.
Playbill (https://www.playbill.com) Easily the most recognizable name in the industry, the Playbill website’s Job section is host to job listings searchable by type, location, paid/unpaid, union/non-union, and more.
Audition Conferences
Unified Professional Theater Auditions “UPTA” (https://upta.org) is a unified audition where actors are able to audition for theaters from around the country in one centralized location.
All-In-One Conference “A1” (https://www.thea1auditions.com) The All-in-One Conference (A1 Conference) is an opportunity for theatre professionals to take workshops and seminars, network with peers, industry professionals, and creatives, and access an abundance of opportunities and resources all in one weekend.
South Eastern Theatre Conference “SETC” (https://www.setc.org/events/auditions) The Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) hosts some of the largest and most respected unified audition and hiring events in the country—connecting performers, designers, technicians, front of house, and stage managers with professional theatre companies, cruise lines, theme parks, and educational institutions. SETC opportunities are available through the Fall Professional Auditions, Summer Outdoor Theatre Auditions, and the flagship Spring Professional Auditions.
3. Resources for Audition Success
“Acting in Musical Theater” Joe Deer, Rocco Dal Vera (Amazon Link)
“The College Audition” Tim Evanicki (Amazon Link)
“Act Like It’s Your Business” Jonathan Flom (Amazon Link)
… A seasoned audition professional (See: Instructor’s Page)
4. Things to Remember
No one is rooting for you to fail in the audition room! The folks behind the table have a problem that they are hoping you will solve. They want you to succeed and be the right fit for them.
The more you audition, the more comfortable you’ll be, the more success you will have.
You have something to share: a story to tell, a gift to present. You do not have something to prove. The first person in the room you have to convince is yourself!
Want to learn more? Book a session with Brooklynn today!
Authored by
Brooklynn Stanley, BFA Musical Theater
Assistant Instructor of Voice, Piano, & Acting
Brooklynn Stanley is a local of Washington Court House, Ohio and a recent graduate of Ohio University where she earned her BFA in Musical Theater. During her time at OU, she studied voice under Justin T. Swain for three years. She studied Acting under David Haugen, Applied Theatre under Daniel Dennis and Rebecca Vernooy, and Musical Theatre studies under Brent Frederick, Steven Strafford, Oliver T. Reid, and Alan Patrick Kenney. Brooklynn was a part of a number of musical productions with OU’s Tantrum Theater, including Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, Natasha u/s (PERFORMED) and ensemble, Carrie the musical, Norma/Sue u/s, and 9 to 5 the musical, Doralee Rhodes. Since completing her time OU, Brooklynn is now represented by the DDO Artists’ agency, and has worked professionally as an actor.
