I was reading composer Georgia Stitt's blog and came across a recent entry about auditions and she has actually allowed us to read her notes about the singers that came in to audition. VERY informative if you read it and pay attention...
Which got me thinking...how are you coming across in that audition room? Are you building your artistry and your craft, and are you also bringing something REAL into that audition space too? What is being projected?
Obviously there will always be things you have no control over, but your preparation you most definitely DO have something to do with!
Know and project your type - in every way.
Take the room. CLAIM IT.
Know your material. Know it COLD. Don't just learn the cut, learn the SONG. The theatre gods have interesting senses of humour...when you think you can get away with a 16 bar cut, that is when the audition the panel wants to hear it again from the bridge...
Make sure you can sing your material! And PRESENT your material! Do I have to say that? Yes I do...is your voice healthy? Is it developing well? Are you presenting the material stylistically? Do you know the difference between "loud" and singing for your body? between scream and belt? Are you studying?!?!? Regularly?!?!?! Vocally and dramatically?
Do you present your material to the pianist properly? This etiquette is NECESSARY!
Do you know what to DO in that room?
INVEST in this process - and learn about it fully. Do not assume it will just "happen". It needs to be a developed skill and skills need to be practiced to assume a naturalness about them.
Challenge yourself, do not accept the lowest common denominator. If you are committed to your craft and your development as an artist, INVEST in it. The process of anything worthwhile COSTS something. The cost doesn't need to be negative if the investment is sound. Begin discovering YOU in this process so that your audition is REAL, MEANINGFUL, REVEALING to those that sit at the table, whether you think they are paying attention or not.
Find a way to make them look up - COMMIT to your process. DISCOVER it fully, STUDY it soundly, PRACTICE it diligently. MAKE IT REAL. CLAIM IT!
Don't be that one of many who is half-assed in preparation, out of tune, insecure and ill-prepared. Be the one they WANT to see again, INTRIGUE them! Give them a reason to ask you back, or wish they could, don't make it easy to dismiss you.
Read, study, invest in this process. It develops another corner of your artistry and builds on your business of self.
You want to demand from the business? Then start by demanding from yourself!
Wonderful, important post, Susan! I appreciate the line about presenting the material to the pianist properly... that consideration certainly results in better collaboration.
ReplyDeleteRe: making the audition panel look up ~ Joan Dornemann did a demo about that in one of her audition classes. She looked @ the table/floor during someone's entire presentation... & didn't miss a thing! So don't think they're not paying attention.