Happy April all!
We are and have been in the thick of music theatre audition season. Whether you have an appointment, or are standing in line to get a time at an open call, it's an exhausting, focused, tiring and exhilarating time of year!
In NYC, we have the early birds who somehow stay up all night to begin an unofficial list with 20 of their closest friends on a yellow legal pad piece of paper at 5 a.m. on the door of the building where that day's audition is held.
I have one word: "WHY?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!"
Many CDs are simply not accepting unofficial lists, or if they do, are only signing people up if they are physically there.
What are you doing????
Why are you there????
How do we see the difference between posers and real theatre gypsies?
Here's a list you might want to consider:
Real gypsies take the audition process seriously. They study, they practice, they study some more. They work hard at their craft. This is not American Idol.
Real gypsies know that their instrument needs rest and hydration - they do not see the need to be lined up on the street at 5 a.m. if they want to truly book a callback. They are willing to take the risk of arriving when the CD has published the call time for the audition and get a time and come back.
Real gypsies don't talk non-stop about this audition/that audition and about how great they are while waiting in the holding room. They are focused on the task at hand.
Real gypsies do not go to EVERY DAMN CALL!!! They understand that CDs remember if you keep showing up for something you aren't right for. Ergo, you aren't getting hired. Real gypsies use discretion about the auditions they submit for or sign up for; the auditions they attend are the ones that they legitimately are right for.
Real gypsies study...REGULARLY. They walk into each and every audition and callback PREPARED. They study: voice, acting, dance and more. They never stop discovering more about their craft. They understand what is needed, what they need to show, how they need to show it and they deliver consistently.
Real gypsies do not walk into an audition unprepared. They are developing artists and craftsmen/women who take their craft SERIOUSLY. This is what they want in their lives: to work, to discover, to build a career; not to gossip, or be famous.
60% of those in that open call line should really go home: they are not right for the show, they do not have the training or expertise for the show or the business, and may simply not have the level of raw talent and ability to develop into an artist that truly deserves a chance to pursue a career.
60%.
Imagine if that 60% would simply stay in bed, and those of you who are the 40% showed up at 10 a.m. to get your audition time. Imagine how simpler things would be. How happy CDs would be having real emerging and developing artists presenting real craft and a true audition in front of them instead of wannabes and wishIwases screaming at them, thinking they are belting?
Imagine having a 40% of artists/performers who could possibly be right for the show instead of wading through a 60% who aren't in any way right and being so tired you might miss the ones that are?
Imagine your business and craft having the respect that only those who have the training, understanding, development and delivery showed up to share it, and apply for the job?
Imagine each person in the room knowing what the dance combination was, and how to re-produce it? Imagine each person in the room singing something that shows what they do well, because they have technique, and the ability to use it properly. Imagine each singer having acting intelligence, and depth of character while singing? Imagine just singing in TUNE?!
Imagine an artist who says: I am simply not right for that show. I choose to sleep in.
Imagine an artist who says: I am positively right for this show! And I know I don't need to get up at 5 a.m. to have a chance to be seen!
If you are REALLY sure you should be in this business - then you must know why. You must know in what capacity. You must be studying. You must be growing.
You must sleep in past 5 a.m. Give that voice time to wake up so you can bring everything you have for that show you are right for!
We are and have been in the thick of music theatre audition season. Whether you have an appointment, or are standing in line to get a time at an open call, it's an exhausting, focused, tiring and exhilarating time of year!
In NYC, we have the early birds who somehow stay up all night to begin an unofficial list with 20 of their closest friends on a yellow legal pad piece of paper at 5 a.m. on the door of the building where that day's audition is held.
I have one word: "WHY?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!"
Many CDs are simply not accepting unofficial lists, or if they do, are only signing people up if they are physically there.
What are you doing????
Why are you there????
How do we see the difference between posers and real theatre gypsies?
Here's a list you might want to consider:
Real gypsies take the audition process seriously. They study, they practice, they study some more. They work hard at their craft. This is not American Idol.
Real gypsies know that their instrument needs rest and hydration - they do not see the need to be lined up on the street at 5 a.m. if they want to truly book a callback. They are willing to take the risk of arriving when the CD has published the call time for the audition and get a time and come back.
Real gypsies don't talk non-stop about this audition/that audition and about how great they are while waiting in the holding room. They are focused on the task at hand.
Real gypsies do not go to EVERY DAMN CALL!!! They understand that CDs remember if you keep showing up for something you aren't right for. Ergo, you aren't getting hired. Real gypsies use discretion about the auditions they submit for or sign up for; the auditions they attend are the ones that they legitimately are right for.
Real gypsies study...REGULARLY. They walk into each and every audition and callback PREPARED. They study: voice, acting, dance and more. They never stop discovering more about their craft. They understand what is needed, what they need to show, how they need to show it and they deliver consistently.
Real gypsies do not walk into an audition unprepared. They are developing artists and craftsmen/women who take their craft SERIOUSLY. This is what they want in their lives: to work, to discover, to build a career; not to gossip, or be famous.
60% of those in that open call line should really go home: they are not right for the show, they do not have the training or expertise for the show or the business, and may simply not have the level of raw talent and ability to develop into an artist that truly deserves a chance to pursue a career.
60%.
Imagine if that 60% would simply stay in bed, and those of you who are the 40% showed up at 10 a.m. to get your audition time. Imagine how simpler things would be. How happy CDs would be having real emerging and developing artists presenting real craft and a true audition in front of them instead of wannabes and wishIwases screaming at them, thinking they are belting?
Imagine having a 40% of artists/performers who could possibly be right for the show instead of wading through a 60% who aren't in any way right and being so tired you might miss the ones that are?
Imagine your business and craft having the respect that only those who have the training, understanding, development and delivery showed up to share it, and apply for the job?
Imagine each person in the room knowing what the dance combination was, and how to re-produce it? Imagine each person in the room singing something that shows what they do well, because they have technique, and the ability to use it properly. Imagine each singer having acting intelligence, and depth of character while singing? Imagine just singing in TUNE?!
Imagine an artist who says: I am simply not right for that show. I choose to sleep in.
Imagine an artist who says: I am positively right for this show! And I know I don't need to get up at 5 a.m. to have a chance to be seen!
If you are REALLY sure you should be in this business - then you must know why. You must know in what capacity. You must be studying. You must be growing.
You must sleep in past 5 a.m. Give that voice time to wake up so you can bring everything you have for that show you are right for!
