<p>Could some experienced auditioners give me advice on what two songs and monologues I should do for auditions? I usually hear that they want to see two differing selections. Does this mean that I should pick two different character types to perform? Or does this mean one comic and one dramatic? Or one classical one contemporary? And for songs...I really want to show off my range by picking one song that is high soprano and one that is lower mezzo/belter or alto. Do you think this is a good idea? I am open to song and monologue suggestions so I will describe myself. I am about 5'3'' and around 115 pounds with long blonde hair and I am very volumtuous. This means that I typically either play the curvy slut roles or the womanly roles. For instance, I have played Adelaide in Guys and Dolls and Anna in The King and I. But I've also played Sally in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. I'm pretty random. And as far as vocals go, I am comfortable with pretty much anything. Advice would be greatly appreciated (:</p>
<p>Many schools have fairly specific instructions in terms of what sort of contrast they are looking for. Some schools will want one contemporary monologue and one classical, others will want two contrasting contemporary pieces. Some schools will want at least one of your songs to have been written prior 1665 or 1960, others won’t care. It may help you to first look on the websites for the schools you plan to apply to, see if they offer any guidelines. You will probably find that you will end up with at least 3 - 4 monologues, and 3 - 4 songs to cover the different requirements of schools. This will be helpful as well in case you are asked by any of the schools if you have anything else.</p>
<p>As a general rule of thumb look for material that is appropriate for your age range… Usually material that can be believable when performed by someone between the ages of 16 to 24. Contrast comedic and serious in your monologues. If a school asks for a contemporary and a classical look for comedic and serious contrast as well. If you have both solid belt and legit, looking for that contrast in addition to up-tempo and ballad is a good plan. If you can also add contrast of time period and style in there as well, all the better. For example a soprano ballad from a golden age musical, and a belty up-tempo from a contemporary show.</p>
<p>Do you have access to a teacher or coach who can help you choose and work on material? It is nearly impossible for people on a message board to suggest specific material. Your selections should show off the range what you do well right now, potential, and individual personality. :)</p>
<p>^^^ Follow ALL of that advice!</p>
<p>Except make that 1965… NOT 1665… Most schools are not looking for pre-colonial song selections… oops :(!</p>
<p>Ha ha…I missed that myself!</p>
<p>soozievt:
i just tried to PM you for advice about schools because you seem like the person to ask, however, i got a message that said that you have too many PM’s in your inbox to recieve any more. Ha ha (: Just thought I’d let you know (:</p>
<p>broadwayshlee, my PM box fills up all the time and I prefer not to use it as it is one more thing to check in addition to my work and personal email accounts, facebook, etc. Emails are better for me than PMs. </p>
<p>But to be perfectly frank, I volunteer many hours in the forums and try to answer questions with the hope that many may benefit at one time. I get a LOT of PMs and emails from CC’s forums each day asking me for individualized advice. I cannot handle most of these as I would be volunteering full time and I cannot. I also help with individual cases as my job. So, I try to offer help voluntarily when I have time to questions on the forum but not individual cases by PM and email, generally speaking, due to time constraints and having to prioritize the families with whom I am working.</p>
<p>I have to say katMT, I loved the pre 1665. Of course that is now that we are on the otherside of auditions. I can just see some poor child or parent freaking out trying to figure out how to even find a pre 1665 song. I wonder what they would even be.</p>
<p>Yeah… I unfortunately didn’t catch it in time to edit the post… hopefully people will keep reading to see the correction! A madrigal piece, maybe? ;)</p>
<p>Gregorian chants musical theatre song selection anyone? Sorry, like keepingcalm we are also on the other side so it makes a bit easier to be relaxed.</p>
<p>ashlee - Best of luck in choosing your material. I think it is one of the most challenging parts of the process. And as always, KatMT gave you great advice. My D had a spreadsheet she created that listed each school and what the requirements were. She then listed which of her songs and monologues fit those requirements. She found it really helpful to see if there were any “holes” in what all she had prepared. It sounds like you are still working on your list of schools, but you can at least start your spreadsheet with the schools you are considering and see what you will need. Everyone is different but my D did find that spreadsheet to be helpful.</p>
<p>austinmtmom - Do we have the same D? My D also kept a spreadsheet with all the requirements for each school both for her audition as well as what was required academically.</p>
<p>My D also could not have survived without folders and spreadsheets. There were so many differences between one school and another and various dates to meet. </p>
<p>As far as monologues and songs she originally was going to audition for 9 programs (she ended up canceling the last). After looking at her spreadsheet at the various requirements of all her programs this is how it came out: Her monologues were serious, comedic and Shakespeare. Then she had versions of each of those that were 1 minute or 2 minutes. She had 3 songs - ballad, uptempo and belt. Then she had 16 and 32 bar versions of those.</p>
<p>My D did something similar to hoosier and showmom’s D’s. She also had sheet music and cd’s of each song/cut. I remember at least 1 audition where their accompaniest got sick and she was able to use her CD.</p>
<p>My son’s monologues were way long for most auditions (2-3 minutes) and he refused to make the cuts to shorten them. This kind of stressed me out a little, but not him!! Some schools let him finish them and some cut him off. He was fine with being cut off and for him it was less stress to keep them long and be potentially cut off than try to re-learn the monolouge with cuts. I know it sounds like he is a 'rule breaker", but the was he went about it was less streeful for him at that time. In the end he made out pretty well with his auditions.</p>