<p>From audition books that I've read, you're not suppose to do anything in the singing auditions except sing. However, when I was in a musical theater conservatory this summer, during our audition techniques class, the teachers blocked my songs so I actually had some movements to do during the song.</p>
<p>So i guess my question is are you just suppose to stand there and sing or are you suppose to have movements?</p>
<p>Hello,
Actually when I am meeting with prospective students I generally advise that they not just “stand and sing,” but that they perform their musical selection in context. In my opinion it is one more opportunity to showcase your acting ability as well as your singing voice.</p>
<p>There is a difference between choreographed dance sequences, and natural movement that happens when an actor is performing a song.</p>
<p>Think of a singing audition as a monologue where you are singing. In a monologue you would do more than stand and speak… a singing audition is the same idea. </p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>Don’t “Park and Bark” move naturally as the song dictates. One time durning an audition my S ask the auditioners if they minded if he got down on the ground to start is song, they said ok, afterwards they ask why he did that, he said that is what the song suggested to him. He got the part.</p>
<p>I was going to pass on adding to this thread, but I can’t stop myself. It is such a fundamental question.</p>
<p>I don’t know what book would advise you
“you’re not suppose to do anything in the singing auditions except sing”
but take it back to the bookstore where you bought it, and get your money back. It couldn’t be more wrong.</p>
<p>An audition is not a formal recital. That is the only place where that advice might apply, where you can stand it the crook of the piano and get away with it, but I would say even then it’s terrible advice.</p>
<p>An audition is a performance. It is not exactly a performance on stage, but none the less it is a performance. It should be rehearsed and staged. In the context of an audition, the staging might not be as large or as broad as it would be if you were performing the same song on stage, but none the less it should be staged. </p>
<p>I have worked with singers where there was quite a bit of movement in their audition piece, and other songs which are much more subtle. Being subtle does not mean that a great deal of thought and work has gone into the preparation of the song.</p>
<p>I agree with KAT 100 percent. A song is a Monologue. You have to make strong choices, have objectives and pursue actions. The movement will come out of these choices, but these choices need to be explored.</p>
<p>When you enter the room for your audition you want to be in control of as much of it as possible. The only way to be in control is to be prepared. The more you are truly prepared, the more relaxed you will be.</p>
<p>Sounding good is not the only thing you want to achieve…I don’t even think it is the most important ( and again I will get in trouble for this)… COMMUNICATING is the most important. Those auditioning you want to see you are connected to what you are singing… they will forgive vocal flaws.</p>
<p>To take an extreme example… Harvey Fierstein is an awful singer, but he communicates and connects with what he is singing. Again, I am not saying that everyone can sound like Harvey and get into a MT BFA program, but I hope you get the point. There are LOTS of professionals working in Musical Theatre that do not have perfect sounding voices.</p>
<p>Good Luck. I hope this helps.</p>
<p>Loved your post, Tom, as well as the earlier posts. I also was going to pass and am glad others chimed in. You all said it all. Clay…this is musical THEATER, not a recital. Acting your song is crucial in a MT audition. While you may not be blocking it using an entire stage like in a show, you certainly need/should not stand still at all but need to be acting it in a performance (in a smaller space). The movements need not be blocked and planned in such a preplanned way but should surely be conveying objectives/acting/movement in a natural way…like others said…a singing monologue. You do not stand still in a monologue and shouldn’t in acting a musical theater song either. So don’t choreograph it, but definitely ACT the song…this is what musical theater is. A great voice alone will not get you in. The performance and acting of the song is a part of the vocal audition.</p>
<p>Hi Clay - </p>
<p>I agree with what has been said. However, I definitely believe that if this is a new idea for you (acting a song as an objective-based piece), you need to have an experienced outside eye to help guide that process - a coach or drama teacher who has verified success coaching people for major college or professional auditions. Sometimes, movements that feel natural (or organic, as is often the actor-y way to say it :)) can still be excessive until you as a performer learn to hone you own physical vocabulary (your unique way of moving) and use it wisely and for maximum effect. As a general rule, ECONOMY of movement is necessary - move, gesture, etc., when it is TRULY necessary for what you are communicating. This is a line actors must walk especially carefully when delivering singing auditions, because our bodies can be lured by the music and we can move in a fashion that fits dance or pop-star performances (keeping unconscious time with our heads, etc.) but not acting a song.</p>
<p>Good luck! :)</p>