audition songs/ monologues

<p>Prof. Himmelheber, Doctorjohn, Coach C. etc,
I've been away on vacation at the Cape so am just getting caught up with CC (I missed my little addiction I must say). Thank you so much for all of your input. My D is only a rising junior, so she has plenty of time to pick songs and monologues for college auditions, thank goodness. She has only used the Raisin in the Sun monologue recently for summer programs (which she was accepted to all that she applied to) so that obviously didn't hurt her at this point, and she DID read the whole play, but with all of your advice, she surely won't use anything like that for college auditions. Thanks for all of your thoughts. I guess because our D is such a minority here in upstate NY (not the same in California I'm sure!) SHE feels as if she can identify with a black character, but if the perception of others is that she should not use a monologue (or song) that is traditionally black, then why risk it? Not that she really would have thought to use a black song anyway, but your insights on the white songs were kind of where we were at. I personally have always gone by the rule of thumb that if the race matters for the meaning of the story (song or play) then she shouldn't use it. For example, Sound of Music has been done locally at least five times since my D started doing community theater (will be done by two different local companies this fall alone) yet I have never even let her audition, since I don't think a little Asian face works as one of the Von Trapp children trying to escape the Nazis. On the other hand, I can easily picture my D (who is an accomplished dancer) as Laurey in Oklahoma, even dancing her own "dream ballet". She's cute, and spunky, and has the right type of voice, so why not? So I'm happy to hear that it seems you are in agreement with this line of thinking. And we will just avoid the black songs/monologues since that could be a problem and there is certainly plenty of other material to choose from. I really do appreciate your input! I have learned SO MUCH over the last couple of years here on CC.
Also, thank you Prof. Himmelheber for the suggestion of Henry David Hwang. Actually my D has already used a monologue from one of his plays called F.O.B. (Fresh Off the Boat) and has been successful with that. She had already planned to investigate other of his writings, but I appreciate the suggestion.
I am still wondering about what you all think about using traditionally Asian songs such as from King and I, Flower Drum Song, etc. since she is Asian. Would that show a lack of imagination, or would they be "less used" songs since there are relatively few Asian girls auditioning for MT? Not that these would be her only choices obviously, but she really shines with those classic Rogers and Hammerstein type songs! Any thoughts?
Thanks again for your help!</p>

<p>I say (to borrow from the Producers), if you've got it, flaunt it!</p>

<p>Look at Flower Drum Song, South Pacific, The King and I, Miss Saigon, Mulan, etc. ANYTHING that will help distinguish you from the pack is a good choice.</p>

<p>eve</p>

<p>Thanks, Eve, that's a great help!</p>

<p>nydancemom:</p>

<p>I agree completely with Eve. The flip side of the negative admonition, "Don't audition with inappropriate material", is the positive one, "Do audition with appropriate material”. Since your daughter is Asian, she’s likely to be credible as Kim in “Miss Saigon”; and since she’s credible, she can sing “I’d Give My Life for You” very effectively, assuming the song is in her range. Similarly, I appreciate it when young Black actors do plays by August Wilson or Hispanics do plays by Maria Irene Fornes. </p>

<p>This principle doesn’t just apply to ethnic performers. Southerners bring something to Tennessee Williams that us Yankees can’t quite reach without a lot of training. Vice versa for Eugene O’Neill. Did you grow up Catholic and attend Catholic schools? You’ll probably understand Chris Durang’s “Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You” better than the rest of us. Is your grandmother a Holocaust survivor? You’ll probably understand Barbara Lebow’s “A Shayna Maidel” better than the rest of us. And bringing that understanding to the work is what actors do. We’ve had a motto around here at Otterbein for a long time: “Actors bring who they are to what they do”. Well, not always. But we want them to do that, and we rejoice when they do, whether in auditions to get into our program, or in our classes, or on our stages; and it is always the goal of our training.</p>

<p>To sum up, then, your d. can do a monologue from a play by Hwang or a song from “Miss Saigon” and pair it with something like “Many a New Day” and create a very nice audition package indeed.</p>

<p>I want to disagree with you, however, about “Sound of Music”. Non-traditional casting principles would suggest that a “little Asian face” could very easily be one of the Von Trapp children, even in a professional production. And Maria could be black! Is it historically accurate? No. But the theatre, from the time of Sophocles and Euripides, has never been about historical accuracy, but rather artistic truth. For much too long, notions of “historical accuracy” were used by producers and directors as excuses for not casting ethnic or disabled actors in leading roles. We who work in the theatre have a contribution to make to how Americans think about themselves, and one of the most powerful means is through non-traditional casting. What it says, implicitly, is that our shared humanity is much, much more important than our superficial differences. That is the belief on which the art of acting rests, and it is the belief (imho) on which our survival as a species rests as well. </p>

<p>Enough philosophizing. Hope this helps.</p>

<p>Quick question, is "Maybe I Like it This Way" from The Wild Party appropriate audition material for a high school senior to sing at a College audition? I love and do the song well, but I don't know if it is too hackneyed or innapropriate.</p>

<p>abbygail:</p>

<p>How old is the character? How old do you look, in professional terms? Would you be "carded" if you ordered booze in a restaurant? If so, you look no older than 21.</p>

<p>If the character is 21, I would say okay.</p>

<p>Now is your homework time. Could you play the role TODAY professionally? If not, I would not suggest you use the song for auditions.</p>

<p>Doctor John...you said: </p>

<p>"We who work in the theatre have a contribution to make to how Americans think about themselves, and one of the most powerful means is through non-traditional casting. What it says, implicitly, is that our shared humanity is much, much more important than our superficial differences. That is the belief on which the art of acting rests, and it is the belief (imho) on which our survival as a species rests as well."</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

<p>I was sort of wondering the same things as abby. I was thinking of singing "Look at Me Now" for my CAP audition tape? (Possibly "Out of the Blue", but I don't think so.) I don't know how CAP auditions are regarded in terms of age-appropriate songs/monologues...</p>

<p>musicalthtrmom:</p>

<p>You're welcome.</p>

<p>Is "Somewhere that's Green" overdone?</p>

<p>If a student is invited to audition for a school after receiving a callback at an event like a local or national Thespian Festival would it be to their advantage (or disadvantage) to reaudition with the same material that the auditor heard (and apparently liked)? Curious, because the time allotted at festival is so short (90 sec total), and is only one song and monologue. Was thinking that since student would be doing at least one more new song and monologue anyway, that re-using the original pieces for the contrasting selections would be good? Or not? Would that show lack of imagination (or good sense)???? </p>

<p>Feedback, especially from auditors (or kids) who have been in this situation would be great!!!!</p>

<p>Yes, "Somewhere That's Green" is done a lot. The dialect can be an issue (lot's of schools recommend no dialect pieces, and the reason why is multi-fold). And the character is such a strong stereotype that it may not glean you a multidimensional character that will impress the auditors as being "your creation," but rather could be perceived as a rehash of someone else's creativity.</p>

<p>On the age appropriate numbers, I feel strongly that you should do material within your experience (life experience - to understand the character "better than the character does themself," and to bring full dimension and pathos to the role). I'm not sure whether CAP 21 specifically looks for this; but most of the BFA programs that I am familiar with do. My point is, why do material that might alienate you from the adjudicators? You have precious little time to impress them with your ability, and part of your ability will be (perceived to be) your ability to choose appropriate material.</p>

<p>Better to find something that is 1) not overdone, and 2) that you could play professionally (like on Broadway) today.</p>

<p>eve</p>

<p>I say do the original material (they may be calling you back so others can see what the original colleague saw in your work) with the second number they asked for.</p>

<p>THEN, bring your "book": containing everything you know you can pull off with a moment's notice, songs and monologues alike. Then, if they would like to hear something new, they can ask for it (and you will be prepared to give it - making a super impression). Caveat - only put what you KNOW WELL in there; material that has been coached and is so comfortably memorized that you won't be worried about the words when performing. It's a real drag when I ask for another song, they pull out the book, I say "what have you got?," they list, I choose, and then they have to make excuses why that is not a good one...very frustrating and time wasting, and knocks them down a peg in my esteem. </p>

<p>Being very honest here...</p>

<p>:)</p>

<p>eve</p>

<p>Hi there.
I do have an opinion about the monologue element.
Do a slightly longer cutting of the original monologue and couple it with a contrasting contemporary piece about 1 minute 30-45 sec.
Congratulations!</p>

<p>So, I wouldn't get carded to buy alcohol. I picture the woman in the role being about 19 or 20. She is a misguided, promiscuous vaudeville dancer who happened to meet Burrs, who she becomes involved with. The song is about why she stays with him even though he hits her and treats her terribly. I don't know if that's too heavy for college, but it is a song I perform very well and I identify with.
As for 'Look At Me Now', I would not sing that for college auditions. The reason is that it is so blatantly about prostitution. I sang this song for a master class one time and they stopped me because they felt it was innapropriate. Plus, the song says something about you and it just isn't an image you would want to portray of yourself. However, if you feel that it is a good fit and that the way you perform it doesn't portray a wrong image of you go for it. It's a great song. Did you look at 'Life of the Party'? Same belty idea, but more tame.</p>

<p>I did look at "Life of the Party", yes. But I feel that it is SO much more popular than "Look at Me Now". I think that if properly cut, however, "Look at Me Now" wouldn't be as blunt as you say it is. It could very well be about a young woman telling about how she was at a very low point earlier in her life, but perservered and became very successful later in life. </p>

<p>I was also thinking about "Raise the Roof", but I hear that's just as popular as "Life of the Party".</p>

<p>And let me clarify. This isn't for CAP21 COLLEGE auditions, but rather their summer program.</p>

<p>Thanks for your reply to my questions. I always appreciate your insight. I understand what you are saying about non-traditional casting, and about our shared humanity being more important than our superficial differences. Our daughter is adopted (actually our two youngest children are our adopted Korean daughters. We also have three birth sons), so on a daily basis we live your philosophy. Unfortunately, it has taken much of the rest of the world time to catch up (or they haven't even come close yet!). Here in upstate NY, one director with vision (in Ithaca-which if you know anything about Ithaca makes sense) produced Sound of Music using a multi-racial cast a few years ago. Quite a topic of conversation around here -- even an article about it in the newspaper! And although Ithaca is a bit too far for us to consider traveling for my D to do a show, if I had known he was considering using this "radical" approach, I just might have driven the distance. On the other hand, I have had more than one local director who has worked with my D in other shows specifically tell me NOT to bring her to Sound of Music auditions because they would NEVER cast the show that way. We have been fortunate to be involved with one production which was cast non-traditionally. Several years ago, both of my daughters were in a production of Carousel at Syracuse University (directed by an MT professor who has two Asian children and a black child herself). Mr. Snow was black, Mrs. Snow was white, the oldest two Snow children were a black boy and a white girl (all of these SU students), then the youngest five Snow children were white and Asian (my daughters). We still laugh about our youngest daughter's comment after several rehearsals. She was about 6 at the time, and one day out of the blue said, "Oh I get it, Mr. Snow is black, Mrs. Snow is white, and we're the tan kids they had!" Never mind that those kids were Asian! Anyway, it was a fabulous show, with a very talented cast, and a terrific director (who perhaps because of her personal experiences understood that the show could (and did) work as she envisioned it and that the audience would embrace it! And the sold out performances night after night would confirm that.
Anyway, thanks again for your insights and your helpful suggestions. I hope we will meet some time this year when we tour Otterbein (which I must confess I had not heard of until I started reading CC- and now wouldn't have my daughter miss taking a look at because of your continuous, thoughtful, patient, informative contributions to this forum)!</p>

<p>I'm sorry, I never even thought about cutting it that way, but that could work quite well. If it is a summer program though, that would work really well. "Life of the Party" is much more well know, I agree. Good Luck!</p>

<p>Thanks so much for the kind words, and for sharing the story about "Carousel". I loved your daughter's comment about black, white and tan! It will be a great day indeed when more directors make the kind of enlightened casting choices made by the director at Syracuse (a program I admire very much, incidentally). And I'm heartened (and not in the least surprised) to hear that the casting choices worked just fine.</p>

<p>I look forward to meeting you this year. Anyone else who comes to campus or to the unifieds, please identify yourselves. I'd like to meet you all.</p>

<p>Best wishes.</p>

<p>Thanks Prof H & Mary Anna for weighing in on my question regarding what is preferred for callback auditions. Anyone else? I really appreciate advice from the experienced!</p>