audition songs/ monologues

College Majors Musical Theater Major
141

<p>I do agree with theatermom that students do need to find their own material but I also believe that suggestions made by Eve are a wonderful tool here. Those suggestions don't mean go out and use this one but instead give ideas to those of what may be not overused material. My daughter has been in voice for years...many of our children have been. But I do think there are many out there who have not for whatever reason and still may try to pursue this field. I think it is nice for them to be able to get all this information because everyone on here is so knowledgeable and offers so much to the college musical theater process. </p>

<p>If a student takes a look at the titles given by Eve and runs with them without digging deep for the best material for them...then that is not doing anyone auditioning justice. But if they get an idea of what is not done a lot and do the research needed for them it can certainly be a helpful tool!</p>

142

<p>I'm rather perplexed about which way to go with suggestions for specific titles. I have heard compelling arguments on both sides of the issue, and wish I had the judgment of Solomon in coming up with a solid "middle-ground" solution - one that is helpful and not detrimental to the growth of the artists (or to those who have been working for years to develop the research that I am giving away).</p>

<p>I worry most about the student with innate talent and drive, but who may have NO coach to teach them research skills, how to avoid overdone material, what makes for a good audition song/monologue, etc. If the student has no guidance, will their latent talent show through in the audition regardless of choosing crummy material? Maybe not...</p>

<p>On the other hand, will a talented but LAZY student look any better in audition if they use a list of suggested titles to find little-done material without doing the homework themself? Probably not...</p>

<p>I'm treading water here. Anyone with suggestions as to an amicable resolution is welcome (like the suggestion for a list of titles of musicals that are not often done in auditions). In the meantime, I won't start a thread for suggested songs/monologues...too contentious and dangerous a line for me to cross. I would like to use my skills for "good and not evil."</p>

<p>:)</p>

<p>eve</p>

143

<p>I really like the idea of a thread for good ideas for musical theatre auditions, maybe grouped by vocal range, that could be stuck at the top of the page. There are so many songs that are obscure, and good for auditions, but so obscure that the average person doesn't know about them, so a thread like this would be really really helpful, if you could. And if you can't, then I hope stuff that's not too obscure won't get me scorned. But thanks if you can! :)</p>

144

<p>be<em>a</em>star:</p>

<p>I have a couple of resources that will help you begin your search:</p>

<p><a href="http://stageagent.com/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://stageagent.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>You can search for roles by voice and type on the upper left hand side of this website - "find a part" section.</p>

<p>Another excellent resource is The Broadway Song Companion (Hardcover) by David DeVenney. It is an INCREDIBLE book that includes data on many of the most popular shows since the early 1900s. It lists the shows by title, alphabetically. Under each show title is a list of every song in the show, which character(s) sing each, what the actual notes are of each song (not alto, but Bb to D2, e.g.), and what the style of the piece is (ballad, character, uptempo; and further, often specifies the subcategory of the style - comic uptempo, lyric ballad, regal march, etc.)</p>

145

<p>There you go Eve! Now you're cookin'!</p>

<p>I, too, worry about the kids who don't go to performing arts high schools (my own D having been one of those) and those students with fewer resources, both personal and financial. But if they've managed to find their way to this site, they already have determination and skill at research on some level. I believe that pointing them in the DIRECTION of lesser known material is the smartest and fairest way to go. They CAN do this work and will feel an investment in their choices I don't think they can feel when it has merely been handed to them.</p>

<p>Thanks so much for your sensitivity and continued participation in the process.</p>

146

<p>Eve, well it seems that I have started a 'tempest in a teapot' with my suggestion! :) While I agree with some of the concerns, I have to say that I still think it's worthwhile to give kids a resource with which to begin their search. Sure, there may be kids who just choose a couple of songs from the list in their range and go with them, but I truly believe that the vast majority of these kids have such a passion to learn, that a list would be a starting point for them to launch their quest for appropriate repertoire. For those who take the 'easy route' and do not continue the search on their own, well, the loss will be theirs, and sooner or later, in these college programs, laziness will catch up to them. However, I agree with you that there are many kids who don't have the kind of assistance that most of our kids do and who need this kind of help from those of us here who are able, and willing, to offer it. I will leave it to your good judgment whether or not you wish to do it! :)</p>

147

<p>It seems to me that the vast majority of the people using this site are parents of children going through or planning to go through or recently gone through the audition process. I would be very surprised if these same parents were not providing support either financially or at least physically for these kids to achieve their dreams (through hiring vocal & acting coaches, years of performing arts lessons, putting them in performing arts high schools, driving to lessons, providing opportunities to perform locally in community theater, reading plays, researching songs, and on and on). It seems disingenuous to protest that fact. If a parent is interested enough to be reading this website, they are clearly providing some sort of support for their child's pursuit.</p>

<p>The few kids who have asked for help most likely do not have vocal coaches, acting coaches, perhaps even drama or chorus teachers in school, or parental help.</p>

<p>I see no problem with sharing information to kick start a young person's pursuit of their dream. Seems mean spirited (and maybe even elitist -- only those who can afford coaches, lessons and/or highly involved parents are allowed to succeed?) to suggest otherwise. These are HIGH SCHOOL kids we are talking about; in public school probably; with a full load of classes and perhaps no resources. They have homework to do, grades to keep up, and perhaps part time jobs. Researching music and endlessly reading plays all by themselves (with no direction) would be a daunting and probably impossible task. Ask yourself honestly -- are the kids of any of us CC posters (and lurkers) REALLY doing this process on their own????? </p>

<p>Now, maybe I will get flamed for this opininon -- but I felt the need to add my 2 cents</p>

148

<p>BiGismama, thank you for understanding. I am one of those highschoolers with limited resources and finances. I go to a public high school, and while I have a voice teacher, she doesn't know nearly as much about musical theatre as about classical voice. My only other theatre resources are this site, musicals.net, and the drama teacher who heads up the drama club of which I am pres this year. I don't really have time to research tons of plays and songs (and the Broadway book Eve mentioned is like $40 on amazon!), because i'm taking 3 APs, marching band, hopefully the show choir, two dance lessons, voice lessons, clarinet lessons, and will be tutoring at the local middle school or working a part time job. Plus I'm doing plays. So any and all help is greatly appreciated, especially since my only source for finding these songs, even once they're recommended, is the library, because I don't have the money to buy new books.</p>

149

<p>I totally agree with be<em>a</em>star there are many students such as myself who do not posess the resources that some others have and are essentially doing it on their own without much help from parents. I'm not taking voice lessons and my drama teacher has limited knowledge of musical theatre so it can be really hard when you have a bunch of other things going on to find auditions material that suits you.</p>

150

<p>BIGismama,</p>

<p>Your post was in no way inflammatory. I for one have no problem with anyone expressing their opinion here - yours, mine and everyone else's is equally valid and welcome.</p>

<p>I don't think any of us who have been through this process is advocating setting students adrift without a paddle. But as I said before, if kids are tech savvy and motivated enough to have found this site, it is within their range of capabilities to reserach MT rep. I also understand and appreciate be-a-star's point about finances but having SPECIFIC pieces of rep suggested for her (as opposed to suggesting less well known shows for her to look at, which I totally support) when we have no first hand information about her type, her range, her vocal ability, her acting "chops" is akin to no help at all - and she'd still have to find and work on the recommended pieces, whether that means borrowing from a friend, teacher or library, etc. I have less difficulty with someone who really KNOWS the student and can work with them pointing the way to more specific rep. I think of this process much like the process of coming up with an appropriate topic for a college app essay - sometimes the choice of what to write about tells the admissions officers as much or more about a candidate than how they actually write the essay. I know that there are parents and prep school teachers who "help", and I use that term very loosely and with some amount of sadness, students with their college essays a lot more than they should. Some kinds of short term help do not really help in the long term.</p>

<p>I'm also convinced that if a student truly does not have the time or resources to research more obscure rep, they should choose to sing songs they know and get up there in front of the auditors and present their pieces with honesty, confidence and joy. I don't really believe that choice of rep has ever kept a very talented student from being accepted to a program. Talent will always trump choice of repertoire and lots of other supposedly mandatory requirements. Go back and read Coach C's post about passion, potential and work ethic. I couldn't agree more with what she has had to say on this issue.</p>

151

<p>Maybe this would be a good time to mention that I am conducting a VERY low cost college audition seminar with the Associate Dean of Admission for Meadows School of the Arts at SMU. </p>

<p>I want you to know that I am conducting this seminar for precisely those students and famillies who cannot afford the help of a private coach (my hourly fee is $75) </p>

<p>Although the location will make it difficult for many of you on this board to attend, here are the details</p>

<p>Saturday, September 17 10AM-12PM
KD Studio
2600 Stemmons
Dallas 75207</p>

<p>for more information, <a href="mailto:maryannadennard@aol.com">maryannadennard@aol.com</a></p>

<p>I want every student, regardless of their financial situation, to have the opportunity to give an informed, well prepared college audition</p>

152

<p>I'm not sure if you meant that my post made it sound like I was asking for specific material, but if it did, I wasn't. I meant it would be helpful to know a list of songs arranged by voice type that would be appropriate for teenagers/young adults to sing at an audition, that are more obscure than most people would know. I didn't mean a specific song for each person. If we had a list like that, then people could look up specific songs from that list to see if the character that sings the song and its situation would fit the singer's situation. Just to clarify...</p>

153

<p>Thanks, glad I didn't offend anyone with my post. And I absolutely agree with theatermom on this point:</p>

<p>"I'm also convinced that if a student truly does not have the time or resources to research more obscure rep, they should choose to sing songs they know and get up there in front of the auditors and present their pieces with honesty, confidence and joy. I don't really believe that choice of rep has ever kept a very talented student from being accepted to a program. Talent will always trump choice of repertoire and lots of other supposedly mandatory requirements. Go back and read Coach C's post about passion, potential and work ethic. I couldn't agree more with what she has had to say on this issue."</p>

<p>Perhaps many of us (and I ABSOLUTELY include myself in this group), parents and kids alike are stressing too much about finding the the "perfect" music, the most obscure monologue. My reality check: my D has auditioned at those Thespian Festival group auditions 2X (as junior at State Festival and at ITF, Nebraska this past summer) with (we have since found out) 2 "overused" monologues and one "overused" song. Ooops, what can I say -we're novices. Yet on both occasions, she did pretty well and received quite a few callbacks and invites to audition at schools later this year. One rep even told her she did a great job, in spite of her choice of monologue (which he hated)!
She WON'T be using that particular one again!! </p>

<p>So perhaps it's enough to find a happy medium, your own comfort zone and do your best! I imagine the right schools will find the right students for them and vice versa. </p>

<p>My daughter for one, definately wants me to "chill" on the subject of finding the "right" choices because it just raises her stress level. Now that school has started and she's so busy with senior year she's kinda like "okay, I'm gonna do the best I can, with what I have, and maybe learn one or 2 new songs and another monologue, and let's not talk about it anymore!"</p>

<p>At this point as long as she manages to fill out and send in all the college applications, I'll be happy!</p>

<p>All that being said, I truly hope that those who can offer some guidance and direction to the kids using this website, continue to do so. IMHO, suggesting names of songs and shows (even giving the vocal range, as Eve has so kindly done more than once) as a starting point for them, can only help, not hurt. I wouldn't worry that you're somehow stunting their learning process; if they are using this website they are obviously motivated, yet might just need that helping hand. </p>

<p>Okay, I'll get off the soapbox now!</p>

154

<p>BiGismama, well said!</p>

155

<p>My D is clear on her type (head/hip per prof H classification, lower east side, 2nd generation Slavic immigrant, best friend, kooky, moll, bimbo roles). </p>

<p>We haven’t had too much problem with songs. Through the years we have found many sources for appropriate music. Besides seeing shows and listening to CD’s we have, for example, used Amazon clips, <a href="http://www.stageagent.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.stageagent.com&lt;/a>, <a href="http://www.musicalnotesnmore.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.musicalnotesnmore.com&lt;/a>, <a href="http://www.sheetmusicplus%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.sheetmusicplus&lt;/a>, <a href="http://www.musicaltheatreaudition.com/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.musicaltheatreaudition.com/&lt;/a>. <a href="http://www.heinemann.com/shared/products/E00335.asp%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.heinemann.com/shared/products/E00335.asp&lt;/a>.
We didn’t know about The Broadway Song Companion prof H mentioned but we will be sure to get it. She has more songs she’d love to learn than there is time to learn them.</p>

<p>The monologue search is more difficult. There are soooo many play and soooo many authors. It is particularly hard to find comedic material. We have found that often the lines are quickly spoken between several characters and it is impossible to piece together a coherent funny monologue. We are examining <a href="http://www.dramatists.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.dramatists.com&lt;/a>, <a href="http://www.stageplays.com/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.stageplays.com/&lt;/a>, <a href="http://www.samuelfrench.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.samuelfrench.com&lt;/a>, plays offered locally and looking through American Theater magazine for other ideas. Then we read. </p>

<p>We have come up with several dramatic or touching monologues. We are making a binder of those that seem interesting. When the time comes she will have a book of monologues and she can make a final decision about what fits best. “Today I am a Fountain Pen” is a current favorite. We are also looking for a monologue from a piece that deals with the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire—any ideas?</p>

<p>The search for a comedic monologue is lots harder. Right now we have a couple Beth Henley ones from Miss Firecracker and the Wake of Jamie Foster. Lovely sick humor. The problem is they are a little too southern in style for her. SubUrbia has some possibilities but heavily mixes pathos with humor, not sure if it would fit. Anton in Show Business is funny and touches some socially relevant issues (an important consideration) that might work. Might be over done though. </p>

<p>Essentially we are trying to put together a package that will not only highlight her skills as a performer but also present a coherent picture of her. She has the luxury of time since she won’t be in the audition pipeline until ’07. Whenever we have the time we search and collect. We are both doing the research, we just need a tip or two about authors or plays especially those with comedic monologues that might resonate with her.</p>

156

<p>Oklahoma City University requires one classical or art song as part of the musical theatre audition. I need to find a song but don't know where to look. I really like OCU because of its position as a strong MT program with a vocal emphasis but have no knowledge whatsoever about classical vocal repertoire or technique for that matter. Do you think that I even stand a chance at being admitted given the intense classical training OCU gives? What is a good resource for classical material?
Thanks</p>

157

<p>There are books of non-opera/aria classical material - these are called "art songs" in many cases. Many times, the anthology of materials are arranged by vocal range (like a book of bari/bass, tenor, alto, mezzo or soprano) - much like the musical theatre anthologies. The songs may be overdone, as many students can get their hands on this same material; but if you do it well, with confidence and polish, and bring your UNIQUENESS to the piece, you will be fine. </p>

<p>In my experience, schools are looking not only for extent of experience/technique, but also for potential. They don't want someone who's ready to sing at the Met. If you were all that, why would you NEED school, see?</p>

<p>:)</p>

<p>Also, remember that these folks make a living out of gleaning the potential from the training (or lack thereof). They can see a diamond in the rough, believe me.</p>

<p>And honestly, when someone comes in with TONS of technique experience, but with (perhaps) some deeply ingrained bad habits that go along with it (in some cases), that student will be harder to train than someone with little experience - one who is ready and willing to learn and is a "clean slate."</p>

<p>So take heart, look for a nice legit piece that shows your range and expression, and go for it!</p>

<p>eve</p>

158

<p>I like the author Theresa Rebeck for women's material. Her characters speak in a venacular that is less refined than other playwrights - the language resonates with my tongue as an actress. And the material can be VERY funny, yet have an edge of pathos.</p>

<p>Also, Neil Labute's material is very hot for young people - good age appropriate characters; situations that teens can relate to, so embodying a character in that situation is accessible; language is only peppered here and there with profanity; and very high stakes. Though his title The Shape of Things has recently been made into a movie, and is more done than others in auditions, his non-movie material (Fat Pigs, This is How it Goes, The Distance From Here, and Autobahn: a Short-Play cycle) are all good.</p>

<p>Another hot new play from England, the History Boys by Alan Bennett, has great material for boys (no women, sorry). You can now buy it (on sale) at Amazon.com.</p>

<p>Finally, I strongly recommend buying the Humana Festival books (a collection of short plays produced there each year, since the 1970s); Showtime's Act One Festival of One-Act Plays; or short plays by any of a number of well known authors (Miller, Williams, O'Neill, Chekhov, Odets, etc.). Action happens quickly in a one-act/short play, so stakes are high; and there is much less time devoted to exposition, using only what is needed to understand the story. A great source for audition material.</p>

<p>There are even "best women's plays" or "plays for women" collections that might help women find audition material (believe it or not, this is still more challenging than for the men).</p>

<p>Sasha1: IMHO, the BEST comedic material is that which makes us laugh at/with the character, then offers a poignant turn before the end when the character is truly vulnerable. This is fabulous material, because it shows the actor's capable range of BOTH comedy and drama - sort of like two auditions in one piece. It isn't required, but if your D can find this kind of comic material (often referred to as serio-comic) it will serve her well.</p>

<p>eve</p>

159

<p>be<em>a</em>star:</p>

<p>I know you probably won't want to hear this, and others may not agree with me, but I feel compelled to address the issue of "over-committed" students who are burning the candle at both ends while trying to prepare for one of the most important auditions of their career.</p>

<p>If you are vying for competitive musical theatre programs in the nation, your PEERS are intensely focusing on the placement auditions, and leaving other activities behind...and will surpass you if you cannot focus the same time and energy on your preparations. You are starting a career that has little room for hobbies on the side, and while you will maintain the "well rounded" character that these activities entail, you will not be permitted to dissipate your energies by continuing them once accepted into a competitive program.</p>

<p>I suggest that you drop all extra-curricular (non acting, voice, theatre-dance related) activities during your preparations for college auditions. These preparations will include researching schools, filling out applications, writing essays, collecting letters of recommendation, researching audition material, developing your audition, working with coaches on the material, planning your trip to the various auditions, etc. AND YOU HAVE TO KEEP YOUR GRADES UP to get into college - so keep the AP courses, as this is great for GPA, and also can knock a few classes off your college education (if the school will accept the AP course as satisfying general education requirements). </p>

<p>So, yes, any ancillary activities should be dropped. No clarinet. No marching band. No Associated Student Body. No show choir. No cheerleading, drill team, flag and banner, or dance squad. No speech club, chess club, mensa club, or any other club. No team or individual sports. And choose to perform only in those plays that will really serve you right now - not just to be doing a show, but instead doing one that you love, or that is in a genre you have not performed in before, or one that offers a character that is truly a stretch for you.</p>

<p>You can continue to "do it all," and be considered a well-rounded student, which is great in a communications major or a political science major; but believe it or not, this is not as attractive in an actor. Actors should be focusing on their craft now - ready to make a career by doing so. Our school, for example, is looking ONLY for students who want to work professionally in the theatre for a living, and for life. Anyone who tries to "do it all" will likely not be accepted to the program, because they are not as prepared as their (highly committed) peers, and this makes them appear unfocused (on theatre), less serious about theatre, and shows a tendency to over-committing (a negative trait in the theatre).</p>

<p>Just my two cents,</p>

<p>eve</p>

160

<p>I hate to say it, Eve, but I don't think dropping everything is a good idea at all. (And I wouldn't do it anyway, even if it was.) Drama club, choir, voice lessons, and dance lessons, first of all, would all be good preparation for auditions, because they are all musical theatre related. Marching band my mom won't let me quit, since she said she is reliving her childhood through me. (Believe me, I had this conversation with her a few times.) I need the money, so that is why I'm doing homework center tutoring. It's $10/hour, one hour a day after school whenever I can fit it in. It's good, easy money that doesn't take up much time. Clarinet lessons I very well may be dropping just because they are really expensive and they won't matter for the future, though it is still only a half hour/week. And I want to get into more plays to both build my resume, and just to have fun, because that is the whole point of me pursuing a musical theatre career and major. I want to earn money for doing something I love, so why stop acting?</p>

<p>And don't worry, I am going to be very careful about burning the candle at both ends. Marching band, which probably takes up the most time besides homework, only lasts through mid-November anyway. All I was saying before was that I don't really have time to read a ton of plays outside of all of this.</p>