<p>Im trying out soon for the schools production of Bye Bye Birdie as Rosie. Im going to be singing English Teacher or Spanish Rose. Any tips? Anything at all lol.</p>
<p>Awww - good luck - Rosie is a GREAT role. My daughter was Kim in a regional theater production and she looks forward to someday (MANY years from now, lol) playing Rosie! That song is such a hoot - have FUN!</p>
<p>DefyingGravity04,</p>
<p>LOL I have been listening to the "Bye Bye Birdie" CD over and over!! This is Webster's musical this fall...both of my guys were cast!! Lots of fun ahead. Personally, I am so looking forward to seeing the telephone scene.</p>
<p>Rosie is a great, great part...of course I don't need to tell you that. AND you probably already know that Chita Rivera originated that wonderful role. Lots of energy, but also lots of sincerity are interwined in Rosie. Poor woman's maternal time clock is ticking and she so desparately wants Albert to settle down...she can only dream of becoming Mrs. Albert Peterson the english teacher's wife.</p>
<p>Break a leg DG04....we'll be watching for the results!!</p>
<p>SUE aka 5pants</p>
<p>Aww congrats! What roles are your sons playing? I need to nail this auditon . I ahve some advantages against my friend who is trying out, im half cuban and rosie is an alto and im an alto and she is a soprano.I learned alot about auditiong at SDM and will be better than ym pervious auditions im sure but Itend to let my nerves get in the way.</p>
<p>I just want to wish you a break the leg on the audition. Get familiar with the musical. Like 5pants wrote, be full of energy and think about the character. ACT each song out. The presentation is as important as the singing for such a character. </p>
<p>Also, just prepare yourself so you feel confident with the material. Be confident. Just go for it and see what happens. If you are not Rosie, it is still a really fun musical to do. Go all out for this....definitely not reserved! </p>
<p>My daughter played Rosie and there must be something about Chita Rivera roles as she has done three roles that Chita played. She is far from Spanish but I can't think of anyone better to emulate! </p>
<p>If you have a choice of these two songs, pick the one you feel best about. Spanish Rose is more of a show stopper but English Teacher can be well acted and shows that side of you. I don't know you, so can't recommend anything specific. </p>
<p>Good luck!
Susan</p>
<p>DG...I wrote my post above without having seen yours beforehand (#4). But, if your friend is a soprano, she is better suited for Kim anyway. Rosie is definitely an alto. </p>
<p>But in any case, regarding the nerves....prepare a lot so you feel like you could do this audition without thinking (lol) but really KNOW INSIDE you can nail it if very prepared about what you want to do. Don't think about it as an audition so much. Think of it as a performance. Perform and block out of your mind being judged. BE Rosie. Go in and BE her as if you were already in the show. Forget anything at stake. </p>
<p>Lastly, as much as you want Rosie, you never know with school auditions what will happen and so I hope that being Rosie or not is not a make it or break it, as much as I understand wanting such a role. There are some good parts in the show and just various solos and a very fun show to do. I don't know if seniority comes into it at your school either. So, just GO for it. Forget the rest. As much as you want a role, the main success is if you come out of the audition knowing you did your best and the rest is out of your hands. Sometimes you can do really great and still not get it because maybe someone else looks better with the Albert. Maybe nobody else is good for the mom or some other role and they have to shift around the talent they have available to come up with the best configuration of a cast. So, remember, it is not going to be a testament to your talent if you do not get this particular role. But certainly go kick butt :D.
Susan</p>
<p>We have a "meeting" tommorow, so I assume the auditions will be soon. Im also doing Applause on top of this.</p>
<p>DG-</p>
<p>Busy, Busy!! Since you are doing "Applause" also you will be very acquainted with Strouse's music! One S did a song from "Applause" for this semester's auditions.</p>
<p>Sounds like you have all the right things going for you as far as looks and voice type.</p>
<p>Soozie, of course, gives wonderful advice. One of my sons was called back to dance and read for Albert, unfortunately he was too young looking. BUT the choreographer did say to the group that my S was the only one in the group able to convince her that he was deeply in love with "his" Rosie....something to keep in mind if you read/sing/or dance opposite of a potential Albert.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, my guys aren't yet old enough looking to carry off the elder roles, but as sophomores were excited to just be cast!! One will be in the teen chorus and the other landed the role as Hugo. A good lesson in physicality for landing roles...that is for sure.</p>
<p>SUE aka 5pants</p>
<p>5Pants...congrats to your sons! They will have fun with this show. Actually it is a good one to be in ensemble, compared to some shows. Hugo is a cool role too!</p>
<p>I wanted to point out that DG was not talking of the musical, Applause :-) in her post. She was referring to a musical theater weekend program in NYC. It was started years ago but women who were alum of Stagedoor Manor. There are several SDM kids who attend that program during the school year if they are from the NY area (my kid could NEVER do it!!). One of the main theater directors at the camp actually teaches/directs in it too. I imagine that DG heard of this program, Applause, when she attended SDM this summer. I think a mailing about it goes out to campers from the NY area. </p>
<p>DG...glad you get to do Applause. You should enjoy it. I hear it is a lot of fun. </p>
<p>It is good to shoot for a goal...in this case, the role of Rosie...but keep in mind the larger goal of working on stage in a production, no matter the part. Don't make it a Rosie or nothing thing. Go for the role you want but keep an open mind about getting into the show. I want to tell you that the well known line of "there are no small parts" really IS true. It is not just a line. I have watched many youth productions, and I find that any kid can stand out, no matter the role. I have noticed particular kids in the ensemble, for instance. Sometimes the real strong people are the supporting actors. Anyone can stand out, not just the leads. Very recently, my teenager was in an adult professional production. She was the youngest in the cast and some were Equity, and some were cast in NYC (but the show was here in VT). The review of the show was very good and it discussed each lead and it mentioned just ONE person who was not a lead but who simply played two small roles and some very complimentary positive remarks about her and standing out even though the roles were not big. So, I share that because I want YOU to remember that no matter the part you get, you will get something out of your experience in the show and you have an opportunity to shine on that stage. </p>
<p>So, remember, just give it your best shot at the audition, but make the "basket" getting into the show, not about a specific part. To focus too much on getting one specific role has potential for disappointment. I don't know your school or who else is out there or if there are seniority issues (luckily our school does not go by seniority) and so forth, but keep an open mind. Also, remember to focus on enjoying the audition (that sounds hard, I know) but not to focus on being judged. Focus on the role, the acting, the songs, not who is watching.
Susan</p>
<p>True, true, true Susan!! </p>
<p>Sorry for the error regarding "Applause"....I was in my Strouse mode I guess! ;)</p>
<p>SUE </p>
<p>P.S. Thanks for the congrats.</p>
<p>5Pants...sorry this is off topic for this thread but I was just thinking of you because I was reading the bio of the teacher my D mentioned she got for Vocal Technique today (first day of that group) and he went to Webster for a BFA! :D
Susan</p>
<p>Soozie-</p>
<p>I hope he ends up being a good match for your D. Lots of Webster grads go to NYC...but then that wouldn't be unusual....a lot of grads do period. Keep me posted on how it goes...I would love to hear.</p>
<p>SUE</p>
<p>OH NO! The one week I am busy in January ( I have the Applause shows) is the weekend of the Bye Bye Birdie shows. I heard there was an Applause class in the spring also. Is that true?</p>
<p>DG....I believe Applause is on a semester system so that the program is fourteen weeks culminating in a performance. This means you could enroll for the second term this year. However, the way you wrote a previous post when you stated "I'm doing Applause" implies you are already signed up for this semester. If that is the case, there are no refunds so the best thing you can do is to contact them directly via phone and their website so that you don't lose out. I don't know when Bye Bye Birdie casting is completed but if you are doing that, then you'd have to get out of Applause. The most important thing is to contact them directly. </p>
<p>Susan</p>
<p>I really want to do it but I will stick with applause.</p>
<p>My senior spring show was "Birdie" and it was so mucb fun- I played Ursula Merkle and my best friend was Kim- so it was awesome- Break and Leg!</p>