Audition Room

Spencer Glass, career coach for actors and actor himself, dives deep into the reality of booking jobs, and coming to terms with the fact that actors can't be a fit for everyone and every piece. 

Spencer Glass, career coach for actors, explores the subconscious apologetic energy that lives in artists. Glass, an actor himself, has battled the apology voice, and describes how it creeps out during auditions.

One of the first questions many people have when they're planning for an audition is 'what should I sing?' Look no further! We're rounding up a list of some of the top classic Broadway audition songs for adults.

Updated September 2023: 2020 has undoubtedly changed the way that the entertainment industry operates- at least for now. It may be a while before you have to navigate a crowded hallway for an audition, so what better time to perfect your remote job-booking skills than now?

Updated September 2023: Auditioning for college musical theatre programs this season and don't know where to start? Let Cleveland Musical Theatre be your guide for CMT Unifieds, taking place October 9-11, 2020!

Updated September 2023: If you're a singer in need of something more than a karaoke track to show off your vocal chops, there are plenty of resources for vocalists that provide downloadable piano tracks- some of them are even free! Check out our seven favorite sites to find download-ready and custom tracks to help you sound your best!

Updated September 2023: Even though so much of our daily interactions and communications currently take place via our computers and smartphones, there is still so much of this business that is built on face-to-face meetings, or at least voice-to-voice conversations. One of the keys to breaking into the audition pianist circuit is knowing how to use digital resources to set up analog meetings. Thankfully, most digital resources are accessible for free via your computer and/or your smartphone - just like this BWW column that you are reading right now.

Updated September 2023: So you just moved to New York City, and you have big dreams about being an actor on Broadway. How do you turn those dreams into a reality? There's no exact science when it comes to getting started, but I'm here to provide you with a few tips on how to get started with auditioning and getting acclimated to life in the big city.

Updated September 2023: What are the best monologues to do from Shakespeare for an audition? We've got 10 monologues for men & women picked by our experts to help you pick what monologue to do!

Updated September 2023: Practically every child, at some point or another, has aspirations of being an actor. However, some children and their families decide to take steps to enter the professional world immediately! I was one of these kids, and I signed with my first agents and started auditioning when I was twelve years old. The world of auditioning and rejection can be a whirlwind for adult actors, let alone children and their parents! But with some simple preparations and guidelines, you can actually learn to enjoy the experience, regardless of the outcomes. Here are some crucial tips for finding success (while staying sane)!

Updated September 2023: When BWW asked me to come up with a guide on 'How To Prepare Your Audition Book,' I was more than happy to oblige. The following bits of advice and at-the-piano and behind-the-table wisdom have been distilled from my 30+ years of playing auditions. While I make no claim stating that 'my way' is 'the only way,' 'the right way,' I can safely say that much of what I share below has been discussed with many other audition pianists over the years, and we are all in agreement on many of the topics.

Updated September 2023: Building and perfecting a resume can be a tedious, confusing task. It's full of random questions like 'what credits should I list first?', 'why will the spacing on this document not work the way I want it to?', and 'what even IS a special skill?' If you ask three different people these questions, you may get three different answers. That's the thing about resumes - a lot depends on personal preference! In this article, though, I'll walk you through a few key do's and don't's that apply to all resumes, along with some areas where you can add a more personal touch.

Updated September 2023: We're spotlighting different off-stage careers on Broadway to answer some common questions people might have about perusing a career off the stage! This week we're chatting with Lauren Gallitelli, who is Santino Fontana's dresser at TOOTSIE on Broadway! Gallitelli has worked on Broadway at shows such as Cinderella, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Sister Act, and more!

Updated September 2023: How do you find equity and non-equity auditions? How do you get seen at Equity auditions without an equity card? We've got all that info, and audition tips!

Updated September 2023: Finding the perfect monologue for an audition can be a daunting task. After all, it's not like you can listen to potential options via cast recordings - there's a little more digging to be done. But don't worry - searching for monologues is not nearly as hard as it seems, and it can actually be a very fun and educational process! By the end of your search, you'll not only have some killer audition material, but you'll be a much more well-read theatre student! Here are some of my tips to guide you through the process. 

Updated September 2023: NYC, LA and every major market city is going to be dripping with voice teachers. But how to find the right fit for you? Finding a teacher is a lot like dating. We aren't going to fit with everyone we meet and that is okay! I hope these pointers will help guide you to find the perfect fit.

Updated September 2023: Great outfits bring great confidence when you are going to audition. There's no better feeling than knowing you are rocking what you're wearing, whether it's the first day of a new school year or you're an adult meeting new people. First impressions matter. Everyone knows that feeling of waking up on the first day of school and wanting to wear their very best outfit to showcase the brand-new human they've become over the summer.

Updated September 2023: You are an aspiring actor in NYC pounding the pavement, getting up at the crack of dawn and waiting in line to hopefully get seen. Congratulations! You are doing everything right! But what else can you do to book the gig? Take as many classes (acting lessons/acting techniques/audition prep) as you can. I mean that.

Updated September 2023: The age old struggle for a non-equity actor a?' how to get seen at an EPA (Equity Principal Audition) or ECC (Equity Chorus Call). These auditions are the stepping stones for breaking into the industry, without them casting offices would never have any new individuals to introduce to directors and producers. EPAs and ECCs may be time consuming and feel thankless, but a good EPA/ECC audition could change someone's entire career trajectory. Anyone who is serious about performing in commercial theater in the city knows the importance of getting up at some godforsaken hour, trekking to Pearl Studios, and putting their name on a list that may or may not ever end up in the casting director's hands. Ask any actor/dancer you meet, they'll all tell you the same thing a?' one of the hardest parts of their job is getting into the audition room, the actual act of auditioning is normally the easiest part of their day. That said, here are four major tips to maximize your chances of getting seen when you're non-equity and just trying to be #booked and #blessed. 

Updated September 2023: Actors ages 6-60 often get their start on the local stage whether it be church, school, or community theatre. Stepping out of your comfort zone and in to the spotlight can be daunting, especially when you don't know what to fully expect. This guide is all you need to know about community theatre from a seasoned performer. Most community theatres are low pressure environments and excellent places to get some theatre experience in as they tend to be more forgiving and can relieve some of the stress that new actors feel when taking on a role. For example, you most likely won't be chewed out if you're a little late getting off book or if you can't pick up the choreography at lightning speed. People understand that no one is getting paid, everyone has other jobs and commitments, and you'll do the best you can with the resources you have.

Updated September 2023: Finding your best audition song is crucial - especially as a young performer. Check out some great audition song options for kids of all ages and find out how to pick the perfect audition song if you're a kid or teenager!

Updated September 2023: Learn about Unified College Auditions from beginning to end. Unifieds (officially National Unified Auditions) are a musical theatre audition held every year in several cities around the country where multiple colleges, universities, and conservatories hold auditions over two to three days for their incoming classes.

Updated September 2023: Auditioning can be stressful and exhausting, so to help we've compiled an list of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them. So whether you are auditioning for things professionally or at a community theater level take a look at the list below to make sure you aren't making any mistakes that could potentially cost you the job.

Updated September 2023: Here is a list of the best baritone audition songs: My Girlfriend Who Lives in Canada, I Don't Remember You, Good Thing Going, Shall We Dance, When I First Saw You, Tonight at Eight and She Loves Me, I'll Be Here, Shine on Your Shoes, and more!

Updated February 2024: Are you a tenor looking for audition material? To get you started, here is a list of the best tenor audition songs: Not a Day Goes By, There But For You Go I, Take a Chance on Me, It Only Takes a Taste, You Walk with Me, The Wall in My Head, Bright Star, Good Boy, and more!