BWW Blog: Paisley Haddad - Back to School, Back to Theatre

Going back to school means getting to see your friends again, meeting new teachers, and homework. It also means back to auditions. Whether you are a Freshman or a Senior it is always scary for everybody. From picking the right monologue to the right song, I've got you covered. Read below to see my tips for a stand out audition.

1. ALWAYS PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS RATHER THAN YOUR WEAKNESSES

You don't always have to be the best singer or actor to be cast in a play or musical. ALWAYS pick the song or monologue that makes you comfortable on the stage. Directors care what you can do rather than what you CAN'T do.

2. MAKE SURE THE MONOLOGUE OR SONG YOU PICK IS ONE YOU LIKE.

You will never fully be able to get into a character or be comfortable singing a song when you don't like what you're doing. Pick your favorite movie or tv monologue or a song from your favorite musical. The more you like your monologue or song, it won't feel like a chore to memorize them.

3. CHOSE SOMETHING EASY TO MEMORIZE

You are not impressing anybody if you decide to pull an all nighter trying to memorize the longest monologue you can find on the internet. Chose something short enough to be able to be gone through in your head while others are auditioning but still long enough to make a statement. Shakespeare is always good to have under your belt because you can just look back to it in a pinch and have something impressive memorized.

4. GIVE IT EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT

Nobody will believe that you want to be in whatever show you are auditioning for if you don't believe it yourself. You will never look silly if you add some pizzaz to your audition, everybody else in the room is in the same situation. Also, remember to keep your audition outfit classy but still special enough to make you stand out in a crowd. Whether you wear a pretty flower in your hair or try that new makeup look, it's bound to make a splash.

5. PRACTICE,PRACTICE,PRACTICE

There is nothing worse than getting up on stage, in front of a crowd of other people auditioning, and having butterflies in your stomach. It's even worse when you have never heard yourself singing your selection or acting out your monologue. Practice every chance you can,for example, in the shower(great acoustics), walking your dog, before you go to bed, or making dinner. You can never go wrong with a little practice.

I hope that these tips will help you in our auditions this fall. If you're questioning auditioning for a show, go for it!! It's such a great way to be a part of a "family" of people that will be your friends for years to come. It may be very time consuming but it is totally worth it. Well, as us theatre kids say, BREAK A LEG!!

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