You have about one minute to show the directors what you can do. Be sure to find a song that you are confident performing and one that sits comfortably in your vocal range. You’ll want to find a song that you can relate to and have fun with. It’s best to pick a show tune rather than a pop song. Most show tunes can be sung “in character,” providing you with an opportunity to show off your acting and movement talent as well as your singing ability. Choose a song that shows off the very best of your talents. Please do limit your audition to approximately one minute.

For your initial audition—PLEASE DO NOT SING A SONG FROM THE SHOW THAT YOU ARE AUDITIONING FOR! However, you should be very familiar with the music from the show, as you will be singing that music should you receive a callback.

Recording Your Music
The easiest method is to choose a song that you can find a karaoke track for online. You might be able to get a karaoke track made to order if you or someone you know plays piano and you can find the sheet music at the library or order it online. Record the accompaniment  onto your iPod, phone, or other electronic device. If the search proves too difficult, you can always pick a different song.

Bring your device with you to the audition. There will be a speaker and a computer in the room that will be used to play your audition music.

If you can, edit your song so that it is approximately one minute in length and starts where you need it. It’s nerve-wracking to wait until the correct starting spot is found. If you are able to edit the song to a minute, you don’t have to start at the beginning. Sometimes the best audition pieces come in the middle of the song.

DO NOT SING ACAPELLA SONGS unless otherwise specified by the directors. Usually the directors prefer to hear how you sing with accompaniment.

Finding Music Online

• iTunes, Amazon Music, etc. Search for a song by name with the added keyword “karaoke.”
• YouTube has tons of karaoke selections. You can use a free online converter to turn the music into an mp3 file. Just search for “itunes to mp3” to find software online.
• http://www.musicnotes.com—This company has lots of sheet music. If you purchase the digital version of a particular song, you can download the free musicnotes software that enables you to follow along in the music as it is played on a virtual piano. You can then record the accompaniment and use it for your one-minute audition.
• http://www.pocketsongs.com – Sheet music, cds and digital karaoke downloads.
• http://www.soundchoicestore.com
• http://www.sheetmusicdirect.com
• http://www.hamienet.com
• http://www.hitkaraoke.com
• http://www.musicalcreations.com

Editing Songs
Many computers come with sound-editing software, but if yours does not http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ has editing software that you can download for free. It is very basic and simple to use—perfect for cutting your song down to one minute.

Preparing an Audition Song
Preparation and practice is essential. Make sure you know all the words and all the notes and rehearse your audition so that the movements/dance are very natural and easy for you. Creativity is encouraged, including the use of costumes and props—but don’t do something so complicated that it distracts from your audition.

• Make sure the song is in your vocal range.
• Think of a creative twist or style to make your audition stand out.
• Choosing a song shows your personality. So be creative!

Audition Procedure
You have selected your music, you’ve practiced hard, you’ve submitted your audition packet, and you’re ready to try out for the play. Auditions will be scheduled in particular time slots. You can choose a time slot on your registration form; they are assigned in order of receipt.

Upon arrival at the audition space, you should check in immediately at the registration desk. Just before your audition, you’ll be lined up in order with the other students in your time slot and led in to the audition room, where you’ll be seated to wait for your turn to perform. The directors will be seated toward the front of the room at a table. Parents and other students who are not scheduled in that time are welcome to watch the auditions.

When it is your turn, bring your electronic device up to the person operating the music. They’ll run your music so you can focus on singing.

Be confident and sing out. You can use the whole audition space. Move around. Think about the words you are singing. If you connect with your material, directors can see it in your eyes. Become a character—be the person who is singing your song.

Some Basic Do’s . . .

• Do get off to a great start with a strong, confident introduction.
• Do keep going if you mess up or forget th ewords. Shake it off. Directors will respect your ability to persevere.
• Do be respectful of those around you. This includes people running the music for you (which can be a very stressful task!), directors, adults processing your forms, and other auditioners.
• Do pay attention to other auditions and take note of those you enjoy. What makes them great? Learn from others.
• Do remember to breathe, focus, and have FUN! The directors know you are nervous. That’s okay! Remember–they want you to succeed.

. . . and Don’ts

• Don’t put your hands in your pockets
• Don’t throw anything.
• Don’t rock back and forth.
• Don’t show it if you think you didn’t do your best. . . keep smiling and be confident.
• Don’t be surprised if you get cut off by the directors after one minute. Directors have a lot of auditions to hear!
• Don’t expect to be cast if you have a lot of schedule conflicts.
• Don’t worry if someone in your audition group is doing the same song as you.

Song Ideas

There are many musical theater songs. These are just a few suggestions to get you thinking–you aren’t required to pick something from this list.

Aida: Dance of the Robe

Aladdin: Friend Like Me, One Jump Ahead, A Whole New World

Anastasia: Once Upon a December

An American Tail: Somewhere Out There

Annie: Easy Street, I Think I’m Gonna Like It Here, It’s a Hard Knock Life, Little Girls, Maybe, Tomorrow, You’re Never Fully Dressed

Annie Get Your Gun: Anything You Can Do, You Can’t Get a Man with Gun

Beauty and the Beast: Be Our Guest, Home, If I Can’t Love Her

Bye Bye Birdie: Kids Today, Put on a Happy Face

Camelot: If Ever I Would Leave You, The Simple Joys of Maidenhood

Chicago: All that Jazz, Roxie

A Chorus Line: I Can do That, The Music and the Mirror, Nothing

Cinderella: Impossible, In My Own Little Corner, Stepsisters Lament

Company: Another Hundred People, Not Getting Married, You Could Drive a Person Crazy

Curtains: Show People

Evita: Beunos Aires, High Flying, Adored

Fiddler on the Roof: Miracle of Miracles, Tradition

A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum: Comedy Tonight

Godspell: All Good Gifts, Bless the Lord, Save the People, We Beseech Thee

Grease: Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee

Guys and Dolls: Adelaide’s Lament, A Bushel and a Peck, Luck be a Lady, Sit Down You’re Rockin the Boat

Gypsy: Everything’s Comin Up Roses, Let Me Entertain You, Some People

Huntchback of Notre Dame: God Help the Outcast

Into the Woods: Giants in the Sky, I Know Things Now, No One is Alone, A Very Nice Prince

Jekyll and Hyde: A New Life, This is the Moment

Joseph and the Amazing Techincolor Dreamcoat: Go, Go, Go Joseph, One More Angel in Heaven

Jungle Book: The Bare Necessities

The King and I: Getting to Know You, Whistle a Happy Tune

Kiss Me Kate: Another Opening of Another Show, Brush Up Your Shakespeare

The Light in the Piazza: The Beauty Is, The Light in the Piazza

The Lion King: I Just Can’t Wait to be King, Hakunna Matata, He Lives in You, The Morning Report

The Little Mermaid: Kiss the Girl, Les Poissons, Part Of Your World, Poor Unfortunate Soul, She’s in Love, Under the Sea

Little Women: Astonishing, Some Things Are Meant to Be

Mary Poppins: Feed the Birds, Let’s Go Fly a Kite, Practically Perfect, A Spoonful of Sugar, Step in Time

Les Miserables: I Dreamed a Dream, Little People, Master of the House, On My Own

Mulan: I’ll Make a Man Out of You

The Music Man: Gary, Indiana, Seventy Six Trombones

My Fair Lady: Get Me to the Church on Time, I Could Have Danced All Night, Just You Wait, With a Little Bit of Luck, Wouldn’t it be Lovely

Oklahoma: Everything’s Up to Date in Kansas City, I Can’t Say No, People Will Say We’re In Love

Oliver: Be Back Soon, Consider Yourself, I’d Do Anything, Reviewing the Situation, Who Will Buy, You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket

Peter Pan: I Gotta Crow, I Won’t Grow Up

Pinocchio: I’ve Got No Strings

Pocahontas: Colors of the Wind, Just Around the Riverbend

Rent: Seasons of Love

Secret Garden: Fine White Horse, Hold On, Lily’s Eyes, The Girl I Mean to Be

Seussical: Alone in the Universe, Amazying Mayzie, It’s Possible, Notice me Horton

Shrek: Who I’d Be

Snow White: Silly Song, Whistle While You Work

Song of the South: Zip A Dee- Do-Da

Sound of Music: Do Re Mi, Edelweiss, I Have Confidence, My Favorite Things, Sixteen Going on Seventeen

Sunday in the Park with George: Putting it Together

Sweet Charity: Big Spender

Toy Story: You’ve Got A Friend in Me

West Side Story: I Feel Pretty

Willy Wonka: I’ve Got a Golden Ticket

Wizard of Oz: If I Only Had a Brain

A Year with Frog and Toad: The Letter

You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown: Beethoven Day, Happiness, The Kite, My New Philosophy, Suppertime