LibGuides: Musical Theatre: Audition Information

Introduction

If you're preparing for an audition and want to consult additional resources to help you prepare, we've compiled a list of material for you to check out below! This page includes advice on making musical selections and recommended books on audition preparation.

If you need to select a monologue for your audition, be sure to check out our guide linked below!

Finding Playscripts, Monologues, and Dialogues
A guide to locating playscripts, monologues, and dialogues using MPAL's collection of print and online resources.

Musical Selections

When making musical selections for your audition, use the parameters given in the audition outline. Usually this calls for either a golden age (pre-1960) or contemporary (post-1960) piece that is either Up-Tempo (fast tempo) or Ballad (slow tempo). They may also ask for additional features like comedic, dramatic, etc.

Normally for an audition they will either ask for the full song, a 32 Bar Cut, a 16 Bar Cut, or an 8 Bar Cut. When making cuts be sure to showcase sections that best show off your voice. Please reference the following articles about making cuts and preparing the sheet music for auditions.

Books on Audition Preparation

Musical Theatre Song: A Comprehensive Course in Selection, Preparation and Presentation for the Modern Performer by Stephen Purdy
Call Number: MT893 .P87M8 2016
In this new book, Broadway and West End vocal and audition coach Stephen Purdy maps out the requirements of today's complex musical theatre scene, suggesting sensible strategies for success in song work for those looking to succeed in the industry. He draws from his many years of experience as a musical director and coach at the highest levels, and as an accomplished college professor in New York City and abroad.
Get the Callback by Jonathan Flom
Call Number: MT956 .F56G4 2016
In this second edition of Get the Callback: The Art of Auditioning for Musical Theatre, Jonathan Flom provides practical advice on the many facets of preparation, including selection of songs and monologues to suit your voice and the audition, organizing and arranging your music, working with the accompanist, and presenting yourself to the casting team.
Musical Theatre Auditions and Casting : A Performer's Guide Viewed from Both Sides of the Audition Table by Rutherford, Neil
Call Number: Available Online
This book provides a unique perspective on the musical theatre audition process and how to improve the chances of landing a role. With wit, humour and insight, Neil Rutherford guides the reader through the crucial elements of musical theatre auditions, opening up the process of casting and auditioning to the thousands of hopefuls trying to secure work in this industry every year, as well as anyone involved in musical theatre.
The Complete Professional Audition by Michael Perilstein; Daren Cohen; Chad Thompson (Illustrator); Jason Robert Brown (Foreword by)
Call Number: 792.028 C738c
The Complete Professional Audition is the one book all of those actors need-because before actors can act, they have to pass the audition! Here's practical, hand-holding advice for choosing material, rehearsing, warming up, staying calm, standing out in a crowd, understanding casting, avoiding pitfalls, following up, getting the right headshot and resume, and accepting an offer. Ultra-useful appendices of recommended songs and monologues (yes!) make this the complete guide for everyone with an audition coming up.