Skinny jeans, choreo and dancing feet.

 

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING

Savoyards Musical Comedy Society, Brisbane.

Auditions: June 12 – 17, 2015

CLICK HERE to meet the production team.

AUDITION PACK AVAILABLE NOW AT WWW.SAVOYARDS.COM.AU

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VENUE:  Wynnum High School, Peel Street, Manly;

DATE:  13-15 June, 2015.

TIME: By appointment only

This is the final article in this audition series for How to Succeed. With all this information up your sleeve, we hope you feel a little more prepared for this and any other audition you do in the future.

Our final bit of advice is about what to wear. I’m stating the obvious but here goes:

1. Be able to move. If you wear jeans that are so tight they’re cutting off your circulation, then you probably won’t be able to handle the choreography Desney gives you. Leave the skinny jeans at home and go for something you can move in.
2. Feet count. You’ll be dancing on a timber floor so don’t wear joggers or thongs as they grip the floor and cause ankle injury. If you have chorus, jazz or ballet shoes, these are fine. If you don’t have formal dance shoes then wear dress shoes with a leather sole (men) or if you want to wear your heels (ladies), make sure you bring dance shoes you can quickly change into.
3. Let us see your face. If you have long hair make sure it’s not in your face all the time. There is nothing more distracting than someone constantly pulling their hair away from their face. This will prevent you from working your character as well.
4. Headshots. Should be about postcard size of your face and in colour. Don’t spend a lot of money. Take a photo in good natural light and print it at your local Kmart kiosk for $1 or even print it at home. It doesn’t need to be fancy but it does need to be clear. It is all we will have to remember you by after you have left the room and after 4 days of auditions, we’re going to need all the help we can get.

Finally, have fun. You’ve prepared well and we are excited to meet you and enjoy your audition.

Cheers, Sher.

www.savoyards.com.au  |  auditions@savoyards.com.au

www.facebook.com/savoyards.brisbane

How to prepare for the unexpected in your audition.

 

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING

Savoyards Musical Comedy Society, Brisbane.

Auditions: June 12 – 17, 2015

CLICK HERE to meet the production team.

AUDITION PACK AVAILABLE NOW AT WWW.SAVOYARDS.COM.AU

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VENUE:  Wynnum High School, Peel Street, Manly;

DATE:  13-15 June, 2015.

TIME: By appointment only

 

So, you’re in the audition space, you’ve presented your song, read your script and learned the choreography. Now what? As the Musical Director walks toward the piano, indicating for you to follow him, you realise that your legs aren’t listening to your brain, you’ve forgotten your name and you suddenly need to pee.

It’s a while since I felt like this but I do remember what it was like. If I knew then what I know now, I wouldn’t read so much into everything the production team said and did. I know now that they are normal people, tired yet hyped up on coffee, keen to give everyone who auditions the best chance they can. What throws us as performers is the unexpected. I’ve spent the last few weeks setting you up to know what to expect at your How to Succeed audition and now I’m going to throw a spanner in the works and get you to turn everything on its head.

We have 15 minutes to determine whether you have the skills to perform a particular role in the show. Your job is simply to present your skills. It’s not to guess what we want and try to be everything. Just sing your heart out, read with energy and dance like you’re having fun. Our job is to take what you offer and play with it a little – get you to sing in a different way or read the script focussing on another element of the character. How do you prepare for the unexpected?

Geoffrey, our Musical Director, is a professional orchestral musician with years of experience and thousands of hours of practice behind him, not to mention sitting through hundreds of auditions as Musical Director for many shows. I asked him for his top suggestions about how to prepare for the unexpected:

1. Know your songs so well that you sing them in your sleep. Don’t be fumbling for words or key changes. Your song/s are tools in your tool belt. If they’re going to last and do a good job for you, they better be of the highest quality you can achieve. They’re yours and no one else can use them for you.
2. Try, in practice, to come up with a couple of viewpoints to your song. Play around with technique, breathing, interpretation and dynamics. Whilst you’re going to settle on a primary presentation of the song, don’t make it the only approach you’ve considered.
3. Accept suggestions for change from the production team and put them into action. This shows your attitude to taking direction and being able to work under the overall vision for the show. It also allows us to measure skill level and your flexibility. If you’re not sure what you’re being asked to do, ask for clarification.
4. All this applies to your script-reading as well. It’s fine to have your audition scripts in your hand (especially for those roles with more than one script to learn) but know them well enough to develop some character.

Next week is our final in this series of articles for How to Succeed auditions and our Choreographer, Desney Toia-Sinapati will give you some tips for the dance/movement section of your audition. I love working with Desney because she understands the difference between “dance school” choreography and dance within musical theatre – being part of the story. It’s this skill that works so well in community theatre because it allows her to take performers with less technical dance skills and create movement that makes them look amazing and feel confident. Can’t wait for you to work with her.

If you haven’t registered for your audition yet you better get in now because the schedule is nearly full. Download your audition pack for details at www.savoyards.com.au.

We’re looking forward to meeting you at your audition so prepare well and we’ll see you in June.

Cheers, Sher.

www.savoyards.com.au  |  auditions@savoyards.com.au

www.facebook.com/savoyards.brisbane

How NOT to sabotage your own audition.

 

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING

Savoyards Musical Comedy Society, Brisbane.

Auditions: June 12 – 17, 2015

CLICK HERE to meet the production team.

AUDITION PACK AVAILABLE NOW AT WWW.SAVOYARDS.COM.AU

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VENUE:  Wynnum High School, Peel Street, Manly;

DATE:  13-15 June, 2015.

TIME: By appointment only

 

JOB DESCRIPTION: AUDITION PIANIST

1. Must have eyesight capable of reading sheet music from an iPhone.
2. Must have three hands – two to play and one to control the loose bits of paper supplied by auditionee.
3. Must have a sixth sense to know where the singer is going in the song because it won’t be written on the music.
4. Must have sight reading skills capable of playing an unknown piece of music in 7 sharps changing every three bars to 7 flats and back again because the singer thought this would be an “interesting piece”.

Hundreds of auditions later I have witnessed all this and more (ok, the iPhone was an iPad, but REALLY?!). Being an audition pianist is a particular skill. You have to sight read many different songs, follow the singer but maintain the integrity of the piece and interpret chicken scratch on sheet music that makes the notes barely visible. The audition pianists I have worked with have accomplished all this and more. They always try to make the auditionee feel confident and are very talented musicians; but people, you’ve got to help these guys and gals out. Doing everything possible to make their job easier is only going to help you to perform more confidently. So, here’s how you can prepare for your audition pianist:

1. Choose a song that does not require 3 weeks of piano practice to play. If you have to apologise for the key signature, it’s not a good choice. The pianist has about 5 minutes to look at your music and no time to actually practice it. Be sensible in your choice.
2. Make sure the sheet music is in your key. Don’t ask the pianist to transpose on sight.
3. Make sure the copy is legible. If it’s a photocopy of a photocopy of a bad photocopy, get a NEW copy! Clear, black print.
4. Mark up your music clearly. You’ve been asked to prepare the best 32 bars of the song so make sure you clearly mark on the music where you’re beginning and ending. If you’re not starting at the beginning of the song, predetermine your lead in and mark it. Mark your speed and highlight any key changes or cuts. If the end bar is not clear, mark it.
5. Put your name and mobile number on it. I’m making quite a collection of music left behind at auditions.
6. Present the sheets securely. There are two ways to do this – (a) If it is only 3 pages, copy it onto heavy white card and tape it together (see photo). This means the pianist doesn’t have to turn pages and the sheets don’t flop around or (b) place the sheets in a display folder with the first page on the left hand side. This reduces page turns in the early part of the song.

Don’t underestimate the impact of preparing your audition music properly. You will not feel confident if your song is stopped because your loose sheets fall off the piano or the poor pianist is so busy trying to hold it there, he can’t play it properly. Just before your audition, the pianist will come out to talk to you about your music. Go through it pointing out the marks you’ve made, measure speed and any other notes you want but try and keep them to a minimum. When your audition is finished, don’t forget to thank the pianist as you collect your music.

We’re looking forward to meeting you at your audition so prepare well and we’ll see you in June.

Cheers, Sher.

www.savoyards.com.au  |  auditions@savoyards.com.au

www.facebook.com/savoyards.brisbane

What Does Your Principal Audition Look Like?

 

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING

Savoyards Musical Comedy Society, Brisbane.

Auditions: June 12 – 17, 2015

CLICK HERE to meet the production team.

AUDITION PACK AVAILABLE NOW AT WWW.SAVOYARDS.COM.AU

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VENUE:  Wynnum High School, Peel Street, Manly;

DATE:  13-15 June, 2015.

TIME: By appointment only

So you’ve decided to step out and audition for a character in How to Succeed. You’ve booked your audition, done your research, chosen your songs and you now you find yourself feeling one of two ways – confident or like you’re going to throw up on your shoes – sometimes both in any one day. Relax, you’re already amazing just doing the audition but to help you feel prepared, let me walk you through what your audition will look like.

Arrive about 15 minutes early. There is nothing worse than arriving late and having to walk straight into your audition desparately needing to pee. When you arrive, check in with the Audition Clerk and give them your fully completed audition form with your performance history and head shot STAPLED (no paper clips) behind it. You’ll then have the opportunity to go over your sheet music with the pianist. We’ll talk about the way you should present your sheet music next week.

When you are called into the audition space, bring your water, dance shoes and scripts with you. You’ll be introduced to the panel and after a little chat, you’ll sing your first song. The Musical Director, Geoffrey, may work with you on the song or ask you to present your alternative piece. If he doesn’t, it doesn’t mean anything other than he has enough information to determine your skill set.

You’ll then read your script with the reading partner we provide. Feel free to move around and take control of the space. The reader will follow what you do. Remember that I don’t mind you holding your scripts during the audition. Know the scripts well enough that you don’t have your face in the paper and can develop character but hang onto them for security by all means.

Choreographer, Desney, will teach you a simple dance routine to determine your skill level. Wear clothes and shoes you can dance in – not joggers as they are dangerous to dance in on a timber floor.

Throughout this whole process, we will be seeking ways to help you present your very best audition. If you have all the confidence in the world then that’s wonderful but if you’re like 90% of auditionees, you’ll suffer a few nerves. Our job is not to sit behind a desk and judge you. That doesn’t help you and it certainly doesn’t help us to cast a show. We want to know what you’re really capable of once the nerves are peeled away and we see you a little more relaxed.

Everyone’s audition will look slightly different because we tailor it to suit you so don’t make the mistake of comparing your audition with someone else, interpreting the fact that you didn’t sing your second song as a bad sign. It could simply mean that you chose such a great first song that it showed your skill really well.

Once you’ve finished your audition, go and celebrate all the effort you put into weeks of research and preparation. If we need to see you for a callback (and not all characters will require callbacks), you will receive a call by Monday night from the Executive Producer. Be prepared and become familiar with the callback music available now at the link in your audition registration email.

Finally, you might find this article helpful in your preparations – “6 Ways to Prepare for Your Best Audition.” After sitting through hundreds of auditions, I realised there were a number of things common to those who auditioned well and I’ve shared them with you in the article.

We’re looking forward to meeting you at your audition so prepare well and we’ll see you in June.

Cheers, Sher.

www.savoyards.com.au  |  auditions@savoyards.com.au

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A Chorus Full of Characters.

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING

Savoyards Musical Comedy Society, Brisbane.

Auditions: June 12 – 17, 2015

CLICK HERE to meet the production team.

AUDITION PACK AVAILABLE NOW AT WWW.SAVOYARDS.COM.AU

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Without a fantastic chorus, our shows would be very empty.

If you’re planning to audition for the chorus of How to Succeed, don’t step into the audition space with the mind set that you’re auditioning for “just chorus.” You’re auditioning to play a character that adds depth and detail to the show, even if you don’t have any lines. I am not a fan of “stand and stuff” choruses (groups that come on and fill space but have no purpose). If you’re on stage, you’re there for a reason and you have enormous value to the production, so we’re looking for people who can work as part of a team, have a sense of fun and a good work ethic.

Preparation for a chorus audition is a little different to a principal audition but the elements like professionalism and preparation remain the same. Here’s what the How to Succeed General Chorus Audition will look like and some tips on how to stand out – for the RIGHT reasons.

VENUE:  Wynnum High School, Peel Street, Manly;

DATE:  Friday, 12 June

TIME: 7.30pm start.

Be on time!  This audition will begin at 7.30pm.  Demonstrate a great work ethic by being early enough to sign in with the Audition Clerks (presenting your Audition Form and photo), get a name tag, change your shoes (to something suitable for movement) and compose yourself ready to begin at 7:30pm.  Do yourself a favour and don’t be the person who wanders in after everyone has started.

Have some fun!  The Musical Director will teach everyone a couple of small sections of music from the show (available in the link in your registration email).  The music isn’t difficult but Geoffrey is looking for good enunciation (that you pronounce the lyrics clearly), character (that you perform with your face and attitude), that you understand rhythm, can hear a part and, of course, can hold a tune. This process is relaxed and actually quite a bit of fun.

Shake a little booty!  Choreographer, Desney Toia-Sinapati, will then put you through stage movement.  This section is purely to measure your level of dance skill. The choreography in this show is built around dancers as well as people who “move well” so don’t panic if you weren’t born with pointe shoes on your feet.  Make sure you wear comfortable clothes, and shoes that you can dance in (thongs and joggers are not suitable as they have rubber soles that stick on timber floors making them dangerous). Wear chorus or jazz shoes or dress shoes with leather soles.

Show some character.  I will be looking for performers who do more than just sing. I want characters who are alive and show it. You need to smile and give everything some energy.

Be confident.  When you’re working with the MD, don’t be shy.  Sing your part with confidence and don’t take yourself too seriously.  We’re not looking for polished performances as much as potential.  If you get something wrong and acknowledge it, it shows that you have a good ear and can hear your mistake – a good thing for a chorus member.

The same goes for working with the Choreographer. Dancers develop their memory for learning choreography with years of training. Desney understands this about musical theatre performers and has great skill in getting you to move and look great. Trust her and just give it everything you’ve got.

Relax and have fun with the evening.  If you don’t feel confident, pretend! Smile at everyone, laugh at yourself and you’ll be surprised how well things go for you.  Don’t fuss over your mistakes or torment yourself wondering whether you made the right impression. Just do your best because casting is out of your hands.  If your aim is to learn something new and have fun, your evening will be valuable no matter what comes out of it.

www.savoyards.com.au  |  auditions@savoyards.com.au

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Auditions are open!

Auditions officially opened last night at the Savoyards Information Night for Miss Saigon and it’s going to be a very exciting weekend of auditions.

You can now book your audition by contacting the Executive Producer, Jo Toia on 3893 4321.

Here is a reminder of the important dates and details.  Go back over our past posts which are full of details about how our auditions run, what to bring, how to stand out from the crowd, and lots more.  Audition Venue:  Wynnum High School, Peel Street, Manly.

Friday, 27 January at 7.30pm is open general audition for chorus.  Book by phoning Jo Toia on 3893 4321.

Saturday, 28 and Sunday, 29 January will be for principal roles, auditioning in private appointments of 15 minutes each.  Book your audition appointment by phoning Jo Toia on 3893 4321.  You will be emailed the extra resources you need for this audition.

Sunday, 29 January at 9am-12noon is our general audition for dancers.  Book your audition by phoning Jo Toia on 3893 4321.

Creative Director (David Williams), Musical Director (Geoffrey Secomb) and Choreographer (Tamsin Sutherland) are keen to get started on what is sure to be a fabulous theatre experience for performers and audience alike.

Questions and audition registrations can all be directed to Executive Producer, Jo Toia by phoning 3893 4321.

www.savoyards.com.au | www.facebook.com/savoyards.brisbane | ph: 3893 4321

Don’t call us, we’ll call you! – Chorus Auditions

Without a fantastic chorus, our shows would be a very empty.

Miss Saigon offers wonderful performance opportunities for the entire ensemble.  The music is rousing, full on and very powerful to sing.

The chorus is part of some of the most emotionally charged and vocally challenging pieces in the show, so we’re looking for people who can work as part of a team, have a sense of fun and a good work ethic.  Preparation for a chorus audition is a little different to a principal audition but the elements like professionalism and preparation remain the same.  Here’s what the Miss Saigon General Chorus Audition will look like.

VENUE:  Wynnum High School, Peel Street, Manly;  DATE:  Friday, 27 January;  TIME: 7.30pm start.

Be on time!  This audition will begin at 7.30pm.  Not 7.45pm or even 7.35pm.  ON TIME!  Show your great work ethic to the Production Team by being early enough to be ready to begin when they are.  This means arriving early enough to sign in with the Audition Clerks (presenting your Audition Form and photo), get a name tag, change your shoes (to something suitable for movement) and compose yourself.  Do yourself a favour and don’t be the person who wanders in after everyone has started.

Have some fun!  The Musical Director will split everyone into vocal parts (eg. soprano, alto, tenor, bass) and teach you one small section of the show.  You’ll then be split into smaller groups.  Each small group will work with the MD to determine ability to hold a part, intonation, and vocal skill.  This makes general chorus auditions a lot of fun because the pressure is taken off each individual.  You don’t have to stand centre stage and sing a solo, something that causes some of us to fall over in a dead faint at the mere suggestion.  Chorus auditions are hard work but they’re a lot of fun and they sound great!

Shake a little booty!  Choreographer, Tamsin Sutherland, will then put you through, what she calls, general movement.  The Chorus are required to perform formation work in some of the really big numbers and the team needs to know that your feet will do what you tell them to.  Make sure you wear comfortable clothes, and shoes that you can move around in.  Don’t wear heels or thongs because you’ll be asked to remove them (strapping twisted ankles is not built into our schedule for the evening).

So, how do you stand out in this crowd?  Here’s some suggestions –

• Listen to instructions and follow them immediately.  Nothing annoys a director/choreographer more than having to wait for ‘chatty sue’ to finish talking before the whole group can continue.  Time will be tight so work together and you’ll produce great results.
• Be confident.  When you’re working with the MD in your small group, don’t be shy.  Sing your part with confidence and don’t take yourself too seriously.  The team aren’t looking for polished performances.  If you get something wrong and acknowledge it, it shows that you have a good ear and can hear your mistake – a good thing for a chorus member.
• Be friendly and polite to everyone.  The Production Team will hear from the Audition Clerks if “King or Queen Diva” turn up expecting star treatment.  Just relax and have fun with the evening.  If you don’t feel confident, pretend!  Smile at everyone, laugh at yourself and you’ll be surprised how well things go for you.

When the audition is over, do me a favour – go home and plan the next one.  Don’t fuss over your mistakes or torment yourself wondering whether you made the right impression. You’ve done your best and now it’s out of your hands.  If your aim was to learn something new and have fun, your evening will be valuable no matter what comes out of it.  Savoyards’ Executive Producer will contact you by Wednesday, 1 February, to let you know if you have been offered a place in the cast.

If you have any questions you need answered before the Information Evening on Monday, 23 January, email us at auditions@savoyards.com.au.

www.savoyards.com.au  |  auditions@savoyards.com.au  |  ph 3893 4321

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Don’t call us, we’ll call you – PART 2

Ok.  So you’ve made it through the door into the audition space without throwing up all over your shoes.  If you’ve done your preparation, you’re probably feeling pretty good about what’s about to happen, so let’s take a look at how the Miss Saigon production team will run things at a Principal audition.

One of the audition clerks will escort you into the space and introduce you to the team.  You don’t have to fumble while you try and remember what your own name is.

If you’re using a backing CD, the Assistant Director will look after that for you.  If you’re using sheet music, have a quick chat with the audition pianist and let him know where you want him to start and finish and mark out the tempo you would like.

A little hint about sheet music:  Place your sheets in a presentation folder (plastic sheets bound in a plastic cover) with the page you’re starting at on the left hand side of the book.  This means that the pianist may not need to turn pages.  They’ll love you for it.  Clearly mark your start and finish bars and any notations, although it’s best to keep these to a minimum.

Once you’re ready, find your spot on the stage, prepare and “let ’em have it”!  Now, here’s where you have to remember something for me – if the production team stops you before you’ve sung all your 16 bars, IT DOES NOT MEAN YOU STINK!  It simply means that they have heard enough to know what you sound like.  During your 15 minute audition, the production team want to work with you on the excerpt from the show (handed out at Information Night, January 23).  It’s important for you to remember that the team are not expecting or looking for a polished performance.  They want to see how well you take direction, what you do with direction, and get to know you just a little.  At the end of this session you will be told whether you are required for call backs on Monday, 30th January.

Now here’s the most important part about auditions – Once you have done all you can do, congratulate yourself for having completed another audition and move onto the next one.  Just leave it alone.  It will do you no good to rehash every little moment, trying to second guess the result because from here on in, all the other factors come into play.  Factors you have no control over – your height against the other parts; whether you present how the Director sees the part; or whether there is someone simply better than you for the role.

Someone told me once that “auditions never get easier, you just get better at them”, and it’s true.  You get better at letting go; better at presenting yourself as confident, regardless of how you feel; better at singing because you’re always training.  Better!  Every person at the production table knows exactly what you’re going through because they’ve been exactly where you’re standing.  They want you to do well and will do everything they can to help present yourself well.

Tomorrow:  What happens at the General Chorus Audition, Friday, 27 January.

www.savoyards.com.au  |  auditions@savoyards.com.au  |  ph: 38930983

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Miss Saigon Audition Idea #4

Today, let’s get a feel for some of the music of Miss Saigon.  Here is the London cast including Jonathan Pryce as The Engineer, Lea Salonga as Kim and Australia’s own David Campbell as Chris.  Spectacular performance opportunities for principal roles AND chorus.  Can you imagine being part of the big chorus number “This is the Hour”?  Extremely powerful stuff.  Enjoy!

www.savoyards.com.au  |  ph: 3893 4321  |  committee@savoyards.com.au

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Miss Saigon Audition Idea #3

Choosing an audition piece is difficult.  You’re unsure what the audition panel want to hear; you might not have experienced many auditions; you’re new to the company – it all adds to the stress.  The Miss Saigon Production Team  have provided the following information to help you in your preparations for January auditions.  These recommendations only apply to those performers auditioning for principal roles.  Those people auditioning for chorus will attend a general chorus audition, working with the Musical Director in small groups and you will not be required to present your own song choice.

Principal Auditions:

Prepare 16 to 32 bars of a song that you are completely comfortable with.  In other words sing something that shows your voice at its best.  Choose a section of the song that best presents your voice but also shows your range and musicality.  For instance, this may mean that you begin in the middle of the song.  You may only get to sing 16 bars but prepare 32 bars in case they need to hear more.

Choose a song that is similar in style to Miss Saigon.  In other words, Gilbert and Sullivan or heavy rock and roll are probably not going to show whether you are capable of performing a contemporary opera.

You will have 15 minutes to show us your ability to “sell” a song. We’re not looking for a fully developed character at this point; we’re looking for your potential to develop the character.  In your preparations, separate the words from the music and analyse the text as you would a script.  What is the piece saying and how should you tell that story.  Don’t stand and sing a song – sell the story within the song.

At the Information Night (January 23) you will be given a section of music from the show.  This will give you five days to become “familiar” with the piece so the Director and Musical Director can work with you on it as part of your audition.  The reason the team would prefer you don’t learn a song from the show as your main audition piece is this –

• Nerves will cause you to learn the piece so thoroughly that it will be difficult for you to alter habits of presentation later on if they don’t mesh with the Director’s overall vision of the show;
• You are free to choose a piece that really shows off your voice and that you are familiar with, reducing the impact of nerves on the day.

Only having 5 days to become familiar with the Miss Saigon section you will receive at Information Night means exactly that – you will just be “familiar” with it.  Please don’t learn it  so well that you establish patterns of presentation.  The team will want to work on it with you to determine:

• How well you take direction
• How quickly you implement direction
• How easy you are to work with
• How flexible you are as an actor and singer

There will be more details about audition day later but, for now, enjoy this video of Tony Award winner, Cady Huffman (Ula in The Producers), as she tells us that even the best can stuff it up.  True talents take what they do very seriously but never take themselves too seriously.  In other words, keep your sense of humour – it will keep you sane in this journey called theatre.

www.savoyards.com.au   |   ph: 3893 4321   |   committee@savoyards.com.au

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