Preparing for your Audition and Tips for New and Young Actors

The most common audition you will be asked to give here at SCT is a 1 minute monologue and a 1 minute song (verse and chorus or about 16 bars). For plays that don't include singing, you might be asked to share 1 monologue or 2 contrasting monologues. We've collected the following ideas and resources to help you prepare!

What is a Monologue and How do I Find One?

A monologue is a short speech that a character says all by themselves. In an audition, it’s your chance to show how you can bring a character to life using your voice, face, and body.

Think of it as telling a story or sharing a moment as if you are the character.

Monologues are usually:

About 30–60 seconds long
Memorized (if possible)

Experienced actors: select a monologue from a play that is similar to the style and characterization of the part you would like to be considered for. Your monologue should be engaging and show a range of emotions, tactics, and motivations. A scene where you are speaking to another person will be the most effective at demonstrating this. Removing the other person's lines from a dialog can often make an engaging monologue. Reading and attending plays and musicals is the best way to discover unique monologues that aren't overdone. Be on the lookout for monologues even when you aren't preparing for an audition. Store your monologue collection in a place where you can easily access and review them as needed.

New and young actors: choose a poem or passage from a book, play or movie; anything that you feel comfortable performing. For the first time, it's most important to choose something you feel comfortable with. If you know what character you'd like to be in the show, choose something that you think is similar to that character.

Although it's best to have your selection memorized, at SCT, you may use a card or sheet to look at if needed. If you do need to read, look up as much as possible so the director can see your face and expressions. If you make a mistake, it's ok. Stop, take a breath and either continue on or start again. No need to apologize or explain. Speak loudly and clearly. Not being able to be heard is one of the most common challenges for new and young actors. Practice performing your piece to someone standing at the other end of a large room and see if they can still hear you.

Resources:

Popular Short Poems for Children

Monologues for Children (compiled by Cindy & Steph)

How do I Choose a Song?

For musicals you be asked to share a song as part of the audition process.

Auditions songs are usually:

About 60 seconds long
Include a chorus and verse of a song
around 16-32 bars
Musical theater style
Memorized

More Experienced Singers: if the director didn't specify the style of song you should prepare, select a song that is the same genre of the show for which you are auditioning. Contemporary, Golden Age, etc. If the character you want to be sings a ballad, choose a ballad, if they sing mostly upbeat songs, make sure your audition song is upbeat. Choose a song that shows off your range.

Young & New Singers: choose a song that is your range and that you can sing well. Unless a popular song matches the style of the musical you are auditioning for, it's best to stick with songs from musical theater or Disney. Young children can do simple nursery songs like, "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" or "Happy Birthday" if they aren't ready to try more complex songs.

You will likely have one of the following options for your audition. (read the audition carefully to know if a pianist will be available)

Acapella - singing a song with no musical accompaniment. This can be really good for young children who might have trouble keeping up with a track. If there is a piano in the room, playing your starting note can be helpful.
Track - 1-minute long mp3 of your song. You will usually you send the director your MP3 file before you attend auditions and they will play it on speaker for you during your audition. Audacity is a free audio editing tool you can use to cut your song down. Download HERE
Pianist - if there is a pianist available, bring sheet music of your selection, and they will play it for you while you sing. This can work very well for younger kids since the pianist can slow down or play quieter if needed. For complex and difficult songs, it's recommended to send the sheet music ahead of time so the pianist can practice your song. You can download sheet music for a couple dollars at sites like https://www.musicnotes.com/ These sites will also have a tool to play the music for you so you can practice. After printing the music, make sure and mark clearly where you will start the song and end the song and any other instructions the pianist will need.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Now that you've chosen a monologue and song, practice, practice, practice, practice! Practice for your family. Practice in front of the mirror. Practice for your dog. Practice for anyone that will listen. The more you practice, the less nervous you'll be when the actual audition happens. Once you have the song and monologue well-rehearsed, practice the entire audition including your Slate (introduction) and both your monologue and song.

What to Expect at Auditions

ARRIVING

We recommend arriving 5-10 minutes early. Wait quietly until the current auditioner is finished. A volunteer or the director may tell you where to go while you wait.
When you get into the audition, there will be a table set up with 1-3 people sitting at it; director, music director, choreographer, stage manager, etc. All the people you will be working with in the show.
If there is a pianist and you brought sheet music, start by handing the music to the pianist and giving any directions about where to start and end when playing your song. (prepare your music ahead of times with these instructions as well) If you are singing with a track or acapella, or there is no pianist, skip this step
The director will tell you where to stand and usually ask you a couple questions. They may ask if you are starting with the song or monologue. Do the order you have been practicing at home.

PERFORMANCE

Give your "Slate": a slate is when you introduce yourself (if you haven't already) and tell the name of your song and monologue. Ex "My name is _______ and my monologue is _________ by __________. My Song will be __________ from/by ________"
Take a deep breath
Perform your monologue (or song)
Say thank you
Take a pause and a deep breath
Perform your song (or monologue)
Say thank you
Stay where you are, the director may want to ask you more questions or have you read something from the script. Sometimes the choreographer may teach you a little dance to see how you move.
Once the directors thank you, you may leave

GROUP AUDITIONS

At Seattle Community Theater, we love encouraging young and new actors, so if you would feel more comfortable auditioning in a group, please email us and let us know. Especially young children might feel more comfortable singing with a parent or other children.