[InaraSanguine]

When preparing two contrasting songs for an audition, does one have to be up-tempo and one slower, or is it also acceptable to prepare two ballads if they both showcase something different in your voice (belt/legit) or thematically? (vamp/ingenue) Or for that matter two up-tempo pieces. Or is it better to have one ballad and one up-tempo piece that do that instead?

[pinkstiletto510]

ideally, there will be 1 ballad that shows off your legit voice that has a very legato line and an up tempo piece to show more of a belt or character voice and have a very move-ment-y line [wow, cant think]

but it's highly unlikely that you'll be able to find two pieces that fit you perfectly as well

just go with 2 songs that show enough contrast....I would go with a musical contrast over a character contrast (like say you sing "Home" and then sing "Someone Like You" yeah the characters are completely different but the songs are way too similar)

[InaraSanguine]

One more obnoxious question:

If you are asked to prepare "two contrasting songs' for an audition, how does this work (for community theatre not college auditions)?

What is the standard operation here?

Do I just get up and sing both songs back to back?

Do I sing one, sit back down, wait for them to send people home, and sing the other?

What are the chances that I won't get to sing the second one?

[bwayluvor31]

It's not an obnoxious question.

For community theatre, in my experience, you will usually get to sing both songs all the way through. As for contrast, think about what you can do. This is an audition; you want to put forth your best work. If it's hard for you to do up-tempo, do two contrasting ballads (not all ballads sound the same), v-v if you are uncomfortable with ballads. If you're a good character actor, choose songs with good acting potential. Just look to your own skills to decide what to sing.

[Chevstriss]

prepare 16 bars ballad and uptempo. Go w/ the one that fits you strongest, then ask if they'd like to hear the next.

2 ballads is the worst choice.

for females - one should be legit and one belt, unless the show does not have one of those voice types anywhere in the score.

[pinkstiletto510]

another hint- dont just learn the 16 bars, learn the whole thing...sometimes they will ask for more or will say just keep going until we cut you off.

I had a friend once that went to a high end community theatre audition and he sang his two songs then he was asked if he had anything else more in the style of Cole Porter. So I always bring along extra songs just in case that happens....they dont have to be your absolute best (because likely, the 2 you use will be your best ones) but make sure you know them well enough and have them memorized

[broadway_baby416]

Pick two songs that are as different as possible, that you can still sing. Usually this means a legit ballad and a belty up-tempo, but if you can't belt or can't sing legit very well, then this would obviously be different for you. Also, it varies by show.

Learn the entire song. Sometimes they won't stop when your 16 bars are up, and you'll look like an idiot if you just stop while the accompanist keeps playing. The most awkward part of an audition when you're singing two songs of "contrasting styles" is the break between them. Sometimes the accompanist goes straight into the next song, and sometimes you have to introduce your next song and wait for the accompanist to start playing.

[jazzygirlsings]

[itsaboutonemoment]

Yeah Jazzy! AND, don't ever put something in your book that you don't know. Sometimes, the accompaniest will start looking through your book and might say, "Oh, this song is the director's favorite, can we hear a little bit of this?" And if you say you don't know it, then that looks really bad!!

[jazzygirlsings]

THAT IS SO TRUE!!!!!!! LOL!

[InaraSanguine]

Next Question: Two shows.

You get cast in both, but one is just a better show/part/whatever.

When turning the other down...is it best to

A) Lie. And hope they don't find out you're in another show.

B) Tell them the truth and apologize for any inconvenience you may have caused them.

C) Just give up, go home, and huddle in the corner until the world is destroyed by maniacal robots.

or D) None of the above.

I'm leaning toward B. But I'm just checking up on protocol. (Being hopeful)

[jazzygirlsings]

B

They have to understand that you are going to be auditioning for other things and 99.9999% of the time, they won't count that against you when you audition for them again, as long as you tell the TRUTH!

[itsaboutonemoment]

B

What Jazzy said. They realize that not every single person who auditioned for them ONLY auditioned for them and pinned every hope and dream on that one show. Many actors go to at least 3-4, even more, auditions a day in the city. And life happens. Tell them you hope to work with them in the future, but you've decided to go with blahblahblah... they will respect you for being an adult and making an adult decision and telling the truth. And if they get all upset at you for not picking "their show", then you've made the right choice, because you probably don't want to work with people like that.

And did you get cast in two shows? If so, CONGRATULATIONS!! You sure as hell must be doing something right!

[Jenem]

Yeah, I'd actually know what the ethical rule on this is. Perhaps a new thread should be started...but I'd really like to know how people handle the callback process. I've been really lucky in the past to only have turned down one role, but I did say that I wouldn't accept ensemble on my audition form.

Is it a strike against your chances for a lead/supporting role if you say that you won't accept ensemble? I always figured it looks like you're not a team player by saying that you won't. Or does the directorate appreciate being told this as opposed to offering you an ensemble role and then being turned down? I think I know the answer, but I'd love to hear thoughts.

And if you said you would take any role, but then decide that the show is not right for you and turn down a role (whatever it is) is this always a strike against you in regards to working with them again?

Oh and I agree with thelling the truth. People can always tell when you're lying!

[InaraSanguine]

I've heard this both ways. I mean, if you fully intend to not take an ensemble role, then you'd be wasting everyone's time if you checked the box that said you would, wouldn't you?

But I've worked for directors who I know for a fact have NOT cast certain people (even as leads) in the roles that were best for them because of that little box on the audition form? Needless to say, I feel that if someone is the best for a part and they don't want to waste their time in the chorus, good for them. But do most directors look at it this way?

And what if they didn't say no to ensemble because they think they're better than that, but just because the commute wouldn't be worth it if they weren't in a featured role?

So many questions.

My opinion is that a good director won't hold this against you.

Unless you're truly talentless..and then well...

[Imy]

A good director appreciates the honesty. I've been cast before when I checked "no" in that little box. Of course, that's only been in community theatres, but I think it's still relevant. At the beginning of the audition process the directors have ALWAYS announced that they want you to be completely honest on the form...otherwise they wouldn't have included the option on the form in the first place.