Auditioning for Patricia?

GlamorousGriz · Auditioning for Patricia?

Hi there. A local theatre troupe is doing this show next spring and I'm trying to figure out if I could go for Patricia. I know that the audition sheets never say "Role auditioning for" because she just kind of picks what she wants you for, so I won't be given the chance to say who I'm auditioning for, but I need suggestestions as to what to use for my audition song that will show off my range AND let her know I'm going for Patricia.

I'll be 19 at the time of the audition and I am a first soprano. I know that's not Patricia's usual age, but I think I can pull it off. My current role is Carlotta in a concert of "Phantom of the Opera" (well, the last role was Mrs Mayor in "Seussical"), that gives you an idea of my voice and what I can do, anything from alto to soprano, legit, belt, or character.

I am NOT the best tapper. I'm taking a tap class right now, but I'm still having trouble with it. Hopefully I'll be better in the spring.

Now. Here's the tricky thing: as in a lot of theatre troupes, there is SO much pre-casting. We have two "leading sopranos" in our troupe... one who is petite, blonde, and in her 40s, the other who is slightly larger, brunette, and in her 50s. They get ALL of the leads... they're talented and all that, but there are people younger than they are who are just as talented (if not more) but who are thrown in the chorus because of politics. I feel that I could go into the audition and be in a different key as the pianist or go in there sounding like Maria Callas and it wouldn't matter at all. The director, however, has never heard me do anything soprano-ish in all the shows I've done with her, so I'm hoping I can surprise the hell out of her and make her think twice about her casting. (For once.)

Ok, getting to the Patricia thing. Who is she? And what would be a good audition song for her? Reason being, we pretty much know that the blonde soprano will be Polly and that the brunette will be the mother... we have an idea of who Irene and Tess will be too, and the male lead, but that's it. I think I'm too young for the part, but maybe, just maybe, I might have a slight chance.

Thanks.

Redhead_alto

Hello GlamorousGriz ...

My local community just did a production of "Crazy for You" where I was cast as Patricia. However, my situtation was opposite of yours; I was auditioning for chorus, and our director wanted me to read for Patricia, so called me back. (By the way, our theater *does* have a "Role Auditioning For" line, but I didn't fill that in ... I'm an excellent singer, and figured that they could use me as an alto.)

Because I was auditioning for the chorus, I chose a Gershwin song that showed off my lower range ... "I've Got a Crush On You". I think in my director's case, she had in mind a "look" for her two Brits, and among the women who auditioned, I was the closest to what she had in mind. I'm tall, slender, "46-at-the-time-of-auditions", and, unlike what your user name connotes, not at *all* glamorous (kinda geeky, in fact! Smile

). Even at that, she didn't "hire" me until she saw the gentleman who ended up being Eugene and I together ... I guess she figured that the two of us were closest to her vision of the characters.

In my opinion (others on this board may disagree) Patricia is a comedic character role. So, if I were to do it all again and actually *audition* for Patricia, I would sing a comedic song. This may sound a little weird, but if a person could *female-ize* "With a Little Bit O'Luck" from My Fair Lady (and sing it with the British accent ... no Maria Callas here! Smile

), that might be something fun to try. (Patricia *does* go up to an F above high C in "Stiff Upper Lip" ... was a bit of a stretch for these alto pipes.)

Something I might suggest, if your look goes along with your moniker and you're a little more glamorous than geeky, is auditioning for Irene. Depending on the ages of your Bobby and Lank, that might be a good fit for you ... and Irene doesn't tap dance. Just a thought ...

Let us know what you decide and how auditions go.

Redhead_alto

GlamorousGriz

Thank you very much!

SLAP_IT!!

Good for you, murat.
Why do you guys write so much.
Ummm, and patricia is the most amazing part in the show
love, travis (you know like travis and lyle)

GlamorousGriz

Well, yes, I certainly think so, that's why I want the part... and I'm still not finding the right song. auditions are in December, so I have a while, but still...

bandcampgirl183

That's interesting that you think that tall and slender was what your director had in mind for Patricia... I was Irene in this 7 years ago, and the Patricia and Uguene, Patricia especially, were both, well.... they didn't say 'stout' fella for nothing.
Patricia wasn't that big a part in our production, but go for what you want, not what is considered a "lead." In our stage call at the end, Polly and Bobby (whose real name was Robert... and my friend Kate was Kate in kiss me kate!) went last, obviously... I (Irene) was 2nd to last, along with whatever guy it is whose arms she jumps into... and then there was the Dance coordinator person, and whichever guy was linked to her. Real helpful, I know, but I knew these kids so well, I remember their real names, not their stage names.
I think a lot of the time directors are reluctant to trust new talent when they have Old Reliables... even if a new person sings well, or blows everyone away in the audition, that says nothing of their reliability: show up to rehearsals on time... learn their lines... remember their lines... etc. I think often if you can prove to a director, even through just a few lines, that you take things seriously and can learn blocking and all that... then the next time the director is much more likely to place you in a leading role.
You said that you're currently working with these directors, right? That may be all it takes. Do auditions ever ask for references? Like if you want a job, you tell them to talk to your previous employer, who talks about how dependable, reliable, efficent you are... and that's good. I guess in this case the directors already know you, but normally I would wonder what the Etiquette is on suplying references? Or a short paragraph written by someone who's worked with you?
Good luck!!
~rachel~

GlamorousGriz

Well, I did the audition two weeks ago... the vocal part went extremely well, and I didn't do so well on the dance, but I was nonetheless cast as a Follies girl.

I already dropped out. "Bartered Bride" is going to take up more time than I thought, and I would rearrange certain things in my schedule for an actual part, but I am not doing all of that just to be a Follies girl.

GlamorousGriz	Auditioning for Patricia? Hi there. A local theatre troupe is doing this show next spring and I'm trying to figure out if I could go for Patricia. I know that the audition sheets never say "Role auditioning for" because she just kind of picks what she wants you for, so I won't be given the chance to say who I'm auditioning for, but I need suggestestions as to what to use for my audition song that will show off my range AND let her know I'm going for Patricia. I'll be 19 at the time of the audition and I am a first soprano. I know that's not Patricia's usual age, but I think I can pull it off. My current role is Carlotta in a concert of "Phantom of the Opera" (well, the last role was Mrs Mayor in "Seussical"), that gives you an idea of my voice and what I can do, anything from alto to soprano, legit, belt, or character. I am NOT the best tapper. I'm taking a tap class right now, but I'm still having trouble with it. Hopefully I'll be better in the spring. Now. Here's the tricky thing: as in a lot of theatre troupes, there is SO much pre-casting. We have two "leading sopranos" in our troupe... one who is petite, blonde, and in her 40s, the other who is slightly larger, brunette, and in her 50s. They get ALL of the leads... they're talented and all that, but there are people younger than they are who are just as talented (if not more) but who are thrown in the chorus because of politics. I feel that I could go into the audition and be in a different key as the pianist or go in there sounding like Maria Callas and it wouldn't matter at all. The director, however, has never heard me do anything soprano-ish in all the shows I've done with her, so I'm hoping I can surprise the hell out of her and make her think twice about her casting. (For once.) Ok, getting to the Patricia thing. Who is she? And what would be a good audition song for her? Reason being, we pretty much know that the blonde soprano will be Polly and that the brunette will be the mother... we have an idea of who Irene and Tess will be too, and the male lead, but that's it. I think I'm too young for the part, but maybe, just maybe, I might have a slight chance. Thanks.
Redhead_alto	Hello GlamorousGriz ... My local community just did a production of "Crazy for You" where I was cast as Patricia. However, my situtation was opposite of yours; I was auditioning for chorus, and our director wanted me to read for Patricia, so called me back. (By the way, our theater does have a "Role Auditioning For" line, but I didn't fill that in ... I'm an excellent singer, and figured that they could use me as an alto.) Because I was auditioning for the chorus, I chose a Gershwin song that showed off my lower range ... "I've Got a Crush On You". I think in my director's case, she had in mind a "look" for her two Brits, and among the women who auditioned, I was the closest to what she had in mind. I'm tall, slender, "46-at-the-time-of-auditions", and, unlike what your user name connotes, not at all glamorous (kinda geeky, in fact! ). Even at that, she didn't "hire" me until she saw the gentleman who ended up being Eugene and I together ... I guess she figured that the two of us were closest to her vision of the characters. In my opinion (others on this board may disagree) Patricia is a comedic character role. So, if I were to do it all again and actually audition for Patricia, I would sing a comedic song. This may sound a little weird, but if a person could female-ize "With a Little Bit O'Luck" from My Fair Lady (and sing it with the British accent ... no Maria Callas here! ), that might be something fun to try. (Patricia does go up to an F above high C in "Stiff Upper Lip" ... was a bit of a stretch for these alto pipes.) Something I might suggest, if your look goes along with your moniker and you're a little more glamorous than geeky, is auditioning for Irene. Depending on the ages of your Bobby and Lank, that might be a good fit for you ... and Irene doesn't tap dance. Just a thought ... Let us know what you decide and how auditions go. Redhead_alto
GlamorousGriz	Thank you very much!
SLAP_IT!!	Good for you, murat. Why do you guys write so much. Ummm, and patricia is the most amazing part in the show love, travis (you know like travis and lyle)
GlamorousGriz	Well, yes, I certainly think so, that's why I want the part... and I'm still not finding the right song. auditions are in December, so I have a while, but still...
bandcampgirl183	That's interesting that you think that tall and slender was what your director had in mind for Patricia... I was Irene in this 7 years ago, and the Patricia and Uguene, Patricia especially, were both, well.... they didn't say 'stout' fella for nothing. Patricia wasn't that big a part in our production, but go for what you want, not what is considered a "lead." In our stage call at the end, Polly and Bobby (whose real name was Robert... and my friend Kate was Kate in kiss me kate!) went last, obviously... I (Irene) was 2nd to last, along with whatever guy it is whose arms she jumps into... and then there was the Dance coordinator person, and whichever guy was linked to her. Real helpful, I know, but I knew these kids so well, I remember their real names, not their stage names. I think a lot of the time directors are reluctant to trust new talent when they have Old Reliables... even if a new person sings well, or blows everyone away in the audition, that says nothing of their reliability: show up to rehearsals on time... learn their lines... remember their lines... etc. I think often if you can prove to a director, even through just a few lines, that you take things seriously and can learn blocking and all that... then the next time the director is much more likely to place you in a leading role. You said that you're currently working with these directors, right? That may be all it takes. Do auditions ever ask for references? Like if you want a job, you tell them to talk to your previous employer, who talks about how dependable, reliable, efficent you are... and that's good. I guess in this case the directors already know you, but normally I would wonder what the Etiquette is on suplying references? Or a short paragraph written by someone who's worked with you? Good luck!! ~rachel~
GlamorousGriz	Well, I did the audition two weeks ago... the vocal part went extremely well, and I didn't do so well on the dance, but I was nonetheless cast as a Follies girl. I already dropped out. "Bartered Bride" is going to take up more time than I thought, and I would rearrange certain things in my schedule for an actual part, but I am not doing all of that just to be a Follies girl.

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Auditioning for Patricia?