MS AUDITION & CALLBACK
CALLBACKS SCHEDULE
ALL Auditioners are asked to attend the first callback on:
before 2:30pm tomorrow.
ALL Auditioners are asked to attend the first callback on:
Thursday, November 21
4:00pm-8:00pm*
(Callback Round 1)
(Callback Round 1)
*3:45-4:00pm Warm-ups/additional practice for those who want to review any songs/material on their own in the theatre before official callbacks begin. All students should take the bus down to the theatre.
Monday, November 25
8:30am to 12:00pm
(Callbacks Round 2 pt 1)
12:00-12:25pm
Lunch/Break
12:25ish pm to 4:30ish pm
(Callbacks Round 2 pt 2)
Tuesday, November 26
ONLY IF NEEDED
9:00am to 1:00pm (Callbacks Round 3 pt 1)
Callbacks
- A mandatory callback for ALL students auditioning will be held Thursday, November 21 from 4:00 to 8:00pm. Details are outlined in the information packet. Please pack a dinner/snacks.
- A second day of callbacks will be held on Monday, November 25 from 8:30 to 4:30pm
- Not every actor will need to stay for the duration of the entire Monday callback. The first wave of auditioners will be dismissed around 1:00pm.
- Auditioners are advised to keep their phones with them so they may inform their rides when they are finished.
- A Final callback will be held Tuesday, November 26 from 9:00am to 12:00pm only if needed. We will announce this around 12pm on Monday 11/25.
- At callbacks, we will be looking at all script cuttings, movement pieces, and songs only in the musical.
- There will be a fun group dance audition, improv scenes, singing: (solos, in duets, trios, & groups) and a rhythm call as well.
- You will be called up to read for multiple parts in the show and will be redirected to try your scene/characters in different ways. So please be familiar with/have knowledge of all of the characters and songs.
Attire
- Please pull hair back from the face.
- Wear comfortable but appropriate attire that makes you memorable, shows your personality and creates a great first impression.
- Do not wear any clothing that will cause you to fidget with it or that hides your hands. It is ALWAYS a good idea to wear what you wore in your initial audition to your callback.
- Ladies, no jewelry or items on wrists, please.
- You will need to be able to move in callbacks, so please wear or bring shoes in which you can move/dance. NO UGGS, BOOTS, FLIP-FLOPS, or CROCS. Sneakers, closed toed slip-ons, flats are great. If you have dance shoes (jazz, ballet, lyrical, character shoes), please bring them or wear them to your audition.
What to bring to callbacks
- A water bottle
- Your phone
- Your script (if you have already registered and received one)
- A pencil
- Snacks and a lunch or dinner
- A great attitude! :)
Advice
- Being prompt and listening to directions is an important aspect of auditioning.
- Use your best theatre etiquette.
- Don't worry if you make a mistake, own it, and act like you meant to do it! We will never know if you made a mistake or were nervous if you own the stage and "fake it 'til you make it!"
- Opportunity favors the prepared mind!
- PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE!!! We are expecting fully rehearsed, prepared, dazzling audition selections. Your audition should be BETTER than an actual show performance.
- So practice, practice, practice. HAVE FUN! BE BOLD AND CONFIDENT! Be open-minded. Take Creative Risks, these are iconic characters! BE LOUD AND PROUD! Show us your presence and style!
- Use your full voice and energy. Do not hold back. This is YOUR chance!
- Be prepared to show us you can take direction!
- Don't get stuck on reading for one part/role. Every part/role is amazing and we are going to place you where you will best shine and be the star you are!
- DON’T ask for feedback. Feedback comes from acting classes, lessons, workshops, and training, not auditions. Work with a coach/teacher/director/person prior to your audition and ask them for feedback. Come prepared with the material ready to give your best performance and don’t expect to get anything but a “Thank you for coming in” at the end. If you get more that is great but do not expect it. The casting directors are looking to cast the best actor for the parts they are casting. It is not the casting directors' job to give feedback to all the actors at auditions. It is the job of the actor to come in prepared with all the emotion ready to give the best performance.
- Have fun at the audition! We want you to do well. :)
Who can audition for the spring musical?
- Auditions are open to middle school students. There are group roles for our elementary students that vary by grade level.
Do I have to sing, dance and act during the audition?
- Yes! It's a musical! And it's fun!
How can I prepare for my audition?
- Practice every day, and in front of everyone you meet, get feedback!
- Learn your song and scene well so you feel confident.
- Prepare at least one song from the show that suits your singing voice and shows off your acting skills, personality, and range.
- Prepare one acting scene from the show (plan verbal and physical things for your scene, but don't need to memorize).
- Warm-up your bodies and mentally prepare for your audition. Auditions are like applying for a job: make a good impression!
What are call-backs?
- They are NOT a list of people who have made the musical or have been cast in the roles for which they are call-backed. Call-backs are to see things we didn't have a chance to see during individual auditions.
- Yes! Please refer to the information packet for more specific details, but remember your role/character in the play will be limited by the amount of other commitments you have indicated.
What if I am not sure about my conflicts and schedule?
- Go ahead and audition, and then we can figure out if your schedule will work with the parts for which you are being considered! But please remember to take into account how many commitments to other activities you have as well as your academic workload.
What if I am not sure if I want to be on crew or on stage?
- Go ahead and audition and then we can figure out where you will shine best!
What crew positions are needed?
- Running crew help which assists all aspects of the show during its performances from curtain openings/closings, to setting up the sets/scenes, props handling, getting characters into positions, assisting with special effects like fog machines, and more!
- During the rehearsals, help is needed with organizing all costumes, props, inventory, as well as assisting with making costumes, getting sizes, writing down stage directions, helping with running music, making prompt books, and more. Being a self-directed leader and a collaborative team member who takes direction well is a huge plus.
How does casting work?
Many factors play a part in how a show is cast such as: confidence/presence on stage, ability to be heard and understood, scheduling conflicts & rehearsal availability, academic good standing, energy, and chemistry between actors and how they look together, sound together, what vocal ranges or acting demands does a part require and can that actor fit those demands/ranges, (e.g. in Lion King, Young Nala must look and sound younger than Nala who is older, wiser, and sings in a lower alto and a mezzo soprano power belt, while both Nalas need to have similar movements/tones/mannerisms/looks on stage, Young Simba and Young Nala need to look about the same age, as do Simba/Nala, so if an actor "goes out" for Young Nala but is the tallest and oldest looking actor auditioning in the group of all Nalas, this wouldn't be believable to an audience, these things are out of an actor's control and an actor shouldn't worry about what he or she can't control in an audition or in casting)
So what can an actor control in an audition?
Every actor has an equal opportunity to show what he/she can do. An actor can make sure he or she gives the best audition at the moment he/she needs to deliver it most, which means at the time of the individual audition and throughout callbacks. If an actor shows on stage that he/she gives an outstanding, fully prepared and dynamic audition for the role he/she most is interested in at the time of auditions by taking risks, making specific character choices, voices, movements, and expressions, then he/ she has given himself/herself the best chance at getting that part. It is about being prepared, memorable, being heard, and being expressive! Also, it is about taking directions from the audition panel and making changes immediately in a character when asked. (e.g. If the panel consistently keeps asking an actor to be louder or use facial expressions, every time the actor is on stage, the actor is having difficulty applying direction. So be loud and expressive the very first time when asked! And you will wow all! :)
The basics matter!
Don't Upstage yourself. Cheat out! SPEAK SLOWLY, LOUDLY, and CLEARLY.
The more fun you have, the more fun the audition panel will have. Remember this is in your control to have a blast and enjoy performing and entertaining a crowd!
When you sing your song, remember you are giving a performance, you MUST use your face and your eyes to convey emotion and your character. We are looking for dynamic performers to cast in these iconic roles, not lifeless faces!
At the end of the day, remember the audition panel is made up of Davis staff and industry professionals who have years and years of experience casting and placing performers in roles where their talents best fit and will shine best, where they will have the most wonderful experience, and where all will shine brightly on stage.
Theatre is a collaborative team experience which relies on the efforts of everyone in the cast and on the crew. EVERY PART is equally important to the success of the show.
A great example is the amazing actor Dame Judi Dench who won an Academy Award for a total of 8 minutes of screen time in the 2 hours 17-minute movie Shakespeare in Love. She upstaged the entire movie and all of the other characters because she was that memorable and entertaining!
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