Elizabeth Prescott Voice

Elizabeth Prescott

What they didn't tell you about your singing audition...

I used to leave musical theater auditions thinking that my voice had everything to do with whether or not I would be cast. Now, after years of getting cast and not getting cast, then of teaching, casting and producing, I want to share what I see all the time. Could any of these have been you?

10. Your song was too high, too loud, and too much.
9. Your thoughts were following the lyric instead of driving it.
8. When you went up to that gorgeous high note, you looked like a deer in the headlights.
7. When your voice cracked, you reacted.
6. You pushed, maybe even went sharp and didn't know it.
5. Your focus changes were muddy and late.
4. You were facing west, your right foot was facing north.
3. Your hands, expressions or wardrobe distracted rather than enhanced.
2. You chose the wrong song.

These mistakes have to do with poor audition technique, which can be corrected. But here is the number one reason for losing a part:

1. You just didn't fit into the jigsaw puzzle.

Rivaled only by commercial casting, musical theater casting is about type. As I developed relationships with inside sources, I started hearing things like this:

"You're perfect for Laurie. We love you, but you look like Curley's older sister". [I'm 5'9".]

Yes, your singing, acting, dancing, and audition technique must be absolutely tops. But even if you give the perfect audition, you can't imagine all of the variables involved in casting that show. It's hard for a director to walk away from an amazing voice attached to the wrong face or body, but they do it for the overall balance of the show. Keep working your craft and making your product as irresistible as possible. And as you do so, I invite you to try� try to remember that your ability is only one corner of the casting jigsaw puzzle.