College audition season is well underway but we’ve noticed a lot of young performers still coming to us with some basic questions. Here are some of our basic hints:
Know yourself!
Do not choose a school based solely on reputation. Choose a school based on a realistic examination of your strengths. Each school has a focus. Look for programs that will be interesting to you. Be realistic about your capabilities, but be confident about your craft.
Prepare yourself
Get plenty of rest before your audtion. Stay hydrated. Warm up physically and vocally. Not only will no one else be responsible for that, you are the only person who knows what you need. Show up early!
Choose the right material
Easy to say, hard to do. First steps, make sure you are preparing for the requirements of each individual auditions. Some schools want classical, some want contemporary. Remember, show your talent AND potential.
Prepare your material
Never walk into an audition with a piece you just learned — know the song or monologue inside and out. Be sure you have read the whole play or musical so that you may confidently answer questions regarding your material. If you are doing a cut, you must know the entire song. Finally, You MUST rehearse your songs with an accompanist and your sheet music must be clean, marked and ready-to-go.
Be prepared for redirects
The auditioners may redirect your piece by asking you to do it again only following their directions. They may ask you to perform it as your favorite animal or just ask you to sing the song with less movement. You cannot be prepared for anything they ask, but you can be prepared to listen closely to their instructions.Be honest and genuine and do as they ask. Make the adjustments that they request.
Start early!
It is never too early to start getting ready for college auditions. High school Juniors are in a prefect place to start getting their songs and monologues together. TAP offers an awesome Advanced program, geared toward student preparing for college and college auditions. Admission is by audition only and is made specifically for advanced students.
