Hi, my name is Emily Schexnaydre. This year I am a Senior at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati (CCM) where I'm pursuing a BFA in musical theatre.
Everyone gets wrapped up in the magic of auditioning for their dream schools but not many people realize how challenging it can be to survive in a conservatory. The glitter begins to fade away and then you're left with long hours, hard decisions, and self discovery. It's ok! You just need to know that this is normal. I really would like to demystify the challenges that arise in a conservatory setting. Each entry will address random lessons I've learned throughout my journey at CCM. Hopefully this can help and comfort anyone who is starting, continuing, or finishing their training in school.
So here's me as a high school senior! I know, I'm ridiculous.
I was overwhelmed yet completely "ready" for auditioning for schools. Or so I thought... Since my initial audition for the program, I've learned some tips about auditioning for colleges that might be helpful (Thank you Audition Techniques Class).
So here's my advice for auditioning :
- If you do not have a coach or teacher or person you trust to help prepare you for auditions, GET ONE. Guessing about the process is not the best thing to do. And on that note...(see next tip)
- Seek out advice from students who actually attend the school you're auditioning for! They should know the most about the faculty and they should know how to put together an audition considering THEY GOT IN. But also on that note, don't hound them and suck them dry of info. You don't want to be known as "that crazy person". Sometimes your reputation can be tarnished before you even audition. So remember to be very polite and professional.
- When choosing your songs: look to make sure the songs are for characters you COULD ACTUALLY PLAY NOW!! Do NOT choose something that's : too old (Send in the Clowns), too young (Castle on a Cloud), too shocking (My Unfortunate Erection), or too popular (whatever song is overused that year). When the panel hears something that is obviously not right for your type, then they think you don't know how to market yourself. Not good. ALSO : Your 2 cuts should be 32 or 16 bars (whichever they want) DO NOT EXCEDE THE LIMIT) 32 means 32. And mark everything clearly with a pencil. Pianists aren't psychic. They don't know your cuts.
- Along with that, you should keep your monologues to ONE MINUTE!!!!! The people behind the desk have usually made up their mind about you in the first 5 seconds. Don't choose a rambling monologue that shows the same emotion throughout. And remember there is no such thing as the "perfect" monologue. So stop trying to find it. Find a monologue that allows you to show YOUR most marketable assets. PLEASE DON'T HAVE A MONOLOGUE THAT MAKES YOU LOOK: whiny (victim), just mean (no one wants to work with a bitch), like a crazy person (if you're crazy, hide it), potty mouth! (No one wants to see how many times you can say fuck. We get that it's fun to say...but grow up) Slut (don't talk about dicks, vaginas, or sex stories. Just don't.)
- WHAT TO WEAR!!!! Think about going on a first date with someone. When you picture that, then you've found your outfit for your audition. Like the first date you want to make that good first impression. Don't come in a Tuxedo and don't come in a silk prom dress. The fancy audition days are over. Now it's all about looking like a well dressed young adult. Also make sure your clothes are a color that flatters you. If you're blond and have pale skin...you might not want to wear a champagne or skin colored dress. Be smart!
- Avoid: low cut necklines (the men behind the table are usually gay! Stop showing them your tits!), short skirts (no one wants to see your female parts!), wrinkled shirts (Guys! Really?! You don't know how to use an iron?), high water pants (Guys! Get your mother/grandmother/girlfriend to look you over. If you can see your socks...buy new pants!).
- REMEMBER: You are auditioning the second you enter the BUILDING!!! Not the room but the building. There will probably be students walking around greeting auditioners or running the audition. If you are mean or act a fool outside of the room, someone will know and the panel will be notified. IT'S HAPPENED!!!
Story Time
This past year my class of 2014 was able to monitor the auditions for the program. My classmate called the name of a man and he gave her a look and was rude to her. So she handed his headshot and resume to the head of the musical theatre department. She said he had been rude to her and he threw away his papers. He didn't even look at his credits because no one wants to work with ugly! Remember that!
Ok back to the tips:
- Along with being really really nice to everyone outside, you must be very polite to your pianist!!!! They actually control more of your audition than you think! If you think they won't speed up or slow down on purpose because You were rude.....think again! Go to the piano first. Show them your cuts (start and end), show them any crazy cuts that may quickly change keys randomly, and give them your tempos.
- Know that you will be very very nervous. Do not give lightning fast tempos. Take a deep breath. Give them the tempos by quietly singing a small cut of your cut. DON'T: tap on the piano, snap at them, or clap your hands. They'll get it if you just sing a bit of it.
- Now walk to the middle of the room and Say your name SLOWLY, CLEARLY, AND PROUDLY. But only after you've come to a complete stop! Do not start speaking while you're still fidgiting and shuffling to the middle of the room. Remember: at this point of the audition, You Are Your Name. If they don't hear it, they don't know you!!! Along with that: slate your pieces with confidence and don't look at the floor. You should be proud of your pieces. Say it with pride!!
- Now you just need to do what you've done in the practice rooms for months. Take a deep breath and let it happen. Have fun!!!!!!! Sing and perform your pieces and then comes the part where they test your people skills. Question time!! Before you go into the room, think of the answers to these questions:
~ why do you want to go to this school?
~ what are you weakness and strengths?
~ what do you think you'd bring to this school that's unique?
These are the typical questions asked. I'm not saying you should make a written out response for each but at least form an idea about each question. Really think about how you'd like to come across. Avoid the "I've been wanting to come here since I was 5" thing. That sounds desperate and slightly crazy. Just say you're impressed with the schools alumni and the types of performers they produce. It sounds like you've put some research and thought into it. COME OFF SMART! If you don't at least think about an answer then you'll say "um" and "uh" about a million times while trying to piece together a thought that doesn't make sense.
Then you walk out of the room. DON'T SHAKE PEOPLE'S HANDS!! If everyone shook the hands of everyone....GROSS. Respect their space and pricacy and Just thank them and leave. Then you can go breathe and you and your mom can go eat ribs..that's what I did!
This was me on the day of my audition. This was about 3 years ago...oh, wow how time flies.
