Audition Material: My Two Cents

There are a lot of lists out there for actors concerning which songs you should and shouldn’t sing at an audition. They usually highlight several ‘hot’ songs of the season and tell you to stay away from them, as well as remind us about the ever consistent ‘taboo’ list of songs like your Wicked’s, your Les Mis’, your Rent’s, and most of your JRB’s (to name a few).

I want to branch away from that for a moment. I’ve given several workshops to high school students and I would touch on repertoire only briefly, but it’s something worth discussing. Having the right material can make or break your audition. Hell, it can make or break your image. Ever wonder why we don’t see much Pauly Shore anymore…

Now, there’s no formula for doing that, that comes from the work you do outside the room, but I do believe there can be a self check-in when it comes to material selection. So, because my opinion wasn’t asked for, I’m going to share them with you right now.

This is how it works: if the piece you have chosen, be it monologue or song, doesn’t fit the below criteria, my advice is don’t do it or continue to work on it. That’s it. Or find something that will.

And here we go.

You can honestly say that your piece:

- Connects to you on an emotional level, either as an actor/actress or human, or both
- Installs in you a sense of ‘this is mine’
- Has a clear set of motives, intentions, and objectives and is thoroughly researched 
- Is well practiced
- Represents who I am and what I bring to the room as an actor
- Exudes confidence
- Makes sense when said aloud if there are cuts
- If it’s a song, shows off your range and abilities without causing harm to your voice
- Can be performed on the drop of a hat if asked
- Can leave in the room an experience for the auditioners behind that table

If you answered ‘no’ to any of these criteria, I’m not saying choose a new piece, but keep working on it. Maybe it is the right piece for you but it’s not the right time to unveil it.

But here’s the bottom line, and this is what I say to anyone that asks me for material suggestions, and what I make sure to say in every workshop I give to high schoolers: Be honest with yourself. If you know you have a piece that you can turn some heads with, then do it, but make sure it is ready to go and bring it. Don’t go into the room half-prepared and under-practiced because it will show.

When you are in that room, and it’s just you and the auditioners, and that’s what stands between you and that dotted line, there’s only one thing you have to do: Just bring it.