You love singing, dancing, acting, and want to spread your wings in these three fields? If so, being a musical theater performer is the answer you've been looking for! Today, the popularity of musical theater is increasing among art activists. In Indonesia itself, there are many theater clubs that have entered the musical genre and often open audition opportunities for those who want to be involved in each of their shows. Interested in trying it? Read on to find out what steps you should take to achieve success in the musical realm!
Step
Method 1 of 4: Practice Properly
Step 1. Practice the necessary basic skills
Musical theater requires performers who have the ability to sing, act, and dance. If you do not master one or even all three, immediately follow the courses or regular classes available in your city. You can find available class information on the internet; sometimes, some courses also place advertisements in local magazines or newspapers. The experience of taking the course will also enrich your portfolio, you know!
Practice with people who are already successful in musicals or at least have students who have proven successful in that area
Step 2. Practice hard
Singing, acting, and dancing are “lifelong lessons”; This means that even if your official training schedule is over, you still need to hone and develop these skills in order to give your best performance every time. Don't be lazy to practice a new song or dance; if necessary, join a local community that regularly produces musicals. Enrich your experience and use it to hone new skills.
Step 3. Take care of your physical condition and stamina
Following musical theater requires you to keep moving, both on and backstage; therefore, maintaining physical condition and stamina is an important thing that you must do. Perform cardiovascular exercises such as running, jumping rope, and/or swimming regularly. Remember, singing while moving is not easy and it drains a lot of energy! Make sure your body is ready for it.
Step 4. Join a local musical theater community
It's very important that you join a community of people with similar interests. From them, you can get constructive criticism and suggestions, as well as information about auditions that you can take part in. In addition, they will be one of the biggest supporters for the continuation of your career; vice versa.
Method 2 of 4: Preparing to Audition
Step 1. Select audition materials
Make sure you choose audition material that fits the style of the show you are going to join. The genres of musical performances vary greatly; for example, RENT is one of the popular musical performances that carries the rock genre. If you're auditioning for a RENT show, it's definitely not a good fit if you're bringing in classic or pop material; it would be much more appropriate if you performed one of the songs from Jesus Christ Superstar or The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
- As much as possible, don't sing songs that the theater group that tested you has performed in the last 5 years. Most likely, they will compare your skills with previous performers. Remember, they are looking for something new; as much as possible, do not imitate the style and character of previous performers.
- Avoid songs that are sung too often, too well known, or too complicated to listen to. Don't give the impression that you are a layman in the musical world. Most likely, the show's production team is looking for performers with deep knowledge of the world of musical theatre.
- Some examples of over-sung songs include "Tomorrow" or "Maybe" from the Annie show, "Memory" from the Cats show, "Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music, any song from the Wicked show, Phantom of the Opera, or Les Miserables, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from the show The Wizard of Oz, “Don't Rain on my Parade” from the Funny Girl show, “Shy” from the Once Upon a Mattress show, “I Enjoy Being a Girl” from the Flower show Drum Song, “Seasons of Love” from the RENT show, or “In My Own Little Corner” from the Cinderella show.
- The songs from Disney films are good but not suitable for auditioning. As much as possible, avoid singing Disney songs.
- Don't sing songs popularized by Broadway artists (“Taylor the Latte Boy” is a good example).
- As much as possible, avoid songs that contain profanity, swearing, or satire.
Step 2. Prepare the monologue
Musical performances not only require you to sing, but also to act. Make sure you master both abilities. As with choosing songs, avoid monologues that have been sung too often. Remember, producers, directors, and casting crews always want to be surprised by a selection of unique and new monologues. If you choose a monologue that's been done a lot, chances are they won't pay much attention to you at the audition.
- Choose a monologue with a duration of under 2 minutes. As much as possible, choose a monologue that is able to represent various forms of emotion in a short time. Remember, you are not the only audition; the show's production team will ask if they want to hear more from you anyway.
- Choose a monologue from a play or film. Oftentimes, monologues in musical theater are only meant to support the song so they won't be as complex or lengthy as monologues in plays or films.
- Avoid monologues with overly vulgar language or gestures; Also avoid monologues with too thick an accent or too much movement. When auditioning, what you need to show is acting skills, not the ability to offend other people. However, there are always exceptions. If it turns out that you have to perform a script that tends to be vulgar and obscene, choosing a monologue that is unusual and harsh is actually a more appropriate choice.
Step 3. Practice your dancing skills
Most musicals require the performer to dance. Usually, dance auditions are held in a class format; the choreographers will teach you certain moves and ask you to imitate them. However, practicing your dancing skills is a must-do step. Don't be lazy to learn new moves! This way, your body will be trained to learn and remember new movements in less time.
Step 4. Record yourself
Try recording yourself rehearsing your audition material, then watch the results. Analysis of your faults and/or shortcomings; correct body language, facial expressions, motion transitions, pitch accuracy, or speech styles that feel odd.
Make sure you are able to balance facial expressions, gestures, and hand gestures when presenting audition material. It's good to move your hands when delivering a monologue; but the movement will be useless if your facial expression looks sleepy. Take control of every part of your body and make sure your whole body is able to convey your passion, passion and desire to be involved in the production
Method 3 of 4: Auditioning for a Specific Role
Step 1. Find an audition schedule
Usually, you must always register in advance to be able to audition. Look for a phone number or other contact information you can call on the show production team's website or in a newspaper ad.
Step 2. Choose clothes that fit the desired role
Dress appropriately, neatly, and according to the role you want. Remember, how you present yourself in front of the show's production team is the key to your success. Sometimes, you even need to wear a certain costume to represent yourself better. Make sure the casting crew can imagine you in the role, but don't focus so much on the costumes that you forget about other factors. As much as possible, there is no need to use property when auditioning.
Step 3. Prepare the songs, monologues, and dances you will be performing
Usually, auditionees will receive information about the specific conditions they must follow; for example, choose a musical that is appropriate for your age and vocal range and a 1-2 minute monologue.
Step 4. Follow the audition process
For aspiring lay performers, the audition process can be a terrifying experience. Broadly speaking, there are several types of auditions that are commonly done:
- Open audition. At an open audition, you will sing, dance, and act in front of the director, music director, entire crew, and other auditioners.
- Closed audition. On the other hand, at a closed audition you will only sing, dance, and act in front of the director and music director.
Step 5. Prepare yourself for rejection
Each role has a different character; Usually, the director already has his own (very specific) picture of the right person to play each of these characters. But don't worry; Do the best! If you haven't managed to get the role you want, chances are that your appearance doesn't match the director's specific image.
Step 6. Smile and display a confident posture
Don't forget to always be polite and not arrogant; make a good first impression. Pay attention to the words that come out of your mouth and consider who you are talking to. If the show's production team likes your personality, they'll likely offer you a role – or other production material – for you.
Don't get involved in unnecessary dramas. Badmouthing fellow participants is a common occurrence in various theater communities; but this habit will not lead you to success. Welcome your experience with an open mind and optimism. Believe me, a positive mind and attitude is one of the keys to your success
Method 4 of 4: A Career in Music
Step 1. Try taking a professional musical class at an official institution
If you want a career in the musical realm, this step is important for you to do. You certainly often hear the term talent or innate talent. Of course these talents will make you more “shine” than the others; but if not nurtured, it won't get you anywhere. In addition to honing your talents through good knowledge, taking theater education at an official institution will also expand your connections to develop a career on stage. Official institutions such as conservatories focus on developing specific skills such as singing, dancing, acting, or playing music.
When studying at a university or conservatory, think about what skills make you stand out as a performer. No one knows what kind of abilities producers are really looking for; therefore, it's a good idea to improve your performance in both traditional and non-traditional domains. Steve Martin is known as a comedian, but he often plays the banjo to support his jokes. If you can play the banjo and audition for musicals like Huckleberry Finn (a rendition of Roger Miller's "King of the Road"), you're likely already 10 steps ahead of the rest of the auditions. It's much easier if you can actually play the banjo than if you just play the banjo
Step 2. Establish a connection
Making connections is also part of your practice as a successful performer. This tip does sound cliché; but believe me, connecting with the right people in the right way is very important to guarantee your success in the future. Consider the parties that will be useful for your career development. After that, frequent shows or parties that these people are likely to attend. Take care of your attitude! Praise their performances and performances. Show them what you have in common or what you can do to help them. Over time, these connections can lead you to audition opportunities and a wider career.
Step 3. Create a resume and portfolio
Like any other job, a detailed and neat resume or portfolio will also make you look more professional and experienced in the eyes of the show production team.
- Start by writing down basic information such as your name, phone number, email address, home address, and date of birth. You can also include your vocal range (such as Soprano, Allto, Tenor, or Bass) on your resume.
- Also write about your previous musical experiences. Write down any shows you've been to, along with detailed information about the time and location of the show, the team that produced the show, and the role you played. You will also need to include information about any formal or informal training you have attended (such as vocal classes, dance classes, acting classes, or gymnastics classes). Also write down the types of musical instruments you can play. For additional information, you may also enter the name of the teacher or teaching team who trained you.
- Improve your digital portfolio. In today's digital era, social media accounts like Facebook or Twitter often double as portfolios. Consider managing your social media accounts and personal websites (if any) properly. Sometimes, the producer focuses on the digital portfolio of the auditionees; for example, on videos when you sing or act that are uploaded to Youtube. If your digital portfolio is able to convey the image that you are a music and theater enthusiast, you are more likely to appear more attractive to producers.
Step 4. Find a private agent
Most people think that the luxury of joining an agency (or owning a personal agency) belongs only to Hollywood artists. This assumption is wrong. Basically, agents are people who are paid to connect you with other people (in this case, people who will potentially benefit your career). While you can also do this without the help of an agent, having an agent will of course speed up the process. Agents can also help you audition more; in other words, you'll get more work done in less time.
When looking for an agent, pay attention to people who have worked with the agency. Make sure he doesn't trick you
Step 5. Enjoy the ups and downs of your career
There is no instant success. Want to land your first role in a really big show? Patience and waiting while continuing the process is the key. Your name won't suddenly become big and well-known among theater activists with just one or two shows. If you are willing to be patient and wait, you will get two invaluable benefits: your list of experiences on your resume will grow, and you will transform into a more powerful and professional viewer!
