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Audition Information

Auditions for the MU Production of Guys and Dolls

MONDAY, DECEMBER 3 – 6:30pm
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4 – 6:30pm

Straughn Auditorium

• Come either Monday, Tuesday or both.
  
• Call backs will be held on Wednesday, December 5 at 7:00pm
  
• Synopsis of the show, character information and songs from the show can be found on the door of Butler 104.
  
• Samples of the music can be heard at Musical Theatre International
  
• You can register for MEN 3306 and receive 1 credit for participation in the production. Counts as Gen Ed: Arts & the Human Experience.

If you would like to be considered for a major role:

1. Prepare a song of your choice that best features your voice.
2. Bring music for an accompanist who will be at the auditions
3. If you do not have a piece, or would like help in selecting an audition piece, see Dr. Monkelien, 104 Butler Center, smonkeli@mansfield.edu, 662-4712

If you would like to be part of the chorus, one of the dancers, or audition for a non-singing role:

1. Show up and you will be taught a short song from the show
2. Show up and you will be taught a short dance sequence
3. Show up and you will read from the show

If you are interested in being a part of the crew:

1. Contact Dr Monkelien at smonkeli@mansfield.edu
2. Come to auditions and fill out an information form

TIPS FOR AUDITIONING

A good audition is one in which the performer, to the best of his abilities, reveals who and what he is as a human being while at the same time giving the auditors an idea of the extent of his talents!

A bad audition is one in which the performer thoroughly confuses the people who are auditioning him by camouflaging himself with the wrong material and the wrong approach in presenting it!

Actors are cast because they are more right for the part rather than because they are better than the other people auditioning.

When directors are casting a musical and filling PRINCIPLE ROLES, it is more important to them that the actor SPEAK, MOVE, SOUND, LOOK and FEEL like the actor, than be a brilliant actor, singer or performer!

This means that by just BEING YOURSELF, you have a good chance at a callback or reading if you are remotely close to what they are looking for!

ACT THE SONG to be considered for a role: In a song the audience is ALWAYS going to be ahead of the actor in anticipation his next words. The lyric requires a different sort of timing . . . One that requires the actor to act several beats IN ADVANCE of what he is saying.

With a song, you must create the illusion that you are playing to an acting partner, who, unfortunately is not at the audition with you. THIS SPOT would have to be at the back of the auditorium or studio to create the illusion that someone is really there.

HOW TO ACT A SONG:

1. Know WHY your character is making that particular statement
2. Know WHAT the motivation & dramatic necessity of the lyric consists of
3. Know WHERE the action is taking place
4. Know WHEN it is happening (almost always in the “now”)
5. Know to WHOM it is being played

WHAT TO SING:

The actor is concerned with songs that were conceived to work THEATRICALLY or those designed for the stage or musical film.

Popular songs never work as audition songs because they are designed to sing into a microphone, there is no acting partner implied in most, and there is not enough “meat” in the lyrics to sustain dramatic interest.

Audition Resources

• Auditioning for the Musical Theatre