Sing Out Louise!!!!!!!!

  Muskogee Little Theatre is presenting The Sound of Music this spring.  The show is a favorite with young and old and one of Rodger and Hammerstein's most popular shows.  The parts in the play for children are not minor as in say,  South Pacific or Oklahoma!  but are integral to the storyline. The Von Trapp children sing and dance in 13 of 17 scenes.  They have 7 costume changes. They have to be able to act, to sing and to dance-all at the same time.

I am directing this show for MLT.  Auditions are next weekend. All information- http://muskogeelittletheatre.com/

If you have a child interested, below are audition tips from a great website-The site is a great source for all things regarding theatre and children and teens.  http://www.musical-theater-kids.com.  
  
DO:

• Find out as much as possible about the audition requirements before the audition.
• Greet the panel warmly when you enter the audition room.
• If you see that the panel is busy, go to the accompanist right away.
• Smile, be yourself, relax and have a good time.
• Give the accompanist your neatly organized and properly marked music.
• When instructing the accompanist about your music selections, sing a few bars softly so they can get the tempo.
• Introduce yourself and the songs you will be singing in a clear, confident, voice and look directly at the auditors when doing this.
• Know the name of the composer who wrote your selection and what show the piece is from.
• Quickly skim your reading and listen as director instructs you in the scene.
• Be mindful of the time and keep the auditioning moving along.
• Dress appropriately in something of your own..
• Thank the auditors at the end of the audition and wait to see if they have any more instructions for you before leaving the room.

---

Don'ts for Kids Acting Auditions

Don't -

• Snap your fingers, bang or clap your hands at the accompanist to give them the tempo. Sing softly, a few bars, and they will pick up the tempo.
• Arrive without music and have to sing a capella.
• Choose a song that is not similar in style to the songs of a show for which you are auditioning.
• Look at the auditors to tell you when to begin. After your introduction, just compose yourself and start.
• Ask to start over if you make a mistake or apologize. Just try to pick up right away and continue as if it didn't happen.
• Rush your song . You want every lyric and word to be understood.
• Dress in a costume for the audition unless specifically asked to do so.
• Speak in a very soft voice that is difficult to hear. You want to be heard.
• Choose songs that are common and have been used over and over again. You don't want to bore the auditors.
• Leave the audition with a bad feeling about yourself. Always learn something from each audition experience.

Final Words

• You need to prepare before auditioning for musical theater...
  This especially holds true if you are going to a community theater or professional audition. In other words, if time allows, practice, practice, practice...until your material becomes second nature.
• If you do make a mistake...please, do not and I repeat, do not get upset or mad at yourself. We are all human and it is OK to make a mistake.
• Simply get yourself together, and start from where you left off. Most of the time the people for whom you are auditioning will be more than understanding. If they are not, you as a kid should not be upset about not working with unkind people.
• Please, keep in mind that this article is a very brief overview of the audition process, and it components. For more detailed information on the above topics, please see their specific sections on this website.
• Last but not least, remember, smile, be confident, and be yourself. A kid learns something from every audition they attend and the more they audition, the better they will become at auditioning. So please relax...and have fun!   ( always my own goal at a casting- have fun and learn something!) chrissie