Q1. What is a audition?
An audition is a process where it shows the director what skills that person has for there musical or play. When going into a audition you would firstly perform a monologue, then you go into a singing audition and finally a dance workshop, next auditions can be in person or self – taped and after that if they like any of the performers that did the audition will come back for a callback. Furthermore their are loads of different type of auditions firstly there are theatre auditions where it mainly focus on acting and stage presence, then there is also musical theatre audition which this focus on singing, dancing and acting, film and tv auditions focus on how natural you can be around a camera filming you at all times, film tape auditions are pre -recorded video audition to help the actors not to travel far and finally dance auditions are assed on how good your technique and and ability to know how quickly you can pick up choreography. Finally auditions are important because it shows the director to pick the best role for a certian performer and gives the performers to gain experience for the future.
Website I used for this question:
Auditions tips (no date ) Audition Tips and FAQ from Stages Theatre Company
Q2. What is the history behind auditions ?
Auditions started a very long time ago it first started in the Ancient Greek and Shakespearean time, in Ancient Greek in the 5th century it started with plays being a very religious thing for festivals and actors was often chose for playwrights so the directors now had to decided who was best fit for the role as the plays became more regular. In the Shakespearean time the auditions started in the 16th century actors was selected through youth groups to go into plays the most famous group was William Shakespeare Lord Chamberlain’s men. Next in the 18th and 19th century it become more proffesional and grew in more formal methods, in the 18th century this is were the actors started having theatre managements and this helped create more talent, in the 19th century auditions was mainly just interviews but in London the Duke Theatre Company became as a real audition for the best fit for the character. Furthermore in the 20th century films started coming out and people started having casting agents so they can be in films for Warner Bros and Paramount in this audition they would do short scenes from a script, and then in theatre London West End became more for open auditions but also invite auditions. Moreover to this in the early 21st century now you can do self tapes and can submit videos for the directors so the directors wont be able to set a place that is far away for them. Finally you can now also do virtual auditions where the director will set a zoom call to do your audition.
Website I used for this question :
Lanced B.V. (2024) The History of Auditions Explained | Lanced
Q3. What type of auditions are there and there purpose?
The first audition there can be is an open audition, this one is a audition where anyone can attended and it is mainly used for a musical and it is mainly for ensemble, the purpose of this is for anyone interested of being in the musical or play and do not want to have a major role can have a chance of being in an open audition. Next another audition is a closed audition this is where it is invitation only and based on for lead roles and when directors want specific talent, the purpose of this is they are well known actors that get invited to these type of audition which will make the musical or plays better for the show. Furthermore a callback audition is when someone is invited back after there first round and it gets to test them on how quickly they can do another scene and make it natural, the purpose of this is that they can know what actors they want and it is invite only. Finally the dance audition is when anyone can attended and has performed in different shows before, the purpose of this is having the best dancing skills to show if they are suitable for the musical or show.
Q4. What type of professionalism do they except in the theatre industry?
Professionalism is very important in theatre industry because the directors know they can count on you. The first main important one is arriving on time for every single rehearsal and performance, being prepared helps you be ready to warm up and not worry about being late and also can be able to memorize your lines before the day the director wants you to learn them. Next commitment is very important is well because it can show dedication to the show and to prove it tells them you can make a effort for the shows like knowing lines and choreography before previous rehearsals before going into the next rehearsal. Furthermore you have to show respect both ways to the cast and directors, examples of this is following directions without a argument and also staying out of gossip to cause arguments before the show. Also you need to show a team player by having a positive attitude all the time and supporting others and it can shows you stay motivated when things dose not go to plan. Finally professionalism is important because it can let directors work with people they can trust and professionalism can lead to a more successful life in the industry.
Q5. What do directors look for in a audition?
The directors does not look at just what type of acting skills they have. They look for the emotional connection when doing the audition you need to show how your character will react in those sort of situation. Next the directors look for the clear projection in your voice to show you can project properly they look for this because having a quiet voice it will not let you have a chance as they think you will not be capable on having a clear voice on the stage. Furthermore directors look for stage presences, this is very common is well because of how natural they want there actors to look like on stage and to not look terrified, even when coming to small movements like walking they want you to look like you have been in that scene for a long time. Moreover to this they want you to be able to adapt to things quickly as even though in the script it says that certian line the director might want you to adapt the way you say it and change the whole line is well. Finally the directors want you to know what the show is about as they might ask you some questions on the play or musical but also your character.
The website I used for this question:
Hearle, A. (2017) What are Directors Looking for in an Audition? | Audition Tips
Q6. How has casting changed because of technology?
The reason why casting has changed because of technology is because, of how mainy websites you can apply for auditions a example of this is “Backstage” this is where you can upload your headshot and cv this makes it easier for casting so directors can ask you to do a audition, this can help reduce the number of people attending the audition so the people that are doing the audition can do a self tape at home. Furthermore to this some directors cast actors through social media like example TikTok and Instagram, this has helped actors because of knowing one day they could be casted.
Q7. What type of mental health challenges do actors face during an audition?
Mental health is a very high in the theatre history because of how much pressure actors are being put under. The first thing actors mainly face is performance anxiety, when going into a audition they will feel very scared if it is there first ever one so they could feel nervous or have shaking hands, to improve on this actors use breathing exercises before going into a audition to mange there anxiety. Moreover to this actors when going into an audition actors could feel like they are going to get rejected even if they are very prepared enough for it, this can lead to self – doubt to this and make this feel very more anxious and could lead up to messing up lines and can make the actor tired and very emotional. Finally actors most common one would be depression because they would have to find more work alongside of doing there acting job as they do not get as much of money depending how high their wages are, plus doing all of this they wont get to socalise with there friends because of how long they would have to do rehearsals for and also how little time they have.
Website I used for this question:
Davenport, T. (2024) Actors and Mental Illness: Health, Advice, and Support | Backstage
Q8. How has self tape changed for auditions over the years?
Self tape auditions has change for actors because performers do not need to take time off work so they can go for an audition and instead do it in there own time instead. Next actors can have more time working on there audition and on the day and they can have more control on how to present there selves on camera. However covid 19 has impacted on this a lot because of not being able to be around people and this made it to impact on virtual callback so it makes it easier for actors to be safe so if there is a show after covid 19 they can do the audition before hand. Finally they can have multiple takes unlike in real auditions they cant have multiple takes so if they mess up it can be more easier for them to send in the wright audition.
Website I used for this question:
The Pros and Cons of Self-Taping – Schott Acting Studio
Q9. How has musical theatre audition changed over the years?
Firstly in musical theatre auditions in the 1900s – 1940s had there musical theatre auditions are on stage, they was looking for talent so doing the auditions on stage makes them show how they would actually perform on stage. In the 1950s when you went to a audition you would have to learn two songs and a short dance routine and read a short scene from the script.
Q10. How do digital auditions compare to in person auditions?
Digital and in person auditions has become very competitive. The first point is for digital auditions it is more convient for the actors and anyone around the world can be auditioning for it is well, actors can also re take a lot of tapes although the actors will not get feedback straight away, but in person actors can interact with proffesional directors and you can show your personality properly to them, although it can be very expensive for the actor depending on how big the musical is or play. Next competition will be very high in auditions but in digital auditions the directors only watch a few of them and not all of the other tapes, however in person auditions you get to stand out more and the director gets to spend more time giving feedback with each performer. Finally callbacks is defiantly more harder for digital because the directors cant be able to show the chemistry with other actors, however in persons audition will let you do improvisation and show how you can connect with other actors.
Website I used for this question:
Steinberg, R. (2023) In Person vs. Virtual Auditions – Cape May Stage
Q11. How can actors build there confidence back after a rejection from a audition?
Firstly every audition is a opportunity so getting feedback is a good thing, if it is your first audition it can affect some actors but if it is not they know it can boost your confidence for the next audition to make it even better. Next you can look back at your feedback to reflect on what you did was wrong and can make it easier when preparing for your next audition. Furthermore it can build a stronger mind set for the actor and they can tell themselves to why they love acting and not to let themselves down, and you can talk to other people who have been rejected from an audition before so it can help you realize your not alone. Finally keep training before the next audition so it can improve on your weaker sides by doing this you can attended loads of workshop based on the things you need to improve on.
Website I used for this question :
MCHPEE, R. (2024) How to Deal With Audition Rejection | Backstage
Q12. How do cultural backgrounds influence performance styles?
Cultural backgrounds has influenced a lot of dance styles in the performing arts industries. The main one that has influenced is Indian dance, this is because it has hand movements that tells stories through a performance. Next one is musical type which is Opera because you can do high pitched singing but also use facial expressions at the same time. Finally a example of influence style is Hamilton because it has hip-hop, rap and traditional musical theatre.
Q13. What challenges do performers face in the performing arts industry?
The first challenge is the competition in the industry there are loads of roles to go for but very limited so it is hard to find work, and when you do get jobs most of them can be short term contracts and then because of this performers have to audition for loads of different musicals and plays so they can be paid more. Next challengers performers face is mental health this is because if performers keep getting rejected they can challenge with depression and anxiety, performers can also struggle with body image because of the public eye if they are in a popular musical people will say a lot on how you look if it is a popular musical. Furthermore the challenges performers face is injuries this is more common when performers get older, this mainly effects the ensemble dancers if dancing and training every day and also for other performers can lead to loads of other injuries. Finally if performers have a job before going into a show they wont know how to balance it because it will challenge how to face there job life especially if they go on tour so once they finish tour and shows they wont know what to do if they finish and do not get into another musical.
The website I used for this question:
Arts, M. (2024) Top 5 Challenges Faced by Aspiring Performers and How to Overcome Them
Q14. What are the pros and cons of live musical theatre?
There are a lot of pros in musical theatre the first pros is, you get to connect with the audience when you get to perform and people get to here live music, dance and acting, when also being in one musical people in musical theatre you can be recognized by someone in the audience who could be a director and after the show could ask you to be in there next musical. Finally the cons of live musical theatre can affect performers weekly wage and they cant manage a normal job and theatre performance, the performers can also get a intense schedule so singing and dancing plus acting every night and some even afternoons can make them tired and could possibly get sick from tiredness.
Q15. Why do directors make musicals based on history?
Directors make musicals based on history because when it comes to musicals people are interested on how good the musical is so it can also make people learn about the past. Next history is filled with a lot of drama so it can help musicals make it more interacting for the directors for example the most popular ones is Hamilton and Six. Finally the directors like to be bring back forgotten history back to stage so it can make people remember about what happened a example of this is Hamilton.
The website I used for this question:
Sub. editors (2024) Musicals and making history: how might musicals influence modern perceptions of historical events? – Palatinate
Q16. How do the audience want to except for the musical if they saw that musical before?
When the audience see the musical before like watching it on tv for example Hamilton they would have a lot of expectations. When the audience comes into the theatre before seeing the musical they want to expect how it is staged in the film and when they sit down they want to hear some of the iconic songs like in Hamilton “My shot” they want to know if it is in the same musical. Next they want to have a good time so by this they want to have strong acting skills from the performers and powerful vocals. Finally because of the updated technology in the 21st century they expect better lighting and sound back in the older shows.
Q17. How do reviews of a audience member affect a performers career?
As a performer before going into the industry they should know that there is going to be reviews on how you are going to be reacted by other people. The first thing is there can be loads of positives for example it can boost there confidence so having supportive reviews can help the performer get better for the next show and it can show other directors that they want you in your play or musical next, however people can give you bad reviews so this can effect the performer mental health it can also damage there reputation in the industry, for example after there first bad review they can feel bad about themselves and forgetting there lines, dancing and singing before going on stage so they have to improve.
Q18. Why do some musicals on Broadway last longer than others?
Some musicals last longer because it can depend on how popular the musical is. Next musicals can show themes like love which is the most popular one to be shown in a musical. Furthermore to this the musical can last longer depending on the iconic songs in a musical for example Hamilton “My shot” and also Rock of ages “Don’t stop believing”. Moreover to this the audience reviews can impact on this because it can show how much people love the musical so Broadway musicals can stay on longer for more audience members can watch it because of the reviews. Finally the most common one is cultural because it shows history from the past for example Hamilton.
The website I used for this question :
Webmaster (2025) Exploring The Cultural Impact Of Broadway And West End Musicals – Musicals On Line
Q19. What impact does touring for theatre have on the performers?
When touring for theatre it can have a lot of impact on performers. Firstly it can affect there mental health a very common one is tiredness this is because doing the same show over and over every night can mentally hurt there brain because they cant have a rest, but also because of the time zones it will change there sleeping schedule because most countries can either be a hour ahead or 24 hours in front. Next another one is letting the performer have a wider fan range because it can let the performer grow so directors can see how talented the actor or performer is. Furthermore it can impact on not seeing there family members every day because of how many days and nights they are performing a long way from home is well, and then they miss out on birthdays and holidays traditions they could have with there family. Finally performers can also makes memories with the performers in the cast every show and also the audience members, so they can look back on it in the future.
Website I used for this question:
Jordan, E. (2024) The Impact of Touring on Artists
Q20. How has certian acting technique changed performances over the years?
The main acting technique that changed performances is the Stanislavski technique, this technique can relate to the performers personal life so it help creates a better performance for the audience and it can make a more realistic performance for the public. Finally physical acting has impacted a lot on shows lately and this can show to create a realistic performance.