10 Sondheim Songs to Sing in an Audition

While not everyone shares this opinion, I do not believe that Sondheim songs are off limits for audition material. I fully understand why many feel they are. Typically they are more complex compositions and you don't always know the skill level of the accompanist. So why roll the dice at an audition on that?

However, I do feel there are some audition gems within his catalog. Songs that will not only show off your ability but also allow for an excellent performance and won't make your accompanist hate you.

Broadway, AuditionsChristopher PetersonMay 19, 2020

Auditions: Submit for it All

Submit for everything you can, get responses, build up your resume and your confidence, continue being a happy actor, and doing what you love!

Auditions, The Acting LifeChristopher PetersonAugust 16, 2019Laura Jeanne Portera

"Why Wasn't I Cast?"

How many times have you thought, “I should have gotten that role!” after the casting has been announced and your name is not on the list? How do you handle that news?

Auditions, The Acting LifeChristopher PetersonAugust 3, 2019Timothy Fitzgerald

What to Consider When Two Actors are Perfect for the Same Role

When casting a show, it’s a great feeling not to have a shortage of talent. However, that can get a bit stressful when multiple people are right for the same role.

The Acting Life, AuditionsChristopher PetersonJune 18, 2019Nikki Scamuffo

The 5 Perils of Open Auditions

Frantically searching for sheet music online? Planning to leave your house at 5 am just in case? Fantasising about stepping into the room and the casting director immediately offering you the leading role? Sounds like you’re planning on attending an open audition.

Auditions, The Acting LifeChristopher PetersonMay 20, 2019Holly Lucas

Pre-Casting: Why It Happens and How You Can Survive It

Pre-Casting sticks in the craws of every unprofessional theatre artist, and probably in a lot of professional ones, too. Spawning drama that makes every stage manager worth their kit roll their eyes into next weekend, pre-casting somehow manages to worm its way into any given conversation about theater.

High school and undergraduate university productions, regional theatres, children’s theatres alike, all seem to struggle with this one concept that actors all loathe somewhat equally. Of course, being pre-cast is flattering, but no actor is happy knowing someone else got a part we were right for, too just because somebody knew somebody else; our egos are too big to allow it. But how do we survive pre-casting and all the evil that comes with it?

By calming down for two seconds, and thinking critically about why it happens.

AuditionsChristopher PetersonMay 11, 2019Nailah Mathews

That’s Why They Call It “Casting”

As Casting Chair of my local community theater, I think a lot about the process of casting our shows. While the goal is always to find the ideal fit between auditioners and available roles, the reality is that we often have to compromise. Unlike Broadway, we usually don’t have the luxury of picking people who perfectly look the part, fit the age range, and have the exact vocal range suggested by the script or score. So, we make do with what we have. In a sense, casting is like fishing. We cast our line into the water by posting a carefully crafted audition notice. First, we get some “nibbles”; expressions of interest on Facebook. Then we see who we catch on audition day. Many are not “keepers,” and often we have to throw them back (gently) into the pond. But if we keep an open mind, we’ll often be pleasantly surprised by the talent we land.

Auditions, The Acting LifeChristopher PetersonJanuary 22, 2019Tony Targan

Tips to Help Your Audition at Unifieds

Unifieds. For those who have endured through these audition sessions, I tip my hat to you. It’s a stressful and hectic process which proves to be more fruitless than successful. But there are those times when the stars align that a unified audition goes so well, an offer of admission is made.

These are rare but I’ve seen them happen. More often, a student will come in, give a strong audition and that will at the very least, put them on our radar as a strong candidate for admission later on. Then there’s the flip side, when we see a student give a lackluster audition that disqualifies them from consideration. It doesn’t happen in the majority, but it does happen.

While there isn’t a sure-fire blueprint for success to get into every school you audition for, there are definitely things you can do to help your chances in that room.

Auditions, College TheatreChristopher PetersonDecember 5, 2018Chris Peterson, Unifieds

Sometimes Your Accompanist Sucks (and what to do if that happens)

Recently, I attended a college audition session where there was constant issues with the accompanist. While they were certainly trying their best, they just weren’t skilled enough to be able to play an audition session at this level. And because of this, it had a negative impact on the students auditioning that day. Each person after the next had some issues; whether it was rhythms, key signature, every student seemed to be off when singing their selections.

Over the course of your performing career, this is going to happen to you. While the majority of accompanists are fantastic, talented and helpful, there will be some who can torpedo your audition with their lack of skill.

AuditionsChristopher PetersonNovember 25, 2018Chris Peterson

BFA Auditions: Do You Have Another Monologue? You'd Better

Whenever someone asks me for audition advice, there are two things I mention first:

Know the character and context of your audition material.
Have multiple pieces ready to go.

The first is pretty obvious. It doesn’t matter what monologue or song you’re auditioning with. Know exactly who that character is and what is going on in that moment of the text.

But the second is something you might be surprised more auditionees, especially college bound students, don’t know about.

AuditionsChristopher PetersonSeptember 10, 2018Chris Peterson

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