by Chris Peterson
Somewhere along the way, auditioning with a song from the actual show became one of those things actors were told never to do.
Don’t sing from the show. The director doesn’t want to hear it. They already know how the song is supposed to sound. You’ll force them to compare you to the original performer.
Okay, but isn’t that what the audition is for?
If I’m casting Cabaret and someone wants to audition for Sally Bowles, why wouldn’t I want to hear them sing “Maybe This Time”? If an actor believes that song shows exactly why they should play the role, I want to hear it. Maybe they understand the character in a way I haven’t considered yet.
And if they don’t, well, I’ll find that out too.
I understand why directors sometimes discourage material from the show. They may want to see what else is in the actor’s book. They may already be hearing the same three songs all day. Or they might be worried that actors will come in doing an imitation of the Broadway cast recording.
That last one is fair. Please don’t come into an audition doing your best Patti LuPone impression unless the role is Patti LuPone.
But I’ve never understood turning this into a rule.
Actors are constantly told to choose audition material that matches the style, tone and range of the show. Find something that sounds like the show, but isn’t from the show. Find a song that could have been written for the character, but wasn’t. Make sure it shows you can perform the material we’re casting without actually performing the material we’re casting.
Why are we making this harder than it needs to be?
There is also something valuable about seeing how an actor approaches the exact material. Especially if they’re auditioning for a role that requires a difficult song. I can learn a lot more from hearing someone sing those sixteen bars than I can from hearing a vaguely similar song from another musical.
Of course, the actor is taking a risk. If you choose a song from the show, you better know it. You should have a reason for singing it beyond the fact that it was the easiest option. And you have to be prepared for the director to give you an adjustment or ask for something else.
But auditioning is already a risk.
Unless the audition notice specifically says not to sing from the show, I don’t think actors should be afraid of doing it. If the song fits your voice, shows your understanding of the character and gives the creative team exactly what they need to see, sing it.
The worst thing that can happen is you don’t get cast.
Which, if we’re being honest, can happen no matter what song you choose.