INSIDE TIPS OF THE CASTING PROCESS

Casting Process

Auditions are typically filmed so that everyone on the casting team can watch it and have a say in the casting process. Sometimes performers become anxious if the associates and/or assistants are the only people in the room and the lead casting director is absent during their audition.  This doesn’t mean that you won’t get cast or your audition wasn’t important. It really is a team effort, everyone has a voice, including the monitors and accompanists and your audition video will be seen by everyone.

Performers are often afraid of the casting company, but there really is nothing to be afraid of.  Try not to be nervous.  I know, I know that is super easy to say but honestly, everyone in the room should be open and warmhearted and it should always be an overall friendly environment.  The people who you are auditioning for are looking to be impressed and so they really do want you to succeed and do well because that means that they have great talent to cast in their show!  With that said, you should expect open ears, minds, and hearts from the casting company during your audition so do your best not to overthink everything and/or overanalyze body movements or facial expressions from the people who you are auditioning in front of.

 

Vocal Technique 

It is rare that a casting director comments on your vocal technique because most likely, they are not an expert in this area but anyone with ears that aren’t tone-deaf can hear those who have vocal ease and can tell if the material is easy for the singer to sing.  Casting directors are truly looking for the whole package and for performers who can affect them by making them feel something with their performance that they are presenting.

Most professional casting directors know that auditions are not always ideal circumstances and tend to overlook little vocal imperfections that might come from an early morning audition and or nerves but try your best to prevent these imperfections by either waking up earlier than normal in order to warm your voice and get into tip-top shape before walking into the room to sing.

If you must stop and start over, it is not the end of the world. You’re not blacklisted if you make a mistake during an audition. Also, if you have auditioned for the same casting directors in precious years, they may remember that you had a great audition a year ago.  Sometimes, you might be called back to reaudition if they thought that you were really good but maybe had an off day.  I’ve seen this happen before to someone who temporarily lost her voice due to an illness, but was known to have a great voice due to previous auditions.

 

Authenticity Is Key 

ALWAYS be your genuine self! Casting directors really want to see someone who is relaxed and have their walls down, so they really get to know them.  I realize that you have a small amount of time to interact with the casting crew while in the room but your interactions are important so that they get to know you in order to know how and when to cast you.  While being your vulnerable self, show in your performance what you are feeling in order to become one with your song deliverance.  No need to go “over the top”  just be real with it.

It is important to be relatable when storytelling. You don’t always have to be positive or to find the “win” and the positivity in the material because not every song is written for the purpose of telling the positive part of the story. Showing that you can be vulnerable and truthful to a somewhat darker moment of a story, can really move people, even in an audition. Do not feel that your song is too depressing to bring into an audition because if you can sell it and it affects people, then you accomplished a winning audition.

 

What about Previous Experience? 

Casting directors are very open to hiring new people. Everyone is always looking for “the next best thing” and so if you have no previous experience but you have what it takes to bring the house down, then they will never say “no” to giving you a callback and or simply casting you.  Experience is nice, but there are many performers who have lots of experience and simply prefer to be a participant in the show for the experience and fun of it and not to be the lead, so never compare yourself to anyone else because everyone has a place and a purpose.

 

What to Wear? 

Of course, you need to look presentable at your audition. You don’t need to dress for the role, but you should look like you care for yourself.  No need to go over the top with lots of distracting crazy hair and makeup, just be clean and presentable. Wear something nice and comfortable to sing and move around in, especially your footwear! They are not looking at your feet, so no need to wear over the top uncomfortable shoes that you can feel comfortable performing in.  (Never during an audition, but a few times performing on stage, I have gone against this rule and wore some very uncomfortable shoes that looked super cute with my outfit and I always end up taking them off and so because of this, I try very hard to be mindful of how long my performances are and wear shoes that I know I won’t have to kick off in mid-performance.)  Wearing things that make you feel self-conscious or restricted in some way will only distract you from your audition.

Note that it is very popular right now for women to show up wearing a blue dress to their audition so try to steer clear from that look and truly wear something that shows off your personality, even if it’s a super cool pair of velvet overalls and some Dr. Martens.

 

Your Online Presence 

Do not think for one second that your social media isn’t going to be reviewed by the casting directors.  Casting directors use social media to gather information about performers all of the time in order to get to know them and to see if they are someone that they want to represent the show.  Social media presence is extremely important and so I advise wholeheartedly that you at least have an Instagram account.  Make sure that you are posting things that you would never feel embarrassed about if your casting director saw it, because like I said, they will for sure see it. Share things that will help you to shine and show who you are in the way that you would like the world to know you as a performer and personality.

Know that there is room in this industry for everyone and that everyone has a shot at making their dreams come true.  With practice, persistence, and overall dedication, you are well on your way to making your dreams come true!  Never forget who you are and always remain true to yourself. 🙂

I’m rooting for you always,

Allison 🙂