1. COME PREPARED  It is very obvious when you haven’t prepared for an audition. Two weeks of preparation is normal for the emerging performer to feel comfortable and memorize your music.  If you won’t prepare for an audition, will you practice your music and dialog at home during rehearsals?

2. BE EXPRESSIVE Directors love to see kids becoming the character they are portraying in their song. Whatever your character is feeling, you should try to express it in your voice and body language.  We will judge more acting and choreography skills at callbacks.

3. PROJECT Open your mouth and sing so the judges can hear your beautiful voice. Do not sing so loudly and uncontrollably that you “belt” (scream sing).

4. STRATEGIZE IN YOUR AUDITION Your goal in an audition is to be remembered!  Wear clothing that makes you look your best and would help the audition committee see you in the role that you want.  Avoid trendy songs from current popular musicals which are currently overdone.  Current trendy songs to avoid are from Wicked, Hairspray, The Little Mermaid, and Camp Rock.    

5. STYLE OF MUSIC Broadway music is always preferred for musical auditions. Disney songs are also great for younger children auditioning. Stay away from pop music, and especially country music for musical auditions. The Artistic Director prefers no audition songs from the musical Annie!

6. BRING YOUR OWN KARAOKE TRACK It is your responsibility to bring your own Karaoke CD to auditions. Riverside Youth Theatre uses CD tracks exclusively for auditions.  We will have a stereo available for you.

7. WHERE DO I PURCHASE KAROAKE TRACKS? You can purchase individual Karaoke background tracks at iTunes (the fastest and most inexpensive choice).  You can find some inexpensive Karaoke CD’s sometimes at Target and Wal Mart stores.  Local retail stores include Bertrands, 910 E. Highland, San Bernardino, (Karaoke tracks), Sam Ash at the Ontario Mills Mall and Sligers Music Store in Redlands.  Their stock is often very limited and sometimes very expensive.  The Internet is the best source for Karoake tracks.

8. WHAT CAN NEGATIVELY AFFECT YOUR AUDITION Singing along to a recording with your favorite pop artist or planning on singing a cappella (singing without piano or Karoake). We require that you sing with a Karoake track.  It is your responsibility to bring your own CD Karoake track.  We will not provide one for you.

9. POTENTIAL At the audition, enter with confidence and smile. (We know you’re nervous, because we’ve auditioned too!) Introduce yourself and the name of your song. Be prepared to sing about 1 minute of music. You probably will not sing the entire song.  Do your best as you sing…remember we’re looking for potential, not perfection.

10. CALLBACKS After the initial vocal audition, a select group of students will be asked back to audition their acting and dancing skills. It is from this smaller group that the actual cast will be chosen from. If you don’t make callbacks, you haven’t made the cast.  Being asked to callbacks does not guarantee you a role in the musical.  Arrive early to callbacks to make a positive impression!

11. WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHING AND SHOES At callbacks be prepared for dance auditions, so come dressed appropriately. Wear dance shoes or dance barefoot.

12.  MAKE GOOD IMPRESSIONS If you are coming directly from school to audition, bring a change of clothes.  Brush your teeth and comb your hair.  Wear clothing colors that make you look your best!

13. PERFORMANCE RESUME & HEADSHOT Please bring a performance resume to auditions listing your child’s experience in school, church and community theatre productions.  Also, list any training (acting, dance, voice, piano lessons) and any unusual skills (baton twirling, unicycle riding) that your child has.  Include an 8×10 headshot (torso and up) for the audition committee.  This picture can be a school photo or one taken by your parents.  We will use this headshot for our lobby biographies.

Debbie Wolgemuth, Artistic Director
Riverside Youth Theatre
August 24, 2010