Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 2/5/2009

Question
Hey there. My favorite community theatre is preparing to do my favorite Sondheim musical-Into the Woods. I am, and always have been terrible with auditions because my nerves get the best of me. I have been working on those nerves, and am ready to move out of the chorus line(was in Sugar and Chicago) and into the spotlight. I am having a tough time deciding what piece would be a good audition piece for myself. I am hoping to land a part as Jack or one of the Princes(preferably a Prince). In HS I was a tenor(I am 24 now, out of HS for 8 years). These days I think I am more of a Baritone. I am a karaoke fiend, and know that karaoke versus Broadway is another planet, but some of my best karaoke songs are "Zoot Suit Riot" by Cherry Poppin Daddies, "Moondance" the Michael Buble version, and "Jump Jive & Wail" Brian Setzer.

For our audition we get to sing one song of our choice, and an accompanist will play the music we provide. Any suggestions for an OUTSTANDING audition piece?

Answer
Hey there, Joe...And thanks for writing.  

Good for you for working on the nerves.  Outstanding.  The best way to be sure that you are in control and not letting the nerves control you is to breathe deeply.  The key is all in the breath.  When we get nervous or anxious, we begin to breathe differently - more shallow.  Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth continually breathing from the diaphragm and you will be just fine.  

Regarding an audition piece, the best advice I can give in this forum is for you to find a piece that you really like.  Taking a piece from an actual musical is probably better than a karaoke song.  

The best way to find a piece is to go to the library and look under musicals for baritones.  Listen to songs that you find and choose one that you like and can identify with.  Then do your best job on the song.  Learn the melody first so that you can sing it without any hesitation clearly and then learn the words.  Then once you have memorized the words, put it together with the music.  

Does that help you?

Wanda
www.kaizenworks.org