Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 11/22/2007

Question
I'm not too sure if you answer these types of questions but anyway here goes. I'm a legitimate soprano and I was wondering what are some great musical theatre songs around suitable for me that aren't so well known. And also, I'm always auditioning for musicals and I feel like I do well in the audition. I'm hardly nervous, and stay calm and feel like I portray the character well. But I never seem to land the role. I always seem get good feedback, and how I'm suitable for the role. Any tips and suggestions would be great. :)

Thank you so much.

Answer
Hi Jess...Thanks for writing.  These are good questions.

Have you gone to your local library to look up musicals?  That would be the best way for you to find some musicals that might not be as popular as others.  And by listening to the music in the library, you could maybe determine which songs you like and use them in your auditions.  

Another way to find some pieces would be to speak with a vocal coach or teacher.  You could tell them about your desire to not have something that is as popular but something that suits your voice.

I tend to not tell people what songs to look into as I don't know you well nor do I know your performance ability or your experience.  It would be unfair and unwise for me to suggest a particular song.  However, by going to the library and/or going to a vocal professional, you could probably find what you are looking for and it would probably suit you far better than anything I would tell you.

Regarding your auditioning and not getting a role, it sounds like you are doing well with the auditions.  Are you looking at the feedback - what they said you did well - and building on that each time and leaving the other stuff that was not good behind?  Or are you doing the same thing you have always done?

I think it takes 2 strategies to land a role - ALWAYS do your best on an audition AND ALWAYS look at what you did well and what you didn't do well and find a way to do it better the next time.  

If you continue to audition the best you know how and you continue to grow in your auditioning ability, eventually, you will land a role.  Directors are always looking for a certain kind of person for a role.  It's just a matter of time if you are doing your job to get better and better before you do land one.

Now, if you are going into the audition and trying to land a specific role and you are disappointed in not getting the role you wanted, then I would say that you are selling yourself short.  Having your eye on a role is not bad in itself.  But if you are wanting that role and that role only, then I would say you are missing out on the other roles that would be fabulous for you to play.  

Whether it is supporting or leading or even obscure, any role can be a building stone for a career.  It is all up to you to think of it that way.

Does that help you?

Wanda