Congratulations! You want to step into the wonderful world of Theatre!! Theatre is not a hobby, it is a way of life and a very pleasurable one too. You will have such a wonderful experience guaranteed because although this process is a lot of hard work and effort, it is such a rewarding process. Being part of a show for the first time will not be easy but I have faith in you that you will be successful at it and perform on that stage flawlessly. There will be many firsts as you embark on this journey so here is how a show process comes along, trust me you will love being a part of so many shows!
1. Auditions
Along with being in your first show, you will have to go through auditions. I'm going to be straightforward by stating that yes, they are nerve wracking but don't let the fear eat up inside you. Audition songs have to be memorized but they are only around 30 seconds to a minute long. Choose your song wisely, don't sing anything from "Hamilton," "Annie," "Wizard Of Oz" and "Wicked" because they are too overdone and directors don't like that! You can choose any musical theatre piece of your choice to memorize an excerpt of for auditions unless of course there are instructions to specifically sing a song for the show you're auditioning for. Bring sheet music, a headshot and a resume with you. Since it is your first time, a nice picture that's NOT A SELFIE will be fine! Usually during auditions, you audition in a room alone privately for the director, musical director and choreographer so don't worry, it is not like America's Got Talent!
2. Callbacks
There is the possibility of being called back the next day during an audition process. Callbacks mean that the director, musical director and choreographer want to hear you again. You will be reviewing excerpts of songs to sing and when they call your name, you sing the excerpt of the song that the director wants to hear. Yes, this is how it works in the real world. There can be a dance call as well. A dance call is when you learn an excerpt of a dance piece from the choreographer of the show. When you are taught, they go over it a lot of times and when you are put into a small group of around 6 to 8 people, you will showcase the dance to the choreographer. It may sound scary at first but trust me, it's not as nerve wracking as auditions! Also, you can be asked to read for some of the characters in the show by reading lines from a scene selection from the show. Callbacks are the next step into finding out if you got into the show!
3. Finding Out Your Part
A couple days after you go through the audition process, you will find out your part in the show! You can either find out your part via email, a call or text, in person or a cast list that gets posted on the theatre website. The anticipation for finding out your part is very strong but once you get your part, you will feel relieved and ready to begin the rehearsal process. There are no small parts, only small actors so please don't feel upset if you didn't get the part you wanted. Just being in ensemble is incredible too! Afterwards, the journey only gets bigger from here, no matter what part you get. In the real world, there are people who don't even get in cast in shows they audition for. However, they keep trying until they get a part and they don't ever give up! Always try your best and in order to succeed, you have to work for it! If you don't get cast in this show, there are plenty of other auditions out there so don't give up!
4. The Rehearsals
Before every production goes up, there is a lot of hard work put into it and all the days that are spent working on the show are called rehearsals. You will be learning your harmonies to all of the songs you will have to sing for the show. You will also be blocking scenes, learning choreography and memorizing all of your lines, singing, dancing and blocking you have learned. Choreography is the art of teaching dances that you will be learning for the show. Blocking is when you are placed on the stage and given directions on what to do for the scenes you are going to perform onstage. Although it isn't easy, you will become a pro and understand the concept of the show you're working on both inside and out. Also, you have to bring what you learned with you home. Everything must also be practiced at home in order to have everything memorized for the show. It will make your life a whole lot easier.
5. Tech Week
Tech week is the final week of rehearsals before the show starts. This is the most stressful week of a show but during this time, there are positives! You will be receiving your costumes or getting your costumes from home depending on the show and theatre company. You will be learning the curtain call. The curtain call is when you step up in a group or yourself, depending on your part, and you take a bow onstage which is always fun! The stress of this week is constantly running the show and sitting through at least an hour of notes on how to improve by the director, musical director, choreographer, stage manager, etc. Also, my suggestion for you is to save your voice and not strain it throughout this week. Tech week, especially for a musical, is vocally straining no matter what part you play! However, this week is the final week of rehearsals before the show opens and opening nights are so magical!
6. Opening Night/Performances
After a long process of putting the show together, the best part of all is the thrill you get on opening night when family, friends and the public eye spend money on tickets to watch the whole show! You also get the same feeling of joy during every performance as well (except closing of course)! It is such an exhilarating feeling after all your hard work finally being able to perform on stage! Make sure you have tons of energy and SMILE, especially during upbeat and happy numbers! Also, have fun , it is your big moment to shine on stage along with everyone in the cast!
Once again, I am so proud of you and I am excited for you to begin your journey into the wonderful world of theatre! Theatre is a great experience to be apart of. You are able to make so many close friendships and you will always be friends no matter what! Your close bonds with these lovely people will never sever. Theatre also helps with confidence boosting, breaking out of your shell by being less shy and you will feel happier too! I wish you many broken legs (That means GOOD LUCK in the theatre world) on your first show and many more to come! If theatre is for you, then you are guaranteed to have the time of your life!
