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The Industry Guide to Musical Theatre Auditions
Interviews with West End Creatives on How to Get the Part
The Industry Guide to Musical Theatre Auditions
Interviews with West End Creatives on How to Get the Part
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Description
'When we're seeing hundreds of hundreds of people, you just stood out, and now I'm intrigued.' - Laurence Connor, director
Nail your next musical theatre audition with inside tips from Sir Matthew Bourne, Stephen Mear, Sarah Travis and more industry experts.
Audition panels want to cast you. They're willing you to be the best performer to walk into the room. So what exactly do they want to see? The Industry Guide to Musical Theatre Auditions reveals how leading professionals choose the performers for their shows.
In this book, sixteen of the West End's most distinguished directors, musical directors, choreographers, and casting directors, share what they really want from an audition. They discuss the whole process from submissions and first rounds to recalls, finals, and casting. They explain what makes an effective self-tape, how to stand out in a dance call, what song to choose, and how to work with a director. And they reveal what's most important to them when casting a performer.
Get first-hand tips and advice from theatre professionals such as Sir Matthew Bourne, three-time Olivier Award winning choreographer Stephen Mear, Tony Award-winning musical director Sarah Travis, international directors Laurence Connor, Rupert Goold, and Sir Richard Eyre, and casting directors Jim Arnold (Wicked), Pippa Ailion (The Lion King), David Grindrod (Mamma Mia!) and Stuart Burt (Cabaret).
This book is for anyone interested in performing professionally in Musical Theatre, from emerging professionals to students. It also gives valuable insight to teachers, coaches, and researchers, looking to shape Musical Theatre education to today's industry standards.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter One: Casting Directors
Pippa Ailion MBE, Jim Arnold, Stuart Burt, and David Grinrod
Introduction
Preliminary Stages of Casting: Submissions, CVs, Headshots, and Reels
In the Room: Singing, Dancing, and Acting
In the Room: the Professional Personality
New Shows, New Productions, and Re-Casting
Casting Decisions
Commercial Casting
TV Casting
Great Auditions
Conclusion
Chapter Two: Choreographers
Sir Matthew Bourne, Stephen Mear CBE, Bill Deamer and Lynne Page
Introduction
Getting the Casting Right
Dance Technique
Story-Telling
Physicality
Individuality, Uniformity, and Character
Other Attributes of the Performer
Principal Values
Background Checks and References
Entering the Room
Casting a New Show and Re-Casting and On-Going Show
After the Auditions
The Choreographer's Discipline
Creatives in the Rehearsal Room
West End vs Broadway – differences in auditioning
Great Auditions
Conclusion
Chapter Three: Musical Directors
Sean Green, Stuart Morley, Sarah Travis, and Gareth Valentine
Introduction
Vocal Technique
Narrative and Character
Musicality
Song Choice
Preparation
Taking Direction
Company Personality
Nerves
Workshops
New Shows and Re-Casts
Collaborating with the Rest of the Panel
Deciding on the Cast
Great Auditions
Sean Green on the Musical Theatre Industry for Black Performers and Creatives
Conclusion
Chapter Four: Directors
Laurence Connor, Sir Richard Eyre, Rupert Goold CBE, and Petra Siniawski
Introduction
Early Process
First Rounds
Singing
Dance
Acting
Professionalism and Personality
Recalls and Finals
Taking Direction
Making Decisions
Most Valued Qualities in a Performer
“Be Yourself”
Broadway
Great Auditions
Conclusion
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
Product details
| Published | Feb 05 2026 |
|---|---|
| Format | Paperback |
| Edition | 1st |
| Extent | 240 |
| ISBN | 9781350573499 |
| Imprint | Methuen Drama |
| Dimensions | 234 x 156 mm |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
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