Closed Topics: What should I do at callbacks?

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What should I do at callbacks?

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Topic: What should I do at callbacks?

Posted By: Guests
Subject: What should I do at callbacks?
Date Posted: 2/20/04 at 11:38am

Hello everyone,

Thank you for taking the time to come and read my post. Last night I went to the auditions for "Grease" and "Gypsy" at my college. The two directors are collaborating in their casting for the summer shows. I was told to sing sixteen bars and I did as asked, after that they had me step in front of them so that they could, "get a look at me." After looking at me for a few moments (by the way I am 5'3 about 142 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes) they told me that they would like me to do a ditzy blond kind of hollywood accent from the 1920's or 1930's. I have no idea what part they could be thinking of me for. I wish I knew so that i could prepare myself better for any role that they might have me do a cold-reading for. If anyone has any idea of the part that they might be thinking please let me know. Also if you have any suggestions on how I should prepare for my callback auditions, it would be highly appreciated!!! Thank you

Replies:

Posted By: Chris Polo
Date Posted: 2/23/04 at 12:46pm

I think the character of Lena Lamont in "Singin' in the Rain" with Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O'Connor would be a good model for you to look at. The movie was made in the 50's, but it's about the 20's -- Lamont is the ditzy blonde star who can't make the transition to talkies because she sounds like an idiot, can't sing, and has a Brooklyn accent to boot.

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Chris Polo
Visit Community Theater Green Room Originals at www.cafepress.com/ctgr
"The scenery in the play was beautiful, but the actors got in front of it." -- Alexander Woolcott

Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 2/29/04 at 11:40pm

If you've seen Gypsy, one of the strippers in the first club that Momma Rose takes the girls to, as their last stand as a "group act" (my brain isn't quite with me yet), is a ditsy blond- Tessie Tura I believe. There was also Mazeppa & one other stripper whose name escapes me, but those are the only ditsy blonds in that show I can think of & as for Grease I can't imagine who they would be thinking of, but really- any of the ensemble girls might qualify. Hang in there & I hope it goes well for you!

Posted By: Doug
Date Posted: 3/30/04 at 11:45am

Let me just offer a caution. The director(s) saw something in your audition that they liked and think they could use in the show. You probably do not know what it was but be careful that you don't lose that in the call back. My suggestion is to not do anything to change what you did at the audition unless the director gave you specific instructions on any changes.

If you haven't read the script before the audition, read it before the call back so you have an idea of what is happening to the characters you are being considered for.

The problems in changing how you approach the charater you are auditioning for is that you might move away from what the director is looking for. I have been involved in call backs where a person who was charming and sweet in the audition was an angry young woman in call backs. The director (and the rest of us at the call back) wondered what happened to the first young lady. In another case, a woman came to call backs and was so over the top that the director asked her what she was doing and she said that it was how she interpreted the character she was called back for.

I audition a lot of people and the cold reading is just part of the selection process. Does this seem like a person I want to spend the next eight to ten weeks working with? How do they take direction? How does their voice project? How do they carry themselves before and after the reading? I can't tell you how often people change (for the worse, usually) between the audition and the first read through.

Just my two cents worth.