Auditions - West End musical

[QueenBlueberries]

Yayks!!! A few weeks back, DS (11) sent his name/details/video to try and get an audition for a West End musical, and he has been called to audition properly!! obviously we supported him in his application but I really didn't expect him to get a call back.

He would be playing an instrument in the show, and I am sure that hundreds of kids have applied and loads are going to audition. Any tips on how to prepare, present, what to expect, etc. And also how to manage disappointment as I really honestly think he has a very, very slim chance of getting the part!

I'm assuming this is for School of Rock from the details? Well done to your DS for getting an audition - yes, they see lots of children, but they absolutely wouldn't offer him an audition from an application that includes video footage if they didn't think it was worth seeing him. Lots of children apply but don't get as far as an audition slot, so it is an achievement in itself.

DS has been in a couple of WE shows but has never auditioned for School of Rock so I only know in general how auditions for the musicians are organised. I'd suggest taking a look at the website notapushymum.com. There is a thread on School of Rock in the Musical Theatre Auditions section which has lots of information from parents whose children have auditioned or been in the show (you'll need to create an account to access that section of the board).

In a nutshell, the first rounds of auditions are likely to involve playing his instrument, singing a rock or pop song, and acting out a monologue or short poem. The requirements will be listed in the audition information the casting team send out. For SOR I think they want songs and monologues to be performed in an American accent if possible (but don't stress too much if your DS can't manage one). It's best to choose age-appropriate content for songs and monologues. He should wear comfortable casual clothing.

There are lots of rounds and cuts along the way. The process is more drawn out with extra stages for the band members, including some workshop sessions for children who make it further along the process.

DS has been up in front of the same casting team for other shows several times, and they really do try to make it as fun and un-stressful for the children as possible. They are also very approachable and are happy to respond to email queries.

The trick is to go into it with realistic expectations and view the audition in as a great experience in itself, because the odds of being cast are small. Best of luck to your DS!

Thanks so much I will definitely look at that website. And also for your reassuring words. I have this vision of some nasty judges a-la Simon Cowell shouting 'you're fired' at the kids...

DS is strong minded and wants to wear his favourite old jogging bottoms! His music piece is coming along very nicely, it's challenging but not impossible. He is struggling for a song. Would you have any suggestions? He's not a great signer... it's so hard to find a good rock song that doesn't talk about a broken heart or girlfriends or kissing...

Hi! My daughter auditioned for SoR last year. Didn't make it, but the experience was very positive, not scary at all! If he wants to wear his old joggers, let him. They want to see their individual characters. We went down the more pop-ish route for song choice. It was a mixed bag! DD said she was the only one that did her monologue in an American accent.

What did she sing out of curiousity? I am glad she enjoyed it! Dis is confident with his instrument but not great with signing...

Singing!

Let him wear what he feels comfortable in! Hope he has a great time! In another life I'm coming back as a West End performer.

My ds2 auditioned last year for SoR too! Didn’t get any further but he enjoyed it. The whole experience was positive. He sang Count on Me by Bruno Mars but then he wasn’t asked to sing any particular genre.

Good luck to your ds!

No, it definitely won't be all X-Factor/Simon Cowell! The casting team are very experienced and know how to get the best out of children while making it a fun experience.

Old jogging bottoms will be fine if that's what he'll feel most comfortable in.

It's hard to advise on song suggestions without knowing what your DS's voice is like, but I would be tempted to go for a classic rock song. He should try to perform a song with confidence and personality, even if he feels less secure about the singing than his instrument-playing.

You can find short children's monologues online - lots are quite American in flavour but that's a good fit for SOR. A short poem would do just as well. It should be age-appropriate and not too long; comedy often works better for this sort of audition than something serious too serious.

A few other general tips I can offer:

• SOR has a big children's ensemble and the children spend a lot of time together, so they like to cast "team players' who will get along well with others rather than cause friction backstage. If your DS isn't too nervous, chatting a bit to other auditionees in the waiting room lcan help give the right impression - but talking in the audition room while other children are performing is an absolute no-no. It is also good to be supportive of other children's efforts during the audition (e.g. by clapping or saying something complimentary).
• Your DS shouldn't worry if he makes a mistake during his instrumental piece/song/monologue. If possible, he should just keep going as if nothing has happened. - just like he would have to do on stage during a show.
• If he isn't successful, it won't necessarily be because he isn't talented enough. The SOR roles are all quite specific characters, and if your child isn't a good fit for the character that plays their instrument they won't be cast, no matter how talented a musician they are.

Good luck, and I hope your DS enjoys his audition!

Have you watched the cbbc 'my life' program about the kids in SOR? Could be worth a watch

In the band auditions you have to play your prepared piece (obviously) but they also do some exercises with the kids to see how quickly they pick things up. It doesn’t matter if they make mistakes - they are looking for natural musicians - but the standard is very high.

If they see something in your son then they may ask him to audition for ensemble so it’s worth concentrating on the song as well as the instrument. Absolutely must be rock or pop. Pretty voices are for Matilda..... Don’t go for anything complicated. Keep it simple, something he enjoys singing and can do well. They are looking for what he can do, not what he can’t.

The casting team are beyond lovely and go out of their way to make the kids comfortable. Remember that the odds are on his side before he has even walked through the door, just because he’s a boy!!!

As for rejection, it’s part and parcel of the whole thing. Look at it as an experience and something to learn from. They will see hundreds of kids and even if you get down to final auditions you are likely only to have a 50% chance of getting a part.

For the child who embraces the whole thing, including the rejection, will gain some amazing skills and have a fab experience.

The worst bit? You sitting in the waiting room feeling sick to the stomach whilst they are in there......

The casting team for SOR are brilliant and very experienced at this, they do Matilda casting amongst other things. No Simon cowell. DD also got called to audition last year. Hope you really enjoy the experience and good luck to your son!

I came on to say what Hollowvictory said. If you have BBC iPlayer there is a really great episode of the show My Life which follows a group of children who are the cast of School of Rock. It is a great and informative watch. One of the boys in it isn't a confident singer and you see how they help him. Very worth a watch.

DD does a lot of these kinds of auditions, and did first round for SoR last season - back again in a few weeks for this season.

The casting team are lovely and make it as fun as possible, however it is a brutal process - they see a lot of children and cast a tiny handful. They are very experienced in knowing what they are looking for and so early rounds are fairly short.

For SoR in particular:
Monologue:

• go for something short 45-60 seconds max and make sure it doesn't have the 'good bit' right at the end, as they are often stopped halfway through.
• needs to be in a standard US accent
• poems are fine.
• subject should be appropriate for a child in terms of theme and language.
• you don't get extra points for tackling Shakespeare or having long words.

Song:

• needs to be rock or pop
• they want a verse and a chorus, so do cut songs about if needed. e.g. if a song has two verses and then the chorus, cut one of the verses out. You don't have to start at the beginning.
• go for something they can sing well even with a few nerves.. better a simple song done well than something really complicated but lots of potential to mess up under stress.
• US accent best for the song, but not as vital as it is for the monologue.

DD is a singer, not a musician, so I can't comment on what the musician rounds are like - lots of info on NotAPushyMum forum.

For first round, they will take a group of around 15 to 20 kids, you sign them in and get a sticker. They then go off with the casting team for about 45 mins. They all get to sing and do the monologue. Then they are brought back to you, and the casting team will read out the names of those who are through to the recalls. If your name isn't called out, then you will get one of two emails:

• thank you for coming, you were not suitable and we wish you lots of luck for the future.
• thank you for coming, you are too young/small/not suitable for this round and we would like to see you in 6 months time.

Recall rounds are often workshops.

Managing disappointment - never easy. If it's early rounds, DD isn't too bothered anymore, when they get right to the bitter end then she tends to allow herself that evening to have a bit of a cry and a sulk and then picks herself up and looks forward to the next one. Often the kids are WAY more resilient than the parents.

I loathe auditions - I just feel sick in the waiting room, more sick when they are reading the names out, and the worst is when they say they will email with the results and you spend days checking your phone and biting your nails. Happily DD loves them and thinks they are fun.

If you get recalled and it's a same day one, or multiple rounds then it can be a long wait - bring snacks, drinks, phone charger and good book. We went for one at 12 noon and were still there at nearly 6pm.

Good luck and have fun!

Quick update - it went really well, the staff was friendly and not intimidating. DS said it was all quite relaxed and that the casting team was positive with everyone. He is through to the next round, which is fab news! Thanks for all the reassuring comments it was very useful!

Wow that's great! Good luck to him in the next round

Fantastic news! They don't recall many so that is an achievement in itself, even if he doesn't get any further. Jessica Ronane's casting team really are very good at making it a fun experience.

Best of luck to your DS in the next round!

Absolutely no advice whatsoever but we went to see School of Rock in London at the start of the year and it was MY FAVOURITE THING EVER

Aw well done, fantastic news and of course the best of luck to him.

Fab news!!! In next rounds they look for good team spirit and the way he interacts with the other kids. The children cast really end up being a kind of family so he can’t be a loner.

He has done amazingly well to get this far!!

Excellent news, best of luck for the next round.

Yes the best of luck for your boy in the next round.Tell him to practise practise practise! my dd went down the band route to finals and ended up being cast as another part surprisingly but actually its perfect for her and no one can now imagine her as a Katie! Feel free to message me with any queries -the band rounds are quite different to the ensemble rounds and lots of fun. My Dd first audition was amazing as the adult band got up and played with her so she came out on cloud 9. They are really great with the kids and look after them very well. Keep us updated if you can x

Thanks Westendwendy (cool name)! Yes it's audition for the band and he has to learn a very difficult piece but he is working hard. I had a good mum/son chat with him yesterday explaining that there will be very good highs, and probably very difficult lows as he goes through the process and that it will be very hard work, but he is hard working and committed so we're ok for that. He plays the drums and absolutely loves it so it's all good. I honestly don't think he is a good fit for Freddie as DS is a super geek, not a rebel at all. We'll have to see. Will send you a pm later on today!! thanks so much!

What sort of piece does he have to learn? DS is thinking of going for it in 2020, but we have no idea how complex his guitar playing needs to be

They have to play a first piece of their choice for the first audition. It has to be high impact but they also look at loads of aspects, how the child interacts with other kids, their look, confidence etc. They have to do a song of their choice and read a text of their choice. If they go through they have to learn a piece from the musical, plus a song from the musical and a text. They will also have a dance workshop. It get a a lot harder towards the end and they don't give much lead time to learn the pieces. It's a fantastic challenge though.