#29: Because Now You Grow
Thursday 8/8/24
Let’s chat about audition songs/monologues (for our purposes I’ll be saying “songs” but will mean both!). Aside from “i can sing it” or “i love it” what makes an excellent audition song?
A few things that come to mind: appropriate for the world of the show, demonstrates technical skill vocally, demonstrates character development & storytelling skills, fits in a good range aka no notes OUT of range…
YES those are all great! But also let’s add here my favorite - my main factor in determining whether or not something is a good audition song:
Is the song ACTIVE and playing a moment that is happening NOW?
This is a key indicator as you look for material. An ACTIVE song is one where a decision or realization is happening as the song goes on. An INACTIVE song is one where you are telling us a story about something that already happened.
A great example of this is the difference between I Resolve and A Trip To The Library from She Loves Me. In I Resolve, Ilona is having a realization that she will no longer be a fool when it comes to men. She is discovering that as the song goes on. In A Trip to the Library, she’s literally just telling us the story of going to the library and meeting Paul. It’s cute, but it’s (at its core) inactive.
Now, could A Trip To The Library still work? Potentially. But YOU as the actor need to work against the intent of the material. It can be done, you just need to work a bit harder. This is a song better suited for a concert or just in context of the show.
Another one is the difference of Tonight at 8 verses She Loves Me from She Loves Me. Both of these songs are charming and fun and filled with character. One of them is telling us what he hopes to happen, and one is a discovery. Which is the discovery? That’s the stronger one.
Again… CAN the other one work? Sure. But it’s not the strongest choice of the two.
The same could be said for Will He Like Me vs. Dear Friend. Say it with me: one is about what we’d like to happen and the other is about what’s happening RIGHT NOW.
See the difference?
Even the INACTIVE choices can be acted well. But you have to work harder to make it important and interesting. Remember yesterday about the action and obstacle being in balance? This applies. Stories have low stakes - what is the obstacle? Is there one if the situation already happened? Songs that are about a hope for what may happen also has no obstacle. You can create the obstacle - but you are then working against the intent of the song.
Look through your book or material that you recommend people try for auditions. What can you uncover?
Dreams Don’t Die
Julie