AUDITIONING FOR 'SPELLING BEE'
STEP ONE: RESEARCH
This is a very specific show! Please don't audition for us without putting in the proper preparation and research!
Please get as familiar as you can with the show:
​
READ THE CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS
Linked HERE
​
LISTEN TO THE MUSIC
This link will take you to the Broadway Cast Recording: Youtube
​
Important Note: ​ This musical is rated PG-13. It's a pretty clean show by our standards, but there is a plot line with the Chip Tolentino character involving puberty. He has a solo song called "My Unfortunate Erection." There is a cleaner rewrite available called "My Unfortunate Distraction," but the jury is still out on which version we will use in our production.
​​​
WATCH THE MUSICAL​
It's very important that you see a production of the musical before auditioning. If you aren't already familiar with it, we recommend you watch a production on Youtube. ​​
​
NOTE: Please... do not COPY these actors/actresses, their acting or blocking choices. We only want you to watch/listen so you can get a sense of the pacing, plot and characters, etc. ​​​​​​​​​
​
Here's is the Youtube production that we recommend:​
🔗 Yutopia's 2014 Production of The Bee
​
(there are other production recordings out there - this one is the best of the ones we found)
​
Most productions you see online will NOT feature an ensemble, which is a KEY difference between the original show and how our production will be! We will look around to see if there are any recordings that incorporate an ensemble up to our standards ;) ​
​​​
STEP TWO: PREPARE YOUR AUDITION
-
Once you're super familiar with the show and music, decide which characters you identify with, which you think you're right for, and which characters would challenge you at this stage in your training!
-
Please pick 2 to 3 different characters to audition with, so we can see some range!
-
Here is the link to the audition materials: monologues and songs.
​
STEP THREE: SEND A VIDEO AUDITION (now thru Feb 13)​
-
The first round of auditions are through video submissions only!
-
Make a separate video for each character you are auditioning for. Include that character's monologue and song. On each of your vids, we would also like you to take a little bit of time to explain to us WHY you chose that character.
-
A note on self-tapes: we are not looking for industry-quality self tapes. Please do not buy new equipment.
-
Do take the time to ensure that you are clearly lit.
-
PLEASE only shoot horizontally (NO VERTICAL videos)
-
For your acting and singing, we would like to see only the upper half of your body in frame.
-
For tricks/gymnastics (like for the Marcy Park character), we want to see your whole body in frame (head to toe). Please wear fitted clothing.
-
Label your video with YOUR NAME, and the CHARACTER'S NAME.
-
Please, do not email or text the video file. We would like you to send us direct links. Upload each video separately to Youtube or Vimeo (on an unlisted link) and send those links to sierra@act1LA.com (...if you don't know how to do that, let us know!... we are happy to help with that).
-
Also with your audition video, please send in the completed registration forms.
-
PLEASE SEND US LINKS TO YOUR VIDEOS NO LATER THAN February 13th! Sooner is definitely better! The sooner you send it in, the more time you'll have with your callback materials.
​
STEP FOUR: COME IN FOR AN IN-PERSON CALLBACK (start Feb 16)
-
Everyone will be asked to come in for an in-person callback, the week of February 16th.
-
We may ask you to prepare different or additional characters than the ones you sent in your videos.
-
We'll read some sides together (which we will send to you in advance), and we will likely have you sing again.
-
We may also ask you to show us choreography (so wear comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear).
-
For your first audition, you can sing for us in whatever key you like. But if we call you back for a character, we may ask you to sing for us in the original key of the song. (We can sometimes transpose the key of the song for the right performer, especially if there are no other singers on the track, but we will still want to hear you sing in the key provided with our materials.)
-
Practice LOTS! Be ready to sing and perform to your best ability, especially if you're a brand new student and we don't know you yet!
-
Ideally we would prefer you to be totally memorized. This will give you the strongest possible audition!
-
If you are not memorized, please print off the material you need and bring it with you. DO NOT READ OFF YOUR PHONE, PLEASE!!!​
​
CASTING
-
If you are not cast in the show, we will let you know on Saturday February 21st, and we will refund your deposit.
-
If you are cast in the show, we will let you know by Saturday, February 21st. The following day, February 22nd, is our first rehearsal, and you will be getting your script and learning what part(s) you are playing.
-
We will be doing a table read at that rehearsal. We really hope that everyone can attend the table read/sing-thru! For anyone who is absent that day, we'll shoot you an email with the cast list. ​
​
Thank you for your preparation and hard work! We are rooting for you!
​