AUDITIONING FOR 'CHARLIE BROWN'
STEP ONE: RESEARCH
Please be sure to put in some time on this step prior to auditioning!
READ THE CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS
Linked HERE
LISTEN TO THE MUSIC
This link is for the Broadway Cast Recording ... you can play these on repeat! :)
WATCH THE MUSICAL
Have you already seen the Broadway bootleg? It's terribly shot, so we won't blame you if you can't watch it, but even watching a little bit of it might give you an idea of the tone of the show and the characters.
NOTE: We are not asking you to COPY these actors/actresses, their acting or blocking choices. Just get a sense of the pacing, plot, characters, etc.
OPTIONAL: STREAM SOME MOVIES
The Peanuts characters have a specific tone ... you probably already know this! But if you don't, you can watch A Charlie Brown Christmas, or It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.
It will help you further understand the tone, story and characters.
Plus it's fun.
STEP TWO: PREPARE YOUR AUDITION
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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!
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Please pick 2 to 3 different characters to audition with, so we can see some range!
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Here is a link to the songs that we would like to see at auditions. Please prepare the most difficult 1 minute of the song(s).
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Here is a link to the monologues that we would like to see. Please be memorized, it will make all the difference!
STEP THREE: SEND YOUR SELF TAPE (now thru September 1)
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The first round of auditions are through video submissions only!
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Make a separate video for each character you are auditioning for, including each character's sides and/or songs.
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SLATE: At the top of each video, we would also like you to take a short amount of time to explain to us WHY you chose that character.
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For your songs, use Youtube to find the right backing tracks (do a search for the name plus karaoke or instrumental). We prefer that you sing 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 characters involved in that song, but we will still want to hear you sing in the original key before we make that decision.
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Do take the time to ensure that you are clearly lit.
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PLEASE only shoot horizontally (we will not accept VERTICAL videos).
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Unless your character needs to be sitting in the scene, we would like you to do your tapes standing up.
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Frame: We would like to see only the upper half of your body in frame.
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A note on self-tapes: we are not looking for industry-quality self tapes. Please do not buy new equipment.
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Please, do not email or text us the 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).
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After uploading, label your video with YOUR NAME, and the CHARACTER'S NAME.
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Also with your audition video, please send in the completed registration forms.
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PLEASE SEND US LINKS TO YOUR VIDEOS ANYTIME, BUT NO LATER THAN September 1st! 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 YOUR IN-PERSON CALLBACK
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Everyone will be asked to come in for an in-person callback, on September 3rd, 5th or 6th.
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We will read some new sides together (which we will send to you in advance), and we might also have you show us the material from the self-tape auditions.
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We may ask you to prepare different or additional characters than the ones you sent in your videos.
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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!
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Ideally we would prefer you to be totally memorized. This will give you the strongest possible audition!
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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
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The first day of rehearsal, you will be getting your script and learning what part(s) you are playing.
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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!