AUDITIONING FOR "INTO THE WOODS"
STEP ONE: RESEARCH
Please get as familiar as you can with the musical!
* INTO THE WOODS began as a musical in 1986. The full original Broadway cast made a recording in 1989 for PBS which you can view HERE! If you want a better quality recording, you can find out where to stream it HERE!
* This is a link to the Original Broadway Soundtrack on Amazon, Youtube, Apple Music and Spotify.
* ITW was made into a feature film in 2014. We personally don't care much for this film adaptation, and would like to caution that if you do watch it, just know that your directors aren't fans of most of these particular performances. If you'd still like to see it, you can find out where to stream it HERE.
NOTE: Please... do not COPY what the actors/actresses are doing. We only want you to watch it one time just so you can get a sense of the plot and characters.
Once you're familiar with the show, you can start to think about 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 or 3 different characters so we can see some range (and you can increase your odds of being cast)!
As a reminder, HERE is a link to the character breakdowns!
STEP TWO: SCHEDULE YOUR AUDITION
Schedule your audition appointment! We will need to see you once for your initial audition. If you get a callback we will need to see you up to 2 more times before the 12th. These appointments will occur at 14236 Emelita Street, Sherman Oaks.
GO HERE to schedule (or update) the time of your audition appointment.
STEP THREE: PREPARE
The Vocal Portion:
CLICK HERE FOR THE SHEET MUSIC - (search Into the Woods Jr.)
* Select the songs that your chosen characters sing in the show, and prepare at least 16 bars of them! You'll sing less than a minute of the song - we usually get the idea pretty quickly. You should select the most challenging portion of the song.
* You will likely be singing this at the initial audition "a capella" (without recorded or live accompaniment).
* It's a good idea to bring a copy of your sheet music in the room, but we would really like you to be memorized!
* All of the music can be found at the soundtrack links above.
The Reading Portion:
CLICK HERE FOR THE SIDES - (search Into the Woods Jr.)
* Prepare all of the provided sides for your characters.
* It's best to bring a copy of your sides in the room, but we would really like you to be memorized!
TIPS ON PREPARATION:
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Auditions are competitive and roles are limited. Knowledge of the music and the show is required. Show us what role you deserve. It's always obvious to us who is prepared and it makes a huge impression. Practice over and over - practice in front of your parents and siblings! Ask them for feedback.
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You will perform a lot better if you are memorized. Always bring your sheet music/sides with you just in case, but if you never have to look at them, it will make a much better impression! Being off-book frees up your hands to express yourself, and frees up your face and eyes so we can connect to you emotionally (instead of you looking at a paper).
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Work on projecting loudly and articulating clearly.
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In addition to your musical proficiency and competency, we are looking to see you act a character through song and dance. Just as (or MORE) important as a pretty voice is the way you ACT out your song. Tell us a STORY with your song! We want to see that you can use your body, your hands and your facial expressions at the same time as you sing. We know, it seems obvious, but we see so many stand-and-sing performances!
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It's very, very important that you make bold, exciting choices and give the character a strong personality - that is much more important to us than having you sing or act perfectly! We can even sometimes change the key of the song for the right actor.
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Do some character research! Watch videos of other performers doing your song and decide what it is you like about their performance, or don't like, and WHY. Were you bored because they just stood there and sang with their hands by their sides? Were you entertained because they acted out the lyrics well and had great facial expressions? Did you like the way they voiced the character? Did they choose things to do physically that helped tell the story? Did they have an interesting emotional arc? How was their energy? What can you do to make some memorable choices about your song and scene? :)
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Be familiar with the style of the show. Is it realistic/naturalistic, or cartoonish/over the top? It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the show.... but please do NOT merely imitate another actor's performances.
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The key to comedy?... timing, being in the moment and making fresh choices!
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If you do work with a vocal coach or acting coach on your audition, that is totally fine. But we ask that during the rehearsal process, you honor the direction, tastes and creative choices of your director, producer and musical director rather than any private coaches.
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We are not expecting a perfect, finished product from you. It's only the beginning of the production process, and it's our job to direct you to make you even better. But we DO want to see you give it all you've got!
STEP FOUR: YOUR AUDITION DAY
@ 14236 Emelita Street, Sherman Oaks
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Your audition appointment will last approximately 15 minutes and appointments are booked closely together, so please make every effort to arrive on time (or early!) We are on a tight schedule.
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Bring your audition form (page 6 of the registration paperwork). We would like to know your vocal range, if possible, so if you do have a vocal coach or private teacher, please check it with them and write it on your form.
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Bring your lyrics and sides with you, just in case (yes, even if you are memorized).
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When you get dressed and do your hair, try to match the persona of your character. It really helps! This does not mean you should come in full costume (a suggestion of the character is the more professional route).
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Wear shoes you can easily move around in.
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Please don't make ANY apologies or excuses ("I'm under the weather," etc). Just walk in smiling and be your awesome, confident self! (even if you have to fake it 'til you make it!)
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Try not to be too nervous. We are totally rooting for you. :)
STEP FIVE: CALLBACKS
@ 14236 Emelita Street, Sherman Oaks
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After your initial audition, we will discuss and get back to you ASAP (and for sure by the 9th) to let you know if we need to see you for callbacks.
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If you do not get a callback, it does not necessarily mean you're not cast in the show. It means we saw what we needed to see at the first audition.
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We ask that you please respect other students by not posting to social media about your audition process, or otherwise behaving in a manner that could be considered insensitive.
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Callbacks will occur Sept 10, 11 and 12. After that, we will be taking the weekend to discuss casting and do the hard work of deciding and scheduling.
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On Monday, Sept 16, you will receive an email from us that lets you know whether or not we have cast you in the show, and if so, what your part is. We will also let you know which rehearsal dates and performance dates you are assigned to. The first rehearsal is Sept 17th for Tuesday students, Sept 18th for Wednesday students.
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For students who are not cast, we will refund your deposit - or if you like, transfer the balance to one of our classes.
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If you choose to pull out of the program at any time, your deposit will not be refunded.
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We know there are going to be some disappointed students. We do not discuss casting with parents, but will speak personally with students if they would like to seek some advice after their auditions. They are welcome to ask us for feedback and what we recommend they work on for the future.
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Thank you for reading all of this and getting this far!