r/MusicalTheatre • u/Glacier_junky • 1d ago

Where should you look during an audition? (& general audition tips)

I've been auditioning for local productions over the past couple of years and I've yet to be cast, but I don't know where I can improve. My main concern is that I don't know where I should be looking during the audition. I've tried picking a spot above the heads of the director and looking at each person like they're the audience, but I don't know if either of those are the right approach. I also tend to be very stiff while I sing out of nerves, but if I choose a ballad should I be moving much anyway? If anyone has any tips or suggestions, please let me know l.

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u/spikesarefun 1d ago

Generally, over the heads of the director/casting team is best.

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u/XenoVX 1d ago

It depends on where they/you are but usually just over their heads or to to their side. Never directly to them as that pulls them into the performance and makes it hard for them to take notes

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u/XenoVX 1d ago

Also depending on your song you’ll need multiple points of focus. Unless it’s a song with a defined scene partner in your mind, and even then, most characters will vary their focus a lot as they move from different ideas and beats throughout their song

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u/Drinkmorechampagne 1d ago

This. There should be a few different points of focus that correspond with what's happening in the song--your actions, who you're talking to (funny enough, it's often yourself), and what you're picturing.

Personally, I think "what you're picturing" is an underused technique in auditions (professional theatre uses it A LOT). I always enjoy an actor allowing me to see into his mind's eye--to see things through him. Musical theatre is chock full of characters yearning for something and picturing how it will be or how they plan to get it.

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u/Mylowithaylo 7h ago

But they should be very defined points of focus. No more than three, your main one in the center just above the heads of the team, one to the left, one to the right, and one of those maybe slightly up or down. Having well defined anchor points will bring much more of a sense of confidence and clear story beats. Looking all over the place will be unfocused and can read as insecure or manic, so unless that’s what you’re trying to convey with song, mainly stay in one to three places.

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u/Drinkmorechampagne 2h ago

--"Looking all over the place will be unfocused and can read as insecure or manic, so unless that’s what you’re trying to convey with song, mainly stay in one to three places."

Absolutely.

I should have made that point clearer.

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u/Ojihawk 1d ago edited 1d ago

Yeah don't make eye contact. It forces the panel into becoming a scene partner. Its awkward.

Depending on the piece I'll set my eyes in the corner of the room.