The Stage

EXTRActs

In conjunction with Methuen Drama at A&C Black, The Stage is please to present a selection of extracts from the publication 'Actors' Yearbook 2008'.

Permission to reproduce the material from the following title is kindly granted from A&C Black publishers

The title listed below can be purchased at a 10% discount from the Methuen Drama website here: A&C Black website.

Actors' Yearbook 2008

Edited by Simon Dunmore and Andrew Piper
© 2007 A&C Black Publishers Ltd

Cattle calls and how to survive them

by Jennifer Reichel

Standing in the same spot for hours in the cold at 7 in the morning. Listening to endless renditions of the same songs. Finally, being herded into a small studio with 50 others to try and dance a routine from Cats in the back row without kicking the person next to you. Sound familiar? These are all experiences you may encounter when attending the infamous "cattle calls", also known as open auditions...

Why are open auditions held?

These "mass viewings" are often the only possibility for newcomers to the industry and performers without the required contacts, to get a foot in the audition system door, as literally anyone can attend. Casting directors and production teams, use opens to spot those that do not have agent representation, are not fully professional (therefore not found in Spotlight, etc.) and those professionals that they have missed in their jam-packed audition schedule. Usually held for large scale musicals, such as Les Miserables, Phantom or the recent production of My Fair Lady, most open auditions tend to take place for West End shows, although there are also examples of opens for touring productions. As an educated guess, I would say that musicals hold at most, around half-a-dozen adult calls (for properly paid work), a year. Other types of open auditions include searches for children and teenagers for musicals, film and television shows, such as Harry Potter and Billy Elliott (film and musical version), as well as very occasional open auditions for adult parts in screen and stage ventures. Cruise ship auditions also tend to be open calls as do searches for pop/rock band members and solo music artists for recording deals and similar projects.

How do I find out about when/where they take place?

Opens are usually advertised in the weekly newspaper The Stage and sometimes in PCR (Production Casting Report) and other casting services such as Castweb and Castnet. Auditions for children and large nationwide searches are also often found in daily newspapers such as The Guardian or in local papers sold in the town hosting the audition. Common audition venues tend to be large theatres, dance studios (such as Pineapple and Danceworks in London), grand buildings such as The Welsh Trust Centre in London or similar locations that are capable of hosting sizeable numbers of waiting and queuing hopefuls.

Cattle calls ads and what are they actually looking for?

Ads for opens in newspapers tend to be quite general and vague. "Looking for excellent singers and dancers" is a favourite phrase as are "come prepared to dance and sing", "young, sexy and funny", or "hip, trendy and cool". How do you judge if your particular skills are up to scratch or your look is right? First of all, be honest. Can you really hit that top C like your favourite musical theatre performer? Can you really pass for 25 if you are actually 40? If in doubt, ask an industry professional. The truth about opens is that most of the time, the panel will make up their minds within 10 seconds of seeing you walk in based on first impressions of your appearance, general persona and whether you fit the general look of the part/show. You have very little control over this process but you can make sure you start your audition with the right attitude. Be open, friendly, full of positive "ready to perform" energy (a smile always helps), make sure your "hello" or similar greeting is clearly audible. Just be yourself and be proud of who you are and what you have to offer. After all, if you are not confident in your abilities, how can you expect anyone else to believe in you? Being recalled, the next step in the process, often depends purely on whether you have the right look or not, although singing range (which should be indicated on your CV), sometimes where you trained and whether your dance technique is up to scratch during the few minutes they see you leaping around the room - can also affect your chances. A lot of it is gut feeling, and whoever the panel feels drawn to/stands out for them at that particular moment. They usually have pretty definite view of what they are looking for and make decisions very quickly as lack of time forces them to do so.

NOTE: Some open calls may involve members of the casting team going through the queue of waiting hopefuls, telling people then and there to go home/stay to be seen. This often happens if the auditions are running late or they know that they will not be able to see everyone queuing that day.

Physical and age restrictions

Some ads mention size and height restrictions. Most of the time, the panel will stick to these and you may be sent home while queuing if they see you are not in the required bracket. There are of course always exceptions and sometimes an inch or two may not be noticed. Music groups tend to be stricter, especially if they are replacing band members. Children/teenage auditions however, seem to take height restrictions very seriously. As regards age, if you are under age and the ad specifically states to be "18 or over" or "16 or over" there is little point in attending this open call as the age limit has been given for legal reasons.

The procedure on the day and how to prepare

Preparing for an open calls starts with one important point - having an EARLY night the day before. You will be up at the crack of dawn heading to the particular audition venue so you can be there at least 2 hours before the official start time given in the ad. If you do not turn up early, you a) may have to wait up to 8 hours or b) may not get seen at all. For example, if the queue officially opens at 9am, get there at 7am. Some auditions will involve you literally queuing until you get seen by the panel, while other opens will give you a number and ask you to return at a specific time to audition with another 50 or so people in the queue. It is impossible to tell beforehand. While you are waiting, your CV and photo will be collected by an assistant and they may also sometimes take a Polaroid of you and ask you to fill out a form. Most open calls will tell you straight after your audition whether you were successful or not, and say they will be in contact for any recall.

Musicals

Depending on the ad, you will have been asked to prepare to sing, dance or both. Even if the ad only asks for one of these, be prepared for both. You may turn up at My Fair Lady thinking you will be giving your best 16-bar rendition of I could've danced all night, but once you are in the building discover that you will actually be dancing to Get me to the church on time. It is best to be prepared for everything. Remember that if your open call is the "queuing until you get seen" kind, you will not have time to find somewhere to warm up. You will have to warm up beforehand and/or in the queue, dancing and singing. Dance auditions often take place in small, crowded dance studios with anything between 20-50 people at a time. You are normally given about 10 minutes to learn a routine (sometimes two routines) taught by the dance captain, and will then have to perform this to the panel (who will be in the same room watching as you rehearse) with the entire audition group and then in smaller groups, usually of 6 or 4. In terms of singing, you will very probably not get past 16 bars (I have been to opens where they cut people off after 8 bars). In most cases you will be able to choose your own song and will be required to bring your own sheet music. Do NOT sing anything from the show you are auditioning for unless requested to do so in the ad. The ad will usually ask for material "in the style of the show" or to "show off your vocal range/style" - this is particularly popular if the open is for a new musical. Some opens hold both dance and singing auditions on the same day. Remember this if you are taking time off work as if you are successful in the first part, they may well require you to stay on for a second round. The panel will not excuse you or make arrangements for you to come back on another day. They are usually unsympathetic when it comes to work commitments.

Children

Auditions for child roles often require accompaniment by an adult, height measurements, requirement for proof of age and sometimes involve group auditions/workshops to put children at ease and encourage them to perform to the best of their best abilities.

Cruise ship

These are quite similar to open calls for musicals, although it is very common to be asked to sing two contrasting songs here. It pays off to bring a selection and let the panel choose, especially for Disney cruises. For cruise ship auditions it is also sometimes acceptable to bring backing tracks instead of sheet music - to be on the safe side, bring both unless the ad definitely states which kind of accompaniment to use. Again, be prepared to sing and dance on the same day, which is common for cruise ship calls.
NOTE: Your audition may be video-taped for later use.

Music groups/solo artists

With no existing production to refer to, these cattle calls can often be the hardest. Ads sometimes state the genre that they are looking for, e.g. "in the style of Beyonce/Michael Jackson/Sugarbabes", etc. - but most of the time you will literally have to turn up and just present what shows you and your talents/skills off best. Again, prepare sheet music and backing tracks if you can. Note that for music auditions your style of dress is very important, as image and look can be a large part of your appeal. Don't be afraid to be yourself. Don't copy anyone or try to sound exactly like anyone referred to in the ad. Use you own style and bring your own interpretation to a piece of music. Feel free to bring along a guitar, etc if you feel that this represents you and/or the kind of band you are going for.

Plays, soaps, film, other

In this kind of open audition you may be asked to sight-read, meaning you will be given a piece of text in the queue or in a waiting room to study (not learn by heart) and then read in front of a camera and/or the panel once it is your turn to be seen. Auditions for screen productions may also involve a screen test, which simply consists of you saying your name (and sometimes an interesting random fact about yourself) in front of a camera and turning your head from right to left so they can take shots of your profile.

The open call survival guide

Take along a large bottle of water. You may not be able to get out of the queue for an entire day and the last thing you need is to have a dry throat and "stick-together" lips when you finally get your 30-second of a chance to sing!
Bring easily digestible food. Comfort food such as your favourite take away chicken tikka masala may clog up your throat and make you feel too heavy to stand, let alone dance.
Bring a friend. They really can be lifesavers at opens. It is best really if they are also auditioning as you can share experiences of open calls or warm up together and most importantly - they can hold your place in the queue while you go to the toilet at a nearby M&S.
Buy a reliable alarm clock! There is nothing worse than waking up hours too late because it failed to wake you.
Take something to distract you. Ipods are good to drown out chatter, tears, screaming fits, family feuds and unbearable warm up exercises by fellow queue members. If you are able to read surrounded by lots of noise, a book can come in handy.
Remember to take a copy of your CV and photo! Keep the CV to one page, type it out and follow a professional format. Photo - 8 x 10 inch black and white professional headshot if you are a professional. For children's auditions other photos may do.
Have details of your agent and personal details like address, measurements, etc. listed somewhere as you may need them to fill out forms handed to you.
Take a pillow. This is very useful for sitting on the kerb when standing becomes too tiring. Or to hit annoying queue members with if their singing becomes too aggravating.
Your demo CD and/or a showreel. Vital for any aspiring recording artists but can also come in handy for musical theatre and cruise ship auditions, especially if they run out of time and simply collect CVs and photos and say they will be in touch with anyone who looks interesting.
Dance wear/movement wear. ALWAYS bring these along to a musical theatre/cruise ship cattle call, even if dance is not mentioned in the initial ad. Remember to bring various types of dance footwear (ballet, jazz, capezios, tap, character shoes or "heels").
Dress comfortably. Wear a warm coats, scarf, boots, anything to keep you warm and your voice protected if it is cold. You can always take these off once you get inside the actual building. Standing outside for long periods of time can make weather seem much colder than it actually is. Don't invest in expensive make up, clothes or hair styling, it is not needed.
Use sunscreen on a hot summer's day. You don't want to suffer burns from queuing in the blazing sun and look like a tomato when you finally get seen!
Whatever you do, do NOT forget your sheet music/backing tracks! Have your sheet music photocopied, neat and taped together and any key changes etc highlighted. Do not bring books (especially if they are new) as they will just fall off the piano once opened and cause delays and embarrassment.
A mobile phone with free minutes/free text messages is a must-have at an open call queue.

Dos and don't for cattle calls

Do...

Chat to other people in the queue. Everyone is in the same boat and you may meet some likeminded people and make new friends.
Warm up beforehand, physically and vocally beforehand.
Turn up EARLY.
Remain friendly and polite at all times. You never know who may be watching.
Make sure your hair is out of your face so the panel/camera can actually see you.

Don't...

Take a family member with you (unless under age). Most of the time they will not understand the process, and will get impatient, cold/hot, worried or embarrass you with overprotective care. This is your audition and you need to deal with it by yourself. It's part of the process of being a professional. Not to mention the fact that an entourage of family members simply clogs up the queue even further.
Wait until you get into the queue to learn/choose your song. Choose and rehearse a couple of songs that are appropriate BEFOREHAND, take all required sheet music/backing tracks along and make your final choice when you get into the audition situation/think about it while waiting. There is nothing worse than an audition hopeful panicking because they have not learnt a song/learnt the words and rehearsing it at the top of their voice for hours in the queue.
Dress the part. You turning up in Maria von Trapps' nun's habit, Eponine's rags or the Phantom's mask will do you no favour whatsoever and only cause a lot of giggling and pitiful looks. Equally, don't dress as Britney, Snoop Dogg or a member of ABBA! This is not a fancy dress party. Very occasionally, dressing as the part is specified in the advertisement - this is the only time dressing in costume is appropriate.
Be put off by someone singing "your song". The panel will probably hear the song that you selected a hundred times that day and for opens your choice of song is not that vital as long as it suits your voice, range and the production they are casting for.
Practice your song full blast in the queue. It's just annoying for everyone else around you and will not help you. Hum to yourself quietly after a thorough warm-up at home.

Originally of German heritage, Jennifer Reischel was raised predominantly in the Far East, schooled in various languages, and following her passion for the performing arts, graduated from the three-year musical theatre course at Mountview Academy in 2002. Professional experience includes musical theatre productions in London and other parts of the country, acting stage work touring the UK, cabaret and jazz solo singing engagements in London and Singapore, as well as filming a television pilot at Pinewood Studios. Born into a family of professional writers, she is pleased to carry on this tradition, having recently also completed her first book "So you want to tread the boards", available through Robson Books. After several years of experiencing the pit falls and difficulties first hand, Jennifer decided to compile her experiences in the form of a practical, non-nonsense and to the point guide, including specifically advice on a career in musical theatre. She hopes her experiences and research will assist fellow and aspiring performers to create work and audition opportunities, as well as remaining financially and emotionally afloat in a difficult and uncertain industry with no rules to follow to guarantee success.

'ACTORS' YEARBOOK 2008' is available to purchase now from the A&C Black website.

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