Auditioning Do's & Don'ts

And A Pre-Audition Grounding Routine

Auditioning is a part of “being in the biz”—whether for musical theatre (community or professional) or for agents and managers in the commercial music world.

Don’t let the hurdle of auditioning deter you from your goals.

The process can go more smoothly—and you can even have some fun with it—when you know what to expect, what to prepare for, and when you’re intentional about each step.

Being nervous is normal and often accompanies auditioning. Nerves can actually be a good thing—they bring energy into the room! But when they become overwhelming, they can take away from your performance.

Read the following thoroughly to help manage your nerves and to give yourself the best “set-up” going into your next audition.

Print it out and take some time to work through each section: ahead of time, the day of, the actual audition, after the audition, and the grounding routine.

Think of auditioning as a practice. It’s a skill to develop—not a one-and-done experience. The more you do it, the better you get. Each time you show up for a theatre company or event, you have an opportunity to hone this skill. You can grow in this area—and you may even start to enjoy it!

Do’s and Don’ts of Auditioning:

STEP 1: AHEAD OF TIME

CHOOSING the Right Material (1–3 weeks prior to the audition)

• Do pick songs that fit the show’s style and that you feel confident singing.

• Don’t pick the loudest or hardest song just to “show off” those notes. Auditors don’t necessarily want to be sung at at the LOUDEST volume all day.

• Do sing a song that you’ve performed before, not just something you’ve recently learned.

• Do choose age-appropriate material that you can portray truthfully.

• Do use LEGALLY purchased music for your audition. Put this printed music in a 3-ring binder for easy page turns for the accompanist (back-to-back / like a book / no blank pages). Plastic sheets are not necessary, but have a tab on your chosen song so you can get to it quickly and easily in the audition.

• Do mark up your audition cut with CLEAR instructions of where to start and stop (usually 16–32 bars). If you are not starting from the beginning of the song, be sure that the song’s title and the show name are at the top of the page of the audition cut.

• Do check that ALL the notes are on the page for the accompanist to read. Check the BOTTOM of the music to be sure the notes are not cut off.

• Do practice ahead of time with a live accompanist, using the music you are bringing, if possible.

• If you can’t practice with a live accompanist, find a PIANO accompaniment karaoke track on YOUTUBE to practice with. This will give you the best idea of how the PIANO sounds lined up with your singing. Be sure it’s in the SAME KEY as your music.

• Do have other complementary song choices ready, if asked.

STEP 2: PRACTICE - 20 min. each day, leading up to the audition

• DO YOUR RESEARCH: Know the why, where, and to whom your character is singing. Find out where the song occurs in the show and how it’s related to what’s going on.

• Do sing with expression, articulation, and a fully fleshed-out, whole character.

• Do make strong, specific acting choices, even in 16 bars.

• Do choose a WORD or PHRASE that you practice saying silently in your head JUST before you begin to sing. Say this word/phrase in your practice, then say it again just before you sing in the audition. It helps IGNITE the moment and get you immediately into the emotion.

• Do know the lyrics inside and out so you’re not “performing memorization.”

STEP 3: GET READY/PICK OUT YOUR CLOTHES

BEFORE the day of the audition

• Do wear clothes that are comfortable, not too casual, not too dressy, allow for movement, and reflect YOU.

• Do wear shoes you can walk in, and have them broken in ahead of time. You don’t want painful shoes to be a distraction—or to trip in.

• Do pick out your audition outfit ahead of time and be sure it’s clean and not wrinkled. Having it ready to go lessens stress when you’re trying to get out the door.

• Do have your hair OUT of your face. Playing with your hair or pushing it back is distracting to the auditors. Be sure any hairspray is not an overpowering smell to others auditioning or to the auditors.

• Don’t use perfume. Stay away from heavy smells from laundry detergent.

• Do wear makeup that is NOT over-the-top. Let your face match your headshot. They want to see you.

STEP 4: HAVE YOUR THINGS READY TO GO / Day of the audition

• Do a good warm-up and final practice of your audition cut. Practice this in your actual audition clothes and shoes (20–30 min. MAX).

• DON’T overextend your voice during this final practice.

• Do bring your headshot/resume (a few extras, just in case).

• Do bring a REUSABLE water bottle with a closed cap (don’t spill!), but one that’s easy to access for quick sips.

• Do bring “Throat Coat” tea in a thermos if you like—it’s soothing and calming.

• Do bring your CLEARLY marked audition music in a 3-ring binder, with secondary songs if they ask. You do NOT need to bring your full audition book.

• Do gather these things AHEAD of time so you’re not searching for them when it’s time to leave. That stress can lead to leaving late and being rushed—never a good idea.

• Do a light buzzing warm-up and lip trills in the car to stay calm and present.

• Don’t OVERSING in the car. You don’t want to BLOW OUT your voice before you arrive.

STEP 5: ARRIVING AT THE AUDITION SITE

• Do arrive with enough time to find where you’re going, park, walk to the space, check in, and sit down to breathe again.

• Do allow yourself to center and ground once seated. This is your time to calm before next steps.

• Do be prepared to wait OR to go in right away. Be flexible.

• Do be mindful of others. If they’re calming themselves, let them. Don’t engage out of boredom or nervous chatter. You do you. Let them do them.

• DON’T compare yourself to others. Everyone is doing the best they can.

• DON’T talk about other people before, during, or after the audition. THE WALLS HAVE EARS.

• Do show up professionally from the moment you walk in. People notice. Be kind to everyone—especially those collecting resumes. DON’T put on an overt display of gushing either.

• Do notice your thoughts. Speak to yourself KINDLY with positive mental imagery. Do NOT bully yourself with negative self-talk.

• Do engage in grounding, breath, and mindset practices (see below).

STEP 6: The ACTUAL Audition / What happens

• Do make polite eye contact with the auditors, then head straight to the pianist.

Talking to the pianist:

• Do introduce your song clearly and confidently (“Hi, this is from… I’ll start here, cut here.”).

• Do give the tempo clearly (sing a phrase if needed). Make sure it’s your actual tempo—not too fast from nerves.

• Do thank the pianist—they are your ally.

• Do head to the center of the room. Don’t get walk up to or get “on top” of the auditors. They need to see you: stay back.

The Slate:

• Do introduce yourself clearly:

  “Hi, I’m [FULL NAME], and I’ll be singing [SONG NAME] from [SHOW NAME].”

• Do keep it succinct, clean, and confident.

• DON’T have a conversation at this moment. Respect their TIME.

• Do make eye contact during the slate, but DO NOT stare into their eyes while performing.

Before singing:

• LOOK DOWN → say your WORD/PHRASE silently → take a breath → LOOK UP → give a slight nod to the pianist → SING.

• Do find one or two specific points in the room to sing to.

• DO YOUR WORK. If auditors look down, cough, eat, check notes, etc.—TAKE NONE OF IT PERSONALLY. They may be there for HOURS. It’s not about you.

• Do say “Thank you” when finished.

• DON’T apologize (“I have a cold,” “I haven’t sung this in a while,” etc.).

• If they ask you to adjust something, listen carefully and try it. This is about collaboration, not correction. If they don’t ask for anything, that’s okay too.

• DON’T be upset if they don’t ask for a second song. They may already have what they need.

• Do commend yourself for showing up and doing your best!

STEP 7: AFTER the Audition

• Do continue POSITIVE self-talk. You just did a brave thing.

• Remember: Auditioning is the job. The show is the vacation.

  • Casting is not about your talent—you ARE talented—it’s about many factors beyond your control.

  • DO NOT TAKE THINGS PERSONALLY.

  • I REPEAT, DO NOT TAKE THINGS PERSONALLY.

• Every audition is practice AND visibility.

• Leave it all at the door. Go home, breathe, and let it go. Move on.

• The OUTCOME is NOT a reflection of your value as a human being.

• You did it! Go do something fun for yourself!

  
  

Pre-Audition Grounding Routine

While seated or standing:

Purpose: Settle the nervous system

• Feel your feet on the ground. Let your body sink while your spine grows tall.

• Relax your jaw. Take a low breath; exhale longer than you inhale (3 times).

  
  

• Name:

  • 4 things you can see

  • 3 things you can hear

  • 2 things you can physically feel

  • 1 thing you can smell

• Take 3 more slow breaths.

  Cue: “I’m here. I don’t need to rush.”

If you need to move your voice (and there is no practice room)

Purpose: Warm without over-singing

• Find a private bathroom or large stall.

• Roll shoulders, twist upper body, do a spinal roll-up.

• Gentle head roll, tongue stretch, wide “ee–ohs” (lips wide then forward).

• Gently hum with lips closed, jaw moving like chewing—slide up and down.

• If appropriate, do gentle lip or tongue trills low → high → low (3–5 times).

Final Centering Moment (before you go in)

• Shake out hands, gently open the jaw.

• Roll shoulders or sway lightly.

• Continue longer exhales.

• Focus forward; keep thoughts caring and positive.

• Repeat silently:

  “I am prepared. I am present. I belong in this room.”

When You’re in the Room

• If nerves spike: longer exhales calm the system.

• If voice feels tight: hum (open mouth, lips closed, tongue to roof).

• If mind spins: feel your feet on the floor.

• Find your eye-focus “spots.”

• Remember: you are not trying to get the part—

  you are offering a solution to their casting problem.

  
  

  It’s a joyful SHARE of your energy and voice.

PLEASE SHARE THESE GROUNDING TECHNIQUES WITH OTHERS!

What have been your wins or challenges in your audition experience?