AUDITIONING FOR MATILDA
STEP ONE: RESEARCH
Please get familiar with the story of Matilda! There are many resources available! At the very least, please listen to the Broadway Soundtrack to get familiar with the music you'll be learning!
* The story of Matilda began as an awesome book written by the beloved Roald Dahl in 1988. You can get the book online, at bookstores, or at the library!
* If you'd rather listen to the book than read it, it was adapted as an audio reading by actress Kate Winslet. You can find that on Amazon or Audible!
* It was made into a feature film in 1996, directed by Danny DeVito. You can find out where to stream it HERE!
* And finally, in 2010 it was made into a musical! This is a link to the Original Broadway Soundtrack on Amazon, Youtube, iTunes and Spotify.
* Because it's such a new musical, you can't really watch the musical online (copyright issues). Here is one bootlegged copy that we found on youtube, for as long as it stays up! 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 2-3 different characters so we can see some range, and you can increase your odds!
​
As a reminder, HERE is a link to the character breakdowns!
​
STEP TWO: SCHEDULE YOUR AUDITION
​
Schedule your audition appointment with Sierra! We will need to see you once for your initial audition, and probably up to 2 more times for callbacks. These will occur between the 10th and 20th of June!
​
STEP THREE: PREPARE​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Miss Trunchbull sing either 'Smell of Rebellion' or 'The Hammer' Side 13
​
The Vocal Portion:
CLICK HERE FOR THE SHEET MUSIC
* Select the songs that your chosen characters sing in the show, and prepare at least 16 bars of them! We have included links to sheet music. We probably won't have you sing over a minute - we usually get the idea of your abilities a lot faster than that.
* You will likely be singing this a capella at the audition (without recorded or live accompaniment).
* You are permitted 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 on Youtube at the Broadway soundtrack link.
​​
The Reading Portion:
* Prepare all the provided sides for your characters.
​* You are permitted to bring a copy of your sides in the room, but we would really like you to be memorized! ESPECIALLY if you are auditioning for the part of Matilda, who has large monologues throughout the show.
* We will be performing the show with British accents, so auditioners will be asked to read with a British accent (of any class/region). We are also interested in hearing Italian and Russian dialects for Rudolpho and Sergei.
​
​
TIPS ON PREPARATION:
-
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.
-
You will perform a lot better if you are memorized. Always bring your 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).
-
Work on projecting loudly and articulating clearly.
-
We are looking to see you act a character through song and dance, as well as your musical proficiency and competency. Just as (or MORE) important as a pretty voice is the way you ACT out your song. Tell us a story with your song! So we want to see that you can use your body, your hands and your facial expressions at the same time as you sing.
-
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 sometimes change the key of the song for the right actor. 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!
-
Be familiar with the style of the show and make clear choices.
-
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? :)
-
Please do not merely imitate other actor's performances.
-
The key to comedy is timing, being in the moment and making fresh choices!​
​
​
STEP FOUR: YOUR AUDITION DAY
@ 14236 Emelita Street, Sherman Oaks
-
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.
-
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.
-
Bring your sides with you (even if you are memorized).
-
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).
-
Wear shoes you can easily move around in.
-
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!)
-
Break a leg! We are rooting for you.