An audition is a sample performance by an actor, singer, musician, dancer or other performing artist. It is used in the casting process to demonstrate the level and range of a performer's talent, and functions as a job interview for the performing arts. A typical audition involves the performer displaying their talent through a previously-memorized and rehearsed solo piece: for example, a monologue for actors or a song for a singer. Actors in period costume sharing a joke whilst waiting between takes during location filming. ... A singer is a musician who uses his or her voice to produce music. ... “Instrumentalist” redirects here. ... A contemporary dancer rehearsing in a dance studio Dance generally refers to human movement either used as a form of expression or presented in a social, spiritual or performance setting. ... In the performing arts, casting is a vital pre-production process for selecting a cast (a meaning of the word recorded since 1631) of actors, dancers, singers, models and other talent for a live or recorded performance. ... Job Interview is a process in which a potential employee is evaluated by an employer for prospective employment in their company, organization, or firm. ... A monologue, pronounced monolog, is a speech made by one person speaking his or her thoughts aloud or directly addressing a reader, audience, or character. ... A song is a relatively short musical composition. ...

For actors, the audition piece is typically not from the show being considered; an actor wishing to be cast in Hamlet would not likely do a monologue from that play. However, most performers do have a range of audition pieces and select something appropriate; an actor auditioning for Hamlet would have a dramatic Shakespearean monologue ready, and not perform a monologue from an Oscar Wilde comedy, or a contemporary playwright. Similarly, a singer auditioning for a role in a musical theatre production would not, unless instructed otherwise, sing opera or country music, and a musician auditioning for a seat in an orchestra would not perform rock. Occasionally a musical theatre audition may require the performer to sing something in the genre to which the musical pertains. For instance, someone auditioning for Destry Rides Again may be asked to sing a country-western song or a rock song for The Rocky Horror Show. Hamlet and Horatio in the cemetery by Eugène Delacroix For other uses, see Hamlet (disambiguation). ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Oscar Fingal OFlahertie Wills Wilde (October 16, 1854 – November 30, 1900) was an Irish playwright, novelist, poet, and short story writer. ... Comedy has a classical meaning (comical theatre) and a popular one (the use of humour with an intent to provoke[[ laughter in general). ... The Fantasticks is the longest-running musical in history Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining music, songs, spoken dialogue and dance. ... The Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy. ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Rock is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars, and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles, however saxophones have been omitted from newer subgenres of rock music since the 90s. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Destry Rides Again is a musical comedy based on the 1939 classic film of the same name. ... Country music, once known as Country and Western music, is a popular musical form developed in the southern United States, with roots in traditional folk music, spirituals, and the blues. ... The Rocky Horror Show is a long running stage musical (opening in London initially, on June 19, 1973) that inspired the movie The Rocky Horror Picture Show. ...

Some auditions involve cold reading, or performing a script that the actor is not familiar with. Likewise, musicians may be asked to sight read music at various levels of difficulty. This is similar to many dance auditions, in which the focus is on learning new choreography, rather than showcasing prepared work. Sight reading is reading and performing a work of music without having seen it before. ... Look up Choreography in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

For smaller roles in a large production, mass auditions are held at which many inexperienced or aspiring performers, most without agents, show up. These are popularly known as cattle calls, since the hopefuls are often kept together in one large room like a herd. The musical A Chorus Line begins with one of these. This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. ... A herd of Wildebeest A gaggle of Canada geese For other uses, see Herd (disambiguation). ... A Chorus Line is a musical with a book by James Kirkwood, Jr. ...

Although an actor's talents comprise crucial criteria in the casting process, an almost equal amount of attention is given to an actor's "type," (a combination of personality, looks and general casting intuition) as required for a particular production.

External links

• How To Audition For Musical Theatre—an online guide to musical theatre auditions
• Audition Tips for Musicals Tips at www.MusicalSingers.com from Joe Mantello, Stephen Schwartz, and others.
• Audition Terms & Tips for Actors Find about auditions terms and slangs.