Showcases are often the first stop outside the hallowed halls of a university campus for young actors. At the musical theater showcase competition we’ve run in North Hollywood for nearly a decade, some 90 percent of our contestants each year are current students or recent grads. While theater arts programs are good academic training, they often don’t illuminate the path actors should take post-graduation. That’s where showcases can prove invaluable. Here are a few ways actors can achieve success in a theater showcase.
Preplan Your Performance
Choose material that defines your individual personality, range and versatility, yet remains true to the style of the show from which it came and to the composer, lyricist or playwright who wrote it. No one does you better than you.
Know Your Material
The most common question asked of a contestant by our judges is if he or she clearly understands what’s fundamentally important about the material they’re performing. Iron out any and all difficulties musically, including choice of key, tempos, rubato, and dramatic timing. Avoid choosing a song simply because you like it, or because it’s iconic. (To the latter, you’ll always be compared to the original artist’s rendition.) If it's a musical number you're performing, stay clear of showcasing notes you can't hit consistently and by all means, don't underestimate how nerves can affect memory. Rehearsing your song or lines as a monologue while standing in front of a mirror will help cement them in your memory. But don't just memorize. Understand the emotional context of the material and be able to explain why the material connects to you on a personal level.
First Impressions Are Important
Our showcase competition goes on for several weeks but judges begin forming their opinions the moment s contestant walks on stage. Be courteous, gracious, and act professional at all times. Dress neatly and appropriately for the performance. Be prepared mentally, emotionally and physically to take on the challenges and demands of your role. Remember: your mission is to take your audience and the judges on a journey.
Auditions for LA’s Next Great Stage Star 2015 will be held Dec. 14. Call (818) 623-7300, Ext. 2 for auditions and additional information.
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