How to Create the Perfect Musical Theater Audition Book | Part One: Choosing the Material

Broadway pianist and music director, Austin Cook, is guiding you step by step through building the perfect musical theater audition book. In this 3 part series, you will learn how to choose the right songs for your book, why you should choose them, how many to have, how to assemble them, how and why to mark cuts and notes for the accompanist, and how to rehearse and ultimately audition with your book. In part one, you will learn how many songs to have in your book, what categories should be there, how many uptempos vs. ballads to have, how your book should be a reflection of Broadway currently, AND as a bonus, Austin is giving you 20 songs off the top of his head to put in his book that offer real world examples of the lessons being taught. Let us know in the comments if you have any questions and let us know what songs you are choosing for your book!
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⦿ CHAPTER MARKERS:
0:00 Intro
0:45 An Analogy
2:00 Know Your Type
4:59 The Current State of Musical Theatre
5:38 Current Broadway Shows
8:19 How Many Songs & Why?
9:55 Category #1: Disney
12:12 Category #2: Singer/Songwriter
13:28 Category #3: Classic Pop
14:23 Category #4: Current Pop
15:35 Category #5: R&B/Hip-Hop
16:50 Category #6: Golden Age Musical Theatre
17:39 Category #7: Modern Musical Theatre
21:17 Category #8: Sondheim
22:33 Final Thoughts
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#musicaltheater #audition #broadway

[@austincook201]

Excited to share this episode with you all! Let's get our audition books freshened up together. Let me know what songs you are putting in your book in the comments!

[@zonaldzuck1859]

This is awesome, thank you so much. No one has told me this stuff ever and I just finished a theater degree

[@Cierraswonderfullife]

This is super awesome and so helpful! I can’t wait for the rest of the videos! I’ve actually went through and brailed down lots of songs as we went along in the video. And I’m going to print out the sheet music for my songs and organize them in my binder in a way where I will know what is what, so that I can be prepared. I really love your videos!

[@32BARCUT]

That is awesome Cierra!

[@sthomson06]

Just commenting to boost this channel lol. So much great advice given with a generous spirit!

[@32BARCUT]

Thanks so much!

[@sandra38040]

Thank you❤

[@RonjaBosyM]

This helped me so much! Subscribed right away! Thank you

[@32BARCUT]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@JessicaOpong18]

This page is amazing so many gems here. I’m getting back into the game and this is so helpful

[@32BARCUT]

Thank you so much! Thanks for watching and subscribing. Best of luck to you as you navigate your return to this career!

[@cristinamcallister242]

Love your video ❤ I am a retired commercial dancer, but am looking at getting back into performing and am currently working on my voice and am starting out auditioning for some professional non-union theaters and a few regional equity theaters. Do you have any recommendations for types of songs for a dancer auditioning for ensemble rolls in the regional equity theater arena? Not sure what types of songs to start working on. Thanks!

[@JohnMondelli]

LOVE the new setup! Lighting, shot composition and image quality are amazing! Which camera and lens are you using? The autofocus seems to follow really smoothly!

[@32BARCUT]

Thanks John! Sony A7iii with a 55mm F1.8 lens. The new autofocus in Sony cameras is incredible. I'm still getting our settings dialed in, but it's night and day from our iPhone setup.

[@JohnMondelli]

@@32BARCUT Thanks! Looks like it's working very well for you!

[@BBVictini1]

Thank you very much for this video! I am trying to break into the field and this is exactly what I needed to get a start. If you'll humor me, I do have 2 questions: 1) what exactly constitutes "classic pop"? The songs I have chosen for that category are Signed Sealed Delivered I'm Yours by Stevie Wonder and Don't Speak by No Doubt. Do those sound reasonable? 2) If we don't listen to rap at all, what other types should we consider pulling from? Would pure Gospel work? Or should I bite the bullet and choose something with a rap section? My first choice right now is 3005 by Childish Gambino with an opt out of the N-word, but I am not sure about it in general.

[@jesscaley_]

This was so helpful! Do you guys have any suggestions for altos/mezzos?

[@32BARCUT]

Jessica! We are actually going to be release an entire collection of e-books entirely dedicated to audition song recommendations! Keep an eye out for that, because that’ll be a great reference for you, We will make a big announcement when we have the release date!

[@erinshine3106]

every time I refresh my book I find it hard to pinpoint what my aesthetic is because I've been told my voice doesn't match my body so I feel like I always surprise the table some times in a bad way sometimes in a good way

[@32BARCUT]

As long as you’re being your authentic self, you have nothing to be self conscious about. The right project will come your way. Unique is ALWAYS in!

[@shannonvalentina4860]

Thank you so so much for this!! I was wondering if you'd class Whitney Houston's 'Run to You' from Bodyguard as contemporary MT or classic pop?

[@32BARCUT]

Pop for sure! Love that song!

[@kerwinalexander6836]

Great video. Can't wait to watch the rest of this series. Q: I'm new to the whole acting world and musical theatre as well. Q: Do musical theatre auditions still use pianists for the auditions in 2022? I have done 2 here in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area and I was able to use background tracks. I booked the shows cause the accompaniment was in my key or a key I could sing in , I loved the arrangements, I was able to "act" the songs because it reflected something within me and it showed- I was able to just soar when the music started- a great feeling. I'm not wanting to deal with finding the piano music, (is there a website you know of where one could get piano music?) changing keys to fit my voice and going by the tempo set by the printed music for an audition. Q: Am I limiting myself to the number of auditions I will be able to try out for or do you think MT is changing to background tracks? Thanks.

[@32BARCUT]

Hey Kerwin! Thank you so much for subscribing and for your questions. Yes, Broadway always uses pianists for auditions, very few exceptions. There are many websites that sell piano music, just hit up Google and search for "[Song Title, Show Title, Piano Vocal .pdf] It is crucial to have an audition book with piano music, background tracks do not allow for collaboration, which is the entire point of Broadway. You have a conductor, musicians, fellow actors, it breathes and lives, a music director needs to see how you collaborate, not how you just repeat a performance with a background track. Having a pianist is purposeful. Hope this helps! Build that book!!!!!

[@ana_dragovich]

This was the kick I needed to finally let go of some of my old audition pieces and get back to learning new ones, thank you! Two questions: 1. What is the distinguishing factor between what falls into the singer songwriter vs. current pop category? 2. If I wanted to sing something from a current musical, but in the original solo, non-musical version (ex. Head Over Feet by Alanis Morissette), is that alright or should i stick to a cut from the version in the musical? And if ok, does it count as one of the modern mt selections?

[@32BARCUT]

Yes Ana! Get rid of the old stuff. :) Singer/Songwriter is more lyrical, pop is more groove based. Absolutely fine to sing the non-musical version! That can count as modern MT for sure. There is some cross-over in these categories.

[@lindaanderson8329]

I’ve noticed that in a lot of current audition notices that involve self-taping your audition submission, they many times give an option that includes sheet music and a track. I know there are no “rights” or “wrongs,” but in your opinion, are you better off submitting the song in the audition listing or stick to your own song? Are there any advantages to doing their song suggestion (which is usually from the show they are casting)? What are the pros and cons, in your opinion??

[@32BARCUT]

Hmmm, hard to make good general advice here. Normally, if they provide a song and track then you should prepare that. However, if they say that preparing your own song is acceptable, then I would go that route. Otherwise, you are being compared to countless renditions of the same material which rarely produces a great result. Hope this helps! Let us know if we can better answer the question.

[@madelinebrennan7603]

I've realized I've got to learn more of the current musical theatre literature. Question: Do you think older actors like myself (50's) should learn a rap/R&B song too? I can certainly do old R&B (former jazz singer) but never tried rap and don't even know if there are older female roles for that anyway. Thanks.

[@32BARCUT]

I don't think you need to unless the show(s) you are auditioning for have your type performing that type of material. There aren't many roles out there for that type (yet.)

[@thernandezify]

This video is another gem. Thank you. I find my book is definitely more modern. I'm struggling to select something golden age as well as from Sondheim. Any suggestions for a mezzo soprano would be greatly appreciated. Also I realize that a lot of what is out there now is modern but would songs from like the musical Nine or Jekyll and Hyde which I love by the way be considered modern or more contemporary because of when they were published even though their sound is not the same as what is out there now? I guess, I'm trying to figure out where in my book they would fit. I hope this makes sense. Thank you guys again.

[@32BARCUT]

Nine works. I'd steer clear of Jekyll and Hyde and Frank Wildhorn in general, mostly because it's viewed as dated and not on trend, and not in the cool vintage way yet. :D Sondheim has soo many greats. What voice type are you? If you love legit singing then Passion is beautiful.

[@thernandezify]

@@32BARCUT Thank you so much for your reply. I am a mezzo soprano. Legit singing is not my strength but I will definitely take a listen to Passion. You guys are the best;)

[@dylanloraw]

@@thernandezify You could look at sweeney todd! Some of the songs are very characteristic though.

[@haleye1772]

No joke I thought you were Hugh Jackman from the thumbnail

[@kristentarrago9290]

Thanks so much for this video (I watched it allll). I do have a question for you!! You say 20 songs....do you mean beginning to end work those songs OR just preparing the 16 or 32 bar cut?

[@32BARCUT]

Yes, work the entire song! Only after you know the entire song should you create and work on your 32/16 bar cuts. The reason for that is that it is expected that you know the full songs you are auditioning with. The casting team may ask for the full song if they like what they are hearing in your cut. Break a leg!

[@cmcguire7901]

How would you switch up the book construction progress for more local/community theater shows? The ones around my area don’t do too many modern shows. They do mainly shows from the 90s/00s (like Ragtime, Titanic, Spamalot, Next to Normal, Tick Tick Boom, Avenue Q) to give examples. Would you do less modern or pop and more songs from this era?

[@32BARCUT]

Hey C! Great question. Yes, customize your categories to your needs. If you don't do certain genres, no need for them. Just put yourself in the MDs shoes, give them multiple options and tempos in each category that you will actually use. Break a leg!

[@lilydavis8209]

I've seen advice from other places on the internet that suggests that your book should only be around 8-12 songs and that if you have up to 20 songs they might not all be as polished and casting might assume they're not all prepared well enough. I'm not against finding more but I don't want to overwhelm myself or come across poorly. What are your thoughts on this and is it better to have this many just to be prepared? Thanks!

[@christopherhester7220]

I just got an agent for Musical Theatre in LA, I just want to say thank you for offering such good advice that may seem standard but isnt always obvious . How do you think race and size play into character type? I’ve been cast for Charlie Brown but also Hud from “Hair” the musical .

[@32BARCUT]

All aspects of your appearance play a big role in your character type, but good casting directors can cast outside of that. However, it doesn't mean that everyone does. A big part of film, tv & stage acting is knowing your type and leaning into it. I'm happy to get more specific for you if you have a specific question about it. Congrats on the agent! That's very exciting!

[@christopherhester7220]

Thank you so much! 🙏🏽 will do some research

[@lindaanderson8329]

Love your content! I am very old school and need to be dragged into the 21st century:) Sounds like some of the old “rules” no longer apply...like singing from a show currently on Broadway, and singing from a movie instead of an actual musical. Are these not considered applicable anymore? Also, since I’m in my 60s, I think some of these categories would not be suitable for me, as I don’t think I will be cast in a pop rock musical; do you agree? But I teach a lot of young singers, so this is all great advice. Thanks for what you do!

[@32BARCUT]

Hey Linda! Yes, the old rules are wonderful, but nowadays things are just different. Yes, to clarify, still don't sing from a show on Broadway FOR that show's audition, but mix and match as much as you want. :) Movies is a big change yes. Mostly because there is a lot of great material by the same composers as Broadway, but hasn't been overdone in the audition world and that can give you the "edge." Right, most pop/rock musicals are looking for their veteran actors to sing in a legit style, so other material works for those auditions. However, there are exceptions, but they are very few. Thanks for subscribing and commenting!

[@lindaanderson8329]

@@32BARCUT Good to know!

[@thelastunicorn949]

There's a song I wanna audition for the Lion King with, it's beautiful and a Nigerian song...but most of it is not in English! I know a lot of songs in The Lion King include other African languages...would it come off as unprofessional??

[@32BARCUT]

Not at all! My advice would be to ask if they would like to hear the Nigerian song you prepared or another song in English. The reason being, in auditions, the casting table is evaluating your storytelling and acting as well as your musicality, so they will need to understand the language in order to best do that. However, they may still want to hear the Nigerian song, especially because you are auditioning for a show that uses other languages in its storytelling. Hope this helps! Let us know how it goes! Break a leg!

[@kerwinalexander6836]

Hello again, I commented on this video before. This is an updated question/ concern I have. You did say you wanted us to keep you updated on our progress of making our songbooks so here goes. When you do a musical theater audition the song that you do does it need to be the original version/ arrangement of a song from another musical theater show or can it be a version/arrangement of a musical theater song sung by a popular/famous artist? Ex. Barbra Streisand does a version of "Being Alive" from the play Company that's very different from the original arrangement of the play (kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYmYhXapns-iqqc). Josh Groban has a version of "Believe" from Polar Express (kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXLZqpaomt9pbNE), Jason Manford has a version of "On The Street Where You Live" on his A Different Stage Album (kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKHbkqp9f6aCgKM). I sing these songs at open mic nights and other public events (from tracks). I've even started recording them in my home recording studio that I built. Is it okay for me to do these versions of those songs for a musical audition or no? I have a new vocal/ singing teacher and he says no I need to use the original versions from whatever play they come from. PS: I do have the piano sheet music of these versions of the songs- that's what I want to add to my songbook (with full, 32 and 16 bar cuts of course).

[@Spencer101F]

Not you literally listing half of my rep already in this video and then also Ben Rector (even though it's a different song) 🧐