Auditions FAQ

Auditions

Students ages 8-18 who are enrolled in CYT classes are invited to audition for the current production. Auditions consist of a one-minute audition side, chosen from the list HERE.  Each singing role has a specific range the students must be able to sing.  The Students will perform their vocal cut live for the Artistic Team, and then learn and perform a short dance routine. The audition process may also include a “callback” in which a student may be asked to read for a speaking role in the show.  Auditions are a wonderful way for students to gain self-confidence and to show the best of their talents! 

GENERAL NOTE: If multiple people sing in the vocals of your chosen audition cut, please sing the cut all the way through as one character. Do not switch characters/voices and do not stop singing. For example, a girl singing “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” will sing the song as Liesel instead of pretending to be Rolf or waiting for her turn to sing again. (e.g. Sing “timid and shy and scared AM I” instead of “timid and shy and scared ARE YOU.”) 

AUDITION FOR MARIA:
“The Sound of Music” (starting with “To laugh like a brook…”)

AUDITION FOR CAPTAIN:
“Edelweiss” (starting at the very beginning… a very good place to start!)

AUDITION FOR A VON TRAPP CHILD:
“Do-Re-Mi” (starting with “Do, a deer, a female deer…”)

AUDITION FOR ROLF OR LIESEL:
“Sixteen Going on Seventeen” (starting with “I am sixteen going on seventeen…”)

AUDITION FOR MOTHER ABBESS:
“Climb Ev’ry Mountain” (starting with “A dream that will need…”)

AUDITION FOR FEATURED NUNS/ENSEMBLE:
“Maria” (starting with “How do you solve a problem like Maria?”)

Current show roles available soon for: The Sound of Music

Sound of Music Character/Role List coming soon



Read below for audition details and helpful tips!
 

How do auditions work?

At CYT, auditions are an open casting call; nothing is precast.  Any student 8-18 enrolled in classes is eligible to audition.   All students must choose from the provided song/side cut options. Students should choose the song option that best highlights their voice and that they can act well through their performance. Please get to know the characters in the show in the event that you are asked to stay to read and sing for callbacks. 

If you plan to audition for our Winter production of "The Sound of Music" (Production week: March 16th-22nd) you will need to complete and upload the Audition Forms prior to live auditions on Saturday, January 4th @ Hope Chapel.   Auditions will be held from 9am to 12pm.  Callbacks will be held the same day from 12:30pm-3pm. 

You can download the Audition Forms through the link in the confirmation email you will receive when you sign up for a class.  Students must be enrolled in a CYT class to audition for Sound of Music. Completed Audition Forms should be uploaded to the link posted HERE.   Audition music should be one of the  vocal side audition tracks. No other music is allowed.  Students must bring a copy of their Audition form with their photo to the live auditions.

What do I have to do for my audition? What do I need for my audition?

All students must choose a side highlighting your vocals and acting, using one of the song options.    


The audition form is where you will upload all of your information. You will also need to upload a close-up photo and note all of your rehearsal conflicts on the conflict form. All of the information required is on the audition form, please look over in advance and do not submit until you have all of the information.  You can upload your forms Audition Forms here soon.

Come to auditions on Saturday, January 4th at 9:00 a.m. @ Hope Chapel. Auditions begin at 9:00 a.m.; please arrive early to have time to check in and get settled in your seat. You should bring:
  1. The printed forms in your audition packet that you have also uploaded to Dropbox.
  2. Dance shoes (or shoes you can move well in. (No boots/crocs/sandals/flip flops/Birkenstocks, etc.) Dance shoes can be changed into prior to the dance segment. 
  3. Wear easy to move in clothing that is in CYT dress code. (No tummies showing, spaghetti straps, etc.)
  4. A lunch and water bottle with your name on it. No peanuts or tree nuts allowed.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT AUDITIONS:

We have a lot of fun at CYT auditions - the environment is welcoming and supportive! Auditions are open; this means that everyone is free to stay and watch. After a brief introduction, auditions will begin. When it is your turn you will:
  1. Walk up to the front, hand the director your paperwork, go to the microphone and introduce yourself (slate your name and what song (side) you will be singing). You will then perform your chosen song side.
Callbacks will be the same day! After everyone has auditioned, students will go to a common area to have a supervised lunch. (No peanuts or tree nuts allowed) After lunch, those students being called back will go into the audition space for closed callbacks. Parents will need to be on stand-by to pick up their student between 12:30-3:00 p.m. Callbacks are closed, but parents are welcome to wait on campus in a designated space. 

Students are not allowed to have their cell phone out or in use at anytime during their time at CYT. There will be an adult that will call parents for pick-up if the parent is not staying on campus.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER AUDITIONS
  1. The cast list will be published after classes on January 9th.
  2. The first rehearsal is Saturday, January 11th, from 9:00-3:00 at Hope Chapel (6701 Arroyo Seco, Austin, TX 78757). All cast parents must attend a parent meeting from 9:00-10:30am that morning.
*Rehearsals for The Sound of Music are each Saturday from January 11th- March 15th. There will also be several Friday night rehearsals required for dances and scene work/blocking.  

A list of each character's vocal ranges will be posted here soon.


 

 

Do I have to dance/sing for my audition?

All students will perform a vocal side chosen from the options and learn a dance for CYT auditions. 

How do absences play into casting?

The directing team needs to know what rehearsals you will be missing.  It is imperative that they have this information on the audition form.  Absences that come up after casting will not be excused.  There is no “magic number” of excused absences that will make or break getting cast, however, the more absences you have directly affects casting.  CYT understands 2 absences at the most during a rehearsal process. Students with multiple conflicts could result in being cut from the show. 

Can I watch/videotape auditions?

We encourage parents to attend Auditions and you may videotape your child's audition.   You may not record other children's auditions.

What if my child is out of town on audition weekend?

If you are unable to attend auditions, we do accept video audition submissions through a private Dropbox Link. Please work this out in advance with your Show Coordinator. All video submissions must be submitted before the first night of auditions.

How should I help my child with the audition process?

Be a support. Help them find the right song of the 7 selections for their voice. Let them practice in front of you. Obviously, the younger the child, the more you may want to help steer them towards a successful audition yourself. Help your student choose the song that best showcases their voice (which may not be the character side of the role they are desiring.) 

What if I am unsure about my rehearsal conflicts?

Any information is helpful. Please list any dates that are potentiall "conflicts" and then give us more information in any of the "notes" fields on the form. 

Rehearsal schedules may vary by show, but typically CYT AUSTIN rehearses on Saturdays from 9am-3pm.

What if my child is almost 8 or almost 19? Does it affect show eligibility?

Our shows are for ages 8-18. A child must be no older than 18 at the time of auditions in order to participate & audition for the show, but can turn 19 during the session. A student age 7, must turn 8 before the last performance of the show in order to participate in the production. 

How many students usually audition for the production?

It varies greatly by production and session, though most shows see numbers between 35 and 70.

Have You Ever Wanted to Understand the Casting Process?

The Casting Process where Dr. Heather LaForge discusses the CYT casting process.