Customer Reviews

Auditioning for the Musical Theatre

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Fred Silver is a man who's been around the auditioning block a few times... and this experience is captured in this book for every aspiring musical theatre actor/actress. He spells everything out in terms that even the most naive actors can understand. Not only does Silver explain how to look at an audition, but he also goes into great detail about how to emphasize, breathe, stand, walk, and... well, EVERYTHING! He even talks about the use of your eyes and posture to win those directors over. Another great aspect of this book is that he provides a list of "not-overdone" songs that have worked for his students in the past. What a valuable resource for any musical actor or actress!

I, too, have been around the block when it comes to auditioning for the musical theatre. And I must say, Fred Silver's book points out many of the lessons I have learned through the process. If you want the part, read this book.

NOTE: Revised Grammatically and Structurally on Saturday October 23, 2010.

While this book is, of course, geared towards musical theater and those interested in it, there are many tips in here that can be used for any kind of audition and it also gives tips and guide lines for those who may not be singers per say, but are primarily actors but are still interested in pursuing a role in a musical.

I decided to find books on acting last year and I stumbled across this one while I was in the library scouring the shelves for any book on acting, acting methods, or auditions.

At the time I wasn't auditioning for any musicals, but I started reading it anyways as I was certain it would be helpful in the future when I do audition (10/23/10 I can now say that it has been). I didn't think much of it though, I mean I thought it was helpful, but I wasn't able to see its true practicality at the time because I was reading it for future use, and that is probably a good thing because with things of this nature, it is good to give your self ample time to process the material so it can be put in to practice.

I found this book extremely useful because it helps you to determine exactly how and when you should move while performing a song for musical theater, which has been one of my, if not, my biggest problem in musical theater when audition or entering competitions. Mastering the blocking part alone will help anyone stand out in an audition, as many amateurs make the mistake of either not moving at all or moving too much, and if you are pursuing a professional career that is never going to get you a part no matter how good you can sing. Through learning these things I was able to help myself become more confident in my own abilities because my abilities became stronger and more polished, obviously this does not get rid of nerves, but it certainly helps ease them.

I would recommend this book to any actor along with "Audition". These two books alone will help give you knowledge, but they are no supplement for the actual experience you will get in an audition and from a good theater teacher and voice teacher. I also highly recommend the book "The Actor Speaks", that book contains around 20 different actors talking about their own personal technique, how they learned to be able to act effectively, it is a very entertaining and informative read.


God Bless ~Amy

The moment I read the introduction I was hooked. Silver uses humor and wit to bring to life these practical and useful methods he shows you to give a flawless performance. He teaches you everything from how to relax before an audition to how to become the part. I can not describe to you all how much I am in debt to this man for teaching me the way to a auditioners heart. Mr. Silver will not let you down.

This book really helped me understand every aspect in auditioning for musical theatre. Honest to God, with this book I feel I have much a better understanding of what I'm auditioning with and that I will have a better chance among the rest of the auditioners.

It's worth every penny :)

I don't know if it's just that I've been taught a decent amount of what is covered in this book before, but honestly, I didn't feel this gave much new insight. Granted, it certainly gave me some ideas to work with and I feel it would do the same for others. However, the book seemed to have too broad of a demographic. Someone new to auditions for musicals may learn some good basics, but get a little overwhelmed or lost in the more advanced stuff. On the other hand, one who is already well acquainted with musical auditions may find a few helpful tidbits, but only after sifting through many passages regarding simpler things they already know. Also there were a couple of chapters that I felt did cover some potential problems for musical auditioning, but said very little or really nothing at all about what to do about them. Again, I do think you can benefit from this book, but I believe the information it gives can be just as easily if not better learned elsewhere. The book has it's place, but I feel it could have delivered a bit better.

I was satisfied by the genuine information Fred Silver had to offer. The truth is I was very much assisted by the smart tricks offered and all the background information on Musical theatre. I was glad to know how the judges feel when watching someone audition and what is good to avoid or embrace. The only counterfact was that I had to check on the net most of the songs refered to in the book. It was writen several years ago and the songs set as examples are now a bit subsided by others from new musicals. Other than that, it was a pleasant and helpful read.

as a veteran of several productions this book still gives good advice and tips. don't pass this book by!