Overview

'When we're seeing hundreds of hundreds of people, you just stood out, and now I'm intrigued.' Laurence Connor, director Be the one standing out in your next audition, through the insight and experience of an elite group of West End creatives who have cast hundreds of shows. In The Industry Guide to Musical Theatre Auditions, sixteen directors, musical directors, choreographers, and casting directors, reveal what the casting panel is truly looking for. They discuss the whole audition process from submissions and first rounds to recalls, finals, and casting. They explain what makes an effective self-tape, how to stand out in a dance call, what song to choose, and how to work with a director. And they reveal the values that matter most to them when casting a performer so that you can be the artist and the professional they are looking for. Get first-hand guidance and advice from Sir Matthew Bourne, international directors Laurence Connor, Rupert Goold, and Sir Richard Eyre, three-time Olivier Award winning choreographer Stephen Mear, Tony Award-winning musical director Sarah Travis, casting directors Jim Arnold (Wicked), Pippa Ailion (The Lion King), Stuart Burt (Cabaret) and David Grindrod (Mamma Mia!), and more. This book is for anyone interested in performing in Musical Theatre, from students to professionals. It also gives valuable insight to teachers, coaches, and researchers, looking to shape Musical Theatre education to today’s industry standards. Shaun Aquilina is a writer, director, and performer. He has taught on the Musical Theatre degrees of many of the UK’s leading conservatoires and universities. He is also the author of Musical Theatre for the Female Voice: The Sensation, Sound, and Science, of Singing.

Full Product Details

Author:   Shaun Aquilina
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint:   Methuen Drama
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 1.60cm , Length: 23.20cm
Weight:   0.240kg
ISBN:  

9781350573499

ISBN 10:   1350573493
Pages:   208
Publication Date:   05 February 2026
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  College/higher education ,  Professional & Vocational ,  Tertiary & Higher Education
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   Not yet available  
This item is yet to be released. You can pre-order this item and we will dispatch it to you upon its release.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter One: Casting Directors Pippa Ailion MBE, Jim Arnold, Stuart Burt, and David Grinrod Introduction Preliminary Stages of Casting: Submissions, CVs, Headshots, and Reels In the Room: Singing, Dancing, and Acting In the Room: the Professional Personality New Shows, New Productions, and Re-Casting Casting Decisions Commercial Casting TV Casting Great Auditions Conclusion Chapter Two: Choreographers Sir Matthew Bourne, Stephen Mear CBE, Bill Deamer and Lynne Page Introduction Getting the Casting Right Dance Technique Story-Telling Physicality Individuality, Uniformity, and Character Other Attributes of the Performer Principal Values Background Checks and References Entering the Room Casting a New Show and Re-Casting and On-Going Show After the Auditions The Choreographer’s Discipline Creatives in the Rehearsal Room West End vs Broadway – differences in auditioning Great Auditions Conclusion Chapter Three: Musical Directors Sean Green, Stuart Morley, Sarah Travis, and Gareth Valentine Introduction Vocal Technique Narrative and Character Musicality Song Choice Preparation Taking Direction Company Personality Nerves Workshops New Shows and Re-Casts Collaborating with the Rest of the Panel Deciding on the Cast Great Auditions Sean Green on the Musical Theatre Industry for Black Performers and Creatives Conclusion Chapter Four: Directors Laurence Connor, Sir Richard Eyre, Rupert Goold CBE, and Petra Siniawski Introduction Early Process First Rounds Singing Dance Acting Professionalism and Personality Recalls and Finals Taking Direction Making Decisions Most Valued Qualities in a Performer “Be Yourself” Broadway Great Auditions Conclusion Conclusion Bibliography Index

Reviews

Author Information

Shaun Aquilina is a writer, director, and singer. He has taught on the Musical Theatre degrees of many of the UK’s leading conservatoires and universities. He is also the author of Musical Theatre for the Female Voice: The Sensation, Sound, and Science, of Singing.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Countries Available

All regions