Student Blog: Why Audition?

You’re walking through your school’s hallway and stumble across a poster that says “Spring Musical Auditions! Sign up today!” You think to yourself: Why should I do that? There are many benefits to being in a musical beyond just singing and dancing. Participating in your school’s musical is a great way to grow and learn skills that can be used beyond the stage. 

Collaborating With Others. It is no exaggeration to say it takes an army to put on a musical. Along with meeting a wide variety of people, you will have to learn how to work with various people. You will learn how to maintain focus while working with your friends and how to tolerate working with people who may not be your favorite. This is a skill you will need to have in any walk of life.

Practicing Discipline. Being in a musical requires lots of practice. You will have to put in hours of preparation to master the skills your director asks you to perform. This may include learning difficult harmonies, learning a new dance style, or even perfecting an accent! You will have to be prepared to put in your best effort both inside and outside of rehearsals. You can apply the practice and discipline techniques you learn to everyday life. 

Taking Direction. In theater, the director gives out “notes” at each rehearsal. Notes are corrections or changes the director needs you to make. You will have to take the note and apply it to your performance, preferably after only receiving the note once. In any job or occupation, you will have to take direction quickly and accurately. Learning to take notes in musical rehearsal is a great way to practice this skill. 

Making Friends. Participating in your school’s musical will introduce you to many new people. Students from all grades and classes will all be a part of the cast. And if you’re like me, you never realized how few people in your school you know. I made some amazing friends who were in a grade above me that I never would have grown close to if it weren’t for musical rehearsals. 

You don’t have to want to be on Broadway to have a fun time in your school’s musical. There is so much more to the musical process than what most people expect. The next time you consider participating in your school’s musical, remember all of the benefits that can come from the rehearsal and performance process.