Many want to excel in their performances, whether you’re a musician, singer, actor, or a dancer. Here, you’ll be able to find the necessary information to be able to prepare for your performances with advice on your next move.

Getting Started

The Balance Careers website gives some great insight on the overall package you need to perfect your craft in performance. Determining if college is needed or if you just need to get formal training is a constant topic that comes up that they touch on. Sounds interesting? Check out their site!

Here are some updated resources that we’ve found useful to find that training:

• National Association of Schools of Dance: Accredited Members
• National Association of Schools of Music: Accredited Members
• National Association of Schools of Theater: Accredited Members

Tips, Auditions, and More

You may feel like you’re doing everything correct, but Backstage gives some great tips on winning in your next upcoming audition. If you continue, you’ll be able to find more tips from various resources.

5 Performance Psychology Skills Every Musician Should Master – Oftentimes, musicians completely negate the psychological aspects of their trade. It’s tough to measure them because they’re not physical. They cannot be seen like the notes on a piano or the waving of a conductor’s baton. Despite that, these skills exist and they should be considered.

Artist Management Resource – a site created to serve as a central point of information and resources for music/artist managers, music management companies, and self-managed artists; as well as for bands and musicians seeking management representation. (source)

Brookfield Center for the Arts: Warm Up to Better Dancing and Fewer Injuries – Warm up without injuring yourself! Brookfield Center for the Arts gives their insight on how to prevent those injuries.

Click here for more information: https://brookfieldcenterforthearts.com/warm-better-dancing-fewer-injuries/

How to Prepare For A Music Audition – Whether you’re auditioning for a job, gig, music program, or conservatory program, this guide is for you!

New York Film Academy (NYFA)

NYFA: 4 Essential Poses for Actor Headshots – Every actor need headshots, and often it’s a good idea to have more than one look or pose. But which poses?

NYFA: 7 Tips for a Perfect Self Tape – Self-tapes are what many actors and casting directors refer to when an audition is done through digital casting–rather than trying out in person, performers submit video of their audition. For some actors, this can be more daunting than an in-person audition while for others, it can be less stressful. (source)

NYFA: 8 Tips for Actors Looking for an Agent – Among many other duties and responsibilities, talent agents have the important function to book and connect their clients to roles and auditions.

NYFA: How to Prepare for a Dance Audition: Eight Keys For Success – Auditions are a fact of life for the dancer. They are your chance to show your skills and talent to a panel of judges. Whether you are auditioning for college, a dance company, or an entertainment position, they can feel overwhelming to prepare for. Here are some tips to help get you on the right track. (source)

1. Practice Regularly
2. Gather Your Information
3. Cross Train
4. Be Healthy
5. Dress Appropriately
6. Be Prepared for Anything
7. Arrive Early
8. Be Positive

For more information, go to: https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/how-to-prepare-for-a-dance-audition/

NYFA: Voice Exercises for Actors – Learn how an actor’s voice can be improved through proper training and understanding. Click here.

Playbill: 15 Tips to Nail Your Singing Audition – 3-time Tony nominee Rebecca Luker (The Secret Garden, Fun Home), Brad Bass(Wicked, Jersey Boys), Jen Colella (If/Then, Come From Away) and Anthony Rapp (Rent, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown) know the importance —and the challenge—of owning a vocal audition. From song choice to facial expressions, here are 15 pieces of advice to help you ace your audition emotionally and vocally:

1. Assume no one has ever heard your song before.
2. Spit out your words.
3. Keep your eyes open.
4. Ask yourself, “Who am I singing this to?”
5. Choose a song that speaks to you.

Click here for the rest of the tips!

Stage Milk: How to Audition for Theatre – Nail your next theatre audition!

The Diva Method: Free Vocal Tips – Free tips and checklist are available from singer’s point of view!

The Producer’s Perspective: 10 Audition Tips for Actors – Since so few actors get a chance to sit where producers and directors sit, here are their 10 tips on how to have a better audition experience.

1. Always bring a picture and resume
2. Haven’t memorized the material? Don’t pretend you have.
3. Don’t make excuses.
4. If I ask you to make a choice, make one.
5. Make your first 15 seconds count.
6. Be the 3 Cs.
7. Don’t take the last audition times of the day.
8. Let us know where to find you.
9. Don’t start over.
10. Always audition.

Enjoy these tips so far? Go to their website for more information: https://www.theproducersperspective.com/my_weblog/2008/12/10-audition-tips-for-actors.html

These might be of interest to you:

Gig Checklist for Artist Liaison

Forms for Stage Managers: Sign-in Sheets to Checklists

Should You Be In a Union or Professional Organization? There are several unions, guilds, associations, and entertainment industry organizations of interest to media professionals, actors, and performers. To determine more details about all of these organizations and more, take a look into Call Sheet’s Professional Organizations database, where you are able to search for organizations based on organization-type, keyword, location, and what areas of the industry they support.

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