Musical Theatre Auditions and Casting: A performer's guide viewed from both sides of the audition table

Description

Musical theatre is a tough and over-crowded industry. Yet, despite the huge competition, many performers find auditioning difficult with little knowledge of what the directors, creative teams and producers are looking for, or how to win the panel over with their unique talent. As a leading international casting director, Neil Rutherford has seen thousands of hopefuls audition over the years. Uniquely, he also understands what it is like to audition from his years as a professional actor in musical theatre. This book provides a unique perspective on the musical theatre audition process and how to improve the chances of landing a role. With wit, humour and insight, Neil Rutherford guides the reader through the crucial elements of musical theatre auditions, opening up the process of casting and auditioning to the thousands of hopefuls trying to secure work in this industry every year, as well as anyone involved in musical theatre. With a foreword by Tony-award-winning director Bartlett Sher, the book also contains contributions from some of the world's leading directors and musical directors, including Sir Richard Eyre and Jerry Mitchell, adding further valuable insight from those at the centre of the musical theatre world. This book is a vital tool for anyone hoping to improve their audition chances and survive in the world of musical theatre.

Originally an actor playing roles in London's West End, Neil Rutherford worked in production at the English National Opera before becoming Head of Casting for the Ambassador Theatre Group. In addition to his professional casting work worldwide, Neil regularly lectures in audition technique at major UK drama schools and events, holds masterclasses throughout the world, and has been an audition panelist, contributor and adviser to Channel 4, the BBC, ITV, BBC Performing Arts Fund, The Actors Centre, Spotlight Actors Publications, and numerous drama schools in the UK. www.neilrutherford.com

Neil's encyclopedic knowledge of the profession, combined with his sense of fun, is invaluable, and his experience on both sides of the casting desk make him uniquely qualified in his field. -- Christopher Luscombe, director Neil is a wonderfully knowledgeable, dynamic and very well respected casting director. His personal approach and understanding of the industry from both sides having also been an actor helps put actors at ease and enables them to deliver their best audition. -- Wendy Scozzaro, London agent Neil's expertise is not only in casting but a comprehensive understanding of today's current musical theatre vocational training make him an outstanding voice in his field. -- Chris Hocking, Choreographer and Deputy Principal, Arts Educational School Neil has several gifts and considerable wisdom when it comes to all things theatrical. A creative man blessed with wit and intelligence, and the power to communicate, he is deeply respected in the world of entertainment excellence. -- Richard O'Brien, legendary writer and performer If you are lucky, you will be walking into an audition room with Neil Rutherford, a person who knows this complex art better than anybody. And a person who loves actors with all his heart and who understands what it takes to make of an audition something like painting a beautiful miniature. And certainly Neil knows more, for he knows the profound art that is to be found in an audition. -- Bartlett Sher, Director