I have an audition in 3 hours for a musical. I have a cold and I can't sing well. What should i do?!?

Question

I have to do a private audition today because I am missing the first week of my acting camp. I'm afraid I won't get a good part because I can't sing and I will have to. HELP!

Answer 1

use a nasal spray if you have some at home or if you have time to run to the store.  cough and cold tablets (ie, lozenges) have ingredients in them that tend to dry out the vocal cords and that can lead to damage of them, which is the last thing you want.  If you can't get ahold of nasal spray, use the honey and lemon in hot water, and take it with you to the audition, drinking it until right before you get on stage. Hopefully that will help.

Break a leg! :P

Answer 2

throat lozenges.

if you are able to choose the song you will audition with, choose a new song (that you know!) that has notes that are easier to sing in your condition.

as a last resort, let them know that this is not you at your best and that you have a cold. if it is as bad as it sounds, than they will probably notice just by talking to you.

Answer 3

Just do the best you can. Auditors don't want to hear excuses (and yes, "I have a cold" is an excuse). Professionals go on stage every day with colds and just work through it. It's part of the biz.

You've gotten some good suggestions above. Also, if you have time to do a "steam" (bend over a sink full of hot water and breathe in the steam), that would help too.

Look for some "throat coat" tea at the store and drink that before you go in.

But fist and foremost, don't get into a mindset of "I'm sick, I can't sing". Depending on what kind of cold you have, it may not even show in your voice, so again, you'll just come off like youre trying to make excuses. If it's a cold where you CAN hear it in your voice...well, they'll hear it and know that you sould the way you do becuase of the cold. Regardless, they should still be able to see your potential.

If you are missing part of your  upper or lower register because of the cold and need it for your song, choose a different song.

Good luck!! Again, don't let it affect your mindset Go out there and do your best!

Answer 4

Drink hot tea with honey, or something I do is swallow a teaspoon of honey.. it sounds gross but it really smooths out your vocals..

Answer 5

gargle with salt water. cut a lemon in half and suck on the lemon juice.