Sweeney Todd audition?

Question

I want to audition to be Mrs.Lovett in a local Sweeney Todd play. What are some tips to help me get the part?

Answer 1

how much acting have you done? musical theater as well? do you sing? have you auditioned for shows before?

Answer 2

Here's what you can do to get yourself ready!

1. Research as much as you can about Mrs.Lovett. Watch the movie a few times (if you haven't already!) and take special note of Helena Carter's performance. Read the book if you can, books often give a lot more info than movies! Use the internet to read as much as you can about your part. Get to know Mrs. Lovett very well!

2. Practice speaking like Mrs. Lovett, and copy her mannerisms and attitude. Try to be as natural as possible, believe that you are her! Naturalness is key for all actors!

3. Try to dress up a little bit like her, but only a little bit. You don't want to arrive at the audition looking like it's halloween! :D  Wear some dark makeup, like black mascara and eyeliner, try some dark eye shadow. Look at images of Mrs.Lovett, and see what type of make up works for you. But keep it simple! See if you can find a gothic-style top at a costume store, otherwise just wear a black outfit.

Decide on your makeup and what you'll wear early, so you'll have time to make changes if necessary. Do a dress rehersal too! See if you're giving an impression of Mrs.Lovett!

4. Looks like you've got the singing part covered, so I would'nt worry too much about that! Just know the songs well!

5. On the day of the audition, be relaxed and confident! Believe that you'll get the part :) Arrive early, and spend some time to get into the part. And have fun! :) That's what it's all about! :)

That's all!  Hope this helps! Good Luck! :) I'm posting a link that has more tips: http://theater.about.com/cs/jobs/a/audti...

Good Luck again!

Answer 3

Find a Sondheim song that you like and that suits your voice and sing that at audition.  Sondheim's style is very distinctive and so it's best to sing one of his songs at an audition for one of his shows - just don't sing a song from Sweeney Todd.  Also, remember that there are other Mrs Lovett's apart from Helena Bonham Carter's; there's a DVD of the original Broadway production with Angela Lansbury, and also a DVD of a concert version of the show with Patti LuPone - both are worth watching.  They're two very different portrayals of the character but both are valid interpretations - and both sing a WHOLE lot better than HBC.

Answer 4

Well, you have to make sure you can hit all the high notes she has!!

And like the answer above, get into character! Be comfortable being Mrs. Lovett, and make sure you know all the lines and songs.

Think about the things she experienced in the movie, and try to get into that state of mind, maybe once a day.

Good luck, hope you get the part!!!

<3Alice

Answer 5

Get into character-put yourself in their frame of mind and experience things like them

Research her-watch the movie of the musical try reading bits of the script or book-can be found on the internet watch clips on youtube ect.

Understand Mrs.Lovett and what is required of her in the drama-can you do this?

Find out what will happen at the audition and prepare yourself

GOOD LUCK!!!And remember to relax and have fun! :)

Answer 6

I'm a director and I have to tell you: all of the answers received so far are total bunk.

If someone arrived at an audition doing a Helena Bonham Carter impression, dressed in black with dark circles under their eyes, singing only songs from the show, my immediate reaction would be "NEXT!"

If I'm directing a show, I want to put my particular stamp on it, not copy some other production or film. Sure, there's only so much one can do using the same source material. But suppose I wanted to cross Hello Dolly with Sweeney Todd and dress everyone in bright colors, contrasting the dreary words and music? Or suppose I wanted to use only a few cast members, playing all the roles and music too as they did with the recent Broadway revival?

Also, I may have a different vision of Mrs Lovett than you do, or Tim Burton did. I may want her fat, thin, tall, short, ethnic, whatever. If you arrive in Lovett drag, you've not only locked yourself out of my vision of Lovett but also prevented yourself from being considered for every other part. Can you sing Joanna's songs? Possibly, but darn it! - this girl can only do a cockney accent and looks like a sad goth clown. Nah, she's out.

You don't mention what your range is, but find a NON-SWEENEY TODD song to sing, usually an uptempo and a ballad. You want to show off your range but moreover, you want to "sell" the song. Never audition with a song from the show and don't bother learning all the words and music: you might not get the role and I may change things up. Dress appropriately, but not in character. If auditioning for a s**y role, it is OK to look s**y, just don't arrive in a Marilyn Monroe outfit. DO NOT use an accent unless asked to do so, or you can make mention of your accent talents on your resume. Be confident yet approachable and pleasant. And break a leg!

Answer 7

I agree with the person who said that you shouldn't copy Helena Bonham Carter's performance or sing songs from the show. Remember that Carter's performance was for a camera while you'll have to be performing for the stage. There's a HUGE difference, but you probably already know that. On camera, you're allowed to be more subtle because the camera can catch that and enlarge it.

As for the actual audition, sing something from Sondheim. Sondheim's music is very unique but they're mostly the same from show to show - written in the same harmonic techniques, etc., and the only way that you'll be able to prove that you can handle Mrs. Lovett is that you can sing his other works.

If you hardly ever acted, Mrs. Lovett is a TOUGH role, because she is one of the most complex characters ever in musical theatre. Remember that everythign that she says is for a reason. Let me give you an example: In "Worst Pies in London" the very first lines she says "I thought you was a ghost..." That's Sondheim's way for Mrs. Lovett to show that she already recognized Benjamin Barker the minute he walked into the store. "And I'm telling you that pussycats is quick" indicates that she tried to chase cats to kill them and put them into pies. Anyways that's one examples of the subtleties of the character. Most audience members would glaze right over that, but as an actor, it's your job to make sure that everything you say the audience will pick up. Watch Angela Lansbury's performance in the official DVD which you can get off Amazon.com(not Patti LuPone's) and look at all the facial tics and inflections in her voice. They are all there for a reason. Of course, don't copy them, but try to come up with your own ways of expressing the same emotions.

Good luck.