Audition Frequently Asked Questions
How do I audition?
As this is an entirely online affair, auditions will be held through youtube. You will record a song of your choice and put the video up on youtube for us to watch. If asked to continue on to further rounds, you will put the next few songs on youtube as well. (More information on the rounds can be found a few answers below!)
What should I wear for the audition?
Pretty much whatever you want. Since there will be some younger participants auditioning for roles such as Prim and Rue, we ask that all clothing be appropriate (meaning no references to drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes, or use of obscenities). Also, please dress as yourself, not the character you are hoping to be cast as. If you all dress up like Katniss, you won't be memorable. If you look like yourself, we'll remember you better and you'll stick out in our memories.
What should I sing?
As we put it in the above answer, pretty much whatever you want. We'd like to hear what your voice can do, as well as how well you can emote while singing. If you're worried about song choice, go for something simple that you're comfortable with. If you are truly lost as to what to sing, email HungerGamesMusical@gmail.com and we'll try to find a good song for you.
Can I sing with a backing track?
For the first round of auditions, you can sing a cappella (without music) or with a backing track or karaoke instrumental. We have no preference for one over the other, as long as we can hear your voice above the music. One thing, though: please don't sing along with a track containing another singer. We are easily confused and want to hear your voice clearly.
Will there be callbacks?
Instead of traditional callbacks, we have chosen to hold auditions in rounds. (We must preemptively say this: if you are not asked to move on to the next round of auditions, it does NOT mean you will not be cast. If we hear what we need to hear in your first song, there may be no need to ask you to sing more.)
Round One: For this round, you will sing a song of your choice. A cappella or with an instrumental track, you will sing whatever best suits your voice and record a video of you doing so. Upload that video to youtube, clearly label it as we will instruct you later on (we'll tell you exactly what to put, no worries!), and email the link ONCE to HungerGamesMusical@gmail.com. We will email you back confirmation that we have received your video.
Round Two: After Round One, we will send out notifications to all who auditioned specifying whether they have been asked to move to Round Two or not. If not, please don't panic-- we have just heard everything we needed to hear in round one! If you have been asked to move on, we will email you with a list of songs for you to choose from for the next round. You will choose one of them and record another video, then send it in to us! Simple, right?
Round Three: Finally, we come to Round Three! If you receive email saying that we need to hear a bit more from you, that would be this final round. We will send you a short track from the show for you to learn, as well as an instrumental track for that exact section. Once you learn and are comfortable with that, you will-- you guessed it!-- record a video, post it to youtube, and send it on in to us!
Round One: For this round, you will sing a song of your choice. A cappella or with an instrumental track, you will sing whatever best suits your voice and record a video of you doing so. Upload that video to youtube, clearly label it as we will instruct you later on (we'll tell you exactly what to put, no worries!), and email the link ONCE to HungerGamesMusical@gmail.com. We will email you back confirmation that we have received your video.
Round Two: After Round One, we will send out notifications to all who auditioned specifying whether they have been asked to move to Round Two or not. If not, please don't panic-- we have just heard everything we needed to hear in round one! If you have been asked to move on, we will email you with a list of songs for you to choose from for the next round. You will choose one of them and record another video, then send it in to us! Simple, right?
Round Three: Finally, we come to Round Three! If you receive email saying that we need to hear a bit more from you, that would be this final round. We will send you a short track from the show for you to learn, as well as an instrumental track for that exact section. Once you learn and are comfortable with that, you will-- you guessed it!-- record a video, post it to youtube, and send it on in to us!
Wait, so what about casting?
A date for the cast list has not yet been set. Keep checking back on our Facebook page!
Can we hear songs from the musical so we know what style, genre, etc.?
The musical doesn't have a distinct genre-- the music varies in styles, as does the novel. If you are asked to stay for the third round of auditions and requested to sing part of a song from the show, you will be given ample time to learn it and become comfortable with the snippet we request.
I don't match the physical description of the character. Can I still audition?
Of course! That is the beauty of the International Album-- it is completely colorblind. It doesn't matter what you look like, only how you can perform. We would love to have an incredibly diverse cast, because after all, aren't the Games diverse?
Is this going to be like A Very Potter Musical / Sequel (AVPM, AVPS)?
This has to be one of our favorite questions, because despite what you may be expecting, the answer is no. Starkid, the makers of AVPM and AVPS, took on a humorous approach to the Harry Potter material, while we have tried to stay true to the tone and solemnity of the Hunger Games novel. We don't think that showing this slaughter in a laughable manner is at all appropriate or what the fans want. We're here to give you the story with music.
Another difference is how the musical is structured. Instead of gathering bits of source material and molding it all together, we have taken only one novel and written it straight through. It begins on the morning of the reaping, and ends after the final interviews. There will be no bits of Catching Fire, no hints of Mockingjay in this musical.
(If you have no clue what AVPM is, then we encourage you to look it up on youtube. Now. Hurry. It is the best thing since Peeta's bread.)
Another difference is how the musical is structured. Instead of gathering bits of source material and molding it all together, we have taken only one novel and written it straight through. It begins on the morning of the reaping, and ends after the final interviews. There will be no bits of Catching Fire, no hints of Mockingjay in this musical.
(If you have no clue what AVPM is, then we encourage you to look it up on youtube. Now. Hurry. It is the best thing since Peeta's bread.)
Is it true that only people in the New Jersey/New York area are going to be cast?
Not true at all! Jessica and Melissa live in the North Jersey area, but we are casting internationally for this cast album! We'll reiterate this once more: it doesn't matter where you live, because this is all going to be done online. (Also, Lena lives nowhere near the sisters! Once again, there is no in-person part of this project.)
Is this approved by Suzanne Collins / Lionsgate / etc.?
No.
No.
No.
No.
We would just like to make this point clear:
No.
This is an UNOFFICIAL, FAN-MADE production that has nothing to do with Suzanne Collins or Lionsgate. It has nothing to do with anything, actually, except the loving fans who are determined to turn their dreams into reality. Once again, this is NOT APPROVED by anyone who matters. We would love, however, to get their approval once everything is all together and ready for release. But even then, it will remain UNOFFICIAL and FAN-MADE. Clear? Good.
No.
No.
No.
We would just like to make this point clear:
No.
This is an UNOFFICIAL, FAN-MADE production that has nothing to do with Suzanne Collins or Lionsgate. It has nothing to do with anything, actually, except the loving fans who are determined to turn their dreams into reality. Once again, this is NOT APPROVED by anyone who matters. We would love, however, to get their approval once everything is all together and ready for release. But even then, it will remain UNOFFICIAL and FAN-MADE. Clear? Good.
Do any of the stars of the film know about this?
Once again, the answer is no. And once again, to make it clear, this is a FAN PROJECT. We would hardly object to their interest in the project, but they are in no way involved, and they will be in no way involved in the future. Sorry if that disappoints anyone, but once again, this is all done by the fans, for the fans.
(If, by any chance, any of them wish to become involved (Hey, we can all dream!), we will let you know in due course. Got it? Got it.)
(If, by any chance, any of them wish to become involved (Hey, we can all dream!), we will let you know in due course. Got it? Got it.)
How old do you have to be to audition?
There really is no age limit on auditionees-- we're looking for tributes of all ages to portray characters of all ages. Even if you don't fit any of the descriptions on the Breakdown page, feel free to submit yourself-- there may be a role available for you!
A note on age, however: please obtain your parents' permission BEFORE auditioning! We know this is all very exciting, and we want your parents to be completely on board with this project as well. If you are under 18, just give them a heads up that you're going to be all over the internet, alright? 13 and under, definitely get their permission before starting!
A note on age, however: please obtain your parents' permission BEFORE auditioning! We know this is all very exciting, and we want your parents to be completely on board with this project as well. If you are under 18, just give them a heads up that you're going to be all over the internet, alright? 13 and under, definitely get their permission before starting!
I have a question not listed here. How can I get an answer?
Email us at hungergamesmusical@gmail.com and we will get back to you ASAP! And who knows-- your question may be the next one added to this page!
