Q&A for How to Get the Lead in the School Musical

Be confident and enthusiastic and have fun with it. Older doesn't always mean better, who knows what the director is looking for? Try not to focus on the other actors and just do your best. If you don't get the lead role this time, you can gain more experience in a minor role, and maybe get the lead next time.

To beat someone better then you, during the audition you have to offer something that makes you unique. Don't try and mimic the latest actor/actress for the role you're auditioning for. Try to add some traits that you think will make the play different.

It depends on what exactly is required for the part and the personal preference of the director or whoever is casting. You certainly have a great chance at it, so just go to the audition and do your best. If you don't get the lead this time, there's always next time, and if you get another part instead, you'll gain valuable acting experience.

Always show up to rehearsal prepared and know what you’re doing. Show up to run-throughs knowing your choreography. This will help show the director that you care.

Don't be nervous, if you get the role, then you are obviously good enough. If you let your nerves get in the way, you'll miss out on a lot in life. Remember that you'll have plenty of time to prepare for the play and there will be plenty of rehearsals. The whole thing will seem a lot less scary once you're prepared.

Don't worry, even the greats have had their moments in the shadows. You won't always get the lead. Just work every part you get to the best of your ability so your director sees how great you are.

The people you're auditioning for will ask you to come back again for another round of auditions. You might have to show a different skill than you did before, either singing, acting and/or dancing.

Confidence has nothing to do with who or what you are. It is just a style of expression that most humans have evolved to find appealing. You can fake confidence until it feels natural, and then, voila, you're confident! Just don't worry about what other people think and do what feels right for you.

The director may have made it sound like a bum deal if you don't get a part, but in all truth, it is super fun to be in the chorus in a play, too. Perhaps the director was using the idea of getting parts to help you try harder in your practicing. The really good news is that it sounds like even those who don't get parts will be welcome to participate as chorus members. If that happens, jump on in and have a good time. Learn everything you can in this show so that you can be even better prepared for the next audition.

No, you don't. Just try your best and don't worry about it! If they need to make any modifications to your appearance for the show, then they will.

Practice! Think about who keeps getting the parts. Are they a better singer or actor? If so, then you need to improve by practicing. Another possibility is that you just don't suit the role. In that case, just try your hardest, and remember that there will always be more musicals to try out for in the future. If the director of the musical is always the same person, consider asking them for tips on how you might improve.

Practice the songs or script you are using for auditions days in advance, if possible and just do your best.

Act that age and be confident about it. It will show through, and if you do an amazing job, your director might cast you for that role regardless of your age.

If you feel ready, then you should go for it. Some schools will let you audition for multiple roles and then only give you one, so you could maybe try for a bigger role and a smaller role if your school's program will let you.,

Just focus on you and absolutely nobody else. It's difficult but you have to not think about anything you do. It's all about meeting your own standards, nobody else's. There will always be someone better than you somewhere so comparing yourself to others is not a good mindset.

Yes, if you feel confident about it, you should go for it. And remember that there may be someone better than you but don't let that bring you down. You need to give it a go at the very least!

You make some good points. The article will be edited. For future reference, rather than using the Q&A section, put discussions and observations in the "discuss" section accessed at the top of the page.

You may have an advantage here, because you're younger than many people auditioning for Matilda (a little girl)! Just give it your all, and show confidence even if it's just fake-it-till-you-make-it.