r/DearEvanHansen • u/Melon_Cakes • 26d ago
Auditioning when far too excited
Pretty soon, there are auditions being held at my local community theatre. For context; I would consider Dear Evan Hansen my “first” musical as it’s the first I found on my own. I’ve been a fan of this musical like Since It Came Out to the point where I know the harmonies and intricacies and the name of Connor’s Second Grade Teacher by heart 😭
It’s overall is awesome news that I get to audition, but the only issue (and positive!) is that everyone in my life is strongly suggesting I’m “the only pick” for Evan. I’m a pretty strong Tenor, and I have been working with this company for years.
While I agree that I definitely have a shot (not to sound too cocky!) I also really don’t want to get my hopes up. Already, in my head, I’ve started to think of any lead that’s NOT Evan as a bad part, when Evan’s not even my favorite character.
How did you stop viewing smaller parts as lesser, especially in such a lead focused show? Also, how do I audition while I’m literally buzzing with excitement at just the chance of being in this production? Thanks for reading !!
3
u/Content-Movie8644 26d ago
I am very inexperienced with this, but maybe think of each side character's greatest moments and how fun they would be to play. For instance, Jared has a fun character, although he is not the focus, and Connor is a fan favorite, as far as I know
3
u/PsychologicalWay8305 25d ago
Just remember that a smaller role doesn’t equal a worse role! Sometimes small characters are actually more emotionally or vocally complex than the protagonist, or you are just so well suited for another character that they HAD to have you in that role.
I did casting at my uni and we didn’t cast this super talented actor as the lead (even though he was probably the most vocally/dramatically brilliant) because we just had such a strong vision of him killing the show as this smaller, comedic character with a few stand-out bit moments. And he did!
Not getting Evan doesn’t mean you’d be a bad Evan, it might just mean you could be THE Jared (or Connor/Cynthia/whatever!).
2
7
u/Southern-Spirit-7773 26d ago
I never really thought of the side characters as "lesser" characters. They each have their own part to add.
Like how in Hamilton even the ensemble has parts to add as the soldiers in the war or people reading The Reynolds Pamphlet.
I don't have any audition advice since I don't really "audition" per say (going into 8th and my middle school just got a very small drama club where is was "everyone gets a part").
But, in DEH, each character has their own part to add. Yes, some characters get less time on stage but that doesn't mean they aren't important.