What to Do with Your Body During a Singing Audition?
Mastering Stage Presence Through Physical Awareness and Control
(By Carmichael Phillip)
Why Body Language Matters in a Singing Audition
Your voice might be the star of a singing audition, but your body is its silent partner. How you stand, move, gesture, and even breathe can enhance—or completely undermine—your performance. Whether auditioning for musical theater, opera, or a contemporary showcase, your physical presence communicates as much as your vocal technique.
Casting directors are not just listening for pitch and tone; they’re also watching for confidence, emotional connection, and stage awareness. A singer who fidgets or freezes, no matter how strong vocally, may lose out to someone who embodies their character with physicality.
Start with Posture: Ground Yourself for Success
Posture is the foundation of vocal performance. A balanced stance opens the body for breath support and keeps you anchored during emotionally intense moments.
What to do:
Stand with feet hip-width apart.
Distribute your weight evenly on both feet.
Keep knees loose (not locked).
Lengthen your spine and relax your shoulders.
Example:
If you’re singing “Waving Through a Window” from Dear Evan Hansen, a grounded posture helps convey the internal turmoil of the character while providing the physical freedom to handle the song’s vocal demands.
Avoid slouching, leaning on one foot, or “bobbing” nervously—these habits can reduce vocal power and distract your audience.
Make Eye Contact—But Not Constantly
Eye contact creates a direct emotional connection with your audience. However, staring too intently at the casting panel—or avoiding them altogether—can both be problematic.
What to do:
Begin with a focal point just above or between the auditioners’ heads.
Use selective eye contact to emphasize emotional peaks.
Avoid darting eyes or constantly scanning the room.
Example:
During “She Used to Be Mine” from Waitress, look outward during reflective phrases, then inward or slightly downward during intimate or emotional lines.
Let your eyes guide your performance journey—use them to reveal vulnerability, defiance, or longing depending on the song.
Control Your Hands: Express Without Overacting
Your hands are extensions of your emotions. While it’s tempting to “act out” the lyrics with broad gestures, subtlety is often more effective.
What to do:
Keep arms relaxed at your sides to start.
Use one or both hands when the emotion or lyric calls for it.
Avoid repetitive or choreographed gestures unless explicitly directed.
Example:
In “On My Own” from Les Misérables, gently bringing a hand to the heart or extending an arm during the climax can highlight pain and longing without feeling artificial.
Avoid jazz hands, finger-pointing, or waving unless the character or song demands big energy. Less is often more.
Facial Expression: The Window to Emotion
Your face must match your voice. A sad ballad sung with a smile breaks the illusion. Likewise, a powerful chorus with a blank expression lacks impact.
What to do:
Think about the lyric’s meaning and let your facial muscles respond naturally.
Use micro-expressions—eyebrow raises, lip movements, and eye focus—to convey subtext.
Practice emoting in the mirror to build self-awareness.
Example:
For “I Dreamed a Dream,” a furrowed brow, trembling lip, or glistening eye can convey devastation and hopelessness more effectively than any hand gesture.
Let your emotions resonate from the inside out—not the other way around.
Movement: When, Why, and How to Use It
Physical movement can enrich your performance—but only if motivated. Avoid pacing, shifting aimlessly, or walking just to fill space.
What to do:
Choose 1–2 key moments to shift position or take a step forward/backward.
Match movement to musical shifts (verse to chorus, emotional climax).
Rehearse your movement so it feels spontaneous but controlled.
Example:
In “Corner of the Sky” from Pippin, stepping forward during a lyric about longing or retreating during a moment of doubt can reflect internal struggle.
Staging should be minimal but meaningful—less choreography, more storytelling.
Breath Control and Physical Presence
Your breathing affects both your voice and body. Shallow or erratic breathing leads to tension and visible discomfort.
What to do:
Practice diaphragmatic breathing.
Use breath pauses to ground emotionally intense phrases.
Allow your breath to support vocal dynamics and physical stillness.
Example:
In “Defying Gravity,” each breath fuels the song’s escalating power. Controlled breathing also keeps you from over-tensing your neck, shoulders, or hands during the big notes.
Let breath be the bridge between vocal technique and dramatic storytelling.
What to Wear and How It Affects Movement
Your clothing choices influence not just how you look but how you move.
What to do:
Wear comfortable, fitted clothing that allows natural movement.
Avoid heels, tight skirts, or accessories that limit gestures.
Choose colors that suit your character or style without being distracting.
Example:
A flowing top might add elegance to a classical song, but could distract in a pop number. Always test your outfit while performing to ensure you feel confident and unrestricted.
Let your outfit complement your body, not compete with it.
Use Stillness Strategically
Stillness is one of the most powerful tools in your performance arsenal. When used with intention, it can convey deep focus and emotional gravity.
What to do:
Start with stillness unless the song demands immediate action.
Freeze briefly during poignant moments or lyrical transitions.
Use subtle shifts—eye movement, a head tilt—instead of full-body motion.
Example:
In “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables,” holding still for several seconds before the final verse can create a haunting silence that draws the audience in.
Stillness, when paired with vocal emotion, can speak louder than movement.
Study the Greats: Inspiration from Professionals
Watching professional performers can teach you how to combine voice and body.
Examples:
Audra McDonald maintains grounded, graceful posture and uses her hands sparingly but effectively.
Ben Platt blends expressive facial emotion with subtle, emotionally motivated movement.
Jodie Comer, though known more for acting, showcases how micro-expressions create massive emotional resonance—valuable in musical storytelling.
Observe how they use their body as an extension of the character, not as decoration.
Exercises to Train Your Physical Performance
Try these drills to become more physically aware during auditions:
Mirror Rehearsal: Practice a song in front of a mirror. Watch for tension or unnatural movements.
Silent Singing: Perform your piece silently with full body emotion to train expressiveness.
Restrictive Rehearsal: Sing while seated or with hands behind your back to focus on vocal and facial expression.
Video Review: Record yourself and analyze your body language. Make targeted adjustments.
Train like a singer and an actor.
Final Thoughts: Body and Voice in Harmony
Your body is your instrument—second only to your voice in importance. In an audition setting, it reveals your poise, emotional truth, and stage presence. By practicing intentionality, control, and honest expression, you can deliver not just a song, but a story.
Whether you’re belting a Broadway ballad or crooning a pop tune, let your body support, not distract. Move with meaning. Stand with strength. Express with integrity.
And above all—let your body sing with you.
Acting Magazine Newsletters
Never miss out on the best from Acting Magazine.