SETTING UP YOUR SONG WITH A PIANIST
That 20–30 second conversation with your accompanist can make or break your audition. If they’re clear, you’re supported. If they’re guessing, you’re fighting the music instead of using it.
YOUR ACCOMPANIST CHAT NEEDS A SYSTEM
Actors often wing this moment.
I’m a Broadway audition coach, and when nerves hit, clarity disappears.
You need a repeatable structure so you can deliver clean, useful information every time.
THE FRAMEWORK: A.C.T.S.
Think of it as a play in four A.C.T.S.: About, Cut, Tempo, Start.
In that order.
It keeps you focused, concise, and easy to follow.
A — ABOUT THE SONG
Start by orienting them.
Give the title, the show, and the composer/lyricist.
If it’s pop/rock/R&B, swap the songwriters for the artist or band who made it famous.
You’re giving them context for style and sound.
C — THE CUT
Show, don’t just tell.
Point to where you start. Track the roadmap with your finger. Indicate any internal cuts or repeats.
Then clearly show where you end.
If they have to search, you’ve already lost time.
T — TEMPO
Set it actively. (Check out my detailed videos on giving a tempo.)
Tap it on your body and sing it out loud, clearly enough for the whole room to hear.
Stay in it until they confirm.
Don’t rush this. If the tempo is off, everything is off.
S — START
Give a clear cue.
Name what you’ll do to let them know they can start playing.
A nod, a gesture, a spoken line — something they can reliably track.
Never assume they’ll “just know” or else they may start before you’re ready.
WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE
“Hi, nice to meet you. This is ‘Journey to the Past’ from Anastasia by Ahrens and Flaherty. We start here, go through here, take this cut, and end here. Tempo is…” (tap and sing) “…and I’ll give you a nod to start.”
Clean. Direct. 20-30 seconds max.
PRACTICE IT
This should not be improvised.
Run it until it’s automatic.
Because when nerves hit, you’ll fall back on whatever you’ve rehearsed.
🥜 IN A NUTSHELL
Clarity equals support. Use A.C.T.S. so your accompanist can play confidently and you can perform freely.
