Some people who haven't been in any musicals might ask themselves what it's actually like to be in a musical. I'm here to tell you (to the best of my abilities) what it's actually like.
Starting with the beginning. Casting or auditioning is one of the more stressful parts. Most of the time they have you sing something from either the show or a solo you have prepared. They might make you so a monalauge and there is almost always a dance portion to see your abilities. If you really want to be in a specific musical or want to be a certain role this is where they decide if you're the right person for the job. They might want you, just not for the role that you want. For example you might tryout for the lead and end up getting a side character or even ensemble. It's up to you at that point to decide if that's what you really want. If you do, great add it to the resume. If not that's okay to, there will always be another musical.
So you're in the musical what now? Well usually they'll send out a rehearsal schedule and let you know what needs to be done. You might have to sign some papers and fill out a few forms. Maybe they need to know what you have for costumes and what your measurements are. You get to begin to know your cast members and remember if you watched them try out (sometimes they'll let people watch other times they won't).
The first official practice rolls around and they give you the idea of how they want to setup the stage and what they're expecting from everyone. You'll probably do a read through where everyone says their lines and you attempt the songs. This is just to get an idea of what the show is and what the order of it may be.
Now usually after this they'll have certain people called to come in on different days to learn their songs and how the director wants them to sing it. This is where you start to realize that you're in a show. The songs start getting stuck in your head and you start practicing them in the car.
Maybe you're not great at memorizing songs so this next part helps some people out. Dance, blocking a song is a great way to learn the song itself. Putting movement with words is a great way to learn the song and realizing what line comes next.
You've been practicing for weeks on weeks now. You've got the songs memorized. The choreography in your body. The set looks incredible and you know all the cast members. You hangout with them outside of just practice and realize you've become a small family. The songs might be getting a little annoying now, but you still have all the performances to listen to them so you better get used to it.
Performance time rolls around and suddenly the songs aren't annoying. The atmosphere has changed. Getting out on stage is a rush of adrenaline. Realizing how many people are here to watch you. It's amazing. There are no words to describe this feeling.
Then the last show rolls around. People are crying, handing out gifts, emotions are high. Usually the last show is the one everyone goes 110% on because they realize that this is it. The family is over and everyone moves on. Everyone moves on until... the next show.
Now this is just my experience with shows and it's a little different for every musical. What always seems to remain the same is that you become a family. The last show is emotional. And people move on. So until next time. cya