Auditions for HHS’s winter musical Thoroughly Modern Millie began Monday November 14, and continue throughout the week.

Freshman Hollyn Slykhuis already has six auditions under her belt, but every audition it’s like the first.

“I get really nervous [about auditions] more nervous than I get for an actual performance,” Slykhuis said.

For Slykhuis, muscle memory is key.

“I make sure I rehearse [the audition piece] enough so come really naturally, without having to think about it because I’ll get so nervous that I’ll blank out,” Slykhuis said.

Sophomore Graham Rebhun has been part of the theater department since being light technician for Tom Sawyer in sixth grade and has now auditioned for a total of nine productions.

“I practice a lot [for auditions]. I usually go home and play it on the piano to get my notes right, and if the soundtrack isn’t provided, I download it from iTunes and practice using that,” Rebhun said.

Auditions don’t cause Rebhun any extra nerves beforehand, but when he gets in front of the directors, it’s a different story.

“Usually I feel fine, but as soon as I get in the room I start shaking uncontrollably,” Rebhun said. “My mind just blanks. I forget to do the moves I’ve planned out.”

Sophomore Caroline Shank experiences a different end of the spectrum.

“Surprisingly, I’ve never felt nervous [before auditions],” Shank said.

“I love learning the music and being able to make it your own, and get your own take on it, put your own emotions into it,” Shank said. “[My least favorite part is] waiting. I just want to go and be done with [the audition].”

Junior Maddy Newbanks is auditioning for the first time this year, and only minutes before her audition, she still had not decided what song she wanted to sing.

“I can sing all [the audition songs], and I think How the Other Half Lives is really dynamic, and it shows what I can do, but I want to stay in my comfort zone so I don’t mess up,” Newbanks said.

People who auditioned will know if they have made the cut as callbacks are announced during the week.