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Audition
Tips
Many actors get freaked out about auditions. But knowing tips can help you feel more confident and relaxed--and maybe help you get the part! Here are some tricks I have learned. If you have something to add, e-mail me at TrendyJ@aol.com.
Before the Audition
Prepare yourself for the audition several days to a week before the audition by practicing your cold reading and improvs. The more you prepare yourself, the more confident you will feel.
If there is a script you can rent, a book you can read, or a movie you can watch of the play you're auditioning for, then do it! The script will make much more sense if you know the story.
If you haven't seen the script before the audition, be sure to arrive early so you can look it over. Even if you have seen the script, come early anyway so you can rehearse with the other people auditioning.
Avoid sugar and caffeine in the hours before the audition because this might make you hyper and nervous. You want the director to see you relaxed and confident.
Try not to let anything bother you on the day of the audition. Don't get into fights or arguments with people, if you do, make up before the audition. If you've got a test the next day, study for it before or plan time to study after the audition so it's out of your mind and you can concentrate totally on the audition without other things on your mind.
Dress nice, show you're serious about the play. I'm not saying tuxedos and evening gowns, don't go there, but something nice enough. If you show up in dirty jeans and a ratty t-shirt the director might get the idea that you're not serious about the part and maybe won't take you seriously.
Make sure you have a schedule of days you're busy ready so you know when you have to write it down. If you need a resume or something like that, or think you might, bring that too.
Rarely but sometimes a director might ask you for a monologue or song. So that you don't panic if that happens, have a short easy song, a drama monologue, and a comedy monologue memorized and practiced. These shouldn't be long but you should have rehearsed them until you can perform them excellently.
During the Audition
Get there on time. It will leave a bad impression if you are late, and you may be denied a chance to audition.
If you are waiting to audition, read and reread the script. Practice it out loud. You can also practice with other actors auditioning for different parts.
The director is not quite so concerned that you make the right choice, just that you make a character choice and stick with it.
Be friendly. No director will want to cast a snobby performer.
Do your best at the audition.
Two of the most important things you will want to show the director: confidence and enthusiasm.
After the Audition
Something you can do after the audition: nothing. Once the audition is over it is over. Leave it alone and forget about--plan for you next audition instead of obsessing about the previous one.
If you get the part--great! Enjoy it, and don't despair if it's not the part you wanted.
If you don't get the part--that's too bad, but it's not the end of the world, nor the end of your acting career. It was not a rejection of you, only an affirmation of someone else. You simply weren't right for that part, but you will be for another part. Find more auditions and don't give up--eventually, it will happen.