Successful Audition Tips . . .
1. Read the Audition Packet/
Information Carefully!
Information Carefully!
Actors should arrive at auditions fully prepared, not just ready to perform,
but also to present any requested material. Examine the audition notice.
Should you prepare one monologue? Two? Is the audition a cold reading or
Improvisation? Know what you are getting into!
but also to present any requested material. Examine the audition notice.
Should you prepare one monologue? Two? Is the audition a cold reading or
Improvisation? Know what you are getting into!
Finally, based on the audition notice, make certain you are trying out for an
appropriate part. Read if there are any height or age restrictions for certain
roles. Follow whatever guidelines are offered to ensure that you arrive at
the audition as organized as possible.
appropriate part. Read if there are any height or age restrictions for certain
roles. Follow whatever guidelines are offered to ensure that you arrive at
the audition as organized as possible.
2. Be Professional
Show the directors how reliable you are by showing up at least fifteen
minutes before the audition. Be courteous, but don’t be too talkative. Don’t
pester crew members or fellow actors with idle conversation. Spend your
time privately readying yourself.
minutes before the audition. Be courteous, but don’t be too talkative. Don’t
pester crew members or fellow actors with idle conversation. Spend your
time privately readying yourself.
In general, think of an audition like a job interview. Avoid inappropriate
behavior, whether its chewing gum, using profanity, behaving too shyly or
brashly, or making long-winded speeches as to why you are perfect for the
role.
behavior, whether its chewing gum, using profanity, behaving too shyly or
brashly, or making long-winded speeches as to why you are perfect for the
role.
3. Dress Appropriately
Usually, it is best to wear comfortable attire that is slightly more dressed up
than your normal everyday school clothes. You want to exhibit charm and
professionalism, but you don’t want to look like a stock-broker or a banker.
Remember, many new actors make the mistake of wearing costumes to
audition. Perhaps they say to themselves: “Hey, I’ve got a great pirate outfit
from last Halloween! I’ll wear that!” Sadly, this is bound to cause directors to
chuckle under their breath. They might be amused, but they will definitely
not take the actor seriously.
than your normal everyday school clothes. You want to exhibit charm and
professionalism, but you don’t want to look like a stock-broker or a banker.
Remember, many new actors make the mistake of wearing costumes to
audition. Perhaps they say to themselves: “Hey, I’ve got a great pirate outfit
from last Halloween! I’ll wear that!” Sadly, this is bound to cause directors to
chuckle under their breath. They might be amused, but they will definitely
not take the actor seriously.
If you are auditioning for a dancing part in a musical or an audition that
relies on lots of physical movement, wear dance attire or comfortable
clothes you can move around in. It should not be anything flashy or
expensive.
relies on lots of physical movement, wear dance attire or comfortable
clothes you can move around in. It should not be anything flashy or
expensive.
4. Get to Know the Play
Many auditions involve reading “sides.” Sides are small, hand-picked
portions of a script. Sometimes they are a brief monologue. Sometimes they
are short scenes involving two or more characters. Most of the time, you
won’t know exactly what scene you’ll be reading. In that case, you’ll want to
familiarize yourself with the play in general.
portions of a script. Sometimes they are a brief monologue. Sometimes they
are short scenes involving two or more characters. Most of the time, you
won’t know exactly what scene you’ll be reading. In that case, you’ll want to
familiarize yourself with the play in general.
If you are auditioning for a popular play feel free to buy a copy of the script
online or at your local bookstore. Better yet, visit your local library.
Watching a film version of the play might help as well. However, don’t
simply mimic the movie actor’s performance. Directors want to see what
you can create, not what you can imitate.
online or at your local bookstore. Better yet, visit your local library.
Watching a film version of the play might help as well. However, don’t
simply mimic the movie actor’s performance. Directors want to see what
you can create, not what you can imitate.
5. Practice Cold Reading
If the play is rather obscure or brand new, it may be difficult to purchase a
copy. In that case, you’ll want to polish up your cold reading skills. Cold
Reading is the act of performing lines as you read them for the very first time.
It can be a nerve-wracking experience, but with practice, most actors can
become quite adept at it.
copy. In that case, you’ll want to polish up your cold reading skills. Cold
Reading is the act of performing lines as you read them for the very first time.
It can be a nerve-wracking experience, but with practice, most actors can
become quite adept at it.
The best way to become a fluent cold reader is to read aloud as often as you
can. When you cold read during your audition, do not worry if you stumble
over a word or two. The important thing to remember is to stay in character.
Create chemistry between you and your fellow actor. Make the director, and
anyone else watching, believe that you are thinking and feeling the words on
the page.
can. When you cold read during your audition, do not worry if you stumble
over a word or two. The important thing to remember is to stay in character.
Create chemistry between you and your fellow actor. Make the director, and
anyone else watching, believe that you are thinking and feeling the words on
the page.
6. Don’t Apologize!
After an audition, an actor becomes his own worst critic. Often times,
hopeful actors are tempted to explain themselves to the directors. They
provide excuses or even apologies in hopes of gaining sympathy. Avoid this
as much as you can. Thank the director and leave the stage knowing that if
you are right for the part, they will see that. If not, know that you did your
best. And remember: there are many other wonderful roles out there just
waiting to be filled.
hopeful actors are tempted to explain themselves to the directors. They
provide excuses or even apologies in hopes of gaining sympathy. Avoid this
as much as you can. Thank the director and leave the stage knowing that if
you are right for the part, they will see that. If not, know that you did your
best. And remember: there are many other wonderful roles out there just
waiting to be filled.
