Whether an actor is auditioning for that first community theater role, or has been treading the boards professionally for years, auditions can be an ordeal. But with some simple preparation techniques, actors can relax and showcase their best work. Here are some audition tips to keep in mind:
Directors Want Actors To Succeed
As unlikely as it may seem from the actor's side of the table, conducting auditions can be just as stressful as performing them. The director would like nothing better than to find the person s/he wants to hire for the role. Ignoring the impulse to see those behind the table as the enemy can help actors to relax and focus on showing their best work.
Know What is Required
All auditions have requirements—two contrasting monologues, or a monologue and a song are the most common. Well before the audition, an actor needs to be clear on what he or she is being asked to prepare. How many monologues are they looking for? Do they need to be from a particular genre or era? If a song has been requested, will an accompanist be available, or should the actor bring a CD? Remember: a prepared actor is a confident actor.
Read the Play
If the actor is auditioning for a specific play, he or she should read the full script. Many plays are available at the public library or through inter-library loan. In some cases, the theater will provide copies of the script for actors to borrow or read on site. Not only can reading the play help actors choose what monologues to prepare, but if asked to "cold read" (that is, read a scene from the script with no advance preparation) that actor will have a lot more information to draw on.
An actor should also read the plays that their monologues are from. Although monologue books can be a great source for material, no two-line synopsis can give the full context of the monologue. It sometimes happens that the director may ask questions about the play, especially if it's one of his or her favorites, or if he or she has directed it before. The actor who can engage in a discussion about the play will fare better than the actor who admits that they haven't read the play.
Practice, Practice, Practice
The more time an actor has to prepare an audition, the more relaxed they will feel when the day arrives. The easiest way to prepare is to set aside time each day to work on the audition pieces. Once the actor has their audition pieces memorized, they should rehearse the entire audition, from entering the room to introducing the pieces and performing them.
As far as introductions go, a simple "I'm performing Viola from Twelfth Night" should suffice. And while there is nothing wrong with an actor taking a moment to ground him or herself before starting their monologue, no director wants to see an elaborate warm-up routine.
Arrive Early
The only thing worse than an actor racing into an audition just as their name is being called is an actor arriving late. Arriving at an audition at least fifteen minutes ahead of time gives an actor a chance to relax and ground themselves before they are called in. Although auditions sometimes run behind schedule, it's not something to count on.
There's no question that auditions can be stressful for everyone involved. But taking the time to prepare in advance can give an actor the extra boost of confidence needed to get the role.
Catherine Walsh - Catherine Walsh is a professional actor, playwright, and freelance writer. A graduate of the University of Ottawa, Catherine's film ...
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