AuditioningBased on Audition

By Michael Shurtleff

Why do we want to be actors?

So why do we do it?

AuditioningFAQ’s

In an audition, what can I ask? If the lighting is poor, ask if you can be

seen. If you ask – LISTEN Speak loudly and clearly #1 rule – BE SEEN AND HEARD

Who conducts the audition? Could be anyone from 1 – 10 people Generally the director, but the bigger the

production, the larger the crowd Musicals – musical director and

choreographer Broadway – producers and playwrights TV – producers and sponsors

Can I ask who I am auditioning for?

No. It can make them feel uncomfortable. Big shows and Broadway they may want to

remain anonymous If they want you to know – they’ll tell you

How do I find out what my auditioner wants?

Don’t try. You won’t get an honest answer Usually, what they think they want in the

beginning is not what they end up with in the end

Control your frustrations and hostilities!

You will ALWAYS lose You may not know the reason for their

abrupt response

What do they expect from my audition?

The world. You can’t give them everything they want,

so don’t even try. The only thing you can do is show them

who YOU are

How do I enter and exit? Slate Show them how charming and professional

you are Treat them with courtesy and respect at all

times

What do I say if they ask me what I’ve done?

They can read your resume and see the roles you’ve done, this is your chance to show them who you really are.

This is your big chance to let them know who you are and how you relate to the role you are auditioning for.

Practice this as you would your monologue

What if I have a resume with little or no experience?

What you’ve done is not nearly as significant as how you present it.

Come in with confidence and it won’t matter how little you’ve done.

What do I do if I’m late? DON’T BE LATE. If you are, check in with the person at the

sign in desk, maybe they’re running late. This is the only time when you can tell a

“little white lie”

In a cold reading, should I memorize the script? No. It’s a waste of time, they don’t expect you to If you miss a line it can mess up your whole

audition You’ll be judged much harder because

subconsciously they will look at you as if you are performing instead of auditioning

What do I do if the director directs me at the reading?

Do it. But remember to ADD what the director

gives you to what you are already doing. They called you out because they liked

what you were doing. Don’t drop it.

How do I find out why I wasn’t cast?

Don’t bother. Nothing is more subjective than acting. You’re too… blonde, bald, tall, short,

young, old, skinny, fat, pretty, ugly, etc…

How do I get an audition? Get an agent. That’s their job. They get you an audition so they can get

their cut. That doesn’t mean that once you get an

agent, you can stop looking. Acting is a 24-7 business Read the trades and keep your eyes and

ears open

Should I go to an open call? Yes. Equity theatres are required to have an

open call to allow any equity actor the chance to audition for that role

Most of the time it’s precast anyway, but it never hurts

Virginia is a right to work state

What should I audition for? Anything and everything If they asked you to audition for a 70 year

old woman – do it. If they are looking for a 300 lb. blonde and

you’re a 90 lb brunette – do it. You can always use the practice – and

maybe you’ll change their mind.

What do I do at the interview? Be yourself. Nothing is more difficult than trying to get to

know an actor who is trying to be someone they are not.

Talk about something else that is not on your resume

Open up and respond to what the ask and say

What do I wear? Wear something that is appropriate for the

part Keep the part in mind – don’t under dress

or over dress DON’T GO IN COSTUME When you go back for callbacks, try and

wear the same thing you wore at the audition.

AuditioningCold Readings

Be Yourself Don’t try and figure out your character. You

don’t have time. Not your everyday self – Plays are about

not about everyday events Plays are remarkable characters in unique

situations Be remarkable, be unique, but be yourself

in those events

Commit Don’t limit yourself to what your "character"

wouldn’t do, rather go with what he/she would do.

Try and get an early read-through If you are asked to do a reading completely cold,

you may also ask for time to go over it offstage. Most will say yes giving you a small chance to get a quick look at the scene. If they say no, say, “without ever looking it over?” (NICELY) They will be forced to say, “Yes.” Then without attitude or reluctance give it your best shot, knowing that you gave it your all. Later they will be forced to take into consideration that you were at a handicap from the onset.

AuditioningThe 12 Guideposts

#1 Relationship What is my relationship to the other character in

the scene? Once you know the fact of a relationship, you are

ready to explore how you feel about the character.

Facts are never enough. Delve into emotions. If you don’t know the relationship – make one up

and commit.

#2 What are you fighting for? Conflict

Beats are not enough What does your character want in the

scene Instead of trying to reach your objective,

find a positive motivation for your actions Conflict is what creates drama ACTIVE CHOICES

#3 The Moment Before Every scene begins in the middle, decide

what happens before the scene begins In auditions, it is important to establish the

moment before, or it will take ½ of your audition to get warmed up

Emotions are okay, but it should lead to specific choices

#4 Humor Not about making jokes or being funny, but the

humanity that keeps us from jumping off a bridge It’s hard to believe the seriousness of a scene

when all the humor is removed Actors fail to find the humor in a tragic scene – it’s

what makes tragedy bearable The heavier the burden, the more we need it

#5 Opposites Everything in life contains opposites No matter what your objective – the

opposite should be present Instead of bringing resolution, work with the

process of dealing with the conflict It’s why we sometimes want to strangle a

loved one – work on that to create a more dynamic stage presence

#6 Discoveries Keep the scene fresh There is something brand new happening

in each scene that you do. Treat the actions in a scene as if they are

happening for the first time Take nothing for granted – Ask yourself,

what’s new?

#7 Communication and Competition Communication is a circle not a one-way

street You must have a sender and a receiver If that person hasn’t received what you

have spoken, then there is no communication

Consider what emotions you are sending as well

#7 Communication and Competition

Without competition, drama is dull Drama feeds on competition and dies with

agreement There are 2 points every actor should

consider in every scene I am right and you are wrong You should change from who you are to who I

think you should be

#8 Importance Plays are written about a character’s most

important moments of their lives, not the most boring

Actors confuse truth in acting with what they see everyday

The actor must play something unusual, something unique

#9 Find the Events Often times actors are so involved in

creating and becoming their character that they forget what is happening in the play

“What happens in this scene? What are the changes?”

You must not accept that nothing happens or that there are no changes.

#10 Place When you audition, it is up to you to create the

environment Use real life to help create your environment Use locations familiar to you to help establish as

many realities to the scene as possible The physical nature of the place is only the

beginning. How you feel about the place is even more important.

#11 Game Playing and Role Playing We as humans play different roles

depending upon who we interact with Just because you are playing a role, it does

not make it false – we must be sincere In each scene ask “what role is the

character portraying The game is the play and it must have the

highest possible life or death stakes

#12 Mystery and Secret After you’ve added everything you know

about the character – add something that you do not know

It’s that something extra you can’t put your finger on

Look for the mystery or secret in a scene that shows there are questions lingering that can not be answered