Acting Auditions 101

Lesson 2: THE AUDITION.

Walking the Walk: Part Two.

In this section, we will visit three websites. Make sure to keep your notebook by your side as we explore each site and contemplate what it has to offer you.

1. “A Love Hate Affair”

The first website you need to visit is: http://danceart.com/t3d/auditions.htm . Although this particular site's article focuses on dance auditions, it brings out overall audition skills that are essential for all actors to have under their belt (no pun intended).

Pull out your notebook and answer the following questions:

The article addresses how to overcome intimidation, stating “the easiest way to overcome audition fear is to become knowledgeable about the audition process.” Why is that true? Write your response in your notebook.

The author states that you should know five things in advance (listed in the article with bullets). What are those five things? List them in your notebook.

The article stresses that before calling to find out this information, to first make sure it is not listed anyway in the advertisement or literature associated with the audition. Why is this? Write down your response.

That's right. You want to appear thorough and intelligent. And as the article states, don’t wait until the day of the audition. If the tables were switched, you, too, would be irritated by too many questions when you are trying to run an audition.

The article also addresses something I learned many years ago: to audition just for the joy of auditioning. Obviously, do not audition for a role for a 60-year-old if you are only 20, but do audition for as many parts as you possibly can. By experimenting with actual auditions, you will solidify techniques and approaches for when the role comes which you really want! And just as the article states, auditioning is a technique you can strengthen, like any other skill.

Record in your notebook three areas in which you desire to grow in auditioning skills. Although you may not have achieved these three skills yet, write them in the present tense (as if you’ve already achieved them). This will draw them to you quickly. Especially if you repeat the phrase on a daily basis (there's that daily discipline again!). Write the sentences in the following manner:

“Regarding auditions, I am very good at __________, ____________, and ______________.”

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2. “Prepare - Prepare - Prepare!”

Now visit: http://www.decaturnet.org/theatre7/Tips.... . Read through these points, looking for any new information which will aid you in your three new skills. Write those new discoveries in your notebook in the following manner:

“I am good at these skills because I ________________, ________________, and __________________.”

As you can see, building audition skills is actually a seamless, step-by-step process that comes simply from (once again) practical knowledge and discipline.

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3. “The Audition Process: A Guide for Actors”

Now click on this link: http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/University_Playe... . Read through this information. Although it was given originally for all NC State students, it provides a solid summary of important tips and steps to remember.

Now that you’ve read through the information at the site, add any applicable insights to your notebook (addressing your three new skills). In other words, write your sentences patterned after:

“I am confident in my skills because I (i.e. enter the space with confidence and a smile, or whichever of these listed supports your three new skills) _____________________.”

This is a lot of information. At this point, I advise that you take a break for a day and allow your new skills to begin to sink in. You still have plenty of practical knowledge and discipline to apply by doing your relaxation and vocal skills exercises (you have done them today already, right? If not, point taken and go have fun doing them!).

In other words, enjoy your day. Come back tomorrow for the rest of Lesson Two!

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