About Auditions

Every instance in which an actor is hired to play a part means someone out there are dozens, hundreds and possibly thousands of other disappointed thespians who were rejected for the part. The process of the audition is obviously not a foolproof system for casting a role, but until something better comes along, the audition will be around to stir the imagination of some actors and instill fear in others.

Significance

The significance of the audition is simple. A director or casting agent needs to fill a role and the easiest way to do that is to bring in a number of actors with the potential to play that part to the maximum of his or her talent. When the director has access to a star who is eager to play a part, it can make things so much easier. As for all the other roles, it means casting a net through the audition process.

Types

There are basically two different types of auditions, the prepared reading and the cold reading. The prepared reading is one in which you have been asked to arrive already prepared with a memorized script. This script may be the actual script that you are trying out for. Usually, this kind of prepared reading is given only to actors who have agents who have procured a reading for them. In this type of prepared reading, you will actually be trying out for a character in the script.

Types

The second type of prepared reading for an audition is when the actor is asked to come prepared with a stock performance. In other words, you may be called to audition with a monologue by Shakespeare or a scene from Goodfellas that you have already prepared as your "audition piece." This type of audition provides the auditor with the chance to see how you perform in a role you have already spent considerable time preparing for.

Types

The second type of audition reading is called the "cold reading." Basically, an actor shows up for an audition and is handed a scene that he's never seen before. It may be a monologue, but more likely it will be a dialogue. Unfortunately, in most audition atmospheres the other person won't be an actor but an assistant who probably won't give you much in the way of give and take. The cold reading is probably the most nerve-wracking experience of them all.

Considerations

Although the cold reading can create a nervous reaction because the actor is likely to have little idea what the casting agent or director is looking for, another way to look at this situation is that it provides more opportunity. The important thing to remember is that the auditor is not looking for an opening night performance during an audition. What the auditor is actually hoping to see is a glimpse of imagination and creativity, so now is the time to take chances and never give the same reading twice.

Time Frame

In many cases, an actor can expect more than just one audition. The opening audition may just be the first in a long line. All subsequent auditions are known as callbacks and while it is not the norm, it is also not unheard of for a director to request as many as a dozen or more callbacks. The key to a callback audition is to wear either the same or essentially the same thing as you wore to the first one. Why? Because the auditor may not remember your name; he may only remember you as that guy with the bright yellow shirt and red sneakers.

Warning

What if you are late for an audition? First off, keep in mind that everyone is late for something. Of course, you should always be aware that things can come up without notice and try to get to site of the audition at least an hour early to stave off obstacles and give yourself some time to prepare. If you are late, but notice that the auditors don't seem to be too inconvenienced, then the better part of discretion is not to bring attention to your tardiness. Otherwise, simply apologize professionally for having arrived late and use the excuse, whether true or not, that you are late because you arrived directly from another audition.