How to Select an Audition Piece for Actors

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When auditioning for an acting class, studio, agent, manager or even casting director, the piece you select is often nearly as important as your actual performance. Therefore, choosing your audition material is of the utmost importance.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Access to plays, screenplays
Movies
DVD player or VCR and TV

Step1

Identify what "type" of actor you are. Remember, this does not mean what type of actor you would like to be, but rather how others see you. Every guy wants to be seen as the next Marlon Brando or Paul Newman, but in reality, not many have the looks and charisma to play Stanley Kowalski or "Fast" Eddie Felson. So, determine what your "type" is and what kind of character you could knock out of the park.

Step2

If auditioning in Los Angeles, a community focused on television and film rather than stage work, identify an actor who is of this same type.

Step3

Look through the actor's credits and see if any one performance or character stands out as one you could also effectively portray.

Step4

If the audition calls for a monologue, find a scene in which said character speaks for 1 to 3 minutes without stopping, or at least major interruption from another character or event and displays some level of emotional range. If no such speech exists within the piece, many believe stringing together different speeches from the same piece is appropriate when needed. If the audition calls for a scene, find a partner who can effectively portray the other character in the piece but will not outshine you, and select a scene that showcases your strengths as an actor.

Tips & Warnings

Select a piece that showcases your particular strengths as an actor.
Avoid material featuring dated language that may sound unnatural in delivery.
Do not attempt an accent if you are allowed only one scene to perform.
If using a scene partner, make sure he or she does not outshine you in the performance.
Be wary of selecting a scene partner of the same "type."