How to Choose an Audition Side

We've all watched a movie or play where it seems like the lead has been miscast. It's not only frustrating to watch, but also makes you think less of the actor in the role. Well here are some tips on how to choose an audition side the next time you are reading for a role so that you show yourself in the best light.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Movie script or play

1. Find a scene with two people. When you audition for a role you usually read with a casting director or associate. Don't confuse the scene or read by having more than two people talking back and forth. (Sometimes this is unavoidable; however, you should always strive to choose a scene with two people if possible.)

2. Look for a scene that exhibits who you are as an actor. You may long to play Hamlet. However if you are a 15 year old female, you'll never get paid professionally to play that role. (Except in a new interpretation.) Choose an audition side, which is about your same age range and seems to go to your natural personality. Once you have established more of a career you can "stretch" to intensive roles that aren't "you."

3. Choose an audition side that has an equal part for both people with a good cadence of back and forth dialogue. The audition scene does you no good if the casting director is speaking the whole time. So, find a scene that focuses on you for the audition.

4. Pick a scene with conflict in it. (If the scene is well written, then it will exhibit some sort of conflict.) It can be comedic or dramatic conflict, but there needs to be two opposing points of view. This will provide you the best opportunity to show your strength in acting by winning your side of the argument.

Tips & Warnings

• You should memorize your lines for your audition. While it may seem daunting once you choose the scene, you will be far and away better prepared than other actors who are still looking down at the page, glued to the scene.
• Don't bring props to an audition. While you'll certainly use them when it comes time to actually perform the scene, they are cumbersome in the audition room. Pantomime the bare bones of what you need to play the scene. For instance, if the scene calls for a phone, pretend you are picking up a phone, versus actually using a phone during your audition.