Comments on: How to Attend an Audition

on 2/16/2008 When completing the auditioning form, is it ever appropriate to write a request to be considered for a particular role or to let the director know that you are interested in a particular role?

on 9/6/2006 1. To prepare for the audition:
Find a monologue/song that suits you. Practice it frequently and memorize it.
Wear clothing that suggests the role that you are auditioning for, not a costume. Make sure your clothing is comfortable.

Girls: Don't wear high heels! Wear comfy shoes that look nice (no sneakers).

Pack an audition bag with several copies of your headshot and resume, a copy of the monologue/song you'll be reading/singing, some breath mints. Bad breath is a major turn off! Do not , however, chew gum! Gum chewing makes you look obnoxious, and have lots of water nearby.

2. When you arrive at an audition:
Give your headshot and resume to the people checking you in.
Stand up straight and tall, be confident! It's OK to be nervous, as long as you stay calm and give the impression that you are totally confident. Smile!
When you meet the director, smile and say, "It's nice to meet you!" Give them a nice, firm handshake; how you shake hands with someone says a lot about you.

TAKE YOUR TIME!
Introduce yourself (If you haven't already been introduced). Smile. Take several deep breaths, and get into character. Then start your monologue/song. Do not rush! It's OK to pause here and there, as long as you don't pause for too long. Most importantly, breathe! One very valuable thing a learned from a wonderful director was that breathing solves all your problems. If you forget a line, just take a deep breath, and I can almost guarantee that it will come to you.

Listen carefully to the director. If they ask you to do anything else, or to do something a different way, don't act huffy or offended, or try to defend your way of doing it, just smile and say, "OK!" Really think about what they have to say. When you are finished, thank the director and walk out confidently, even if you feel awful about your audition.

3. If you get a call back:
Use the same etiquette that you used for your first audition. It still matters!
Wear the same thing, too.
It will probably be a bit less structured, but bring the same things that you brought to your audition.
Do your best! Truly put effort into it. Don't think that you have a shoe-in for the role just because you got a call back. They still are looking to see what you can do.

4. If you don't get a call back:
Don't be discouraged! Sometimes the only reason why people are called back is because the directors fell like they need to see you act a bit more before they feel ready to make a decision.

5. If you get the part:
Great job!

6. If you don't get the part!
Great job! Do not think that the reason why you didn't get the part is because you are a bad actor/actress! Usually, it's because you don't look the way that the director wants the part to look. For example, you could be a redhead, but the director is looking for a blonde. Or maybe you're on the shorter side, while the part is supposed to be someone tall. In any case, now the director knows who you are, which is very good for the future!

on 8/8/2006 -Don't show up to a audition in full costume, unless it is asked for. Some Directors find auditions in full costume extremely weird, so tone it down with a shirt or some jewelery that resembles the characters that you are auditioning for fashion.
- Don't initially try out for a chorus part, if they ask you to list it, put it in the middle or bottom. If you're good enough for the top part and it says "chorus" they may think your afraid to step out (unless you actually are).
- Don't get caught up with the others before the auditions, if a director comes in you want to seem focused on the audition rather than the auditioner.

on 8/2/2006 A good thought process is such: "If they don't pick me, it's their loss, and I am going to take my talent elsewhere." However, do not say this out loud to anyone- you don't want to come off as cocky. Also, don't take anything personally- nothing will ever be too personal in a big audition.

on 2/2/2006 If you're auditioning for a musical, you need your voice to be hydrated and relieved from phlegm. A few hours before an audition, I always have a bowl of soup with really spicy broth (you can get powdered broth mix) and have three glasses of water to go with it (you'll need something to drink with such a spicy soup). Spicy food brings the phlegm up from your vocal cords to the back of your throat. When you're singing at the audition, your voice will be hydrated and without any phlegm and it will be much easier to sing.

on 11/22/2005 ~Never say that someone is a better actor than you, it turns a director off toward your acting, and encourages your competition.
~Speak slowly. Don't rush through your lines, because the character is not who you really are, and they did not prepare the scene, they are just living in reality. Use that reality!
~Don't practice in front of other people while waiting. They either will be convinced you are horrible or will pick up some tips from you, and no one wants to have their act copied. If you must, practice in front of a mirror, like in a bathroom, as long as you are by yourself or with your guardian.
~Relax! While waiting, read a book or listen to some music. I usually put on a Broadway CD and pretend I'm on a stage, in the spotlight, the star of the show. It's very soothing when you think you've already scored the part.
~Make sure to not consume any chocolate, soda, milk, cheese, yogurt, excessive salt, orange juice, green vegetables (they give you gas and makes you bloated), grapes, oranges, pineapple, lemon, red meat, junk food, sweets, soda, alcohol, ice cream, diet soda (especially diet coke), anything with aspartame in it, and gum of any kind. They all increase saliva secretion, and prevent you from hitting the high notes, as well as giving you a nasty feeling before auditioning.
~Do eat chicken, fish, almonds (good protein), lots of water, apples, eggs, yellow vegetables (in moderation, please!) and rice. But remember to never eat any later than 2 hours before your audition!! Within 2 hours of your audition, consume only water! And baby, will you belt those notes!
~Do read any other tips people may have posted online. And smile! You're having fun! Enjoy your moment in the spotlight! Good Luck!

on 12/9/2005 Don't be scared. They wouldn't want you to be scared of them. They are there to make your dreams come true. If you don't get the part, don't worry, because there will always be more for you to try out.

on 11/22/2005 Here are some tips for when you are auditioning:
1. Make eye contact
2. Be polite and act like you really want the job (not desperate for it). Act like you can get other jobs.
3. Do not go in unprepared. No chewing gum, fixing your hair, or straightening your clothes
4. Act like it was a piece of cake
5. Do not act shy
6. Act like you are glad to be there. Parents and guardians should act this way, too.
7. Never act rude. They do have people undercover asking people random questions, so whoever you talk to, be very kind.
8. You have to know what you want and go for it when you're auditioning.

on 11/22/2005 After 3 years of acting auditions, I have learned how to rid myself of nerves. In the waiting room, decide that YOU are better than everyone else in the room, and this casting director would be an idiot not to cast you, because you are the best! In the audition room, your attitude should be, "Casting director, I respect you, you are amazing!" Afterwards, reassure yourself that the audition was rubbish, and a waste of time. These thoughts have really worked for me.

on 11/22/2005 You should always stand tall and think you are the best actor/actress there. That way, you feel like you already have the job. Before you go, you should do something that makes you happy, like watching your favorite TV show.

on 11/22/2005 Don't make small talk or stop in the middle of an audition if you make a mistake. Just keep going.

on 11/22/2005 A lot of times people are chatting in the waiting room and miss that the casting director/assistant is in the room giving audition tips for this particular client.

on 11/22/2005 Before you go in, keep repeating in your head, "You like me!" You'll act as if you've already conquered the hardest part - wondering if they like you. You'll seem more confident and relaxed.

on 11/22/2005 Always smile and walk with confidence. Introduce youself loudly and clearly. When you leave, act as if you're still auditioning. Just smile, say it was great, and leave even if you did horribly. (You never know who's listening around you.)