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If Acting is Your Thing…
Whether you are an “old pro” or someone who hasn't set foot on the stage since your elementary school play, we encourage you to try out for an upcoming show if there's a part that seems to call out your name.
Notes for the novice (and reminders for the more seasoned): An audition is basically a meeting. You want to be in the show, and we want you to do a good job so that we can cast the role. It's like a barter or trade -- we need each other! Like anything else, the more you audition, the more comfortable you will be. We recommend that you read the script ahead of time (perusal copies are generally available in the Box Office for a $10 fee, which is returned when you bring back the script). During the audition, show us who you are. Play appropriate parts of yourself in the scene; creating the role comes later during rehearsals. Think “I want such and such,” not “The character wants such and such.” Be clear, be simple, don?t overwhelm. If you are given a few minutes to look over a scene, read it a couple of times for content, story and meaning before you make any choices. Then ask yourself, “What is my relationship to the other character(s)?” “What am I fighting for?” (Try to ascertain what your character wants ? make it life or death.) “What happened to my character just before the scene starts?” When you are asked to read and have had no time to look over the script beforehand, take 30 seconds to scan the page. This enables you to have an overview of what you are reading before you actually begin. Bring a pencil to mark the scene(s) you are reading. Underline what you feel are the most important lines. Circle key words you want to hit. Lightly mark through lines you want to throw away. Put slash marks (/) where there are transitions to be made. While reading, be sure to hold the script below face level; directors want to see your face. In order to keep your place, run your thumb down the page as you read. Hit both the first line and the last line with strong energy. In between, use vocal variety and changes of pace. Unless asked to do so, don't walk while you read (an audition is a reading, not an “acting”). And most importantly, choose to enjoy yourself! After reading, be prepared to read the part again in a different way. This is often a director's way to see if you can “take direction.” Special notes about musicals: Are auditions for musicals different from those for plays? Yes! You will be asked to sing a bit and move a bit. Often the audition begins with warming up, doing group singing and dancing, and then singing individually so that the director can check the vocal ranges of those auditioning. Scene readings for musicals may differ as well. Scenes in musicals are more like a charcoal sketch than an oil painting. Knowing in advance even more about what you (your character) want in the scene, how you relate to others, etc., is invaluable. The pacing in a musical is fast, and the story line is piecemeal. Try to score big in every scene. More of everything is needed: more relationship, more humor, more ENERGY. Callbacks: Sometimes there are callbacks a day or two after the auditions; these are opportunities for the director to fine-tune his/her perceptions. It is important to know that not being called back does not mean that you will not be cast in the show. A callback is not the time to completely re-do an approach to the role you hope to get. But you can prepare more fully than you did for the first audition. Go deeper and bring even more focused energy into the audition room. |
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