Getting Through
the Acting Audition
Rehearse your lines
before you go in so you know the lines so well you are saying them
in your sleep. Make sure you work on them in front of others too so
you can practice having a small audience in front of you.
Don’t
wait until the night before to start running through your lines. If
you’re given the time to do it beforehand, do it!
Finding
a good audition piece is very important. Pick a role that is right
for you, not something of the opposite sex or a character that is
30 years older than you. And make sure the role is from a play that
hasn’t been done a zillion times by other actors. Casting directors
hate hearing the same thing over and over again.
After
you choose your role, make 2-3 clear acting choices about the piece
and commit to them. Similarly, choose a couple of movements or crosses
and get them down pat.
Work
to keep each piece 1 minute long. This will make sure that you don’t
go over the time limit. If you do have to end the piece early, do
so. Don’t rush your performance to get through it all when you see
the guy waving his hand, telling you you’re almost out of time.
When
you walk in to perform, shake hands when they offer theirs and look
that person in the eye when you do so. Tell them your name, what agency
you’re repped by (if any), and what pieces you’ll be performing.
Once
performing, don’t address the auditors directly or make eye contact.
It makes them uncomfortable if you’re staring them down or worse,
addressing them during the acting audition.
If you
should make a mistake, don’t stop or berate yourself, or apologize.
Go on like nothing happened. They may not even notice you made a mistake.
Once
finished, pause and drop out of character. Then thank them and leave
the room.
You may
or may not get called back. Don’t try to speculate what will happen.
Just keep doing more acting auditions and let the chips fall where
they may.
