One Audition One Chance

As an actor, your audition means everything and determines everything for the next months before performance day. Your audition is your first impression and gives the director(s) a good look at your capabilities. You have to use the short amount of time you have to present yourself in your best way.

Here are a couple tips on how to do it:

• Watch The Play. YouTube is my best friend for auditions. Not only can you find helpful videos to give you more tips on auditioning, but you can find the play that you are planning to be in. This way you know the story of the play and how the character you want acts. 

• Practice Practice Practice! Practice the audition piece as often as you can. When I audition, I almost have the entire piece memorized because I ran through it so many times. 

• When you practice the audition piece, Act It Out. You want to act as though you are on stage. That way the directors will get more of a feel for you and your style. The more you put into it the more the character comes to life and feels real.

• Confidence! I know it is scary to get up in front of people and put yourself out there acting like an idiot at times. But you'd rather put all of yourself out there than regretting it later.

• After the audition, Be Patient and Calm. Yes, it is the most stressful wait until the cast list comes out. Do not rush the directors or rudely wait. You need to keep a cool head until the cast list comes out because the directors have a right to change their minds until that day. Don't make them change it because you were a rude dude.

• Looking at the cast list. Be Kind and appreciate whatever part you got. Sometimes you throw so much of yourself into it that you become sad or angry about the results, but you will get through it an learn to appreciate whatever part you ended up with because your part is important to put on this production.

This past year I was striving for the lead. I practiced hard and put all of myself into the audition. When I saw the cast list after the weekend, I saw that I did not get the lead that I put all of myself into getting. I was sad and that was because I put all of myself into the performance. That is when I realized that I had a great audition. Because I was so sad and drained, that meant I put all my emotions into a part that I wanted more than anything in my acting career. After a good night's sleep, I composed myself and saw that this supporting lead character was going to be a great part. 

Now get out there and break a leg!