My "audition nightmare come true" happened during a monologue from "The Merchant of Venice." I was auditioning for the role of Lady Percy in Henry IV, and I chose a perfect Portia piece for the audition. It was witty, beautiful, well put together, and I completely pulverized it. I stumbled over my lines so much that the auditor (a kind guy, thankfully) fetched the play from his office library so that I could call line to him and finish my audition with some dignity. I finished, indeed, but the dignity had sunk into the stage long ago-probably around the same time I forgot my first line.
I wasn't confident. I certainly wasn't charming. And, worst of all, I wasn't prepared. Preparation is key, my fellow actor friends. Don't even bother auditioning if you feel unprepared. That sounds cold, but you do not want to make a negative impression on auditors-they will remember you, especially if you make as much a fool of yourself as I did.
1. Know what kind of audition is expected-monologue or script readings.
2. Call to set up an audition time, and do not be late! It is terribly rude, and in all likelihood, the auditors will not wait for you for very long, if at all. There are probably tons of punctual people waiting to read for the same role you are.
3. Know the play you are auditioning for! Ideally, read it. If you don't have time to read it, at least read a summary of it on the Internet or something. Nothing is worse than being asked to read from a script when you don't know the setting, plot, or anything about the characters.
4. Choose a monologue that is appropriate to the play you are auditioning for. Stay within the Age (Classical, Modern, Contemporary, etc) and the age (20-year-olds should not audition for a 70-year-old character). Also, try to find characters that are similar to the character you are auditioning forcomparable personalities, situations or physique will all help show auditors that you are capable of performing in a role.
5. Know what character you are auditioning for and, if the auditor asks, tell him or her whom you are interested in. Don't say you don't care. A response like that tells an auditor you do not know your own abilities and limitations. You may pick more than one character that interests you, but don't fiend interest in characters that you would have no chance of playing. For instance, if you are a young lady auditioning for Hamlet, consider the role of Ophelia. Not Polonius.
6. Practice your monologue many, many times. Perform in front of a mirror. Perform in front of friends. Daydream about performing your monologue. This helps with both memorization and character building
.
7. Arrive for your audition at least ten minutes early. Often there is paperwork to be completed and you don't want that to make you late.
8. Be courteous to all staff. Theatres are small families. You can't be brusque with a secretary and expect to be cast-they all talk to each other.
9. Eye up your competition. What do you have to overcome? Perhaps another auditioner looks just like the celebrity who played this role in the film. What do you need to do to prove you are better than him, even though you don't have the looks, per say?
10. Get into character the moment you walk into the audition room. Don't let on you are in character, of course, but get your mind where it needs to be. Pretend to be entering the setting your character is inhis garden, his girlfriend's apartment. Force it to make sense, even if it doesn't.
11. Always say thank you to indicate your monologue has ended. Don't just run out of the room! The auditors may want to ask you more questions. They may even give you some direction and ask you to perform again (which is a great sign, by the way). Stand there until you're dismissed.
12. It is OK to ask when decisions will be made. Normally, the auditor or casting director will tell you that after your audition anyway.
13. Callback auditions are very common and are generally script readings. Casting directors choose auditioners for callbacks when they want to see more from them. Perhaps they would like to see another monologue, or maybe they want to hear a script reading. They will tell you that not receiving a callback does not mean you are not cast. Although that isn't a lie, go ahead and assume you weren't cast if you're not called back. It may not be a bad sign, but it certainly isn't a good one.
Finally, don't give up! Think of auditions as a game. The more you do it, the better you get at it. Don't get bitter, either, which is an easy thing to do when you audition so many times. The odds are just in your favor that you will be turned down more often than not. Go into each and every audition fresh, confident, and most importantly, prepared.