Auditioning Info

What is an audition?

An audition is the opportunity to interview with a director, casting director, artistic director and/or producer in the hopes of obtaining work.

How should I prepare? Similar to a job interview, you should be prepared for your appointment. You should read and understand the job description, length of commitment and degree of involvement. Research the company to determine whether you want to audition or work with the particular institution. Through your network, find out about the artistic director or producer. If you are auditioning for a published play, read it to see if there are roles for you. Carefully select your clothing to enhance your overall presentation which may mean being prepared to dance or move.

In most cases (perhaps not in a community theatre), you need to prepare a 3- 5 minute (time varies) audition piece which includes two contrasting, memorized, monologues. Depending on what you are auditioning for, contrasting pieces may be as basic as a comic role with a serious role, classic (Shakespeare, Moliere, etc.) with a modern piece, etc. Whatever you select, YOU MUST DETERMINE if the materials is suitable for your abilities. For example, at the age of 20, you should not select materials suited for a 60 year old. Chances are the 60 year old role will be performed by someone who is 60. In some cases you may be expected to sing a short piece.

What should I bring? Ordinarily, you should supply an acting resume and headshot. If you are auditioning for a musical, you should bring your own sheet music or a cassette accompanyment . Bring or dress in dance clothing if this is part of the audition. Bring a pencil, your social security number and charm.

What should I do? Sell yourself. The audition begins the minute you walk into the room. How you are dressed, how you move into the space, what you say in the way of small talk is ALL part of the audition. Take a deep breathe, take a BRIEF moment to collect yourself, get focused and be honest. BE SEEN BE HEARD BE CONFIDENT . . . BUT MOST OF ALL BE UNDERSTOOD. Acting is communicating in a believable way. You needn’t put on an accent or sound old or wrinkle your face. Speak your words in a way that will be understood (every word). At the end, take a moment. Change the mood and thank the auditioner for the opportunity. Make certain they have a phone number where you can be reached.

The Drama 1304 Audition. In our class, the Mid-Term Monologue will serve as a portion of your auditions for the MATCHBOX THEATRE shows. Professor Gilliam, Willy Razavi and other theatre professionals will attend the Monologue presentations or view the video tapes. Also, in class, we will conduct a day of "cold readings" from the plays we will perform. Again, a group of individuals will attend. As an artistic team and based on these audition performances, we will cast 6 scenes and individual production companies.