How to behave in an audition

When you have an audition you are not only getting judged on your acting you are also getting judged on you personality.

·         Be Friendly – Don’t be too shy and quiet, but don’t be loud and over confident. Be warm and welcoming. They are looking for someone who will easily get along with everyone and who they would like to work with.

·         If you are over 16 don’t bring your parents into the audition - You want to come across as a professionally.

·         Be Yourself – Don’t lie and don’t get big headed. Don’t boost about your pervious work. Also there is no shame in not getting the job.

·         Learn for other – Talk to people you. Don’t hold back, you might meet someone who is looking for another actor in a play they are doing or whatever. So be friend and talk to other actors in the waiting room.

·         Turn off your phone – It is very unprofessionally to be using other phone. Turn it off as soon as you enter the building.

·         Enjoy it – You only get one audition and if you don’t get it learn for that mistakes that you may have made.   

Sight Reading

When having a sight reading the panel will normally include a casting director, a director and maybe another director.

Sight reading would normal happen if you are auditioning for a TV show, as they would not let you see the scrip, because you could leek it. So instead they give you a small scene, they will give you this when you are in the waiting room. They will give you a few moments to read over it.

What We Did

We were paired up and given a small scene to practice. We had to think of a way to show that scene that no one else would. Because it is very important to stand out in an audition. As the scene was for 2 friends we had to make it look like we had a good on screen chemistry.

I think my monologue's would be good for a sight reading because they is no swearing in my monologues. This is good because casting directors don't want monologue that swear. However when doing a this type audition a classical monologue is not the best on to pick.

Different Types of Auditions

There are many different types of monologues that you may come across as an actor and you need to know the difference between them.

1. Sight Reading - Where an actor is given a text that they possibly haven't seen before, and asked to play the part of a particular character, whilst member of the audition panel, or another actor reads the other part. 
2. Workshop Audition - Where a group of actors take part in a range of activities that may be based on drama, vocal or physical skills to not only judge their performance abilities, but also to see how well they work as a part of an ensemble or team. You may be asked to perform monologues that you have prepared, (possibly in front of each other).
3. Standard Audition - where actors are individually invited to perform one or more monologues for a director/casting director/producer or other industry professionals, with a view to being cast in a specific role, or in order to gain employment/training. 
4. Open Audition - where a production team is generally looking for a range of actors to take on specific roles, and specific individual are not singled out to attend. This can be described as a 'Cattle market' in the industry, where hundreds turn up. During this type of audition, the production team may have a vague idea of what they are looking for, and may discount actors based on appearance before they even get into their individual monologue auditions. 
5. TV/Film Casting - where an actor will be invited to 'read' (perform) the part of a specific character, using a script that they are possibly sent up to 48 hours before, or as a sight-reading. During this style of audition, you will rarely be asked to perform a monologue, as theatre acting techniques are very different to screen acting techniques. You can expect to see a director, casting director and/or producer in your audition, which will be recorded so that the panel can look back over your performance and see how well you perform the role for the screen. 
6. Drama School/Stage School/ Uni Audition - where an actor is aiming to be offered a place on a specific course or training programme of their choice. You would generally be expected to prepare three audition pieces lasting 2-3 minutes each, which are contrasting. Most places will expect you to perform a classical (Before 1800) and a contemporary piece as part of your choices, to show how versatile, knowledgeable and skilled you are as an actor. Some institutions will choose the monologues that they want to see, and will post these out for you to learn, research, develop and perform - and they may only give you a week or less to do this.

Workshop Audition

The audition panel will consist of many different people; this depends on what you are auditioning from. If you are auditioning for a stage school there would a coarse leader on the audition panel. If you are auditioning in the industry there will be a director, a producer and maybe some other actors to see how they work with you.

They are looking for actors that are not scared to try something new that they might not have done before. So always throw yourself into something that you might not have done before because this will show the panel that you are not afraid to try something. They are also looking for actors that can come up with ideas, this will show them that you are creative and enthusiastic which is another important quantity that they are look for. Another important skill that they are looking for is how well you can work with other actors, as you are audition to be part of a team. Show them that you can work well with other actors, listen to their ideas, and contribute to their ideas. When it comes to performing your monologues, they might not ask you to do one. However it’s always good to have one prepared. Have 4 monologues prepared, 2 classical and 2 modern. You will need 2 in case they say they do not like the one you are performing.  

Other than acting skills there are personal skills you should consider. You should dress in comfortable clothing. They will play drama games, these might involve movement. So dress in comfortable flexible clothing that allows you to move. Always pay attention, try to focus on the person speaking always looking at them, never look at the floor or play with your nails. Don’t talk to the other actors, this shows that you are distracted and are not paying attention. Don’t see the other actors as a threat; they are in the same position as you. However everyone is very different, the panel might like something about you, and they have picked you to audition. So be friendly towards the other actors, this will show the panel that you can get along with people and that you are easy to work with.

We had I workshop audition during one of are lessons. I learnt many things from doing this. I learnt that it is very important to pay close attention, because you may miss some important information. Be yourself, the panel have picked you to see perform, so be yourself. Don’t be over confident. It is okay to be nervous; the panel know how nervous it is, so don’t try and cover your nerves by being over dramatic and trying to be funny. I think a workshop audition is very enjoyable because you get to know other actors.

I think the monologues I have chosen would suitable for a workshop audition. This is because they are modern and they contrast, this shows that I can perform different styles.  However I am not doing a classical monologue therefore I would have to substitute one of my monologues for a classical one. I think that it is important when picking a monologue to pick one that other people may not pick. This is because you will stand out and will not get compared to others.