Auditioning: What to expect?
It can be tough, and that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Each time you try, you become braver and stronger at your craft, and more resilient in your heart.
As you audition, as you're put under the pressure, you learn alot more about yourself and your true inner character. Are you the kind of person who can't go past the comfort zone? Or are you actually someone who wants something so badly you'll fight for it and be there no matter what, against every circumstance? So, auditioning can be a useful tool for personal growth.
Remember these golden rules for auditioning:
The audition panel wants you to succeed - they want the person in front of them to be just right for the role so they can stop looking and just get on with it. So they can stop having their hopes come crashing down over and over again.
Act confident, focussed, enthusiastic and glad to be there - the momentum and energy will carry you through, help you convince you to feel the emotions you want to ("fake it 'till you make it"), and make the tired, overworked people on the panel happier and want to be around you more.
So, generally the audition panel is looking for certain personal qualities, rather than a given skill or a polished performance. Sure, you need to present the character in a realistic way, so be believable in what you do. However, they're searching with the perspective of having to work closely with this person afterwards. That is, someone who is:
Experience/familiarity helps, that way they can just get on with the job of making their production. This is why going for as many acting jobs and auditions possible is the best idea.
No divas, no latecomers, no under-prepared dropkicks. Being professional starts with the details - that means being consistently approachable and focussed, always arriving everywhere early, and being as absolutely prepared as possible at all times.
2) Pleasant to be around.
Real-life production processes can be very tedious, and visions for the character and production can be very personal (and therefore difficult) things to work with time after time. Being (or trying to be) generally positive, easygoing and willing to try new approaches is essential as the hours roll on.
Passion is also important - someone who has the focus and determination to do what needs doing. Hour after hour, when it hurts, when it's boring, when the effort's completely thankless and you become invisible. This dedication can't be faked for long; it's the only thing that keeps people working hard until a project is absolutely right. This is what gets you called back, and this is what builds your reputation. This is what makes people want you, specifically. Talent is useless without perseverance to put it into action, but hard work can get you to any level of talent.
There's a different feeling that comes out when an actor can move off-script; the result can be heaps more exciting and spontaneous, and alot more genuine. Memorizing your lines should be the absolute first thing that happens - before you run the scene with other people, if possible.
Learning speed for memorizing the script can improve over time. Visualising it, walking through the scene in a room or your mind, can help make it stick, but it usually comes down to practice and finding what works for you (eg. recording the lines being read, repetition, drawing the stages).
Being prepared also involves always bringing a copy of the script and pencils (note; no pens, and more than one pencil) to take notes, and studying any changes before the next session.
(Eg, if you have a role on set, the director must find you ready to go the second the timetable says to, with all lines memorised, and a happy and flexible attitude.)
It's a good idea to have at least two ready pieces ready to pull out with no notice, each showing off your strengths with a contrasting emotion. Hint: both must be plausible for who you are (age, gender, personal circumstance and life experience).
Get a feeling for the kind of person you're good at representing; does this help you find a character in the production you want to be chosen for? At all costs, whatever you choose, your character must be believable, so you need to be able to relate to it.
A good way to make the connection with a character is to ask yourself a few questions:
If I was in that situation, what would I do? How would I feel? Are these something I have in common with my character?
If not, what emotional journey did my character go through to end up where they did? How can I convince my heart that that's what I'd feel too?
For the audition, the panel will want to get a sense of who you are; confidence and drive is really key. Prepare a short, polished, clear answer for questions like:
Tell me a bit about yourself? (You can say a sentence about where you grew up, what year you're in, your hobbies and things you love to learn about, what you hope to do for the fute and what you're doing to get there.)
What do you hope to get out of this? (Hint: don't just say 'experience', it doesn't give any insight into your dreams and personality, and it doesn't give the impression that you want it badly enough to direct your own development. Be more specific; what kind of character? What kind of skill?)
What character would you like to play? (Insider hint: The panel won't like getting told what to choose - you can give a suggestion or two, but back it up with the kind of person you relate to, etc.
What will you perform today? (The name of the piece, composer/author, and the production it came from (if applicable)).
So how do I get better and land that role?
Know yourself - your strengths and the things still needing alot of work. Take every chance for feedback. Do the things that frighten you (within reason) - that way you won't be limited in what you can do. Eg. if your character feels like singing softly to his/herself, would you do it?
Know your body. The human face has a multitude of muscles, and most can add greatly to the effect you're making. Practice close up in front of a mirror many many times and see if you can make yourself believe what you're doing/seeing.
Know your space. Using different parts of the stage has different effects on the audience and your partner. In everyday life, pay close attention to the different kinds of body language and play around with personal space and physical contact.
Practice. Become entirely comfortable. Everything you do and say should become second nature, and you need to wholeheartedly believe the reasons for doing and saying them.
Personal rehearsal needs to always come first. Alongside it, however, there are several ways to gain experience:
Do a course to increase your awareness and skill of the dramatic elements. The evening classes usually have students that are more dedicated. For the fundamentals I can recommend the CORE course at ACTT.
Do the free 'taster' workshop day offered by some acting schools. (Eg.)
Audition often. Courses might make you pay for the experience, but are usually more professional. You can also audition for local and university groups (most universities have drama and musical theater clubs that are open to anyone who's interested). If you don't get in as an actor for the amateur groups, you can be on the production team and still get the educational exposure.
Increase your exposure of quality drama. Go out to the theater often, check out the annual drama festivals happening in the city, or get a job as a theater usher. Be careful though; people unconsciously imitate what they see, so censor the rubbish out of your live or tv viewing.
Any questions? Comments? Send me an email!
