Audition Tips

The most important thing to remember when auditioning is that you want to make a positive impression on the audition committee. The committee sees many people, and if they remember your audition with a smile on your face, it can only help.  You need to be able to go in and make yourself memorable.  You cannot afford to assume that you are going to get a part simply because you were in a previous show, or that you have acting experience with another theatre.

Here are a few tips to help with the audition process:

1. Act. Don't just read. Make an impression! Stand out from the crowd. Be memorable. 

2. If possible, bring a photo. We see many different people over a short period of time. The faces start to blend together. If we can see your face, we will remember your audition better, and in turn help better cast the show. Anything that can help the director remember your face, the better.

3. Learn a little bit about the play you are auditioning for. Research the history of the show, where it's been performed, The more you know, the better understanding you will have when you are reading a part. 

4. Take the time to be prepared. We really like to see that you thought about what you are saying or singing. During a cold reading/callback, if you need extra time to read through something, ask for it. We would rather see you take extra time and be prepared, then come up and do a bad audition.

5. Slow down and enunciate every word. One sure sign of nervousness is speeding through lines. You need to make sure the emotion is coming through, and if you can't understand what you're saying then all of that is lost. Think about the way that people actually speak. You should read your lines like your character is an actual person.

6. If you make a mistake, battle through it. Even the best actors make mistakes while on stage. But, good actors know how to cover their mistakes so that the audience has no idea that anything happened. We want to know how you will react when things don't go as rehearsed. If you make a mistake, don't ask to start over and don't apologize. Just pick up where you made the mistake and push forward. That shows maturity and poise.

7. Try to come early. In order to make the best impression, you should make every effort to come early. We will be fresher as an audition committee, and there will also be less auditions for us to compare it to. Unfortunately, we are humans. We get tired. Especially after watching countless auditions. 

8. Don't be too confident. No one is guaranteed a lead in the play. It doesn't matter what roles you've had. If we don't feel you are a right fit for the part, you will not get the part. If you have acting experience, we will know from the information you put down on your audition sheet. It is not unusual for an actor with no theatre experience got get a great part because they impressed us with their audition. 

9. Audition often. One of the biggest obstacles between you and getting cast in a show is your nervousness or stage fright. The best way to overcome that nervousness is to practice, which means auditioning more. 

Use these tips for all auditions!