Audition for a Play or Movie

This how-to will show you a method that is guaranteed to help you land roles in theatrical productions, and is a proven technique taught in theatre departments in colleges and universities across the country!

Steps

  1. Note that the first step to an audition is having confidence. The assessors aren't looking for someone who fidgets and doesn't want to be in front of people.
  2. Understand that in passing an audition for a play or film, you will be expected to dedicate an enormous amount of your time and energy to the project. If you work full time, have other major projects, go to school, (if you want to do this full time, homeschooling might help), or a family to take care of, this may not be the best time to pursue a role in a production. If you have the time (usually around 3-4 hours a night) for rehearsals, fittings, and performances, you should be okay. Don't forget that in addition to that 3-4 hours at night, it takes loads of time - outside of rehearsing - to memorize a play, monologues, and stage direction. You should always be prepared, mentally and physically, to give the project more than just rehearsal time.
  3. Be aware of play types. We all know there are dramas and there are comedies, but within those, there are many others. Classics - Shakespeare, Chekov, and the Greek playwrights, sometimes use a very complex language structure, characterized by very long passages of text. Don't be discouraged or frightened by that aspect; it will eventually get easier, once the director gets involved and you've had time to go over the play.
  4. Make sure you are a team player. Other actors don't take kindly to anyone who has an ego the size of Greenland, who projects an attitude that says, "I'm the star." Especially in a community or university theater environment, there is simply no room to think you're better than anyone else. After all, this is supposed to be a fun learning experience, and since no one is being paid (much at least) to be there, no one owes you anything, even if you do get the lead role.
  5. Recognize that there are big differences between the styles of auditioning for films and auditioning for stage plays. Film tends to stray more towards intimate acting, close ups, headshots, and more realistic movements. Also film auditions tend to focus on interactions and scenes, rather than long monologues. For stage plays, the auditions usually start out with monologues, and if the director thinks you may fit in their production they may make you do scenes with the other auditioners for the callbacks. So know what you are preparing for, if you don't have a large stage presence or can't project, theater may not be for you. And if you can't emote in close-ups, or have the will to stand around while the techies set up the shot, then film might not be your cup of tea. So be aware of the different styles before you go through all the trouble of preparing.
  6. Audition Notices: So now you know what it is you are going to be involved in. We'll mainly be focusing on the stage play style of auditioning because the method can be adapted to fit a film audition. After you've decided to commit yourself, find a production to audition for. Usually you can find audition notices in your local university's theater department (some college main stage shows may allow people from the community to fill roles, rather than strictly students) or find your local community center and see if any directors have posted a call for actors. On occasion they may advertise in the local paper (usually in the entertainment/arts section) or community magazine. For people living in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut and are looking for theater, Show Business Weekly Magazine is a great way to find casting calls. They post a ton on their website daily at ShowBusinessWeekly.com, and they also have great directories of current casting directors and agents. Another useful tool that Show Business Weekly offers is The Theatrical Index- detailing all plays in various states of production. This could get you in before the audition even exists! For films, auditions are usually held in large cities (mainly Los Angeles or New York City, but on occasion in places like Seattle, Portland, Dallas, San Francisco, etc.) Some production companies will advertise them on the Internet, usually through casting call websites.
  7. Understand that some of the film auditions will require you to send in a headshot/resume. This is normal, because they often base on appearance first, and talent second. Unfortunately, that's the way it goes in "Hollywood", but nobody said this was a fair business. Also be aware that for auditions and productions (film or stage) you may have to travel a considerable distance. For example, you might be called down to LA because someone liked your headshot, or some director liked your audition two counties over. So be prepared to travel if you get cast. In a worst case scenario (mainly film) you may have to relocate to the area of the production.
  8. Find an agent. On occasion you can find agencies in major towns and they will have larger connections than you might. But remember, agents take 10%, so if you get a paying job, you will probably take a pay cut if an agent found it for you.
  9. Understand that if you find a call for actors,to look at the character types and see if you fit. If you are a 40-year-old white male, you probably won't fit into a role for a 20- to 25-year-old Hispanic male. If you are a guy trying to audition for "The Vagina Monologues" or "Top Girls", most likely you won't be cast. So be aware of the character types. Sometimes directors may make concessions for actors (such as if you are younger and they can't find enough older people to fill roles, or you are a good enough actor to fill the role, etc). If you are "close" then don't be afraid to audition. Make sure and write down all information (contact numbers, play name and author, directions to audition, etc.) so you aren't scrambling to find out information at the last minute. It is a professional courtesy not to take down audition notices until after the audition has happened, so please leave the audition flyer where you found it, don't take it with you (unless there are many in the area where you found them). Now it's time to prepare.
  10. Prepare to prepare: Read the audition's requirements. Most notices will tell you what you need for the auditions (physically and performance-wise), Such as headshots, resumes, dance clothes and what to do for the audition. Usually for contemporary productions, the requirements are two contrasting monologues (comedic and dramatic). For Shakespearean plays, classical soliloquies from other Shakespearean plays, Marlowe, or Thomas Kyd will do. Aside from that, the notice will tell you what else you need: A song, a devised piece, etc. Be sure to follow these things to the letter. To go into a Shakespeare audition with a Tennessee Williams monologue or some Arthur Miller is usually suicide for the audition, especially if you tell them you read the notice.
  11. Find a monologue: This may be one of the most difficult steps in this process. For the monologues you need, you will need to scour over many different plays and anthologies to find the right one. Most of the time, the best course of action is to find a monologue that is similar to the play you are auditioning for (i.e. For a Tennessee Williams play, use an Arthur Miller written monologue). This will enable the director to see how well you can play in the style and not have to envision how, for example, a Shakespearean actor fits into a more contemporary style. For help in finding monologues, ask a local theater buff, a theater professor, or talk to the director of the production. These people will be able to help you the most, and will probably have the resources from which you can draw. If all else fails, go to the library and just begin reading plays that take place in the same time period as the production for which you are auditioning. On the flip side, if you already have your monologues, then you've already won half the battle.
  12. Before the audition: Now that you've found the monologues you need, memorize them. There is no set way to do this; it is just something each person does on his or her own. Just make sure they are fully memorized. Most directors won't cast people who flub badly during their monologues or read off of a script during their first audition (unless they saw something in you that they really liked or need). So once memorized, keep practicing until the day of the audition. When the audition comes, take a few hours beforehand to prepare. First: Dress for success. No sneakers, no jeans, no ripped t-shirts, and no scraggly five o'clock shadows (or the female equivalent). It won't look good if you get up on stage and look disheveled. If you have to dance with your audition, bring a spare set of clothes so as not to ruin your nice ones before you do your acting audition. After dressing and grooming, make sure to bring all your copies of headshots and resumes. Bring more than one, so if it is a panel of people auditioning you, each of them have one; it will help them remember you better. Also, get there early. Most productions will have you fill out forms detailing your past experience, vital statistics, and availability. They may also have time slots for you to sign up to do your audition. The earlier you arrive, the more slots you can pick from. Arriving early also gives you time to warm up. Do vocal exercises, stretches, and tongue twisters. Don't botch your monologue just because you didn't stretch out your tongue. Last, be friendly to all those around you. Don't be confrontational. If you do get cast and they also get cast, you'll be around them for the whole duration of the production and they're going to remember if you were unkind during the audition.
  13. During the audition: So the audition has started and you've done all the paperwork and all your prepping. Sit quietly and wait your turn. Make sure and listen; in some auditions the Stage Manager or Director will give you added instructions that weren't on the notice. Those may be vitally important, such as time limits on monologues, or the procedure in which they will audition. Wait for your name to be called and then proceed to the stage. Before saying anything, make sure that you have their full attention. You don't want to begin while they are still writing or talking to one another about the previous actor. Wait til you've achieved eye contact with all of them so that they can listen to you from the very beginning. Then, make sure and SLATE for the director, regardless if they know you from prior contact. Now, do your monologue. After you do your monologue, the director may ask you some questions or ask you to do a part from your monologues again. Be patient, answer all questions truthfully, and do the requested part to the utmost of your ability. It may pay off when the director makes their final decision. Once finished, take a small bow and say thank you, and exit so the next person can audition.
  14. Post-Audition: This is probably the toughest part of the audition, even more so than monologue hunting. This is the time when you feel most helpless - your fate, at least for this role - is now out of your hands. After the audition you can either stick around or leave; just make sure you know where the call back list will be posted or, if there are no callbacks, where the final cast list will be posted and when. If you need to leave, be courteous to the other actors and leave quietly. Once home, don't stress about the audition. Most times actors post-audition will psyche themselves out by analyzing each and every part of the audition, then agonizing until they see the cast list. One word: DON'T. Sometimes there will be many days in between audition and final casting, and sometimes there is even a second audition for call backs to narrow down the field. If that's the case, then be prepared to work with other actors in scenes from the play, and possibly even read for characters you don't want the roles for. But whatever you do before the cast list goes up, don't stress out. It's out of your control, and if you don't get cast, it's not because you are a bad actor. A more likely reason is that the director couldn't find a place for you in his or her vision of the production. Don't get upset with anyone there. This is no time to start blaming anyone for anything, including yourself. Things simply didn't work out. After the cast list is posted, it's perfectly fine to ask the director what you need to improve upon or could have done better. Directors are usually very gracious about this because they can analyze it from a 3rd person's point of view and tell you exactly what it was they were looking for. But be careful not to be rude. Don't start slinging accusations and don't be upset with them because you weren't cast. But, if you were cast, congratulations, you made it and hopefully this guide helped you do it! Good luck out there!

Sample Monologues

Doc:Comedic Monologue,Dramatic Monologue

Tips

  • Make sure and be relaxed going into the audition. If you are calm, cool, and collected, you will do a better job than if you were wound up like a clock.
  • Good luck at your auditions! Have fun and remember if you don't make it there will always be another chance for another play.
  • Always read the play before you audition for it. The director may ask questions during your first audition and it is always good to have answers to those questions. It also makes callbacks easier because then you won't be reading the play for the first time.
  • Always carry spare resumes at the theatre. You never know who will be there or who will want one.
  • Know your theatre terminology. Here are some definitions. Monologue: A short speech taken from a play. Usually no more than two or three paragraphs long. Slate: An Introduction. Usually consists of, "Hello, my name is <your name="" here=""> and today I will be performing <character name=""> and <2nd character name> from <2nd play name>."
  • Always be calm and serious doing an audition. If you burst out in laughter when your mother supposedly died, you won't get picked for sure.
  • Read beyond the scope of the play if you have the time and effort. Read some of the other playwrights' works, perhaps learn about the time period they were writing in. Trust me, it helps in the long run.
  • Before you go out to the audition, take a deep breath.
  • -You: (Quickly and clearly, state your question. Make sure that is is not a stupid question, don't ask something that was clearly stated in the advertisement etc. Also, make sure you have a real question. Some people take this pre-audition contact as an opportunity to get more face time with the casting director. It is very annoying to have someone call and say, "Um..er...uh...uh..can you ah..give me a little more info about it"?)
  • Before auditioning ,you may be inclined to contact the casting director. They may probably have left an email address or phone number for that purpose. If you are calling them please follow this script:
  • Some auditions that have time limits on monologues will most likely have the stage manager giving you time signals from somewhere in the audience. Be aware of what these signals are and when they are given. It is the worst feeling if your time runs out in the middle of your second monologue and they cut you off.
  • Drink water periodically before the audition and be sure to take one fairly large swallow before speaking for the first time during the audition.
  • -You: "Hello. My name is (first and last name). I read your audition posting in the (place) for the movie (movie name)and I have just one quick question for you if you have the time now.
  • Try not to wear dark colors to the audition. Try to wear something that stands out but is also sensible (don't wear hot pink paisley, it won't do you any favors).
  • Make sure to let your personality shine through the perfect amount, (not too much, not too little.) Also, make sure to use body language to really tell and get across the story of the character you're auditioning for.

Warnings

  • NEVER pay to audition, no matter what they tell you. Paying to audition is almost always a scam. Usually "pay to audition" production companies (made famous in movies like Bowfinger) are actually nonexistent companies which have no intention of putting on an actual production or completing a film.
  • Please be aware that the Acting world is extremely competitive. People may not follow the above rules and still get cast, they may be completely rude and still be liked by the director, etc. There are a number of variables that you simply cannot control when you are auditioning, and there are no real specific unions to enforce rules of fairness. And if you thought life was unfair, everything is about ten times worse when you decide to be an actor. Be aware that you're in for disappointment, as well as frustration. Take it all in stride. That's acting, and it's what we love.
  • Do anything to take your mind off of the fact that you are in consideration for a role. It will prevent you from going crazy with anxiousness before the cast list is posted, and prevent you from being horribly depressed and disappointed if you don't get cast.
  • You cannot decide that you don't want a role at the last minute. If you've been cast, you've made a commitment (unless it's for a major role and you specifically asked for a smaller one because you couldn't put in the time a major role needs) and that commitment means that you don't say no to that role unless you have a very good reason.
  • Don't lie about your acting experience, or even stretch the truth too much. It is better to admit to having no experience than to lie about experience you don't have. In fact, some producers like to have someone with no experience because they are more likely to "take direction" (basically follow orders).
  • Be wary of production companies with exclusivity contracts (i.e. you can't work for other production companies for six months even if you get fired)
  • If you aren't cast, there are many reasons. You may not have fit the right type, or you simply were not what they are looking for. Move on.
  • HOWEVER, some small community theatre groups do require people auditioning to purchase a membership - usually $10 to $30 - if cast. This is not necessarily a scam, but still make sure they don't have an "exclusivity clause".
  • Don't be afraid to audition at a later date for a producer who didn't cast you in a previous production (unless, of course, you were rude in your departure)
  • Don't arrive late, make a lot of noise, or generally be rude. It doesn't fly well if you disrespect their craft, even if you don't mean to.

Related Articles

Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Audition_for_a_Play_or_Movie&oldid=299317"