Exactly what is an audition? An audition is a "test" or "trial" set up by someone to test the abilities of the talent. That someone could be a producer, director, agent, casting director or anyone else who needs an actor for some purpose. You should know a few basic concepts about auditions before you get started as an actor.
You come to an audition to show your skills as an actor. When you arrive at the audition, you should have with you an 8 x 10 headshot (or a composite) and a resume. You should also have your appointment book with you in case you need to know if you can be available for the part if you win it. Most auditions are set by appointment, so be sure you arrive fifteen minutes early, and expect to stay until you are seen.
When you arrive (at most auditions) there will be a "sign-up" sheet for you to sign. This sheet will vary in content. If the call is for union actors, the sheet will include social security information, union information, age range and other information the union requires to keep auditions fair for their members, e.g. time of your call and time you finished the audition.
If it is for a non-union call, there may be just a piece of paper for you to sign your name, so that you may be called in the order you arrive.
At some audtions, you will be asked before you arrive to have one or two monologues prepared in advance, each two or three minutes or under. Some auditors (the people who audition you) will want to see contrasting monologues, such as a comedic and a serious monologue, or a classical and a contemporary monologue. Always remember to keep to the time limitations asked of you. The idea is that the auditor can usually get a good indication of your abilities in the two minute time frame. Often there are many other actors waiting to be seen, and if you go over the time limit, the patience of the auditor might go against you in his/her evaluation of your work.
At other auditions, you may be asked to perform a "cold reading" from the play, commercial, industrial or movie script. You will be given "sides" (a small section of a script, usually one to ten pages) and a chance to look them over before you "perform" the audition. In this case, I recommend that you find a comfortable and relatively quiet spot to prepare your work. The concentration necessary to deliver quality work with such limited preparation is intense. If you find yourself in the waiting room chatting with other actors, you'll usually not be at your best when you are called to perform. The temptation to become involved in these chatfests is great. You should avoid this temptation.
Occassionally you will be asked to improvise something which may or may not have anything to do with the project. Be prepared.
Whatever you are asked to do at any audition, certain things should always remain consistant about your work.
1) You should always maintain a professional attitude. Trying to win over the auditioner with your charming personality won't get you the part. Only your work will get you the part.
2) When you enter the audition space, which might be someone's office, living room, theatre or studio, you will be introduced. You should politely acknowledge everyone in the room, but stay concentrated on your work.
3) If the audition is videotaped, you may be asked to "slate". This means that you should look directly into the camera lens and state your name, and, if applicable, the name of the talent agency which represents you. After this "slate", you will be expected to go right into the performance.
4) If you lose your concentration, or for some reason feel you might have done better with your work, or feel you would like to show another interpretation of the piece, you can always ask to be allowed to do it again. If the auditor(s) don't want to see it again, politely thank them, wish them good luck with their project, and leave the room.
5) When you've done the best you can, forget about the audition. Don't worry whether you got the part. Don't call anybody to see "how you did", or "if they liked you". Just keep improving yourself as an actor, and wait for the next opportunity to audition for something.
What you wear to an audition will vary depending on what the audition is for. If an agent sends you to the audition, the agent will often advise you about what to wear. If not, here are some standard guidelines:
1) The typical commercial audition "uniform" for men is a light blue shirt and khakis, dark blue sport coat and conservative tie. The idea here is versatility. If you need to be an accountant, you are set. If you need to be a construction worker, you take off the tie and coat, and you are set. This "uniform" is meant to suggest a "type", and doesn't have to be a perfect "costume". This arrangement works well for women also. Sometimes you know in advance that you are expected to wear something special. Make sure you have it in your wardrobe. If you don't, you can search the thrift stores, or charge it at your favorite department store, and return it the next day.
2) For movies or plays, some actors like to dress as much the part as they can. I personally go to these auditions in a black turtleneck or t-shirt, black khakis and black shoes. Movie companies will supply the costumes for you if you get the part. The black outfit doesn't distract from the work I do. And it's the work I do that ultimately counts.
Commercial auditions usually require a different acting "style" than movies or plays, and this fact is probably obvious to most of you reading this. In commercials, you are "selling" something, either directly (as a spokesman), or indirectly (as a "character" in a situation). There are certain techniques that are helpful when acting in commercials, and I recommend taking a commercial class if possible to help you understand more about it . But if you can't take a commercial class, you will still be able to do commercials. Many commercials have actors in principle parts not saying a word. The announcer does all the talking in these. And almost anyone who can relax, smile and say a few words can do a commercial.
For film and play auditions, depending on your training and talent, you will be expected to "be" the character as much as possible. Whether that "character" is a comedic type or a "serious" type, you will have to use whatever approach to the actor's art you have learned to do the best work possible with a piece of a script that may or may not make much sense out of context.
Always approach the audition process as though it's another opportunity for someone to see your work. Never get discouraged when you don't get a part. There will always be other auditions for as long as you continue to be an actor.
That is the biggest mistake that actors make: They would meet an agent or a casting director for a reading, and all the years of training went out the window. For whatever reason (usually personal, having something to do with problems of self-esteem created during childhood) the actor would not have simple trust in the work. The concentration needed would be split by thoughts like, "I know this person is judging me", or "Maybe I'm not really that good", or "I wonder if this person likes me", or "I have to get this part, I just HAVE TO GET THIS PART!"
Let me clarify a few things for you.
1) You don't have to get the part. There will be other parts.
2) It doesn't matter one tiny bit if the casting director, agent, producer or director likes you. They are not there to like you. They are there to see you create a person for their story, and that's it.
3) If you are concentrated 100% on doing your work, you won't be able to lack confidence. It will be impossible.
4) The reason the actor has such difficulty concentrating on his work is the universal problem of the actor. The actor is both the artist and the canvas, the instrument and the musician, the doctor and the patient, the lawyer and the client. The actor cannot step outside himself and evaluate if what he is doing is good. He cannot step back from his painting and say, "No, that red there is wrong. I must change it to blue." He usually has only one chance to create an impression, and that fact alone puts a lot of pressure on him. FORGET IT! Do the best you can. Concentrate, concentrate, concentrate on your work, and even if you don't get the part, you will be remembered.
Have faith in yourself. Don't shortchange yourself. Have dignity and integrity. Stand up for what you believe. You are an actor, not a welcome mat. If you have confidence in your work, Hollywood will chase you down the hall to get you in their movie.
Agents
Resume
Actor's Glossary
Back to Advice for Actors
