ADA4M - THE AUDITION ASSIGNMENT
There is a casting call for a play or
musical you’ve been dying to be in!!
The auditions are coming up…
You will perform the audition:
a 3-5 minute monologue {or song for musicals}
and a cold-read
AND
You will create an “Audition eJournal” document that will record your audition process and help you prepare:
Your typed “Audition eJournal” will include the following sections:
1. Audition Notice: Create an original audition poster of the play/musical of your choice. Includes: Image, purpose, show title, author, company, dates & time, location & contact, requirements.
2. Extra Info: A section detailing YOUR audition date and time, and research into a REAL production company: (community or professional; List past productions; Identify stage type, typical cast size and target audience.)
3. The Play/Musical:
a. Read the script
b. Provide a plot summary (web source) of the story
c. Identify the major themes and ‘author’s message’ WITH evidence from the script (1 page point form)
d. Select TWO (2) characters in which you are interested in trying out for, and detail their physical, behavioural and psychological traits (1 page point form)
4. Acting Resume and Headshot
THE AUDITION
In order to “get the part”, an actor must perform an excellent audition that demonstrates their abilities from talent to professionalism. Actors should use the following strategies when preparing for an audition:
A) Read the Audition Notice Carefully
Actors should arrive at auditions fully prepared, not just ready to perform, but also to present any requested material.
1. Examine the audition notice. Should you prepare one monologue? Two? Make certain you match the material to the play. For example, if you are auditioning for Oedipus Rex, prepare a scene from Greek drama, not The Odd Couple.
2. Based upon the audition notice, make certain you are trying out for an appropriate part. If the casting director is looking for a tall, bald man in his 60s, don’t show up hoping that they will change the script for your short, frizzy-haired, thirty-year-old self. Follow whatever guidelines are offered to ensure that you arrive at the audition as organized as possible.
3. As soon as you have decided to audition, make an appointment right away if one is necessary. Some auditions have a limited number of spaces. Making an audition appointment early will also give you more choice of when you audition, allowing you to choose what fits into your schedule.
4. Add a page in your audition journal with all the important info: who, what, where, when, what the requirements are, etc. Mark the date on your calendar.
5. Find as much information as possible about the production company and the director.
B) Get to Know the Play
1. Many auditions involve reading “sides.” Sides are small, hand-picked portions of a script. Sometimes they are a brief monologue. Sometimes they are short scenes involving two or more characters. Most of the time, you won’t know exactly what scene you’ll be reading. In that case, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the play in general. Try to guess: if you were the director, which scenes would you pick out?
2. If you are auditioning for a popular play feel free to buy a copy of the script online or at your local book store. Better yet, visit your local library. Watching a film version of the play might help as well. However, don’t simply mimic the movie actor’s performance. Casting directors want to see what you can create, not what you can imitate.
3. Familiarize yourself with the characters from the play, especially if you are auditioning for a particular role.
C) Perfect Your Monologue and/or Song (Musical Theatre)
- If you are asked to bring a monologue, make certain that you have rehearsed it completely. Do not just know the lines, know the character you are becoming. Let the directors see a striking difference between the person that just said hello to them, and the character that is now coming to life on the stage.
- At the same time, be flexible with the audition material. They might have you read the lines over, asking you to take on a different personality. Sure, you may do great when you perform the monologue with tears in your eyes, but be prepared if they ask you to do the same lines in a calm, icy voice or a whimsical British dialect. If given the chance, show them that you can interpret the role in many different ways.
D) Practice Cold Reading
If the play is rather obscure or brand new, it may be difficult to purchase a copy. In that case, you’ll want to polish up your cold reading skills. Cold reading is the act of performing lines as you read them for the very first time. It can be a nerve wracking experience, but with practice most actors can become quite adept at it. The best way to become a fluent cold reader is to read aloud as often as you can.
1. Take your time: Usually the audition panel will give you a few minutes to look over the scene. Take them. Sometimes, in the fear of wasting time, we don't really take the time to do this right. Read the scene all the way through once, slowly, really thinking about the character you are reading and what is happening in the scene. Spend this time wisely - don't try to memorize. Just get a really good handle on what is happening in the scene.
2. Basic acting techniques: Often when faced with new material we forget all that "common sense" stuff like speaking slowly, clearly, and loudly. Even if everything else falls apart, make sure that they can always hear you and see your face (hold your script at chest level). Take your time.
3. Delivery: Don't feel that you need to memorize the cold reading - the purpose of the cold reading is not to test how quickly you can memorize, but to see what you can bring to a character (using your skills and creativity) on short notice. Instead, look at your next line as the other person finishes speaking, so that you can look up while delivering it and not at the paper.
4. Reaction: Don't spend the whole time the other person is speaking to look at your lines, because you also need to show that you are listening/reacting. Use your thumb to keep your place while you are looking up, so that when you look down again for the next line you know where to look.
5. Listen to direction: Sometimes the audition panel will introduce the character you are reading to you. Listen carefully to this as there may be some hints as to how they might like it played. But beyond that, don't be too worried about making the wrong artistic decisions. Making no decisions at all about the character you are playing is far worse than making the wrong ones. As long as you make a decision about the character and fully commit to it, the audition panel will notice that you are willing to take risks, and that is always a good thing for an actor to do.
6. Interact: If someone is reading the scene with you, you should interact with them as you would any other actor. Look at them and speak to them. Usually, you should refrain from making any physical contact unless it is requested of you.
7. Minimize script use: While it is perfectly acceptable to have the script with you as you perform your cold reading, there is no reason to draw extra attention to it. It is not a prop - so don't wave it around. Try holding the script in your weak hand. This will leave your strong hand free for gesturing naturally as you act.
E) Be Professional
1. Show up at least fifteen minutes before the audition. Be courteous, but don’t be too talkative. Don’t pester crew members or fellow actors with idle conversation. Spend your time privately readying yourself.
2. Most casting directors expect you to bring a headshot and resume. This might not hold true for community theatre productions. However, if you are committed to a career in theater, you may want to bring these along just to make a favorable impression.
3. In general, think of an audition like a job interview. Avoid inappropriate behavior, whether its chewing gum, using profanity, behaving too shyly or brashly, or making long-winded speeches as to why you are perfect for the role.
F) Dress Appropriately
1. Usually, it is best to wear “business casual” attire. You want to exhibit charm and professionalism, but you don’t want to look like a stock-broker or a banker.
- Remember, many new actors make the mistake of wearing costumes to audition. They might be amused, but they will definitely not take the actor seriously.
- If you are auditioning for a dancing part in a musical, wear dance attire. It should not be anything flashy or expensive. Any choreographer worth her salt will focus on your dancing ability, not your sequins.
G) Don’t Apologize
After an audition, an actor becomes his own worst critic. Often times, hopeful thespians are tempted to explain themselves to the directors. They provide excuses or even apologies in hopes of gaining sympathy. Avoid this as much as you can. Thank the casting director and leave the stage knowing that if you are right for the part, they will contact you. If not, know that you did your best. And remember: there are many other wonderful roles out there just waiting to be filled.
HEADSHOTS TIPS
It looks like you.
Put yourself in the shoes of any casting director: You see an actor's headshot sitting on your desk and you think: "He looks just right. I'll call him in for a reading." Then, when he shows up, he looks nothing like his photo. You're embarrassed in front of your client (the producer). You think: "I'll never call that actor again!"
It's more than just a shot of your head.
Typically, it’s best if there was between 2-4 inches of backdrop on either side of your face. Try not to go past your torso.
Go portrait, not landscape. Some actors may disagree, but your photo should always be a portrait. Take a photo in landscape, and you're wasting valuable page real estate.
It's in color, not black and white. Right up until 10 years ago, headshots were done in black and white. But thanks to the wonders of the modern age, we now print them in color.
Stay away from angles. Cheesy angles and poses smack of dishonesty. (Remember, people do business with those that they trust.)
It features your eyes. Your eyes are the most important part of your headshot. So look at the camera.
Just Be Honest
So what do all those headshot tips add up to? Honesty. The key ingredient to a good headshot is honesty. What do actors do? They behave truthfully under imaginary circumstances. An honest headshot is a good first step in that endeavor.
Have Two of Them
Now that you know what to shoot for, let's talk about how many to shoot for...
You should have at least two headshots in your repertoire: A commercial shot, and a theatrical shot.
Your commercial shot: Smile your biggest, cheesiest smile. Show 'em that you can sell toothpaste with ease. Use this headshot for commercial and musical theatre auditions.
Your theatrical shot: Get serious and intense. Show 'em that you can brood and pout better than Susan Lucci. Use this headshot for anything dramatic: The soaps, theatre, film, etc.
Richard Anderson 1234 West 67 Street, Carlisle, MA 01741, (123)-456 7890
Eyes: Blue / Height: 6' 2" / Dance: Jazz, tap
THEATER:
She’s Mine / Teddy (lead) / Arnold Legan dir.
Kelly and the Guy / Guy (lead) / Ottawa Little Theatre, Ottawa
Crazy For You / chorus / Merivale HS
FILM:
Killing Thomas / Thomas / Independent
TELEVISION:
Teen Witch / Jeff (guest appearance) / Jim Gordon, NBC
Graphic Battles / guest appearance / Spike TV
COMMERCIALS:
Roach Killer / Regional
TRAINING:
BFA / Houseman College
Drama 9-12 / Cynthia Wood / Merivale High School
Stage Combat / John Koensgen / Merivale High School
Voice / Ann Rivers / Academy of Voice and Dance
Dance / Miriam Webber / Academy of Voice and Dance
Special Skills and Dialects:
Cockney, Indian, Russian Horseback Riding, Fencing, Juggling, Guitar, Trombone, Can raise just one eyebrow, Can wiggle ears, Can do splits.
(Name and Contact Info)
Eyes: / Height: / Dance:
THEATER:
FILM:
TELEVISION:
COMMERCIALS:
TRAINING:
Special Skills and Dialects: