Preparing for An Acting Audition? Don't Sweat It. Try This:

Acting auditions can be nerve wracking. You’ve got a million things to remember.  Do you go in as yourself? Do you go in with full confidence? There are a lot of things to consider and many unknowns to address. The New York Acting School for Film and Television is here to walk you through the unknown.

Don’t sweat. Here’s what you need to remember when you’ve got an important audition.

When you arrive at the auditions, you'll be asked to sign in your name and wait patiently for your turn. Usually, you'll be auditioning before more then one person. Among them will be the director, the writer (possibly), producer, casting director, and some others involved with the production. If they introduce themselves, they'll probably say ask you what you are going to perform for them.  If they don't do that, simply take the lead. Introduce yourself and your audition piece by stating your name, the name of the play, character and writer.

Try to get a hold of the script or the background of the material if you can and be sure to read what you can before your audition. Depending on where you are auditioning, be aware of your body, your surroundings and the people watching you.  Make sure your facial expressions and body language are visible to everyone so they have a chance to see your potential.

As far as the interview is concerned, you may be thanked after you perform or you may be asked for your resume and a few questions.  It can feel pretty unnatural to just be standing there on a stage while someone seated behind a desk asks you questions. But try to relax.  Think of yourself as a (humble) expert in your field.  Getting in front of a crowd or camera is not so different so try to get comfortable with this idea beforehand. The best way to prepare for this is to practice with a friend a mock interview. Just have them sit while you stand and make up questions about your resume or performance. Be aware of fiddling with your clothes, or body swaying.  These are clear signs of insecurity. Work on relaxing your body (especially your hands) and keeping still.

Remember to stay flexible if the director wants to see you perform you audition piece a different way. Once the audition is over, forget about it. If you get a callback, it will be a nice surprise. If you don't, they'll be many more auditions. 

You are in this for the art!  If you're not, we have more to talk about.  Stay in the game and get more training with an acting coach or at classes.  If you're in New York, stop by and let us know how we can help you further.