When you’re new to the trade and ready to start auditioning, you want to make sure you’re prepared so you make a professional first impression. There are a lot of tips out there from well meaning people on how to have a better audition, but sometimes they’re less helpful and more of a hinderance.
For example, some will tell you that if you haven’t memorized the material, that you should just improvise and make something up. However, nothing could be more false. If you have the material, memorize it. That’s great. But if you can’t, don’t sweat it. It’s more important to perform the proper material given to you than hear you make up stuff just to prove that you tried (and failed) to memorize the material (remind me to tell you about the time an actor added a few lines to a Tony Award winning playwrights monologue to kill time while he tried to get back on track).
See what I mean? It might seem like good advice to wing it, but that’s not a fail proof idea and it usually backfires.
Now that the picture is getting clearer, let’s cover a few more do’s and don’ts to get you on your way to stardome.
First of all, most importantly - you always need to bring a photo and resume to your audition. Don’t just show up or swear you’ll send it over later. First of all, what are the odds that you’ll remember? Solution? Always carry it with you! Whether it’s in your purse, laptop bag, or car - have it.
And if you don’t? That leads us to the next tip: Make no excuses. That goes for your headshots as well as your performance. If you’re sick, tired, stressed out… do your best anyway. You’re a performer. Perform.
Start strong. The first 15 seconds are the most important when it comes to making a first impression. Think about the last time you met someone and how many judgements, feelings or opinions you formed and how fast. That’s how long it will take to happen to you. Make them count.
On that note, if there are audition options earlier in the day, grab them. Casting is not an easy process, and at the end of the day, a creative team is grumpy, tired and wants to go home. The early actor gets the part.
Confidence is key. This goes for first impressions as well as performing. So if you forget your lines or fumble, keep moving forward. Sure, you’ll feel self conscious, but fight through it. It probably wasn’t as bad as you thought. You’re likely more aware of your mistake than anyone else.
Lastly, don’t pull a Cinderella. Time and time again, people assume that because they have an agent, they don’t need to leave any contact information. Wrong. Even if you have an agent, put an email address where you can be reached directly on your resume. This way, if anything changes, you break it off with your agent, or they drop the ball, you’re still reachable and better - able to be booked. You always want some piece of contact information to be accurate so someone can find you fast.
In the end, the best way to get the part is to practice being seen . And the best way to be seen is to audition… as often as possible. Sure, you might feel nervous, but eventually you’ll get numb to the nerves. The key is to master your trade and hopefully with these tips as well as our coaching and class offerings, you’ll be well on your way.
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