As some of you may be aware, Walterdale Theatre has auditions for The Misanthrope coming up this weekend. If you haven't already done so and you want to audition, you should get yourself signed up so that you can prepare. Auditions can be frustrating and intimidating for some people. I know many people who say they want to get on Walterdale's stage but they are frustrated that they never seem to do well at auditions. Here are some tips on how to have a good audition experience:
1. Be on time. Or better yet, be 15 minutes early. Very often there is a form for you to fill out regarding your contact information and experience and conflict dates.
a. Experience: to save time - type up a theatre resume. It can be a list of the shows and workshops and classes you have done. If you don't have much onstage experience, include your other contributions. Directors like to know that you have worked around the theatre in more ways than just onstage. If you took dance class or singing lessons, include that, even if it's not a musical. Dedication to training is just as important as stage time. Include names of teachers and former directors. We like to see who you have worked with.
b. Headshot or no headshot? If you do not have a professional headshot - no worries - bring in a photo that looks like you. This will help the Director when looking back over all the auditioners. A visual reminder is far more helpful than notes on a page. If your headshot is old and no longer looks like you - get a new one or bring in a candid photo that it more recent. I have had people bring in 30 year old headshots where they are unrecognizable.
c.The audition notice has information about when the show is going up and when they are rehearsing, so come prepared. Bring a list of dates you are not available so that you dont' have to fill that in later. As a director, I have had to un-cast people when their conflicts were not what they told me originally. Nothing is worse than that. But most directors, if you are honest about your dates, will schedule around you if they really want you.
2. Come prepared! Prior to the audition - read through the audition notice and prepare what has been asked for. For The Misanthrope this means working with the sides a bit. Don't come in cold if you have had a chance to play with the script. Get a friend to read through them with you. Try the text a dozen different ways - angry, sad, silly, grumpy, happy, etc... Don't lock into one choice as the Director might ask you to play. When they have you read more than once, they generally want to see you do something different. Don't tell the Director what you want to do instead of what they have asked to see. I have made notices that specifically ask for certain types of songs, only to have someone tell me they didn't want to prepare that so they prepared something else instead. If it calls for a prepared monologue - then bring that in. If they want you to be memorized, be memorized. If they ask for a 2 minute monologue, don't bring in a 10 minute piece. If you aren't clear about what is expected you can ask questions, but don't shower the Director with emails. I once got about a dozen emails asking and re-asking questions about the auditions from one auditioner and I couldn't help but feel she would be high maintenance if I cast her. Also, if you have a chance, read the whole play.
3. Dress so you can move comfortably, but also dress to flatter yourself. Do your hair and make-up, or trim your beard - generally look your best. I always think of auditions as job interviews. You should dress in a way that you feel good in and that will help you stand out. If you are interested in a particular character you could dress in a way to suggest that character without going to the extent of costume. But, if the character would wear a skirt and heels, then do so. If they would wear a collared shirt and tie, then do so. If you aren't sure or are going for more than one possible part, think job interview or business casual - but make sure it's something that you can move in as you never know what the Director might ask you to do.
4. If you are in a group audition, please be courteous of the other auditioners. Don't try to hog the Director. At Walterdale we frequently have group auditions so that we can see more people, but we want to see ALL of them. When the other people in the group are performing, don't text on your phone or chat with the other people in the room. Give them your focus. This will tell the Director a little bit about how you respect the other people in the room.
5. Show courtesy to all the people on the Production Team, not just the Director. Very often teams will discuss 'bad behaviour' that the Director might not have observed. Were you rude to the PM who was getting you to fill out your form? It will get back to the Director. Also, when there is an opportunity for questions, just ask questions that are pertinent to the process - will we be contacted? when? are there callbacks? That sort of thing. Questions about the author of the play and what the set will look like can wait until you are cast.
6. Above all have fun. A good attitude is noticeable and most directors like to have that kind of person around. Remember, sometimes not getting cast is not because you didn't have a good audition, it is more about the combination of people. The whole cast has to fit together so don't beat yourself up. Most directors will give you feedback about your audition if you ask for it. If you don't get cast and there is an opportunity to work on the show in another capacity - go for it. It can help you the next time you audition as the team will have better knowledge of you as a team player.
No comments:
Post a Comment