Auditions: How to Get Through

1. Auditions: How to Get Through

2. Step #1- The Search • Professionally... • ... Your agent does that for you. • Pre-professionally... • Be observant at school • Locate local theatrical companies websites • Casting notices are currently posted online more frequently

3. Theatrical Companies in Eugene/Springfield • Rose Children’s Theater • Actor’s Cabaret • Oregon Contemporary Theater • The Very Little Theater • The SHEDD

4. Step #2- The Requirements • Decipher the mumbo-jumbo • What is required out of this posting? Prepare (a) a short memorized monologue that demonstrates your acting ability and (b) a song selection from the classic period of musical comedy and musical theatre (1920-60) that demonstrates your skills as a singer. We strongly recommend that you do not prepare a song from a more recent period, and that you choose an arrangement that is in a classical musical comedy/musical theatre style. You must sing using the Shedd's audition accompanist, so bring music. Your monologue and song selection must each be no more than 1 minute. Do not prepare your monologue or choose a song from the shows in The Shedd's immediate production schedule.You will need to attend a dance audition held on the same day as your acting/singing audition. Bring appropriate dance shoes and attire.

5. If you said... • ONE monologue no longer than a minute • ONE short song selection from a classical musical theater piece • WITH sheet music for THEIR accompanist • Preparation for a dance component THEN YOU WERE RIGHT!

6. Most auditions require... • At least one monologue to demonstrate your acting abilities • If auditioning for a musical- either a combo of song and monologue or just a song.

7. Step #3- Find Your Material • How do you choose what monologue/song to bring? • Sometimes, they tell you exactly what they are looking for • i.e. looking for classical musical theater song, two contemporary monologues, etc. • Other times, you have to be a detective.

8. Playing Detective • If you are auditioning for a Shakespeare play, the company might want to know if- • A. You can handle Shakespeare’s language • B. Do fight choreography • C. Do improv • D. Memorize a monologue • Which one do you think?

9. BINGO! An Audition is a Preview! • An audition is a peek into an actor’s ability. • Soooooooooooooo.... • If you can prove yourself adept at the style of the play in your time, you put yourself in better standing. • HOWEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10. NEVER • choose to do a monologue or song from the play you are auditioning for. • Let the directors play pretend and imagine you in that role. • The callback will usually ask for you to do readings or pieces from the actual show

11. Step #4- Research The Show • Before you audition for the show, you need to know what it is about. • Why? • The director will ask you questions about • Characters • Plot • Abilities • You need to know which character you would like to perform as. • It shows commitment and excitement to the project.

12. Step #5- Rehearse The Material • Be fully memorized • A good way to know is if you can say it in the shower as you wash your hair. Put it on auto-pilot. • Practice it in front of other people. • Get some of those nerves out by making it a normal practice to perform in front of an audience. • Know your Slate • Understand how to pronounce the names of the playwrights and know what piece it is from. • A good slate is: • Hello, my name is_____. I will be performing a piece from __________ by _______ and I will be playing the part of _______. Thank you.

13. Step #6- Prepare • Clothing • Should be neutral: nothing too costume-y • Should be loose enough to move around in and not distract • Printing • Prepare your up-to-date headshot/resume with at least 3 copies • Prepare your sheet music, taped together to prevent page turns • Sleep well the night before

14. The Headshot/Resume

15. Step #7- The Audition • Check in WELL BEFORE your audition time • It is said, “To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, and to be late is to be replaced” • Do not practice your material in the lobby before • If you aren’t ready at this point, you shouldn’t be there and it just turns into showing off to intimidate the other actors... You have more class than that. • Have something in place to combat nerve symptoms. • If you get dry mouth, eat an apple before you go. • If you get shaky, drink water in sips. • If you feel anxious, take deep breaths and listen to music.

16. Step #7- The Audition (cont.) • As you go in, hand your resume and head shot to those auditioning you, and shake their hand • They will tell you what they would like in the audition, so go with the flow. • Be courteous and polite. • Following the audition, thank them for their time, shaking hands again couldn’t hurt.

17. Step #8- The Wait • Usually auditioning for a part goes quickly. • The schedule • Day 1: The general audition • Day 2: The callback • Day 3: The callback • Etc. (They will tell you the timeline at the end of your audition) • You will receive notification of your audition through a call, a posting, an email, etc. • DO NOT HOUND THE AUDITIONERS. They are trying to make a decision in a timely manner.

18. Step #9- Closure • Either you • Got a Part • Didn’t Get a Part • Regardless, you continue breathing and eating and sleeping and living. Circle of life. It’s the Lion King. Get it?