Certainly! Auditioning can be nerve-wracking, but with the right preparation and mindset, you can improve your chances of landing that role. At OneArts, though our students don’t have to audition to join our classes but we do hold audition workshops for our Summer Showcase and many of our students go on to further education in the performing arts or professional roles in singing, dancing or acting so here are our top tips for auditioning for wherever you are in your career.
Here are 10 essential tips to help you shine during auditions:
Be Confident:
Confidence is key. Walk into the audition room with your head held high. Good posture and body language make a lasting impression. Leave any nervousness or bad vibes outside the door. Remember, you’re being evaluated from the moment you walk in.
Showcase Your Personality:
Let your personality shine through. Engage in conversation with the casting director. Ask questions and be curious. The industry values smart, inquisitive actors.
Connect with Your Reader:
Whether it’s the casting director or a reader, make a connection. Memorize your lines or be familiar enough with them to maintain eye contact. Authenticity is key to making the scene natural and believable.
Know Your Character:
Dive deep into your character. Read the entire script beforehand to pick up clues. Understand what the character says about themselves, what others say about them, and what the playwright or screenwriter reveals. This knowledge will inform your performance.
Understand Your Character’s Objective:
Go beyond the dialogue. What does your character want from others? What’s their purpose in the scene and the overall story? Knowing the objective helps you create a compelling performance.
Identify Your Character’s Obstacle:
Acting happens as you strive to achieve your objective despite obstacles. Understand what’s in the way of your character’s goals.
Play Opposites:
Avoid obvious choices. Sometimes silence or subtlety can convey emotions more powerfully than yelling. Explore different ways to express feelings and motivations.
Find the Love:
Even if your character is nasty, find moments where their humanity shines through. Every character has layers, and showing vulnerability can make them more interesting.
Embrace Action:
Acting is about doing, not just talking. Find your character’s actions and play them out. Consider using resources like “Actions: The Actor’s Thesaurus” for inspiration.
Show Variety:
Feel the emotional levels and dynamics in the scene. Don’t stick to one emotion. Even tough characters can reveal vulnerability at times.
Remember, interesting and memorable auditions happen when you approach scripts with these tips in mind. Break a leg!
I’ve compiled these tips from various sources to provide you with a comprehensive guide. If you have any specific questions or need further advice, feel free to ask!