Things Not To Do At An Audition
by ActorPoint.com
Until you've been auditioning for a while, it's usually difficult to find your own way and style of conducting yourself at the audition. We all have made mistakes and kick ourselves later when we realize how unprofessional or inappropriate it might have been. Hey, that's the only way we learn what not to do again! I've outlined 3 basic things not to do at an audition. These may seem obvious but I've held and sat in on many auditions and you'd be surprised how many actors continue to do them.
Never walk up to the casting director and initiate a hand-shake. If they already have your headshot and resume simply walk in the room, say hello, and find your mark (the place where you'll be delivering your monologue or side from). If you need to hand the CD your headshot and resume when you enter the room, do so but only extend your hand if he initiates it. Some CDs see a few hundred actors in a day and don't feel the need to shake each actor's hand. It's nothing personal, it's just the way it is.
Never deliver your monologue directly into the casting director's eye (or any other person's eye behind the table, for that matter). Pick a spot slightly above or to either side of the CD and focus your attention to that point, as if it's the character you are talking to. Nothing is more awkward than an actor "making" the CD the character in their monologue. It's just like going to see a play. The CD should feel like an outside audience member who is watching an actor who isn't breaking the fourth wall. He also needs to be able to write notes, review your resume, or discuss things with his associates while you're auditioning. If you make him the other character, how difficult will it be to stay focused when he suddenly sips on a cup of coffee?! You get the point.
Never end your monologue by saying "scene." It's a typical actor stereo-type, but a stereo-type nonetheless. When you reach the end of your monologue, hold the last moment for a few short beats then break character and look at the casting director to indicate you're finished. Sometimes actors will take "dramatic pauses" in the middle of their monologue and continue on. Once you're finished, wait for the CD to speak first. He may ask you to make an adjustment and do a portion again, ask what play the monologue is from, ask a question about your availability or simply say "thanks." In any case, you've done your job, reply with a cordial "thanks for your time," "good luck with the project," or "take care" and leave with a big smile on your face because you did the best you can.
When you leave the audition room, focus on what went well and what didn't go so well. Learn from the parts that didn't go so well but don't beat yourself up over these. And finally, leave the audition behind. Don't wait by the phone for the next month. Go back to the drawing board, get your headshots and resumes out there and prepare for your next audition.
Never walk up to the casting director and initiate a hand-shake. If they already have your headshot and resume simply walk in the room, say hello, and find your mark (the place where you'll be delivering your monologue or side from). If you need to hand the CD your headshot and resume when you enter the room, do so but only extend your hand if he initiates it. Some CDs see a few hundred actors in a day and don't feel the need to shake each actor's hand. It's nothing personal, it's just the way it is.
Never deliver your monologue directly into the casting director's eye (or any other person's eye behind the table, for that matter). Pick a spot slightly above or to either side of the CD and focus your attention to that point, as if it's the character you are talking to. Nothing is more awkward than an actor "making" the CD the character in their monologue. It's just like going to see a play. The CD should feel like an outside audience member who is watching an actor who isn't breaking the fourth wall. He also needs to be able to write notes, review your resume, or discuss things with his associates while you're auditioning. If you make him the other character, how difficult will it be to stay focused when he suddenly sips on a cup of coffee?! You get the point.
Never end your monologue by saying "scene." It's a typical actor stereo-type, but a stereo-type nonetheless. When you reach the end of your monologue, hold the last moment for a few short beats then break character and look at the casting director to indicate you're finished. Sometimes actors will take "dramatic pauses" in the middle of their monologue and continue on. Once you're finished, wait for the CD to speak first. He may ask you to make an adjustment and do a portion again, ask what play the monologue is from, ask a question about your availability or simply say "thanks." In any case, you've done your job, reply with a cordial "thanks for your time," "good luck with the project," or "take care" and leave with a big smile on your face because you did the best you can.
When you leave the audition room, focus on what went well and what didn't go so well. Learn from the parts that didn't go so well but don't beat yourself up over these. And finally, leave the audition behind. Don't wait by the phone for the next month. Go back to the drawing board, get your headshots and resumes out there and prepare for your next audition.
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