Q&A for How to Audition

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  • Question
    How do you become an actor with no experience?
    Jim Jarrett
    Acting Teacher
    Jim Jarrett is an Acting Teacher and the Founder of The Meisner Technique Studio based in San Francisco, California. With over 30 years of experience, he specializes in teaching The Meisner Technique and is Sanford Meisner's last teaching protégé. Over the years, Jim has established schools in Los Angeles, California, Hawaii, and Sun Valley, Idaho. He also travels the world annually as a guest teacher at universities, performing art schools, and theater companies throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. His flagship school is located in the heart of the Presidio in San Francisco, California.
    Acting Teacher
    Expert Answer
    The first thing to do is ask yourself why and if you are willing to sacrifice and work really hard to possibly achieve your dream. If you're sure you want to become an actor badly enough to move someplace like L.A. or New York, get ready to handle the business part of it. Save some money before you move, and if you're going to LA, make sure your car works. Also, know that fine acting schools aren't limited to those two cities! There's many places you can go to get more training.
  • Question
    How can I fix my voice after an audition?
    Amy Chapman, MA
    Voice & Speech Coach
    Amy Chapman MA, CCC-SLP is a Vocal Therapist and Singing Voice Specialist. Amy is a licensed and board-certified speech & language pathologist who has dedicated her career to helping professionals improve and optimize their voice. Amy has lectured on voice optimization, speech, vocal health, and voice rehabilitation at universities across California, including UCLA, USC, Chapman University, Cal Poly Pomona, CSUF, CSULA. Amy is trained in Lee Silverman Voice Therapy, Estill, LMRVT, and is a part of the American Speech and Hearing Association.
    Voice & Speech Coach
    Expert Answer
    It's really important to stay hydrated. Some people get a lot of relief by steaming where you hop in a hot shower or stand over a steaming pot. So if you just finished an audition and you have half an hour before your next one, you can steam for a few minutes. Sleeping with a humidifier on may help as well.
  • Question
    What if I have to sing for multiple auditions?
    Amy Chapman, MA
    Voice & Speech Coach
    Amy Chapman MA, CCC-SLP is a Vocal Therapist and Singing Voice Specialist. Amy is a licensed and board-certified speech & language pathologist who has dedicated her career to helping professionals improve and optimize their voice. Amy has lectured on voice optimization, speech, vocal health, and voice rehabilitation at universities across California, including UCLA, USC, Chapman University, Cal Poly Pomona, CSUF, CSULA. Amy is trained in Lee Silverman Voice Therapy, Estill, LMRVT, and is a part of the American Speech and Hearing Association.
    Voice & Speech Coach
    Expert Answer
    If you have more than one audition in a day, or you have multiple auditions back-to-back over a couple days, I wouldn't sing your heart out. You may not get every audition, but you might blow your voice out after 1-2 auditions if you're giving it everything you've got. Do your best to take a break in between sessions so you can rest your voice.
  • Question
    What is the common mistake actors do while auditioning?
    Community Answer
    They are not social or confident enough. The key to an audition is being friendly and confident. If you are nervous, do not show it, it only makes the director think you might have stage fright, which is never good.
  • Question
    What should I do at my first audition?
    Community Answer
    Give the directors an honest resume, and don't stress if you don't have much to put on it. Remember to be professional when you enter and exit, and don't worry if you don't get much feedback from the directors.
  • Question
    When going for an audition will I be given a script to prepare?
    Community Answer
    If it is an acting audition, you should generally get a script.
  • Question
    How do I audition in front of 60+ people?
    Community Answer
    If you're auditioning in front of other people who are also auditioning, remember that they are all here for the same reason as you are. They're probably just as nervous for their audition as you are and probably aren't paying attention to you. If you're performing for an audience, take deep breaths. It won't be the end of the world if you make a mistake, recover and keep going. Finally, the most important thing is to be confident!
  • Question
    Should I look at the camera or the audience when giving a monologue?
    Community Answer
    Try it all! Give this monologue everything you've got. Look around, pace around, and do whatever you feel fits.
  • Question
    Can I sit down while doing a video audition?
    Community Answer
    No, because the casting people want to see more of what you can do instead of just speaking into the camera. You are acting, not giving a speech.
  • Question
    I am going to audition for a live theatre class at my college, but I'm confused about when the auditions are and whether I'll have any time to prepare. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Ask your professor these questions, especially the one about the date and time of the auditions. If you're uncomfortable asking for audition tips from an instructor, seek out other students who have taken the class and ask them. Some general advice: warm up your voice, wear something comfortable, and practice everything you know!
  • Question
    Do I need any experience to be considered for a part?
    Mia Colangelo
    Community Answer
    Not unless you want a big role with lots of lines and solos.
  • Question
    How do I prepare for a Big Boss audition?
    Community Answer
    Keep calm. It's quite embarrassing for an actor to burst into tears during an audition. Practice multiple times in the mirror but don't get so overworked that you are stressed. Drink tea on the day of audition to relax your body and throat.
  • Question
    What happens if I'm nervous during the auditions?
    Community Answer
    A nervous audition is never the best representation of your talent, so work to calm yourself down. Take deep breaths and focus on the audition at hand. Always remember that even if this audition goes south, there will be other opportunities for you!
  • Question
    How do I prepare for a dance audition?
    Community Answer
    They usually have you memorize a dance and run through it, so really just stretch and stay hydrated.
  • Question
    How can I audition for a role if I don't live in a big town where a lot of auditions take place?
    Gods_and_monsters
    Community Answer
    The best thing to do is get a manager who can help you out with finding auditions. They can also sometimes pay for your fare to get to places where the audition is taking place.
  • Question
    For talent hunts, do the judges give an auditioner a script to memorize?
    Ashely rav
    Community Answer
    Usually, when you join an agency, they will sign you up for auditions and the agent that you are working with should get you any materials you need.
  • Question
    What if I live in Toronto, Canada but I want to audition for something in LA or New York? How can I audition without going there?
    CraftyKat
    Community Answer
    Sometimes casting directors will ask you to send in an audition video for something far away, but it might be better to focus on finding auditions in and around your area.
  • Question
    I have a singing audition, and I don't know how to prepare. Where should I start?
    Community Answer
    Start with some scales. After you have warmed up, you should probably focus on some sight reading, as they may go over that as well. In the end, you might want to prepare a song or, if they have assigned you one, practice that.
  • Question
    I don't have a headshot or a resume, but I am attending an audition. What should I say to the director or agency?
    Community Answer
    Stand out. Everyone else wants a part just as much or more than you - think about what the other actors would say, and take a different approach.
  • Question
    I have a big audition, I am very nervous. What do I do to calm myself down?
    Community Answer
    Tell yourself how amazing you are. Stay hydrated, and take deep, calming breaths. Imagine that there is nobody there but you, and let your talent take you away.
  • Question
    How do I know the character that I will act as?
    Community Answer
    You might not know what character you will be auditioning for when you walk into the audition room. From my experience, you read who they tell you to read. It helps tremendously if you have read the play you will be auditioning for before you walk into the audition room. It also depends on the type of audition since some auditions are targeted towards a specific character.
  • Question
    Where can I get an example of someone doing a monologue?
    Community Answer
    YouTube has lots of examples, along with tips and tricks about auditioning.
  • Question
    I’m scared that I’m going to freak out and not do my best and lose the role. How do I prevent nerves?
    RasberryButtercream
    Community Answer
    When it's the day of the audition, make sure to eat a good breakfast. A cup of tea could also help calm you down. When you are waiting for an audition, have a glass of water, take deep breaths and rehearse your material in your head.
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