Our Professionals

Acting Auditions

It is pretty much a requirement that any actor or actress that is trying to get a job, must audition for the job before getting anywhere in film, television or commercial acting. Usually their talent agent will submit them to clients that are looking for talent first. This is done by sending in a headshot and resume for that actor or actress to the casting director based on their looks and skills. If the casting director likes what they see so far they will reach out to the agent and set up an audition. Having a good talent agent or manager can be the key to your success as an actor.

In fact your primary focus and job as an actor is to attend auditions; if you are lucky and skilled you will see several auditions a week. You have to master the art of auditioning to get anywhere as an actor or actress. The type of impression you make at your audition, whether good or bad, can really impact your career. The goal may not be to always land the role, but to make a good impression so the casting director may remember you and call you for future auditions that better suit your look and skill. Hard to believe, but even the more popular actors don’t land every role they audition for; but they still practice being a professional and gain the experience to promote themselves even better as a professional.

It is recommended to be sure to give your auditions a beginning, middle and end. Have confidence when coming into an audition and be sure to stand in the light while looking up so you avoid having shadow on your face and definitely do not squint during your audition. While you should audition with energy, there is such a thing as having too much energy, because toning a performance down is a lot harder than adding more to something that has a lower amount of energy. Be sure to have several different types of monologues on hand just in case the director asks you to perform more than just one monologue. Make sure your timing is spot on when performing a monologue as you have to be able to fit that monologue into a minute and thirty second window. One big thing to remember is relax, don’t stand stiff and still in one spot during your audition, but use small but purposeful movements that work seamlessly into your performance. Moving around too much will take away from your performance and be more of a distraction.

It just depends on the audition, but you may have to perform what is called sides, these are lines that you can memorize. You may have your pick of the script but be sure that you know your lines. These are typically done with the aid of the casting director; reading the supporting characters' lines in a monotone. It is up to you to bring in the magic. It may seem intimidating for the director to sit and read off lines in this manner, but will become very normal over time and with many auditions under your belt. The acting courses you take will help you become more comfortable and prepared for your auditions.

Theatre auditions vary just a little bit in the way they work. The actor will have a monologue and song to audition. Don’t worry, even if your singing voice is not the strongest; you can work with a speech coach or voice coach to help you improve. The biggest thing to know about theatre is that your voice is the best tool you have, there are no close ups. You have to be able to convey emotion all the way to the back of the theatre.

Talent is certainly an important fact for an audition, however there are many factors. Things like the actor’s type, typically a combination of their look, personality and the atmosphere they leave on set when they audition. These are some of the factors that the casting director will look at for the role and the director’s view on them as well. Directors tend to hire people, not actors. They pretty much expect you to walk in as the person they see for that role. So remember, casting directors may audition hundreds of people, but at the end of the day they just want an easy job and hope that when actors start walking in they walk in as the perfect person for the role they are casting.

This can not be stressed enough, any actor looking to land an audition needs to have an agent in their corner. Check out the Talent Agents section for more information on how to find a perfect agent that will fit your needs and goals in your career as an actor or actress. Always approach anything you do in the entertainment industry with professionalism. Start your career in acting today!