Notes for Anyone Going to an Audition
Today I had an audition for OLT. Yes, I'm that desperate to perform at the moment that I went to the Ottawa Little Theatre. While I've had auditions there before, I realized today that this is a show I might actually want to do. It's called Isn't It Romantic by Wendy Wasserstein. It's based in the 80s and it's about two friends who have recently graduated from college (as they call Universities in the States) and are trying to get on with their lives and careers while dealing with meddling parents. Normally, I always read the play before I audition for it but I couldn't get my hands on this one, so I went in blind. I have to say I was pleasently surprised. The subject matter is really relevent to where I am in my life today. Also, I know the director from a show we'd performed in and she's one sassy lady that I'd love to work with again.
That said, OLT auditions aren't the greatest. They consist of one big cattle call where everyone stays in the room and they send you up in different combinations to see what works. Since this is a community theatre where everyone is welcome to audition, the level of acting experience greatly differs from person to person. I can honestly say that for the part of the two 25+ leads, there was only myself and another girl who really stood out. So the odds are nice at least. The only reason I could see myself not being cast in this show would be because the leads are 28 years old and I sometimes still look like I'm 19-21. However, you never know.
Anyway, this experience brings me to a couple audition notes that I think should generally be common knowledge, but isn't:
If you have long hair, pull it back because we can't see your face.
Do not wear bangles or other jewlery that clinks around when you move because that's all we can now hear.
Don't wear a mini skirt unless you're auditioning for some prostitute type role (and even then!). The stage is higher up than the audience and I didn't pay to see that kind of show.
Learn to cold read! It is a skill you can learn! It becomes very monotonous to have you look down after every second word (and I'm not even exagerating).
Don't ask the director to have you read for a part unless you are going to wow us (see previous line as to why we were not wowed).
Turn off your cellphone!
Oh and for those of you who are curious, I got a callback.
That said, OLT auditions aren't the greatest. They consist of one big cattle call where everyone stays in the room and they send you up in different combinations to see what works. Since this is a community theatre where everyone is welcome to audition, the level of acting experience greatly differs from person to person. I can honestly say that for the part of the two 25+ leads, there was only myself and another girl who really stood out. So the odds are nice at least. The only reason I could see myself not being cast in this show would be because the leads are 28 years old and I sometimes still look like I'm 19-21. However, you never know.
Anyway, this experience brings me to a couple audition notes that I think should generally be common knowledge, but isn't:
If you have long hair, pull it back because we can't see your face.
Do not wear bangles or other jewlery that clinks around when you move because that's all we can now hear.
Don't wear a mini skirt unless you're auditioning for some prostitute type role (and even then!). The stage is higher up than the audience and I didn't pay to see that kind of show.
Learn to cold read! It is a skill you can learn! It becomes very monotonous to have you look down after every second word (and I'm not even exagerating).
Don't ask the director to have you read for a part unless you are going to wow us (see previous line as to why we were not wowed).
Turn off your cellphone!
Oh and for those of you who are curious, I got a callback.
posted by Nancy Kenny at
7:21 PM
2 Comments:
My acting is terrible and am unlikely to audition for anything again ever, but I am curious: What is a cold read?
By
fhjvbdfivjhb, at 4:00 PM
It's when you just show up for an audition and they give you a part of the script and ask you to read it right then and there. You don't have to know the script or prepare in advance.
It is possible to improve your cold reading skills by reading out loud from a book or newspaper that you have never looked at before.
By
Nancy Kenny, at 4:09 PM
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