Posted by Moran on 16-12-2008

Succeeding in Auditions

Here are a few tips on how to succeed in an audition.
Be calm when you arrive at the audition. That doesn't mean you can't be excited - excitement is a good natural quality and everyone gets excited about an audition, even the biggest stars. Just make sure you don't get to the stage where you're biting your fingernails and ripping out your hair- not productive!

How to Keep Calm?

First of all, make sure you know the part you're auditioning for by heart! Don't rush when learning your lines. The day before the audition should be a calm day. Choose the clothes you're going to wear, make sure you know the directions to the venue. In short, don't leave details to the last minute.

Imagine this scenario: you've prepared for an audition over the past month. You arrive at the bus station and become aware that the bus you need runs only once every hour and you've just missed it. Aaargh! You wait for the next bus, at first calmly, but as the minutes tick away, you start to feel a little tug of nerves in your chest. You finally arrive at your destination stop and find that no one knows  the street you're looking for.

You arrive at the venue, finally, fifteen minutes late for the audition. Everyone else is already there, receiving instructions. You're invited to join the group even though the rest have already learned the first part of the scene. By now you're feeling like a total wreck. There's no way you're going to pass this audition. The point? Arrive early, of course!

Too early? Great!

1. Don't rehearse your part at the last minute; that will only add to the anxiety.
2. Have a cold, non-carbonated, soft drink if it's hot or a hot drink if it's cold outside - not the opposite!
3. If, after all that, you are still very nervous, sing a song that you like or get into your car and let out an enormous yell - that will lower your stress level.

How to dress up for an audition?

It doesn't matter what profession you've chosen or which audition you're going to, remember this: wear comfortable clothing. Not too tight, not too clingy, clothes that make you feel free. Nothing that needs straightening, pulling, folding, unfolding in the middle of a song and nothing that can tear in the middle of a dance.

Remember your text in advance. Arrive with a script and your chances are lowered enormously. This shows the examiners how unprofessional and disrespectful you are, and perhaps also that you're not very talented. (An actor or singer that doesn't remember texts by heart can never be accepted)

How to choose a scene or song for the audition?

The scene or song that you especially love is not always the most appropriate for an audition. Choose something that isn't necessarily your favorite if it's a song that better shows your potential. To this end, prepare several scenes or songs and practice on audiences whose opinion you trust - friends and family.

A few guidelines for auditions

a. Don't pick a song that half the people in the world are singing or a scene from a movie that everyone knows by heart. If you've read up to this point, then you've realized that dancing the "Macarenna" is a sure-fire failure.
b. On the other hand - don't pick a song that nobody knows or has heard, unless you've specifically been asked to bring original material to the audition.

During the audition, remember that the examiners are people too. Look them in the eyes, give them a smile, or a tiny wink. This could make the difference between 'hit' and 'miss'.

Think about the material you're performing and what it means. Try to 'get into character' for a while before the audition. And this goes for all the performing arts, not just acting. The same is true for audition singing, dancing or modeling. Live the scene, feel the atmosphere, imagine yourselves in that era, in that place, in those circumstances. Don't be afraid to show your emotions, you're a performer, that's what's expected of you!