Audition Tips

Auditions can be tricky to get through. Whether you’re going through an agency or not, making a good impression in ten minutes can be hard. If it’s for a school production, professional production or one to get into university, it’s important to get it right. 

An audition will normally ask you for a monologue, if you’re auditioning for a musical they’ll normally ask for sixteen bars of music, or if you’re going for ensemble or a dance heavy show then you’ll probably be asked for a small dance routine. No matter what the production is, you’ll always need a headshot and a CV. It’s important to know what you need before going. 

I’ve worked on the audition table a couple of times, I’ve seen what works for casting and what doesn’t, and even learnt some tricks from people auditioning. It can be intimidating walking into a room and having five or six people sat at a table taking endless notes on your performance, and getting used to that will only come with time. Getting used to auditions will take time, but here are my tips for when you’re starting out. I want to mention that these tips can be applied to other situations too! These can be used in job interviews or in any situation that you need to be ‘formal’, so although these are aimed towards auditions you can use these tips in any situation!

• Be kind - this should be a given, but I can’t stress enough just how important it is to be nice. If you’re rude, that’s going to look bad and chances are you won’t get the part. 
  
• Know your material - I’ve seen people forget and completely restart what they were doing, which is fine, but it’s much better if you can carry on. If you forget, improvise. If you’re doing a show and you forget your material, the show won’t stop. Showcase your adaptability and ability to think on your feet. 
  
• Dress appropriately - if you’re going for a specific character, take inspiration from them. Don’t cosplay them, but take that little pinch of inspiration. It helps us see you as that character. If you’re expecting to dance, wear practical clothing. 
  
• Prepare for the unexpected - sometimes you will be asked to do the weirdest things in auditions because it relates to the character. Expect to be asked to do random things. It doesn’t happen often but it's better to be prepared. 
  
• Don’t lie - you will get caught out if you lie. If you put something on your CV that isn’t true, chances are you’ll get caught out. If you say you’re an amazing dancer, you might be asked to dance. Don’t lie about that. Flaunt your talents, because being real is more important than trying to seem better than anyone else. 
  
• Make eye contact - exude confidence! If you’re uncomfortable making eye contact, look at the bridge of someone’s nose. It looks like you’re making eye contact. This makes you seem more confident and assertive. 
  
• Be mindful of your posture - keep an open stance! Don’t curl in on yourself, keep yourself open. It may feel vulnerable but it makes it easier for us to see you. 
  
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions - if you have questions about what the job entails, ask! It shows you’re interested!
  
• Leave as soon as you can - this might sound weird, but don’t hang around trying to make small talk. It gets awkward fast. Plus, we’re typically on a strict time limit, we have a lot of people to see in a limited space of time. Once you’re done, leave as fast as you can. It shows consideration. 
  
• Be prepared - this is vague but so important. Know your stuff. 
  

Those are tips I’ve picked up during auditions. These help to make a good impression. Keep them in mind when you’re auditioning. Preparation for an audition can be tricky too, and even though I don’t know much about that, here are some tips I do know - 

• Look at what you need - these can be documents or material you need to showcase. Have everything ready on hand.
  
• Pick relevant material - some auditions will specify what kind of material they want, whether it be contemporary or romantic, some specify. Others leave it up to your discretion. Know the character you’re auditioning for to know what kind of piece you want. If you’re going for Magenta in Rocky Horror, you’re not going to want to do a romantic piece. Match the style to the character/show.
  
• Research - know the show and your character. Do basic research for the audition, more for the call back and if you get the part, do more research. You need to know the show to get the feel right. 
  

The thing to remember with auditions is that not every one is going to be a success, and that’s nothing to do with your talent. Don’t let that hinder you. It sounds cliche but it couldn’t be more true. Take every audition with a pinch of salt and let yourself learn things from them. Embrace each lesson because no two will be the same, and I guarantee you can always learn more than what you already know. The most important thing is to never give up. 

~ En 

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