Cold reading advice?

[ByTheSea920]

Posted: 10/12/07 at 11:54pm

Hey everybody! I just signed up for a Romeo and Juliet audition, and I need some advice! I expected that I'd have to prepare a monologue, but it turns out that they don't want a prepared monologue. The entire audition will be a cold reading.
I've never done a Shakespeare cold reading before.
Any tips to help me get ready for this? :) I would love to be in this, and I don't want to completely bomb my audition!

[Prisoner 24601]

Posted: 10/13/07 at 12:23am

My advice would be to be certain you know what you're talking about when you read. Have the play read, get an annotated version from the library, mark up the script you get at the audition so that you know what you're saying, as Shakespeare's language is confusing, especially at cold readings. Make sure to ask if you're not sure what a certain line means. It's better than guessing, and there's so much in the audition that's already out of your control that adding that one bit of uncertainty can screw you up. In short, be familiar with the material. It's just like any other cold reading, as long as you understand the language and context of the dialogue. Good luck!

[ByTheSea920]

Posted: 10/13/07 at 12:28am

Thank you! :) Luckily, I think I still have my R&J book that I marked up with "translations" from when I read it in school a few years ago! That should be helpful.

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 10/13/07 at 11:22am

If you come across a line that yoiu have no clue in hell what it means, say it with confidence and take a stab at it. Make them think you do know what you're saying. Even if you say it completely wrong, they'll probobly think "well alright, she's gutsy, I almost believed her. I think I'll give her a chance."

[ByTheSea920]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 5:32pm

Okay, got it! Thank you!

[flicker_]

Posted: 10/15/07 at 5:17pm

Make a strong choice and go with it. It's gotta be all or nothing.

I would definitely go to sparknotes.com and read the "No Fear Shakespeare" version of Romeo and Juliet. It has the original text on one side and the modern version translation on the other. It's a great help.

[ByTheSea920]

Posted: 10/16/07 at 12:44am

Ooooh, thanks! *runs to check it out* You guys are the best!