Romeo & Juliet auditions

[Weez]

Posted: 1/29/09 at 3:27pm

So there's some auditions next week for a production of Romeo & Juliet (and I have GOT to stop typing it as "Romero", 'cos that just conjures up zombie mental images XD) and I thought I might have a bash (read: am desperately going to be working my ass off towards Juliet, no matter how unlikely my chances of success are).

So I'm doing a ton of preparation, which is nice. They don't want us to prepare anything specific, so I'm spending my time getting to know the play. I've read the whole thing through, I'm going to make sure I say every one of Juliet's lines out-loud several times over, and I'm going to make sure I understand every word she's saying. It helps that I saw it last year and studied it way back when I was in school. So I'd say it's going well with the mental preparation.

However, I'd really like to kick some serious butt at this audition, and I'm a bit worried about putting it into practice. I'm practicing my physicality and my voice generally, but I'm nowhere near as confident *doing* these things as I am *thinking* about them, and I could really use any and all advice you may have with regards to overcoming my worries and making the most of the audition, especially looking at speaking and moving.

All help and advice will be gratefully received!

Updated On: 1/29/09 at 03:27 PM

[WOSQ]

Posted: 1/29/09 at 4:07pm

She's 14 years old trying very, very hard to appear older or at least more mature.

Of course, he is, what, 16?

[Necromancer07707]

Posted: 1/30/09 at 1:15am

You're doing yourself a disfavor by posting this very thread. Stop thinking and talking about it and just do it. Do it until it sits well in you, and don't try to force anything into working. Like Nike, Just Do It.

[adelaide3]

Posted: 1/30/09 at 12:27pm

I agree with Necromancer---thinking too much about it will just psych you out. It's good to have an understanding of the work and the part beforehand, but you can leave some of the discovery to when you (hopefully!) get the part.

I do have some Juliet tips, though. I played the part once awhile ago. Remember that the basis of her existence is that she is a life force: emotionally, spiritually, sexually. Even though "she's not fourteen" and still retains a lot of innocence, she is powered by her youth instead of held down.

You need to feel Juliet, NOT think about her. She didn't do too much thinking during the brief days that make up the play, you shouldn't have to either.

[Taryn]

Posted: 1/30/09 at 5:52pm

Having just seen RSC's disappointing production at Stratford-upon-Avon, DON'T OVERTHINK. Feel it. One of the big things that didn't work in the latest RSC production was that Juliet was WAY too much of a thinker.

[redheaded]

Posted: 1/30/09 at 8:18pm

I just played the role of Juliet in November. It was amazing, my director would always tell me that I am Juliet, I don't need to act like her or impersonate anyone. She is such a universal character that you are just playing yourself in an extreme situation. Don't change you voice or act, be yourself. Also my director would always tell us to "LISTEN, DISCOVER, REACT!" He would also tell me that images are the most important thing, those woven into Shakespeare's writing will tell the story for you.

Also if they didn't give you specific sides I would look over Gallop Apace...thats a big one, they sprung that on me in the call backs.

Good Luck!
You'll do great!