Things to NOT Do at Auditions

A professor from TCU told me to always look up.. looking down can be a red flag for insecurity... and also in monologues NEVER use Dialect unless it is one of your top 3 strengths...

Then he told me the normal.. you audition from the minute you walk in the building... Be Happy to be there... and Be patient!

His words of Advice has helped me in the past 3 shows!

I had this workshop at a camp I went to once called "Top Ten Stupid Audition stunts" here are the ones I can remember NOT to do.

Do the Pee-pee dance.

Ask can I start over?

Say, "I am sorry I am sick today normally I can sing better."

Be rude to anyone at the audition. It could backfire.

Say something bad about someone you've worked with before.

Be TOO memorable.

There are four more. As I remember them I'll update.

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Well its probably usually a bad idea to show up at an audition in character but if I remember correctly Clarke Thorell, the original Corny Collins in Hairspray did exactly that and it seemed to work for him.

Well, Mistress, there are obviously exceptions to the rules. Idina broke my Rule #1: she went to "Wicked" auditions wearing green lipstick.

I guess the moral of the story is: "Do whatever the heck you want, as long as you have the talent to back it up."

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Going to the audition in (or at least, with) a towel is one of the #1 things you should do to get the part with most casting directors.

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I have a strong association with some cents. The 1943 D cent, for one. Some nickels do it for me as well. Oh, don't get me started!

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I've sat in on enough auditions now (and been through enough) to know, first of all, that Shurtleff's book is bang-on (and not just about the audition process). The bottom line, though, is preparedness and professionalism. Don't do "something new". Keep a catalog of material that you constantly work on and can use at the drop of a hat at any audition. Being prepared with simple work that shows your best qualities BYPASSES all of the stupid dressing-up, hafta-pee, starting-over, nervous-twitching CRUD people think is important. Being prepared lets you show up ready to impress, looking relaxed and casual, feeling ready to take direction and focus on the task of finding out whether you and a director (or casting director, or third AD, or whatever) are a good fit. 'Nuff said.

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Updated On: 6/1/04 at 09:59 AM

Don't be late!!!!!!!!!!
If you're early, you're on time.
If you're on time, you're late.
If you're late, don't bother.

Of course, this rule only applies for scheduled audition times...
:)

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don't murder the auditors.
-d.b.j-

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I've auditioned countless times, sat in auditions as a casting consultant and directed several times, so here are a few of my tips. Do with them what you wish:

If asked to sing 16 bars, don't sing the whole song (I saw a lot of that at my last audition as well as those dessed in character).

Two contrasting songs does not mean one song from act one of Rent and one song from act two of Rent.

No excuses. It looks desperate. If you're sick, the auditors cannot guess what you're supposed to sound like. If they think you have potential, they'll call you back and hopefully, you'll feel better. If you're late, no one cares why, obviously if others are already there, they were capable of showing up on time, so you should be as well. Sometimes crap happens that prevents you from being on time or performing your best, but auditors are spending hours (sometimes days or weeks) watching all these people and have to make some tough decisions. Every excuse gives them one more reason to eliminate you. If you're going to miss the audition, be late, or have any other excuse to give, speak to the stage manager or whoever is proctoring the audition. They are there to field the information. Always call ahead if you can't make it, so you don't look like a total flake if you want to be considered for another audition.

Never ask the director when you will hear from them. It puts them on the spot. Ask the proctor when or if you should expect to hear back.

Do not let anyone verbally abuse you. Show respect for your auditors, but have respect for yourself. It's not American Idol. You don't have to put up with rude comments. If you feel uncomfortable at the time, write down the incident immediately make a copy and send it to the artistic director or producer.

Keep an audition journal and write down exactly what you performed, who you performed for, how you felt you did, and the results of the audition. This will help you keep track of your strengths, weaknesses, material that works for you, and getting to know what is expected from auditors in case you see them again. The more you audition, the more you will be able to personalize each audition with your own strengths matched with the preferences of those you are auditioning for. Don't be afraid to ask around and get some background info on the people you are auditioning for. Every little bit helps.

Don't do anything on stage that you would normally do in a toilet or urinal.

Don't make any last-minute changes. 99% of the time, they will look like last-minute changes.

Always show up early enough to fill out paperwork. Bring your own writing utensils and something to write on. A three-ring binder will be your best friend. Keep your resumes and headshots in the pocket with a pencil handy. Using glare-free sleeves protects your (well-marked) music while offering easy page-turns for the accompanist. And it doubles as a makeshift desk for those crowded auditions with no writing space.

Cutesy props and costume pieces or changes are annoying and time-consuming. They just want to see if you can act and sing. If it takes more than 10-20 seconds for you to get ready, you've lost their attention and probably irritated them.

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Updated On: 6/1/04 at 01:27 PM

Broadwaystar, that same thing happened to me about a month ago. I was casting an indie flick when this guy came in and did a monologue from PULP FICTION. All of a sudden he reaches behind him and pulls this gun out. SCARED THE SH*T out of me. He held this thing for about 2 minutes while he was still talking. We were all kind of looking around for escape exits and getting very uncomfortable. Not a good idea to bring props unless it is absolutely necessary.

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You definelty SHOULD NOT put on another face...but be yourself, because that is what they need to see.
Plus, dont ever look directly at the auditioners when saying/singing your material. They get a better effect of what you look like on stage if you look just above and to the back. Standing too close is another "no-no". Because again, they want to see ALL of you, they need to know what kind of look you have to be onstage.

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