Pelczynski-auditioning 2010
Auditioning
The hard truthFact- 99% of the time you will not be what the director is looking for.
Fact- There are A LOT of actors/actresses out there, and they all want your job.
Fact- New York City is not the only place to act, neither is Los Angeles.
Fact- You probably will have to do local theatre gigs with minimal pay before you “make it”.
Fact- Talent isn’t everything—case and point Susan Boyle (great voice, not so great look).
Are you scared yet?
How toFind the best monologue for yourself.
It’s easy right?...Not quite.
Finding the best monologue for you is the hardest part. You need to know your own strengths
and weaknesses as an actor/actress. Can everyone audition with Shakespeare? Sure they can but
can they do it well? I highly doubt it. (ps. Don’t audition with Romeo and Juliet…EVER it’s one
of the most overdone monologues in the history of theatre).
Step one: find your strengths
Step two: try and find a monologue that you connect to
Step three: make sure the character is age appropriate—not all of us can play Atticus Finch.
Step four: make sure the character is look appropriate—this has a few loopholes to it.
Step five: make sure your monologue is appropriate for the audition
Step six: find character traits within the monologue to make it more than just a person on a stage
speaking words.
Step seven: be prepared to own whatever it is you do on stage.
Types of auditions-Monologue (usually no more than 2 minutes)
-Dialogue (very rare form of audition, usually preformed with sides)
-Vocal (usually 32 bars of music bring it with you)
-Dance (usually taught to you in a group setting then auditioned 3 to 4 at a time)
-Combat (usually taught to you in a group setting then auditioned in pairs)
-Call back (usually given to you as a side)
--Make sure you are prepared for whichever audition you are going to, wear the right clothes and
bring anything that you may need to prepare for the audition before you go into the room.
--Some things to bring-Water
Your audition piece
I-pod
Change of clothes (if necessary)
Instrumental recording of audition song
extra shoes (tap, ballet, combat sneakers, again this is if necessary)
Pelczynski-auditioning 2010
MaterialsYou can find monologues all over the place, plays, books and the internet are the most used
forms.
Material
Pros
Cons
Play
-The words are direct, you are
-Some of these monologues can be
getting exactly what the author
overdone and not all of them will have
wants the character to say or do.
a clear stopping point, this means you
have to find an acceptable stopping
point.
Book
Internet
Side
-There are many monologues to
choose from within the book, this
allows you to find one that may fit
your personality.
-Not many of these monologues are
very good, many of them are from
plays that are ancient, and the majority
of them are overdone—hence why
they are in a monologue book.
-There are new plays coming out all -Some of these plays have never been
of the time, this resource allows you done, thus making them questionable.
to find something that the
-Some of these monologues have been
auditioner may have not seen
edited by another author, making them
before.
different from the original text; this
discrepancy could hurt you if the
auditioner is familiar with the original.
-everyone auditioning is getting this -everyone is doing the same
at the same time.
monologue.
-you aren’t familiar with the
monologue.
Dress Code-The dress code always depends on the audition you are going to.
-for vocal and monologue auditions always dress as if you are going to an interview.
-dance and combat auditions you want to make sure that you are dressed in clothes you can move
in.
Dance- ladies in leotards (with shorts if uncomfortable), Men- Wear all one color usually black
and something that is going to show off your movements however nothing baggy.
Combat- tie your hair back if it’s long, and don’t wear anything that is baggy or will get in the
way.
Callbacks- there is a discrepancy here, some people say wear the same thing you wore to the
audition so the auditioners remember/recognize you, personally I never follow this rule and I’ve
been fine.
Pelczynski-auditioning 2010
The RoomThe first thing you will notice is the panel of auditioners, this can be a bit unnerving.
Next you may notice an “X” on the floor—this is where you’re supposed to stand.
The room is usually a plain one or a bare stage, sometimes there will be a chair in the room as
well don’t be afraid to use it if necessary in the audition.
**if you plan to use the chair FIRST ASK the panel if you may, most times they will say yes, IF
YOU ASK FOR THE CHAIR be sure to USE THE CHAIR.**
The ProcessSince the audition starts as soon as you enter the room you want to prepare yourself before you
go in. Take a deep breath, and try to relax—too much nervous energy could hurt your audition.
Stage one: The stage manager will call your name as your waiting; they will usually ask you for
the correct pronunciation of your name as they will announce you to the panel.
Stage two: The stage manager will lead you into the room and announce who you are—this is
where the audition starts—as you follow the stage manager in walk with confidence
and keep smiling (always keep smiling when entering and leaving the audition even if
you fall walking in just keep smiling)
Stage three: Reintroduce yourself. Hello my name is Idena Menzel and I will be performing a
monologue from the musical (play) Rent by Jonathan Larson.
Stage four: Compose yourself (again) breathe (again) (…don’t stop breathing).
Stage five: Audition—make sure the panel knows when you’re finished but DON’T say done,
scene or anything like it.
Stage six: Thank the panel and reintroduce yourself. Again I am Idena Menzel, Thank you.
Stage seven: Leave the room—KEEP SMILING the audition doesn’t end until you’re out of the
building.
CallbacksCallbacks are done after everyone is finished auditioning and can be both in a group setting or
one at a time.
These are usually done with sides from the play—familiarize yourself with the side as much as
possible before acting it (character, motion and if you can memorize most of it and just reference
it during the audition you’re going to look even better)
Tips and Tricks-Keep breathing.
-Don’t ever look directly at the auditioners during your song/monologue—look just above
them—never make eye contact.
-Don’t be afraid to ask if you can restart if you mess up. Were all human we all make mistakes
auditioners know this and it usually doesn’t affect your chances of getting cast
-Keep a copy of your monologue with you in case you need to reference it—it’s not
recommended to do during an audition but it’s a good thing to have while you’re waiting.
-Be dressy but comfortable—ladies- wear your favorite dress/skirt/outfit, men—wear your
favorite shirt and tie.