4 Keys To Nailing Your Next Audition
You walk into an audition lobby, already nervous for what’s to come. You can’t back out now, well, maybe you could? No. You tell yourself, I am here, I am strong, I can do this. You sign in, now you wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Someone in the corner is doing the splits. Someone else is silently running their monologue with their pre-planned facial expressions and someone is reading today's paper (how are they being so chill right now). And there’s you. Nervously tapping your leg, running your lines over and over again, waiting until you are called to be on deck. You’re on deck, shoot, I’m next. You do your last-minute preparations, trying to remember your objectives, and finally, you walk in.
Phew, and this is all before you even enter the audition space. If you relate to any of the experiences above, I am here to help. Auditioning can be a very nerve-wracking experience, and yet it is not going away anytime soon. When you can walk into an audition space feeling confident and sure of what you’re doing, this process can be 10x better. Auditions do not have to be scary; they can be something you look forward to. And that is why I’m here to help calm down some of those nerves and give you 4 quick, applicable tips to help the audition feel like a celebration of your craft!
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How You Enter is How You Audition
Just like when you meet someone for the first time, you both are evaluating everything about each other, from minute one. As the old adage goes, “first impressions are everything,” and the audition room is no exception. The moment you enter a room, the audition has started. It is always best to start with a greeting, something you would say in your normal day-to-day life (i.e. Hi, so nice to meet you all, or, how are you doing?) Something easy and straightforward. If you walk in comfortable and confident, the people behind the table will feel comfortable and confident in your abilities before you’ve even started your monologue. I once had an agent from LA say that the minute the producers see a flicker of insecurity or inauthenticity, they are put off. That is intense, this industry is intense, but it doesn’t have to feel intense when you walk in. They want you to be great, they want YOU to solve their problem and be the best person for their show. When you walk in, be yourself and tell yourself that you are here to solve their problems. If you are a super chill person, be chill in the room. I am a grounded and energetic person. When I walk in, I try to bring both of those elements of myself to my greeting. Remember, you got this, you are going to be great, and right now all you have to do is be yourself.
2. The Moment Before
You’ve gotten all of the niceties out of the way. Now it’s time for the acting portion of the audition. Someone from the table has likely said “whenever you’re ready” and you are off to the races. But hold on, there is so much time between what the auditioner said and when you start speaking. This is YOUR room now, you are in charge of everything that comes next. Take time to get settled into yourself and your character. Find your eyeline in your room and who you’re speaking to. Hear them say the line you’re responding to. I have a monologue that starts with “Please Justin, you’re more invisible than me, and I’m damn near a ghost.” Before I start, I make sure I hear Justin say, “I am not invisible Toria, you don’t know what you’re talking about,” and then launch into my monologue. The panel is no longer there in the room; it is just you and the person you are speaking to. Take a few seconds to connect with them. A strong and connected opening will grab the viewer's attention immediately and lock them in for the rest of the monologue.
3. Stick the Landing
You did it! You’re at the end of your monologue, there are two more lines left. Maybe you fudged a word or two, but the panel didn’t notice, and now it is time to end strong. This is where your research beforehand will help. Picking a monologue with a strong ending is key. It should feel like a natural ending that wraps your whole monologue into a clear and dynamic bow. If you’re struggling with an ending, first check the text itself. Is it setting you up for success? Is there another line that would be better to end on? Once you’re confident with your selection, it is time to ride the wave of your monologue and stick that landing. Remind yourself of what you want from the other character and use those last few lines to demand it from them. The panel will always remember your opening and your closing. Everything in the middle could be amazing, incredible, perfect, but if your ending sucks, it is all they will remember.
4. How You Leave is Key
Your monologues/songs are finished! You did it! The audition is over! Not yet…if you are in the room, the audition is still happening. You’ve done your strong ending and now hold on to it. Enjoy that feeling, stay connected to your scene partner, make sure your last line landed, and now give it time to stick before you break. This will give the people behind the table a minute to soak in what they just saw and see you connect with your scene partner one more time. After a few seconds, it is time to make it clear that the monologue is finished. I stick with the classic, “thank you” once I’m finished.
Someone will say something behind the table. They may want to give you an adjustment or talk about one of your pieces. If they do, chat with them! This is your time to engage and for them to learn more about you. Last week I brought in a monologue from an Arthur Miller play. After the audition, someone on the panel commented on how that was their favorite Arthur Miller play and was really glad they got to see someone do a piece from it today. I responded with a couple of quick thoughts on the play and comments on other works from Miller, and we engaged in a conversation that lasted a few minutes. I could have said “cool, glad I brought it in,” but instead I took it as an opportunity to connect and engage with the person who is in charge of deciding whether or not I get a job. This can sometimes be the thing that seals the deal. If you have a successful audition AND you are kind and personable, why would they not want to hire you?
Now it is time to leave the room. You say your goodbyes and thank yous and walk towards the door. I have seen this time and time again, people fast walking or literally running out the door, like they couldn’t wait to leave. That sends the wrong message. Instead, take a breath and walk out at a normal pace; this will continue to show that you are comfortable and confident in the audition room.
You get to the door, open it, and here’s a trick I learned in undergrad that will stick with me forever: turn back around and thank them again. It is one more opportunity for them to see your face and to have a kind and engaging moment. This is what my grade called the MJR look back, named aptly after the professor who taught this.
HOW TO SUCCEED IN AN AUDITION ROOM
Come in with confidence and comfort, have a strong opening and ending, and engage with them afterwards. These are a few of the ways you can improve your audition immediately. My goal is to build up everyone's audition tool belt, so you can walk in with all the tools necessary to be and feel successful. Becoming a great actor and auditioner takes time and practice. If you are looking to further your skills and see more results, let's work together! I offer personal coaching where we can tackle your specific actor needs and build up your own personal actor tool belt.