Ever since I published my “10 Audition Tips for Actors” back in 2008 (!) and its sequel, I’ve taught a bunch of Audition Workshops all over the country to actors of all different ages and levels, from high school students to college students to well-seasoned pros.

Yesterday was one of those workshops, and I spent two hours with a group of amazingly talented actors looking to tune up their skills.  They knew what so many actors unfortunately don’t . . . performing on stage is a heck of a lot different than performing in a 10 x 10 room at a rehearsal studio under fluorescent lights while the director is eating a turkey sandwich and drinking apple juice.

And the trick of this biz is?  You’ve got to be awesome at both.

As I worked ’em over (we held mock auditions for Twinkies The Musical, by Mel Brooks, Stephen Sondheim and Paul McCartney and directed by yours truly), I came up with a few takeaways that I decided to share with you here, much like I do after I hold my “Get Your Show Off The Ground seminars.”

So here are my 10 Takeaways from my Audition Workshop:

1. I cast people that I want to hang out with for two-and-a-half-hours in the dark.
2. Your job at a first audition is not to get the job.  Your job is to get a callback.
3. Find your monologues from anywhere . . . plays, screenplays, television scripts . . . but never a monologue book.
4. Your audition starts once that door opens, and doesn’t end until 30 seconds after you leave.
5. The longer you can stay in the room, the stronger of an impression you’ll make.
6. Chairs are crutches.  Your body is your instrument.  If you were a violinist, would you like to audition for a symphony with half your strings?  Don’t sit in a chair unless the monologue calls for it . . . or unless you hurt your leg and you literally need a crutch.
7. Dress for an audition like you’re dressing for a first date.
8. Don’t expect anyone behind that table to laugh or applaud or smile or respond in any way.
9. Know your material so well that you’re on auto pilot.
10. Be ready for your Auditioners to ask you for another song, another monologue, an accent, a tap step, a juggling routine with two peaches and a calculator.  Be ready for . . . anything.

There you have it . . . 10 Audition Quickies!

Because these workshops and the blogs about auditioning have been so popular, I’m happy to announce that I’m going to do a public audition workshop!

On Thursday, December 5th, I’m inviting 10 and only 10 Actors to join me for a class to brush up on their audition technique.  We’ll take a look at a full song and a 16 Bar cut (or two monologues if you’re a straight actor) and I’ll teach you some of my tips and tricks of how to be remembered more after you’ve left the room.

Click here to register!  Do it today, as there are only 10 spots available, and I’m not sure when I’ll be able to do it again.  Not interested in auditioning for me?  Audit spots are also available.

Looking forward to seeing your stuff soon!

 

Want more audition tips?  Click here to learn how to up your audition game!

 

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