Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Audition Styles

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KEB54
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Posted: 2/26/09 at 8:19am

We have perursal scripts available to anyone about 2 or 3 weeks prior to auditions so those auditioning are familiar with the script.

Actors that audition for the theatre in the larger community I work for take good advantage of it. Actors auditioning at the theatre in the smaller community seldom do.

KEB

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Scott B
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Posted: 2/27/09 at 12:16am

I'm directing the summer musical and I plan on doing cold readings. One thing I would like to change this year that I've seen in the past ... not allowing other actors to sit in on the auditions. If an actor has added just the slightest bit to their part or mannerisms ... I don't want someone copying them or picking up on them.

My intention is to clear the room with the exception of those on our production team. If it works then I would like to see it continue that way.

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chel
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Posted: 3/06/09 at 12:33pm

Would you be more likely to require a monologue for a drama than for a comedy? And how long should it be?

chel

www.windhamtheaterguild.org

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Nanette
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Posted: 3/06/09 at 2:25pm

I require monologues similar to they type of play we're staging ... dramatic monologue for a drama, comedic for a comedy, classic for a classic, etc. The monologues need to be, roughly, 1-2 minutes in length.

Not only do I get to see who can "memorize", but also who can develop a character. Obviously, the kids who work on their monologues for two weeks do much better than those who get it the night before and end up standing on the stage reading from a piece of paper. Not surprisingly, the ones who complain that they didn't get a big part are from the second group.

In a world of margarine, be butter!

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lalunabella
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Posted: 3/21/09 at 4:54am

I think it really depends on the working environment. I can totally see how a highly competitive and thriving theatrical community would be served by having prepared auditions. In a community where there is less access to experienced actors and resources perhaps asking people to prepare a piece is a bit unrealistic.

I usually opt for cold readings and a low pressure improv exercise that can be done in pairs or small groups. I really make an effort to put people at ease and create supportive energy.

"Yes I am a dreamer. For a dreamer is one that can find his way by moonlight and sees the dawn before the rest of the world." ~Oscar Wilde

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TonyDi
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Posted: 3/23/09 at 7:17am

Personally, if I WANT to do a show and have a specific role I'm looking at, I do what I can to FIND a copy of the script - even buying a copy (about $6.00 bucks or so - minor cost) well ahead of auditions (if possible). I do the homework, the research I can find (online lots of it) and go into an audition prepared for the role I seek. I do ok with cold readings - but I'd much rather have a greater chance to look it over in complete context than to do as many I've had audition for me - that is, come to auditions without even knowing the show or anything about it. If I buy the script, then at least if it ever comes up again someday I'll have it to refer back to in case. As a director I too am as low pressure as I can possibly be - because I know what it's like to be up there auditioning...and it's scary for anybody. Although anymore, I figure if it get the part, fine, if I don't, FINE - even though I might want it, it's not really my decision and I know it so I just give the best I can and throw fate to the wind. That's all it boils down to anyway - that and a directors ideas of what they want and it might not include me - whether I bought the script or know the role or not. But I DO the homework, get the script well in advance, (and read it) and do what I can to convince the director that I want the role or am willing to do what I can to be helpful as I possibly can.

TonyDi

"Almost famous"

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Directing
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Directing

Author	Message
KEB54 Celebrity Joined: 7/24/08 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 227	Posted: 2/26/09 at 8:19am
	We have perursal scripts available to anyone about 2 or 3 weeks prior to auditions so those auditioning are familiar with the script. Actors that audition for the theatre in the larger community I work for take good advantage of it. Actors auditioning at the theatre in the smaller community seldom do.
	KEB
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Scott B Celebrity Joined: 12/08/04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 239	Posted: 2/27/09 at 12:16am
	I'm directing the summer musical and I plan on doing cold readings. One thing I would like to change this year that I've seen in the past ... not allowing other actors to sit in on the auditions. If an actor has added just the slightest bit to their part or mannerisms ... I don't want someone copying them or picking up on them. My intention is to clear the room with the exception of those on our production team. If it works then I would like to see it continue that way.
	IP Logged

chel Celebrity Joined: 6/20/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Posted: 3/06/09 at 12:33pm
	Would you be more likely to require a monologue for a drama than for a comedy? And how long should it be?
	chel www.windhamtheaterguild.org
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Nanette Celebrity Joined: 8/01/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 399	Posted: 3/06/09 at 2:25pm
	I require monologues similar to they type of play we're staging ... dramatic monologue for a drama, comedic for a comedy, classic for a classic, etc. The monologues need to be, roughly, 1-2 minutes in length. Not only do I get to see who can "memorize", but also who can develop a character. Obviously, the kids who work on their monologues for two weeks do much better than those who get it the night before and end up standing on the stage reading from a piece of paper. Not surprisingly, the ones who complain that they didn't get a big part are from the second group.
	In a world of margarine, be butter!
	IP Logged

lalunabella Player Joined: 10/03/05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 21	Posted: 3/21/09 at 4:54am
	I think it really depends on the working environment. I can totally see how a highly competitive and thriving theatrical community would be served by having prepared auditions. In a community where there is less access to experienced actors and resources perhaps asking people to prepare a piece is a bit unrealistic. I usually opt for cold readings and a low pressure improv exercise that can be done in pairs or small groups. I really make an effort to put people at ease and create supportive energy.
	"Yes I am a dreamer. For a dreamer is one that can find his way by moonlight and sees the dawn before the rest of the world." ~Oscar Wilde
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TonyDi Celebrity Joined: 9/13/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 325	Posted: 3/23/09 at 7:17am
	Personally, if I WANT to do a show and have a specific role I'm looking at, I do what I can to FIND a copy of the script - even buying a copy (about $6.00 bucks or so - minor cost) well ahead of auditions (if possible). I do the homework, the research I can find (online lots of it) and go into an audition prepared for the role I seek. I do ok with cold readings - but I'd much rather have a greater chance to look it over in complete context than to do as many I've had audition for me - that is, come to auditions without even knowing the show or anything about it. If I buy the script, then at least if it ever comes up again someday I'll have it to refer back to in case. As a director I too am as low pressure as I can possibly be - because I know what it's like to be up there auditioning...and it's scary for anybody. Although anymore, I figure if it get the part, fine, if I don't, FINE - even though I might want it, it's not really my decision and I know it so I just give the best I can and throw fate to the wind. That's all it boils down to anyway - that and a directors ideas of what they want and it might not include me - whether I bought the script or know the role or not. But I DO the homework, get the script well in advance, (and read it) and do what I can to convince the director that I want the role or am willing to do what I can to be helpful as I possibly can. TonyDi
	"Almost famous"
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Topic: Audition Styles( Topic Closed)
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