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Question about Audition...

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Topic: Question about Audition...

Posted By: coccinelle
Subject: Question about Audition...
Date Posted: 5/28/05 at 10:43pm

Hello everyone! I'm new and new to auditioning to theatre, I have little experience in theatre and recently attended an audition(MY first audition) well, I'm usually shy and got nervous and I'm just wondering, how do you know if the director likes you or not, it's a community theatre project btw, and I just have the drive to try on and audition, I thought at least I've got to taste what's it like to audition, (but I'll regret it, when or if I didn't get cast because theatre here in my city is pretty rare)
anyway, we have singing and dancing and I'd try to sing and my family said I have a good voice when I sang something to 'em at home, but I was nervous and I just really feel stupid btw after, and when I looked up the director is laughing, in my impression, I hope he laughs because he likes my voice or I hope because I was new face, and I move.(other guys I noticed just sing) and I remember him saying he wanted to see their 'personality' not just 'talent' so anyway overall I thought I done worse, but in the dancing part, I mostly get the moves, but I hardly execute it in the end, I was lost in the music and I just got nervous.

BTW, the reason that I asked if I can make it to the next call is that because, the dance director remembered me/ my name, and the pianist also asked for my name.

BTW the director said to me "Thank You" before I'd tried to finish the song!

OK, so do you think I really sucks? probably huh?

I just hope I'd do better next time.

Replies:

Posted By: dougb
Date Posted: 5/29/05 at 12:07pm

First, EVERYONE is nervous at auditions - I don't care how many they have been to. I suggest that you let the nervousness in rather than try to ignore it. If your audition piece is character ABC from play XYZ, find a reason for that character to be nervous. Then being nervous will help you rather than hinder you. The same for singing and dancing - find a reason for the character you are presenting to be nervous. Look at movies like Fame and Chorus Line - look at what was at stake for the character and use that to let the nervousness in.

Most auditions specify the length of the audition piece they want - usually two or three minutes total for two contrasting pieces or a monolog and a song. If you go over that or if the director has seen enough (good or bad) then they may say thank you to cut it off.

Trying to figure out whether the director liked you or not is impossible. The director wants you to be good. He/she is looking for good actors and it makes their life easier if you are good. There is the problem - the final choice is not about how well you did - it is about what works for the director. Right or wrong, the director may already have an idea of the type of person they want, old/young, tall/short, long hair/short hair. You may be just great but not what the director wants. The director also has to put together an ensemble. Again it is not about you but about all the other people he/she wants to cast in the play. You may be an absolutely perfect choice for the female lead but you may be 5'5" and the only choice for the male lead is a guy 5'1". Unfortunately, many directors use the same people over and over because they are comfortable with them.

As an actor, I have killed myself to find the perfect piece that runs 59 seconds to be under that magical 60 second limit. As a director, I see enough in an actor in 30 to 40 seconds to make a choice. Remember it is not what you present, it is what the director is looking for and you can NEVER guess what a director is looking for.

As a director, I have picked one actor over another (possibly better) actor because I saw something that told me they were the right choice for the role. As an actor, I have been passed over for actors that I know I am better than. There are so many things that go into making a decision that I couldn't enumerate them if I had all day. Sometimes it is little more than a gut feel to choose one over another.

All you can do is the best you can do at that time and place. Don't worry if you have done it better in the past or that you flubbed a dance step. The question to ask yourself: Did I do as well as I could at the audition given the circumstances? If the answer is "yes" that is all you can do.

Posted By: coccinelle
Date Posted: 5/29/05 at 3:52pm

thanks for that. I didn't get the first paragraph though.
So I guess, can't really tell what the director wants.

"The question to ask yourself: Did I do as well as I could at the audition given the circumstances? If the answer is "yes" that is all you can do. "

I think I did the best I could but not as I'd expected myself to show.

Posted By: Juliet
Date Posted: 5/30/05 at 6:18pm

Remember, the casting crew are rooting for you. And you can imagine that if you're a director and you've seen tons of people sing with no personality, you're gonna be quick to laugh with someone who has some. Don't worry about being nervous. Everyone is. And if you don't get cast in this show, keep trying. Let us know if you get a callback and cast.

Posted By: coccinelle
Date Posted: 5/31/05 at 2:01am

I just followed up and said that I didn't make it. I guess I'm fine. said I was "green" or in my meaning young and inexperienced. I just hope at least they'd let me do the callbacks though. I'd try again next time I hope so.

But just like in the tv, I'm glad I didn't throw up in front of the audience, my heart is in my throat I just couldn't perform like I hope or I know I can.

Thankx

Posted By: WestSacCT
Date Posted: 6/22/05 at 1:55pm

Miss Coccinelle,

I am sorry you did not get cast. It sounds like you did your best and yet, like it has been mentioned above- you just were not right for this part in this play. The question I have for you is this...How do you feel? Did your Arms and Legs fall off? Did your hair fall out?..I am assuming that none of the above has happened. I want you to remember this.."You are ok" I know it feels like rejection but really...its a job interview and if you dont get the job...its not the end of the world. Just go out there and audition more.

As a Director and an Actor myself, I have been on both sides of the stage apron and neither side is easy. As an actor I use the nerves to my advantage...its built up energy that I can use- Focus it into your piece yet keep in mind tempo and meter. As a Director I almost never not cast someone for nerves. I will, however not cast someone for being a head case, unmanageable, or unprofessional- no matter how good they are.

Just remember to be yourself, be professional, and have fun....you will soon be dancing on the boards.

-------------
Phillip E. Stommel
Artistic Director
West Sacramento Community Theater

Posted By: coccinelle
Date Posted: 6/27/05 at 2:31am

I thought maybe I still need more practice, and get much comfortable about being on stage, I thought about this and whilst I'm waiting I'm doing something else so that keep my mind off theatre. :)