AUDITIONS--monologues or cuttings?
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Directing
Forum Discription: For questions about handling shows, actors, crew, board members, children ...or do we repeat ourselves?
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2101
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Topic: AUDITIONS--monologues or cuttings?
Posted By: Guests
Subject: AUDITIONS--monologues or cuttings?
Date Posted: 10/31/06 at 3:05pm
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Directors, do you have your actors audition with prepared monologues or cuttings? Why or why not? Actors, which do you prefer to audition with? Why or why not? |
Replies:
Posted By: Linda S
Date Posted: 10/31/06 at 3:43pm
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I always do a cold read. That puts everyone on the same footing. That's the theory anyway. I have found so many good actors who at the last minute showed up with a friend and got talked into auditioning. My hope is that when they see that everyone is getting the same scene for the first time that it isn't so intimidating. I even let unprepared vocalist sing happy birthday. You never know when you are going to find a diamond in the rough. Linda
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Posted By: falstaff29
Date Posted: 10/31/06 at 7:25pm
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First of all, I never have actors come in with a prepared monologue
from some other show. Just don't think they're that useful. I usually keep sides of scenes from the play in the room itself, so that actors don't have access to it beforehand. That way, if they're really good, either 1) they just have great instincts for working a "cold" piece, or 2) they've done homework and read through the play before they showed up. In terms of what scene(s) I read them for, I have two philosophies, both of which I employ: 1. Read them for their character's first scene in the script. Usually, these scenes are kinda dull and expositiony, harder to make an impression with. So, seeing this scene helps me knock out some of the chaff. 2. Read them for their "big" scene, one of those really memorable moments in the play. I know a lot of directors that avoid doing this, thinking that because there's so much juice to it, anyone will be able to do a decent job with it. Which is true. But what I look for here is something that REALLY nails it- the rhythm, the tone. Also, I always explain my "idea" (that word sounds a bit pompous, but still...) for the show and the character, and will give them directions during the audition. Some directors hesitate to do this, preferring to just see raw talent or lack thereof, but I know I've gone into auditions where I didn't get the part, then saw the show and felt that if the director had actually said a couple of sentences on what he was going for, I could've shown him that in the audition. |
Posted By: eveharrington
Date Posted: 11/01/06 at 2:37am
I audition with the show sides, because people around here will not likely show up if they have to prepare two contrasting monologues, they just don't have the time. I usually only see calls for prepared monologues when a theater is doing a season general auditions. As for myself I prefer a cold read because for me it reading out loud is comes very easily, however when it comes to trying to pick two monologues that will contrast somehow, yet both be well delivered and memorized, and contain something of what I think maybe the directors are looking for in a role that I likely won't even get a chance to specify on the form, I'm totally lost. I still try to get my hands on a script beforhand if I know way in advance of the audition. Preperation never hurt anyone, and then when I do have to pick a monologue I have a growing script library to look through.  ------------- "If nothing else, there's applause... like waves of love pouring over the footlights." |
Posted By: eveharrington
Date Posted: 11/01/06 at 2:38am
obviously grammar does not come as easily as reading  ------------- "If nothing else, there's applause... like waves of love pouring over the footlights." |
Posted By: POB14
Date Posted: 11/01/06 at 9:42am
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I prefer to use cuttings, for two reasons:
Frankly any audition method is going to be less than ideal. Some of the best actors I know are terrible at auditions, and vice versa. ------------- POB Old Bugger, Curmudgeon, and Antisocial B**tard |
.Posted By: MartyW
Date Posted: 11/01/06 at 11:44am
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Read from the script only... If you give a little character and background info, it gives you a chance to see what they can do with the lines in the show your actually doing.. I could acutally see using perpared pieces if we were expecting a HUGE deluge of unkown auditioners. But as we have seen most everyone that tries out before, it is really a matter of seeing how they do with the new material, how they interact with the other actors being concidered, and how they stand up against any new people who do show up.. Guess it's a bit of a playing field leveler.. and cuts, what I concider, an unnessisary step from the evenings festivities...
------------- Marty W "Till next we trod the boards.." |
Posted By: castMe
Date Posted: 11/01/06 at 6:16pm
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I work like POB and Marty. Sides or cuttings, asks for adjustments, look at different combinations. I like to photograph everyone now. I find it helps me later on.
------------- Investigate. Imagine. Choose. |
Posted By: Linda S
Date Posted: 11/01/06 at 9:35pm
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I love using photographs. When I am putting together combinations for callbacks it really helps me remember.
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Posted By: POB14
Date Posted: 11/02/06 at 9:35am
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They've started doing the digital photo thing 'round here for the large auditions. What a great idea! ------------- POB Old Bugger, Curmudgeon, and Antisocial B**tard |
Posted By: suzecue1
Date Posted: 11/02/06 at 10:36am
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I like cuttings, not monologues. I like to see if the auditioners can think on their feet and how they react with the other auditioners. I also take digital photos, shoulders and head, print them out and staple them to the audition forms to use later. I put a measuring tape on the wall to let me know the auditioner's height too. Helps with putting characters together who audition on different nights. ------------- Sue ***** So many hats.....so few heads! |
Posted By: Sueshoo
Date Posted: 11/02/06 at 10:51am
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I like doing show sides - along with this I give written character descriptions. I always give them a few mins. to go over the material and rehearse with a partner. We also take pictures and attach them to the audition sheet. And the audition sheet asks for their height and "age range". Susan ------------- Susan Life is not a Dress Rehearsal |
Posted By: avcastner
Date Posted: 5/20/07 at 12:31pm
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Thanks for the replies (I'm the guest who started it all--my username didn't not migrate when the forum upgraded.)
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