So today I signed up to audition for a production of “As you like it”. There are 20 openings available, and about fifty or so students are signing up to audition over a period of two days. The signup sheet said to recite 2 monologues, one from Shakespeare and one contemporary. The total time for both monologues is 3 minutes.
This is the first time I’ve ever auditioned for a play. I’m very excited and enthusiastic, but also very nervous. I was wondering if any dopers had any good suggestions in general about auditioning for a play, and perhaps some recommendations on monologues.
The audition is next Tuesday, which doesn’t give me a whole lot of time to prepare between studying and working. One encouraging note about the play is the director is looking for people who can play instruments. Since I play the piano, I’m hoping that will help my chances, of course I’m sure that pretty much everyone auditioning will be good at playing instruments as well.
When you audition, you audition twice. One of them is a secret audition.
The person outside of the room where you audition, the one with the clipboard and the list of names, the one who tells you to wait or go into the room, that person is going to size up your personality and how well you work and play with others. Don’t be a jerk to that person. Your behavior outside the audition will be reported to the director and will influence the decision making process.
Don’t do a monologue from As You Like It. Choose something from another Shakespeare play. Don’t do any of the really really really famous ones. Oh and know your monologues by heart. You won’t believe how many people will show up and have not memorized their audition piece.
Incubus, that’s great! I really hope you get a part. I love theatre to the point that I even got a B.F.A. in theatre performance. It’s a lot of fun. The best advice I can offer is to come to the audition prepared. That means not only knowing your audition pieces, but also reading and understanding the play you are auditioning for. You’d be surprised how many people show up to an audition without even knowing the play or what they’re auditioning for. As You Like It is a good one and it has one of my all-time favorite Shakespearean characters (Rosalind…though Jacques runs a close second). There are some great comic parts if you dig that kind of stuff. And have fun with it. There’s a reason they call it a “play.” I hope you come back and let us know how auditions went. I look forward to hearing about that.
Anything in particular I should know about what to wear? I certainly want to make myself look presentable. In the meantime I will be spending this weekend reading “As you like it” as well as looking for a good pair of monologues.
It’s been a while since I’ve auditioned for anything, so feel free to take this with a grain of salt. I’m happily backstage these days.
You should look presentable, but not formal. Make sure you wear something comfortable that you can move in, as you never know what a director may ask you to do in an audition. Whatever you do, don’t try to dress like a character from “As You Like It,” or from your monologues. Directors just want to see you, not your ideas about costume design.
Also, realize that your audition starts the moment you enter the room. The director may be looking at how you move, your posture, and anything else. The director may or may not introduce themselves, don’t let this throw you. Just walk in, clearly state your name, what part (if any) you are auditioning for, and what your first monologue will be. If the director wants to chat, they will, or they will just nod and say, “When you’re ready” or something to indicate they are ready for you to start. And as others have said, remember to have fun, and be sure to stay as relaxed as possible.
Ditto what lightingtool said. My only other suggestion…DON’T wear head to foot black. Every audition I ever go to everyone is dressed in black. I usually wear colors. The trick is to make sure the outfit doesn’t overpower you. They should be seeing you, not your clothes. As goofy as that may sound I swear being the only one wearing something other than unrelieved black helps me stand out. I don’t always get the part (I wish!!), but I do usually get called back.
