Audition Etiquette
General Information
- Being a great performer also means learning how to be a great auditioner. Auditioning is the process by which you get a job in entertainment. Continue to go to classes or workshops, get used to the feeling of learning different styles from different people and learning them quickly. You will ALWAYS be a little nervous, but you have to learn how to work through that nervousness.
- Dress professionally according to the audition requirements. No Costumes Please.
- Arrive early. “To Be Early Is To Be On Time, To Be On Time Is To Be Late, To Be Late Is To Be History”
- The audition starts the moment you walk through the door. It is important to be courteous to everyone involved in the audition process, from the monitor to the Director.
- BE PREPARED. Being prepared is part of being professional.
- It is not customary to shake the hand of those seated behind the table. A genuine “Hello” when you enter the room and a polite “Thank you!” when you exit leaves the politest impression and keeps everything on a professional level. Introduce yourself properly: "Hi, I'm ______________. It's very nice to meet you".
- Listen carefully to instructions from the auditors.
- When you attend an audition, accept the circumstances you bring with you. It’s never a good idea to make excuses such as: “I have a cold”, “This isn’t my music”, “I worked late”, “I couldn’t find the building”, or “This is my first audition ever”!
- Don't ask inappropriate questions like "Did you like me?"
- Don't limit your thinking and precast yourself for any one part; audition well for any role.
- Be willing to accept any role.
- Be professional when learning of the audition outcome. There may not always be an answer that will satisfy the question of “why?” You don’t want to burn a bridge – you never know who will be casting for the next role that you want.
Headshots
Professional actors use headshots (pictures of themselves) as the calling card that they leave with a casting team to remember who they are. Kids Who Care does not require, but encourages, headshots at auditions. If you are using a head shot follow these guidelines.
- Make sure your headshot looks like you do today. If you have a change in your appearance such as haircut or color, then you should consider redoing your headshots.
- Make sure that your resume is securely attached to your headshot.
- The photo should be in focus, black and white and a standard size. Color and composite shots are useful in modeling and television commercial work, but not necessary for musical theatre. Try not to use high school graduation pictures, glamour shots, family pictures, pictures with pets or pictures that have sentimental value.
Résumé
Your résumé is your performance history, but you don’t want it to read like a history book. Kids Who Care does not require, but encourages, a resume at auditions. If you are using a resume follow these guidelines
- Try to keep your resume to one page listing your most current accomplishments. Don’t worry if the experience is limited.
- Include your name, email, and phone number.
- Never lie on a resume.
- Keep the format simple and easy to read. For entertainment auditions it is not necessary to include goals or a mission statement.
Movement Auditions
- Always arrive early to a movement audition to allow time to stretch before the audition begins. Warming up is your responsibility.
- Wear flexible clothing that allows you to have a full range of motion, but does not swallow your body. It is important to see line and silhouette during an audition.
- Learn to adapt to any given space. Be courteous to your neighbor when learning the combination, but be prepared to “own” the space when you are called forward to audition!
Vocal Auditions
- Wear professional attire.
- Prepare 16 bars (30-45 seconds) of a song that best showcases your ability (you don’t always have to start at the beginning). Make sure that your music is clearly marked for the pianist.
- Singers are not just vocalists, but actors as well. Know the story behind the music you select and act on the lyric.
- Use single sheet music, large vocal books are difficult for a pianist to use.
Acting Auditions
- Try to find a selection from a legitimate play.
- Keep it short. A 30-45 monologue is sufficient to show your ability.
- Take your time. Don't rush the moments in your audition piece.
- Remember that acting is 'reacting.' Don't just recite words.
- Original material is okay. Don't rely on props, costumes or jokes to show comic timing.
